How To Choose The Perfect Ferrite Core To Make Your Product More Efficient?

Ferrite core is a geometry made from a non-conductive ceramic, homogenous material composed of various oxides with iron oxide as their main constituent. There are different ferrite core shapes available, tailored to meet specific magnetic and mechanical requirements. Ferrite cores in a transformer are one on which the windings of electric transformers and other wound components such as inductors or chokes are formed. In interference suppression, the cores are used in EMI Filters for attenuating high-frequency noise energy over a broad frequency range. But what if the ferrite core that you choose fails to convert noise energy and, in fact, makes the problem worse? The issue can occur if you do not choose the right ferrite core for your product. As several ferrite material types of ferrites are produced in the industry, at times, it becomes confusing to find the right one for your needs. 

To help you overcome this, here is an ultimate guide to finding the ideal ferrite core that can boost the efficiency of your products and serve their purpose well. Let’s read further to know. 

What are the Types of Ferrite Cores?

To choose the right ferrite cores, firstly, you must know about the various types available. Currently, two ferrite material types are used to make a transformer core—soft ferrites and hard ferrites.  

Soft ferrites are developed with low coercivity so they can easily handle reversals in their magnetic direction without losing much energy. These materials can resist any current in the core, making them more efficient. These are used in transformers, antennas, high-frequency inductors, and other similar products.

Hard ferrites ensure considerable magnetization and are great at conducting magnetic flux. They are affordable and used in daily applications, including refrigerator magnets. They can be used in temperatures up to 180 degrees Celsius. Owing to their effective mechanical stability, they have several applications such as speaker systems, sensor probes, electric motors and more. 

5 Factors to consider while choosing an Ideal Ferrite Core

Design

You need to consider carefully the shape and size of the ferrite cores as when wound, ferrite cores are used as inductive components, so the basic function is to provide defined impedance in the application frequency range. 

Quality

The quality of the ferrite components matters a lot. The cores must be developed with defined and strict AQL values to ensure suitability in your appliances.

It should be free from any defects, burrs, and unevenness, as per the  IEC- 60424 standards.

Properties

To achieve optimum results, make sure that the properties/specifications of ferrite cores meet the needs and capabilities of the products that you are going to use them for. Some of the important specifications that need to be checked are:

• High permeability to magnetic fields 
• High resistivity to electric field 
• Maximum Saturation
• L Value
• Core Loss
• Magnetic Flux Density
• WIde range of operating temperatures

Load Currents

If the load currents are high, you need to choose cores that can bear high current without saturating and losing their electrical resistance. They should have the required intrinsic properties to prevent or control any breakdowns.  

Effects

Lastly, don’t forget to analyze the effects of ferrite cores on your products before finalizing them. The cores must possess the required intrinsic properties; any leakage flux can lead to a major malfunction, affecting the performance of your equipment.

Applications of Ferrite Cores

Ferrite Cores are used in various transformer designs, antennas, high-frequency conductors, and more. They help in achieving high magnetic permeability, low energy loss and a good frequency response amongst others. 

Other major applications for ferrite cores include power conditioning, solar inverters, automotive electronics, electromagnetic devices, and LED lighting. 

As a part of the policy for controlling EMI (Electromagnetic Interference), ferrites play an important role as absorptive filters. It provides significant series impedance to the EMI, attenuating and absorbing the energy. Being cost effective and easy to use, ferrites have become integral components of digital systems. Ferrite geometries for EMI suppressors have changed to provide improved performance.

This checklist will help you in choosing the right ferrite cores for improving your product’s efficiency and avoiding issues such as heat dissipation, voltage drops, and other interferences. 

If you need more assistance, you can feel free to connect with our experts who will take you through our wide range of ferrite products available for several applications. Contact us to learn more.