Magnetic Circuits

A magnetic circuit can be described as a complete closed path of any group of lines of magnetic flux. Magnetic flux is generated by permanent magnets, electromagnets or other types of magnetic materials and is described as a measure of the number of magnetic field lines that pass perpendicularly through a surface. There are a number good analogies between magnetic and electric circuits, for instance; magnetic flux is related to electrical current, reluctance is related to resistance and finally, what is known as magnetomotive force corresponds to electromotive force. The use of magnetic circuits is very broad and extends to many electrical/mechanical devices such as motors and generators.