Electromagnetic Actuators Modeling, Simulation and Optimization: Review of Methods and Their Application for Switching Devices

O. Craciun[1], V. Biagini[1], G. Stengel[1], C. Reuber[2], C. Chao[3], B. Funieru[3] , A. Binder[3]
[1]ABB Corporate Research, Ladenburg, Germany
[2]ABB AG Calor Emag Mittelspannungsprodukte
[3]TU Darmstadt, Department of Electrical Energy Conversion, Darmstadt, Germany
Published in 2014

Electromagnetic actuators are representing one important component of ABB's medium voltage reclosers [1, 2]. Their performance is strongly influenced by the considered material properties as well as by the electronic control units that will power the actuator. Depending on the studied phenomena, different modeling, simulation and optimization methodologies are being used for medium voltage reclosers analysis. One could note: reduced order modeling approach [3], 2D static simulations [4], 3D transient analysis [4] or coupling of the Finite Element model with other mechanical simulation software. Therefore, this paper focuses on a review of the different methods employed for reclosers optimization and presents the advantages and the limitations of the different methods.