eddy current

American  

noun

1. an electric current in a conducting material that results from induction by a moving or varying magnetic field.

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eddy current British  

noun

1. Also called: Foucault current.  an electric current induced in a massive conductor, such as the core of an electromagnet, transformer, etc, by an alternating magnetic field

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Etymology

Origin of eddy current

1590–1600, for an earlier sense

Example Sentences

Large magnets pull out metals; aluminum is itself magnetized using what’s known as an eddy current to draw it out.

From Seattle Times • Jan. 5, 2024

But when the plate leaves the field on the right, flux decreases, causing an eddy current in the clockwise direction that, again, experiences a force to the left, further slowing the motion.

From Textbooks • Aug. 12, 2015

When an insulating material is used, the eddy current is extremely small, and so magnetic damping on insulators is negligible.

From Textbooks • Aug. 12, 2015

As it enters and leaves the field, the change in flux produces an eddy current.

From Textbooks • Aug. 12, 2015

As the polar projections must necessarily be very narrow, very thin wires or sheets must be used to avoid the eddy current effects.

From The inventions, researches and writings of Nikola Tesla With special reference to his work in polyphase currents and high potential lighting by Martin, Thomas Commerford