A finite element method to compute three-dimensional magnetic field distribution in transformer cores

A numerical method is proposed to compute three-dimensional magnetic field distributions in nonlinear nonhomogeneous media, neglecting hysteresis and eddy currents. The magnetic field is derived from a scalar potential satisfying a nonlinear elliptic equation, which is solved by a convergent iterative method. A finite element program has been developed to compute the magnetic field distribution in transformer cores. Some numerical results for a butt and lap corner configuration are discussed.