Magnetic Circuit:
(Square Type) (Circular Type)
1. Magnetic Flux (Φ)
• Analogous to electric current.
• Represents the total magnetic field passing through an area.
• Unit: Weber (Wb)
= B A
Where B is magnetic flux density, and A is cross-sectional area.
2. Magnetomotive Force (MMF):
• Analogous to voltage (emf) in electrical circuits.
• Drives the magnetic flux through a magnetic circuit.
• Unit: Ampere-Turns (A·t)
MMF = N I
Where N is the number of turns, and I is current.
3. Reluctance (S or R)
• Analogous to electrical resistance.
• Opposes the flow of magnetic flux.
• Unit: Ampere-Turns per Weber (A·t/Wb)
l
S=
A
Where:
• l is the length of the magnetic path,
• μ is permeability of the material,
• A is the cross-sectional area.
4. Permeance (𝓟)
• Reciprocal of reluctance, similar to conductance.
• Indicates how easily a material allows magnetic flux.
• Unit: Weber per Ampere-Turn (Wb/A·t)
1 A
Ρ= =
S l
5. Magnetic Flux Density (B)
• Magnetic flux per unit area.
• Unit: Tesla (T)
6. Magnetic Field Strength (H)
• Magnetic field intensity.
• Unit: Ampere per meter (A/m)
MMF NI
H= =
l l
Analogy of Electric and Magnetic Circuit:
Electrical Circuit Magnetic Circuit
Voltage (V) MMF (F)
Current (I) Flux (Φ)
Resistance (R) Reluctance (S)
Conductance (G) Permeance (𝓟)
Ohm’s Law: V=IR Hopkinson’s Law: MMF=Φ⋅S
Electric vs. Magnetic Circuit Analogy (with Formulas)
Property Electric Circuit Magnetic Circuit Analogy/Meaning
Driving Force Voltage (V or Magnetomotive Force Pushes current or flux
EMF) (MMF = NI)
Flow Quantity Electric Current Magnetic Flux (Φ) What actually flows
(I)
Opposition to Flow Resistance (S/R) Reluctance (ℜ) Opposition to current
or flux
Path Property Conductivity (σ), Permeability (μ), How easily the
Resistivity (ρ) Reluctivity (1/μ) medium supports flow
Flow per Unit Area Current Density Flux Density (B = Φ/A) Flow strength per unit
(J = I/A) cross-section
Field Intensity Electric Field (E Magnetic Field Force per unit length
= V/l) Strength (H = NI/l)
Ohm’s Law V = IR MMF = Φℜ Driving force = flow ×
Equivalent opposition
Energy Stored (1/2) CV² or (1/2) (1/2) B²/μ × volume Magnetic or electric
LI² energy stored
Power P = VI = I²R Not directly defined -
(magnetic circuits are
passive)
Kirchhoff’s Current The total current The total magnetic flux Conservation of
Law (KCL) entering a entering a node = flux current / flux
junction = current leaving it
leaving it
Kirchhoff’s Voltage Sum of voltages Sum of magnetomotive Energy balance or
Law (KVL) around a loop = 0 forces (MMF) around a conservation
magnetic loop = 0
Kirchhoff’s Laws in Magnetic Circuits:
Kirchhoff’s Flux Law (Analogous to KCL):
The total magnetic flux entering a junction (node) is equal to the total flux leaving it.
Mathematical form: in = out
Kirchhoff’s MMF Law (Analogous to KVL):
The algebraic sum of all MMFs in a closed magnetic path is equal to the sum of the magnetic drops
(flux × reluctance).
Mathematical form: MMF = S