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How to Fix a Magnetic Field Problem

Magnetism is fundamental to current technologies such as loudspeakers, transformers and computer hard drives. Magnetic fields can be generated by two different types of device and these are called permanent magnets and electromagnets. A permanent magnet has a spontaneous magnetization and is thus capable of generating a magnetic field without any external power. An electromagnet consists of a ferromagnetic core, which is surrounded by coiled wire. The field generated by an electromagnet is tunable by changing the current flowing through the coil.

Things You'll Need

Gauss meter

Instructions

- 1
  Find the source of the magnetic field. Electromagnets can be easily spotted since they have coils of wire wrapped around a magnetic core. If the field is being generated by a permanent magnet, then a Gauss meter can be used to located the source. Switch on the Gauss meter and move the probe around the area where the magnetic field is. The magnetic field will be highest next to the permanent magnet.
- 2
  Measure the magnetic field. To do this, switch on the Gauss meter and put the probe in the area where the magnetic field is. Take a note of the measured value of magnetic field.
- 3
  Negate the magnetic field. If the magnetic field needs to be zero, an active electromagnet should be switched off and permanent magnets need to be moved away from the area.
- 4
  Modify the magnetic field. Decreasing the electromagnet current will decrease the magnetic field. If a permanent magnet is generating the magnetic field and a certain field is required, increase or decrease the distance between the measurement point and the permanent magnet. The closer the permanent magnet to the measurement point, the higher the magnetic field.

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