Low frequency modelling of induction heaters using series equivalent circuit, transformer equivalent circuit and finite element analysis

Induction heating is a process where a varying magnetic field is used to heat a conductor or workpiece. When a piece of metal or conductor is placed near a magnetic field created by energising a coil of wire, the magnetic field transfers energy into the conductor, thus heating it up. This paper presents three methods for modelling induction heaters at mains frequency. These models are known as the series equivalent circuit (SEC) model, the transformer equivalent circuit (TEC) model and finite element analysis (FEA). The performances of these models are compared with experimental results for a demonstration induction heater. The FEA gives the best fit to the measured values and the TEC model gives better results than the SEC model.