Eddy current magnetic levitation. Models and experiments

We present a simple demonstration of eddy-current magnetic levitation using a small copper coil, energized with 60 Hz AC and levitated over an aluminum plate. The processes that generate magnetic forces are identified using Maxwell's equations. Through this experiment, a method for determining lift-off power, levitation height and suspension resonant frequency is shown. The principles outlined in this article have numerous applications to magnetic levitation, induction heating and other electrodynamic processes involving induced eddy currents. Scaling laws show how to size a suspension conductor and power supply for a given levitated load.