SPICE-Aided Models of Magnetic Elements—A Critical Review

Abstract

This article analyzes the problem of modeling the properties of such magnetic elements as inductors, coupled inductors, and transformers using the SPICE software (version 17.2). Both the classical models of magnetic elements, built in this software, and the models implemented in the form of subcircuits are described. In particular, attention was paid to the possibility of taking into account the non-linearity of the characteristics of the considered elements and mutual couplings between electrical, magnetic, and thermal quantities. Using the results of thermographic measurements, the need to take into account the differences in temperature values between the individual windings and the core of inductors and transformers was justified. Selected models of the considered elements given in the literature are briefly characterized. The network structures of the electrothermal models of the considered elements elaborated at Gdynia Maritime University are presented. The results of calculations and measurements illustrating the correctness of the described models and their prac-tical usefulness for the elements of different structures are presented and discussed.

Keywords

• inductors
• transformers
• coupled inductors
• power losses
• compact models
• windings