Thermal design of transformers and inductors in power electronics

An overview of convection and radiation heat transfer in magnetic components is proposed. Firstly an introduction in ‘rule of the thumb’ is given. Secondly an improved modeling is proposed. It comprises natural convection heat transfer including also the effects of the orientation of the component and the influence of the ambient temperature. The proposed modeling is verified by comparison with experimental data obtained for an experimental box shape. The carried out accurate measurements for four different kinds of surfaces of the experimental model allow a fine-tuning of the improved expression for convection heat transfer coefficient. Thirdly an approach for forced convection is given. The derived results can be used in thermal design of magnetic components as well for other electronic equipment.An overview of convection and radiation heat transfer in magnetic components is proposed. Firstly an introduction in ‘rule of the thumb’ is given. Secondly an improved modeling is proposed. It comprises natural convection heat transfer including also the effects of the orientation of the component and the influence of the ambient temperature. The proposed modeling is verified by comparison with experimental data obtained for an experimental box shape. The carried out accurate measurements for four different kinds of surfaces of the experimental model allow a fine-tuning of the improved expression for convection heat transfer coefficient. Thirdly an approach for forced convection is given. The derived results can be used in thermal design of magnetic components as well for other electronic equipment.C