Minor loops modelling with a modified Jiles–Atherton model and comparison with the Preisach model

When modelling electrical devices, one has to estimate quite accurately the iron losses for the sake of efficiency. The use of non-sinusoidal electrical sources increases the harmonic content in electrical systems and, consequently, increases significantly the magnetic losses in devices feed by these sources. The harmonic content adds non-centred minor hysteresis loops over the classical major one. The numerical tool used for the material modelling must be able to represent the magnetic behaviour in such conditions. Then, the use of a hysteresis model is the more suited solution, but the chosen model has to take into account correctly the minor loops. The Jiles–Atherton hysteresis model is one of the most employed, due its well-known properties, but it is not able to represent closed minor loops. In this work, we propose a simple approach based on experimental observations and empirical considerations, to improve the representation of minor loops in this model by keeping its simplicity of use and implementation in a FE calculation code. Differently to other approaches found in the literature, the previous knowledge of the magnetic field evolution is not needed. A comparison between measured and calculated curves, as well with the Preisach model, is performed to validate the model.