The most important differences between Electrical Circuit and Magnetic Circuit are discussed in this article on the basis of Exciting Force, Current & Flux Density, Lines of Force, Series & Parallel Circuit Behavior, Insulation, Energy, Temperature, and Circuits Representation. The following table keys out the main Differences between Electric and Magnetic Circuit.
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Difference between Electric and Magnetic Circuit
| Characteristics | Electromotive force ( EMF) in volts | Magnetomotive force (MMF) in ampere turn |
|---|---|---|
| Current / Flux | $Current=~~{}^{EMF}/{}_{Resistance}$ | $Flux=~~{}^{MMF}/{}_{Reluctance}$ |
| Resistance / Reluctance | $R=\rho \frac{L}{A}$ Where L is the length, ρ is resistivity, and A is the area. | $\Re =\frac{l}{\mu A}$ Where l is the length, μ is the permeability, and A is the area. |
| Current / Flux Density | Current Density (amp/area) $\delta =\frac{I}{A}$ | Flux Density ( Wb/area) $B=\frac{\varphi }{A}$ |
| Series Circuit | Current in all elements is same, but voltage or emf is different across each element. | Same flux passes through all elements in series and sum of MMF’s across the elements equal to applied MMF. |
| Lines of Force | Electric lines of flux are not closed in an electric circuit. | Magnetic lines of flux are closed in a magnetic circuit. |
| Parallel Circuit | Voltage across all branches is same and equal to applied voltage whereas current in the branches is different. | MMF of each branch is same and equal to the applied MMF. Flux in each branch is different and their sum equals the resultant flux. |
| Insulation | Insulation confines the current to a definite path. | There is no perfect insulation for flux lines. It is impossible to confine all lines to the core path. |
| Temperature | Resistance of an electric circuit changes with change in temperature. | The permeability and therefore reluctance of a magnetic materials vary over a wide range if temperature changes. |
| Energy | Flow of an electric current in an electric circuit involves continuous dissipation of energy. | Energy is only needed for creating the flux initially and no energy is needed to maintain it. |
| Insulating Materials | There are certain materials which act as an insulator and current cannot flow through them | Since there are no magnetic insulators so flux can pass through any material. |
| Current / Flux Unit | Current is measured in Ampere (A). | Flux is measured in Weber (Wb). |
| Conductance / Permeance | Conductance=1/Resistance | Permeance=1/Reluctance |
| Electrons / Flux | In electric circuits, current flows (which is in fact the flow of electrons) | In magnetic circuits, flux sets up inside the magnetic circuit. |
| Electric / Magnetic Lines of force | Electric lines start from a positive charge and terminate to a negative charge | Magnetic lines start from a North pole and terminate to a South pole. |
| Representation |  |  |
