Finite element applications in electrical engineering

A description of the finite element method and its specialization to low-frequency electrical applications is presented. Field plots of illustrative examples of devices are also shown. Attention is given to some of the problems encountered in modeling two- and three-component vectors, the use of edge elements, and force calculations. Accurate and computationally economical one-component vector potential methods for 2-D magnetostatic and eddy current problems appear to be the representation of choice. A total scalar potential solution for electrostatic fields and a modified reduced scalar potential solution described here for the 3-D magnetostatic problem may prove most suitable.<>