Learn what eddy currents are, how they are induced in conductors by changing magnetic fields, and how they affect speedometers and transformers. Find examples, FAQs, and a quiz on eddy currents. Eddy currents are loops of electrical current produced in a conductor due to a changing magnetic field or relative motion of the conductor inside a magnetic field. They flow in a plane perpendicular to the direction of the magnetic field. Because they resemble swirling eddies in turbulent water, they are called eddy currents . Eddy currents , meanwhile, might take a while to build up and only last for a brief time in conductors due to their inductance. History of the Eddy Current François Arago (1786-1853), the 25th Prime Minister of France and a mathematician, physicist, and astronomer, was the first to observe eddy currents . Learn the eddy current definition with formula, diagram, and examples. Understand how eddy currents work, where they’re used, and how to reduce eddy current loss in electrical systems.
