Three‐dimensional eddy current analysis by multi‐order vector finite elements

We propose a new method based on the use of multi-order vector finite elements in three-dimensional eddy current analysis. The edges, faces, and volumes of the multi-order elements have the orders of the respective shape functions. In order to achieve high efficiency in numerical calculation, high-order elements are assigned in the important areas of the eddy current model, low-order elements in the surrounding areas, and multi-order elements in the intermediate areas joining the two other types of areas. The results obtained by the use of multi-order elements are compared with those obtained by full high-order elements and by full low-order elements. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electr Eng Jpn, 167(4): 9–15, 2009; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/eej.20774