Home / Examples / Magnetic Analysis (Luvens, Transient Analysis) / Example 1: IMP Motor Analysis (Current-Specified Input)

The basic characteristics of the IPM motor (Interior Permanent Magnet Motor) is analyzed.
The model is a permanent magnet synchronous motor with magnets built in a rotor.
The torque, magnetic flux density distribution , iron loss, cogging torque, induced voltage, and inductance are solved.
Input is specified by current.
The same model is analyzed in Example 7 with input specified by voltage.
The analysis is coupled with the external circuit.
The homogenizing method is applied to simulate the layer structure of the electromagnetic plates of steel for the core.
Unless specified in the list below, the default conditions will be applied.
In this example, a quarter period symmetric model is used for faster calculation.
A project of the full model is available as well.
Obtain a full model’s project file. (Save the project file before open)
Results will vary depending on Femtet version and the PC environment.
Item |
Settings |
Analysis Space |
2D |
Thickness in Depth Direction |
60 [mm] |
Unit |
mm |
Solver |
Magnetic Analysis [Luvens] |
Analysis Type |
Transient Analysis |
Options |
Select External Circuit Coupling. Select Rotating Machinery.
[Partial Model (Symmetric Model) Setting] Select Partial Model. Division Number: 4 [Conversion of external circuit I/O values] Select Convert Number of Series: 4 Number of Parallels: 1 Select Convert the result to the full model for output |
The Rotating Machinery tab is set as follows.
Tab |
Setting Item |
Settings |
Rotating Machinery |
Rotational Move |
Select Constant Velocity. Number of Rotations: 1800 [r/min] Rotor’s Initial Rotation Position: 0 [deg] |
Number of Sliding Mesh Divisions |
Circumferential Division Angle: 1.0 [deg] Rotational Quantity per Step: 1 [mesh] Number of Sliding Mesh Layers: 3 |
External circuit is as follows.
3-phase AC of 60 Hz and 5 A is applied.
The U phase is calculated with a function to [Search for power phase at the maximum torque].
As [Conversion of external circuit I/O values] is ON, the resistance value of the FEM coil is set to the phase resistance which is equivalent to a full model instead of a quarter model.
See [External Circuit Conversion] and [Example of External Circuit Conversion Setup] for the details of conversion.

Set the Mesh Tab as follows.
Tab |
Setting Item |
Settings |
Mesh |
Meshing Setup |
Automatically set the general mesh size: Deselect General Mesh Size: 1 [mm] |
Ambient Air Creation |
Select Create ambient air automatically. Ambient Air Scale: 1.2 |
The Transient Analysis tab is set up as follows.
The number of calculation steps is 180, circumferential division angle is 1.0 [deg], and rotational quantity per step is 1[mesh]. The rotation up to 180 deg (=180*1.0*1) is analyzed.
It can be converted to the electric angle of 360 [deg] (=180*4/2) (mechanical angle x number of poles). One period of electric angle is analyzed.
As the input power is specified by current, the coil current is in the steady state from the beginning. The torque is also in the steady state.
To calculate the iron loss, it is necessary to set the timesteps for one period of electric angle in the steady state, and to define the iron loss characteristic for the material property.
Tab |
Setting Item |
Settings |
|||||
Transient Analysis |
Timestep |
Automatic |
|||||
Table |
|
A rotor core and magnet are placed in the center. A stator and coils are placed around them.
The motor has 4 poles and 24 slots.
This is a 2D model analysis.
By utilizing the symmetry, the model is quarter period symmetric.
Rotation period boundary (symmetric) is set.

The full model is as follows.

Body Number/Type |
Body Attribute Name |
Material Name |
12/Sheet |
Mag |
NMX-S43SH_Hitachi Metal* |
11/Sheet |
Rotor |
35JN270_JFE Steel* |
28/Sheet |
Stator |
35JN270_JFE Steel* |
30/Sheet |
U1+ |
008_Cu * |
31/Sheet |
U1+ |
008_Cu * |
32/Sheet |
W1- |
008_Cu * |
33/Sheet |
W1- |
008_Cu * |
34/Sheet |
V1+ |
008_Cu * |
35/Sheet |
V1+ |
008_Cu * |
* Available from the material DB
The body attribute is set up as follows.
For the core, the homogenizing method is selected to simulate the layered steel plates.
Body Attribute Name |
Tab |
Settings |
Mag |
Direction |
Vector: X=1, Y=0, Z=1 |
Current |
Click Yes for induced current setting. |
|
Stator/Rotor/Air |
Rotor |
|
Rotor |
Layer |
Select Take into account layer Space Factor: 97 [%] Layer Vector: X=0, Y=1, Z=0 |
Stator/Rotor/Air |
Rotor |
|
Stator |
Layer |
Select Take into account layer Space Factor: 97 [%] Layer Vector: X=0, Y=1, Z=0 |
Stator/Rotor/Air |
Stator |
|
U1+ |
Current |
Waveform: External Circuit Coupling Coil Name on the Circuit: U1 Turns: 35 [Turns] Direction: +Y Direction |
Stator/Rotor/Air |
Stator |
|
V1+ |
Current |
Waveform: External Circuit Coupling Coil Name on the Circuit: V1 Turns: 35 [Turns] Direction: +Y Direction |
Stator/Rotor/Air |
Stator |
|
W1- |
Current |
Waveform: External Circuit Coupling Coil Name on the Circuit: W1 Turns: 35 [Turns] Direction: - Y Direction |
Stator/Rotor/Air |
Stator |
Half period symmetric boundary is set.
Boundary Condition Name/Topology |
Tab |
Boundary Condition Type |
Settings |
Symmetric |
Symmetry/Continuity |
Periodic |
Rotation Period (Half Period) |
The distribution of the magnetic flux density and magnetic flux lines at the rotation angle of 0 [deg] are shown below.

The torque waveform is shown below. It is output to [Torque [N*m]] of the result table.
The torque is in the steady state from 0 [deg] as the current source is used.

The losses are listed in the table of [Loss [W] (referring to value over 1 period from the final step)].

By setting the current to 0 for the power of the external circuit, the cogging torque and the induced voltage at no load can be calculated.
(Refer to the analysis model "No Load".
The waveform of cogging torque is shown as follows.

The induced voltage waveforms are as follows.

Shown below are the N-T characteristics and I-T characteristics.
They are calculated by a function of [motor characteristics analysis].
(Refer to the analysis model "NT_IT".)
N-T characteristics and I-T characteristics perform the same operations with either current source or voltage source on the external circuit.

Input Conditions

The inductances (Ld and Lq) are shown below.
They are calculated by a function of [Calculation of Motor LD and LQ] tab.
(Refer to the analysis model "LdLq".)

Input Conditions
