Accuracy Analysis of Core Loss Measurements for High-Quality Factor Inductors

Using electrical methods to measure inductor core losses becomes challenging when they are subjected to high- frequency operation enabled by wide-bandgap devices. Even slight phase delays during operation at high frequencies can result in significant measurement errors, necessitating high-performance instrumentation. This sensitivity to measurement errors is especially pronounced when evaluating the losses of inductors with a high-quality factor. This paper reviews different methods for measuring core loss and compares their performance based on analysis and simulations. The impact of instrumentation accuracy on the core loss measurement is also explored via a Monte Carlo simulation.