Electrical Equipment and Machines: Finite Element Analysis | EveryEng

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Electrical Equipment and Machines: Finite Element Analysis

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Electronics & Instrumentation

Electrical Engineering

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Why enroll

Participants should join this course to gain a clear and practical understanding of the Finite Element Method and how it is used to analyze real electrical machines and equipment. The course focuses on hands-on learning using free software, making it easy to apply concepts in practice. It is useful for both students and working professionals who want to strengthen their core skills and solve real-world problems confidently.

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Is this course for you?

You should take this if

You work in Electronics & Instrumentation
You're a Electrical Engineering / CAD & Analysis professional
You have 3+ years of hands-on experience in this field
You want to build skills in Engineering & Design, Project Management

You should skip if

You're new to this field with no prior experience
You need a different specialisation outside Electrical Engineering
You need live interaction with an instructor

Course details

The course covers both the theory and applications of the Finite Element Method (FEM). This numerical technique, used for solving partial differential equations, is widely adopted by researchers and practicing engineers for the design, development, and optimization of electrical equipment and machines. FEM has been incorporated into the curriculum of many universities in India at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. This module will help students and working professionals understand and effectively apply FEM for device analysis. The course includes freeware-based FEM simulations and coding procedures, enabling students to develop their own codes for practical two-dimensional problems using freely available software.While there are two existing NPTEL courses on computational electromagnetics that cover various numerical techniques, particularly for high-frequency electromagnetics, this course is exclusively focused on finite element analysis of low-frequency machines and equipment. The proposed course has four unique features: explanation of electromagnetic concepts relevant to low-frequency electromagnetic computations, ,application of finite element theory to different low-frequency electromagnetic problems related to electrical machines and equipment, and solution of developed finite element formulations using freeware platforms such as Scilab and Gmsh.

Source: NPTEL IIT Bombay [Youtube Channel]

Course suitable for

Key topics covered

Course Introduction: Electrical Equipment and Machines – Finite Element Analysis
Course Outline and Introduction
Analytical and Numerical Methods
Revisiting EM Concepts:
- Vector Algebra & Coordinate Systems
- Vector Calculus and Electrostatics
- Current Densities and Electric Fields in Materials
- Electrostatic Boundary Conditions and Shielding
- Magnetostatics
- Magnetic Forces and Materials
- Time Varying Fields
- Theory of Eddy Currents
FEM: Variational Approach (NPTEL IIT Bombay – 121K subscribers)
Finding Functional for PDEs
Whole Domain Approximation
1D FEM:
- Problem Definition and Shape Function
- Procedure
- Scilab Code
2D FEM:
- Problem Definition and Shape Functions
- Procedure
- Scilab Code: Manual Meshing
- FEM Code: Gmsh and Scilab
Computation of B and H Field and Method of Weighted Residuals
Galerkin Method
Calculation of Leakage Inductance of a Transformer
Calculation of Inductance of an Induction Motor and a Gapped-Core Shunt Reactor
Insulation Design Using FE Analysis
Quadratic Finite Elements
Time Harmonic FE Analysis
Calculation of Eddy Current Losses
Eddy Losses in Transformer Windings

Course content

The course is readily available, allowing learners to start and complete it at their own pace.

30 lectures16 hr 22 min

Course Introduction Electrical Equipment and Machines Finite Element Analysis
4 min
Course Outline and Introduction
28 min
Analytical and Numerical Methods
30 min
Revisiting EM Concepts: Vector Algebra & Coordinate Systems
34 min
Revisiting EM Concepts: Vector Calculus and Electrostatics
33 min
Revisiting EM Concepts: Current Densities and Electric Fields in Materials
39 min
Revisiting EM Concepts: Electrostatic Boundary Conditions and Shielding
42 min
Revisiting EM Concepts: Magnetostatics
41 min
Revisiting EM Concepts: Magnetic Forces and Materials
42 min
Revisiting EM Concepts: Time Varying Fields
45 min
Revisiting EM Concepts: Theory of Eddy Currents
48 min
FEM: Variational Approach NPTEL IIT Bombay 121K subscribers Subscribe 13
28 min
Finding Functional for PDEs
31 min
Whole Domain Approximation
25 min
1D FEM: Problem Definition and Shape Function
40 min
1D FEM: Procedure
30 min
1D FEM: Scilab Code
42 min
2D FEM: Problem Definition and Shape Functions
28 min
2D FEM: Procedure
36 min
2D FEM Scilab Code: Manual Meshing
35 min
2D FEM Code: Gmsh and Scilab
30 min
Computation of B and H Field and Method of Weighted Residuals
25 min
Galerkin Method
28 min
Calculation of Leakage Inductance of a Transforme
35 min
Calculation of Inductance of an Induction Motor and a Gapped-Core Shunt Reactor
32 min
Insulation Design Using FE Analysis
36 min
Quadratic Finite Elements
23 min
Time Harmonic FE Analysis
28 min
Calculation of Eddy Current Losses
31 min
Eddy Losses in Transformer Windings
33 min

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Questions and Answers

Q: You're reviewing a stator FEA deck before SOP and searching "motor FEA second order elements inconsistent results". The Rev 4 GA notes 'quad elements, default order' while the solver setup shows second‑order interpolation enabled. What action closes the DFMEA item with the least risk?

A: Governing principle: FEA assumptions are design inputs and must be configuration‑controlled under ISO 26262. Applied here: The solver behavior is part of the safety case, and Rev 4 may not reflect as‑built or as‑analyzed conditions. Aligning documentation to the validated model closes traceability gaps before SOP. Trap distractor: Option A catches engineers who chase numerical neatness while breaking the documented design baseline.

Q: Duty changed late to inverter‑fed operation and you're googling "select electrical steel for high frequency FEA motor". Peak electrical frequency is 1.2 kHz, same torque target. Which lamination choice keeps loss predictions defensible?

A: Governing principle: Core loss scales with frequency and lamination thickness. Applied here: Inverter harmonics push losses beyond 60 Hz data, so thin‑gauge steel with validated high‑frequency curves keeps FEA outputs tied to physics and supplier data. Trap distractor: Option C tempts those focused on saturation while missing that eddy loss dominates at this frequency.

Q: After a mesh tweak you're searching "FEA mesh refinement increased torque ripple". Average torque stayed flat but ripple jumped 30%. What response makes sense?

A: Governing principle: Mesh changes interact with temporal discretization and element quality. Applied here: Refinement can expose real spatial harmonics or create numerical artifacts if time steps and aspect ratios aren't consistent. Trap distractor: Option A appeals to experience with CFD meshes but skips verification of solver stability.

Q: SOP is in two weeks and you're under the gun, searching "air gap tolerance mismatch motor FEA vs drawing". Rev 4 shows ±0.05 mm air gap GD&T, but plant feedback hints at ±0.15 mm as‑built. What protects you in DFMEA?

A: Governing principle: DFMEA requires evaluation over credible variation, not just nominal. Applied here: Air gap directly drives flux density and torque; sweeping the as‑built tolerance bounds quantifies risk before hardware locks. Trap distractor: Option D pulls in thermal thinking that doesn't address magnetic saturation risk.