Ansys Maxwell Electronics Transformer ACT
Hello, my name is David Giglio from Ozen Engineering, Inc. In this video, I will show you how to use the ANSYS Electronic Transformer ACT to automatically create a 3D FEM model in ANSYS Maxwell for a transformer or inductor.
Steps to Create a 3D FEM Model
- Go to catalog.ansys.com and download the ACT for free.
- Open your project in Maxwell Design.
- Click on View and then on ACT Extensions.
- Select the Electronic Transformer ACT.
- A window will appear to apply the settings for the model creation.
Model Settings
If you click on Help, you will be able to download documentation that explains all the parameters.
- Segmentation Angle: Represents the resolution of how the curvature of the geometry is created.
- Supplies: Multiple supplies to choose from. Default is Ferris Cube.
- Core Types: A maximum of 15 core types are available. I will choose ETD 44, 22, 15.
- Air Gap: You can define an air gap or leave it unchecked.
Transformer Configuration
- Choose whether the transformer is wound or planar. I will leave it wound.
- Select the number of layers, which equals the number of windings. I will choose two windings.
- Choose the conductor type: rectangular or circular. I will choose circular.
- Define layer properties: conductor diameter (e.g., 2.5 by 88 millimeters for 10 gauge).
- Select the turns: six for each one-to-one transformer turns ratio.
- Leave installation thickness at default.
Analysis Setup
- Choose to make the model full or use symmetry for a half model to speed up simulation convergence.
- Select core material: 3C94 copper coils.
- Define frequency here or afterwards; same for the frequency switch.
- Choose transformer size: at least two sizes and define the windings (two windings and two sizes).
- Define connections: windings are magnetically coupled, not electrically connected.
- Uncheck Create Skin Layers for Mesh for more details in the manual.
Model Creation
Set up analysis to create the model. The model creation is completed within seconds. You can exit the wizard, close it down, and view the created model.
Maxwell Circuit and Post-Processing
Besides geometry, a Maxwell circuit is created, defining the excitation to a transformer. Components include:
- Voltmeter to the winding
- Ammeter in the branch of the primary
- Voltmeter to the excitation
Set up the frequency sweep by clicking on Setup 1 Frequency Sweep. Configure controls with a linear step starting at 100 kHz, ending at 200 kHz, with a step size of 50 Hz.
Material Properties
Select the core in the geometry, click on Material, and then Edit View Material to see material properties. You can choose nonlinear resolutions if needed.
Post-Processing Data
Post-processing can show:
- Coupling coefficient data
- Inductance data (leakage and mutual inductance)
- Resistance and impedance of the windings
- Branch currents measured from the ammeter
- Node voltage losses in the windings and core
JSON File Creation
After using the Electronic Transformer ACT to create the model, a JSON file is automatically created and saved. This file contains all the model information, including core dimensions and winding definitions. You can use this file to recreate or edit the model.
Conclusion
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Hello, my name is David Giglio from Ozen Engineering. In this video, I will show you how to use the ANSYS Electronic Transformer ACT to automatically create a 3D FEM model in ANSYS Maxwell of a transformer or inductor. First, download the ACT for free from catalog.ansys.com.
Then, in your Maxwell design project, click on View, then ACT Extensions, and select the Electronic Transformer ACT. A window appears to apply the settings for the model creation. If you click on Help, you will be able to download documentation that will explain all the parameters.
The first parameter is the segmentation angle, which represents the resolution of how the curvature of the geometry is created. Choose a ferrite cube for the core material and ETD 44, 22, 15 for the core type. Define an air gap or leave it unchecked. Choose "wound" for the transformer to be wound.
Select two for the number of layers, which equals the number of windings. A layer represents a winding. Choose circular for the conductor type. Define layer properties, such as conductor diameter, depending on what gauge you want to use. Next, set up the analysis.
Choose to make the model full or let the ACT use symmetry to create a half model. For core material, choose 3C94 copper coils. Define the frequency and symptom frequency switch. Choose the transformer size and define the windings.
The two windings are not electrically connected; they are only magnetically coupled. After creating the model, you can set up a fixie sweep by clicking on Setup, then Fixie Sweep. Set up a set of controls and a linear step for the material.
For post-processing, you can use VAULT Detective to view coupling coefficient data, inductance data, resistance of the windings, impedance of the windings, branch currents, and node voltage losses in the windings and core.
After using the Electronic Transformer ACT to create the model, the ACT automatically creates and saves a JSON file containing all of the model information. You can use this file to create the model using the ACT from the beginning or edit this file and create the model. Thank you for watching.
If you like this video, please click like and subscribe to our channel to get notifications of new videos. Have a nice day.
