What should the magnetic path be in order to reduce the core reluctance?

To reduce the core reluctance in a magnetic circuit, the magnetic path should have certain characteristics. The main ways to achieve a lower core reluctance include:

1. Using materials with high permeability: The core material should have high magnetic permeability. Materials like soft iron and silicon steel are often used because they allow magnetic flux to pass through them more easily compared to materials with lower permeability. High permeability materials have a lower reluctance.

2. Making the magnetic path shorter: The length of the path that the magnetic flux travels through directly affects the core reluctance. A shorter path means lower reluctance. This can be achieved by designing the core in such a way that the distance between the points where the magnetic flux enters and exits the core is minimized.

3. Increasing the cross-sectional area of the core: The reluctance of a core is inversely proportional to its cross-sectional area. By increasing this area, the reluctance can be significantly reduced. This means using a core with a larger size in the direction perpendicular to the direction of the magnetic flux.

4. Avoiding air gaps or reducing their size: Air gaps in the magnetic path significantly increase the reluctance due to the much lower permeability of air compared to core materials. If possible, air gaps should be minimized or eliminated. In practical applications where air gaps are necessary (for example, in transformers to prevent saturation), their size should be minimized.

By implementing these principles in the design of a magnetic circuit, the core reluctance can be effectively reduced