Core loss calculation of the soft ferrite cores in high frequency transformer under non-sinusoidal excitations

Abstract

Soft ferrite materials are widely used in the construction of high frequency transformer for power electronic applications. Core loss calculation is essential both in the selection of soft ferrites and the design of high frequency transformer. Traditionally, the Steinmetz equation is used to evaluate the core loss of magnetic materials under sinusoidal excitation. Nevertheless, in modern power electronics, the real voltage shapes across magnetic materials are usually non-sinusoidal. Thus, many other methods has been proposed for core loss calculation. In this paper, these methods are first introduced and discussed. Then a test setup, mainly consisting of a full-bridge power module is built to conduct the core loss measurement. Calculated and experimental results on this test setup are illustrated and compared. In addition, a detailed description of the test setup is given.