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 or 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, this magnetic flux, is related to electrical current, and what is known as reluctance is related to resistance and finally, what is known as magnetomotive force corresponds to electromotive force. The use of magnetic ciruits is very broad and extends to many electrical/mechanical devices such as motors and generators.