Current distribution at varing frequencies in hybrid /

Abstract

In this research, the effects of frequency on current distribution in bus bar configurations of solid copper bus and braided Litz wire is studied. When a conductor carries an alternating current, the current tends to forsake the interior of the conductor and concentrate at the surface. The higher the frequency the more the current will concentrate at the surface. As a result of this skin-like concentration of current energy will be lost due to the cross sectionalarea of the conductor being underutilized by the current. Litz wire is a special wire that is able to counter this so called "Skin Effect" and has an AC resistance very near its DC resistance over a large range of frequencies. A coupled circuit method is used to solve for the current distribution in several hybrid arrangements of norrnal copper conductors and Litz wire. Using Litz wire in the right application can reduce the resistance significantly and make power distribution more efficient. Also, with the presented model, electrical quantities like impedance and current distribution can be readily calculated and used to aid in a design.