Soft magnetic materials are at the core of electromagnetic devices. Planar transformers are essential pieces of equipment working at high frequency. Usually, their magnetic core is made of various types of ferrites or iron-based alloys. An upcoming alternative might be the replacement the ferrites with FINEMET-type alloys, of nominal composition of Fe_73.5Si_13.5B₉Cu₃Nb₁ (at. %). FINEMET is a nanocrystalline material exhibiting excellent magnetic properties at high frequencies, a soft magnetic alloy that has been in the focus of interest in the last years thanks to its high saturation magnetization, high permeability, and low core loss. Here, we present and discuss the measured and modelled properties of this material. Owing to the limits of the experimental set-up, an estimate of the total magnetic losses within this magnetic material is made, for values greater than the measurement limits of the magnetic flux density and frequency, with reasonable results for potential applications of FINMET-type alloys and thin films in high frequency planar transformer cores.

In modern low-voltage electrical installations, the predictive maintenance of the major electrical equipments involved in the power delivery process (transformers) or in the conversion of the electrical energy (especially electric motors) becomes mandatory. Thus, a high level of reliability and safety is assured for both the electric facility and operators. The proactive maintenance is to be non-invasively performed and mainly requires an infrared (IR) thermographic inspection and power quality analysis of the installation loads. A vibration investigation is also necessary for the motor drive systems. The paper critically studies the first two main maintenance procedures revealing their main characteristics, performances and limits. A case-study presents a 1000 kVA distribution transformer that supplies a bakery facility that comprised mainly heaters and inductions motors as loads.

Nowadays, Failure Mode and Effect Analysis (FMEA) is more present in any standard evaluation of a product or process. In automotive industry, the IEC 61508 Standard adapted the ISO 26262 restrictions for Electrical and Electronic Devices. Conducting an FMEA reduces the costs by focusing on preventing failures, improving safety and increasing customer satisfaction. This paper presents a case study of a FMEA on a CAN (Controller Area Network) Bus Harness considering the entire process from defining the scope and building the team, to the action plan that will reduce the Risk Priority Number below the acceptable risk value. Also, the brainstorming that identifies the possible failure modes is presented.

Proximity sensors are devices found in many fields of activity from the automotive area to robotics and beyond. Among them, proximity sensors occupy an important place due to their low price and reliable response. They are found in a wide range of sizes and detection distances. In this work, a comparative study was carried out on two constructive solutions - one shielded and one unshielded. The response provided by the sensor was followed through a 2D FEMM analysis varying a series of parameters: the material from which the target is made, the distance between the target and the sensor, as well as its operating frequency. The results highlight the influence of these parameters by changing some quantities of a magnetic nature such as the spectrum of the magnetic flux density, the magnetic energy stored by the target, respectively the inductance of the sensor coil.

Electrical transformers are essential parts of power supply networks and it is important that their life-time to be preserved. The inrush current of this devices could determine malfunctioning of the transformers or even others component of the network. For this reason, determining the inrush current for single-phase transformers is an important issue in power quality analysis of electrical grids. In this paper we presented an experimental device (hardware set-up and software program) that can measure this in rush current features for small transformers (up to 10 kVA). Also, the device affords the users to measure inrush current knowing the geometry of the transformer, the dimensions and the magnetic characteristic of the core.

Natural gas is an indispensable resource for human life. Its transport is usually done through underground pipelines. Due to the environment in which they are placed, the pipelines are subjected to a continuous process of corrosion. This paper aimed a 3D numerical analysis using specialized software (COMSOL Multiphysics) to study several parameters that influence the corrosion of underground pipelines. Starting from real geometric and environmental data, a comparative analysis was performed, considering the pipeline coating (e.g., with HDPE - high- density polyethylene), the placement of the cathode protection electrode, and the soil conductivity near the pipeline. The results confirm the need to cover the pipelines and can be a starting point for choosing the final configuration of the cathodic protection system.