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5. Operating Principles
5.1
EDDY-CURRENT DYNAMOMETERS (WB)
Magtrol Eddy-current Dynamometers carry the designation of "WB" which stands for "Wirbelstrom-
Bremse" in German (Wirbelstrom = Eddy-current, bremse = brake). Eddy-currents are circular
currents induced in conductors crossing a magnetic field. These currents generate electromagnetic
forces acting against the movement of the rotor.
In the WB Eddy-current Dynamometer, the moving part is a toothed cylindrical rotor. The magnetic
field is created by coils powered by a DC current source. The magnetic flux flows through the rotor
teeth—not the air gap—creating magnetized and non-magnetized areas within the stator. During
rotation, the rotor teeth generate Eddy currents in the stator which create a braking force. The kinetic
heat generated in this process is absorbed by the stator cooling circuit.
The braking torque depends upon the rotational speed and increases with increasing speed. At a
standstill, the torque is zero. To be able to measure a starting torque with this dynamometer, it is
necessary to block both the stator and the rotor. In this case, the dynamometer ceases to rotate and
the tested motor’s torque is integrally transmitted to the dynamometer measuring cell.
5.2
MAGNETIC POWDER DYNAMOMETERS (PB)
Magtrol magnetic powder dynamometers carry the designation of "PB" which stands for
"Pulverbremse" in German (Pulver = powder).
In the PB Magnetic Powder Dynamometer, the magnetic field generated by a DC current passing
through the coils magnetizes the ferromagnetic powder. This powder is located in the gap between
the toothed rotor and the stator of the brake. Due to the action of the magnetic field, some columns
build up which generate friction between the rotor teeth and the stator surface.
By varying the coil current, the braking torque can be varied continuously.
5.3
WB VS. PB
Mechanically, PB and WB dynamometers are quite similar and only differ by their size and the
shape of the rotor teeth.
Fundamentally, the difference between an Eddy-current and a magnetic powder dynamometer lies
in the fact that the maximum braking torque of the later is already available at standstill. On the
other hand, the friction generated in magnetic powder brakes limits the speed of the dynamometer
at lower levels to prevent premature wear and powder dispersion into the bearings due to centrifugal
forces.