Implementation of different magnetic materials in outer rotor PM generator

Permanent magnets have become more and more important in today's technology of electrical machines. This paper gives an overview of usability of different types of magnetic materials in electrical machines. The research is based on a synchronous generator construction using NdFeB, SmCo, ferrite and Alnico permanent magnets. The reason of the research is to determine, which kind of magnets are suitable for the current generator design, besides the neodymium magnet. Electromagnetic simulations of the PM generator were performed by using finite element analysis. A 5 kVA PM generator for wind power applications was designed, manufactured and tested. The test results of the prototype PM generator have been investigated and compared with the calculated characteristics and data.