4.1. Elements Used in Transient Magnetic Analysis

Only the magnetic vector potential (MVP) formulation (see 2D Static Magnetic Analysis) is valid in eddy current regions for transient magnetic analysis. Therefore, you can use only the following element types to model eddy current domains.

Table 4.1: 2D Solid Elements

ElementDimens.Shape or CharacteristicDOFsNotes
PLANE13 2D4-node quadrilateral or 3-node triangularUp to four at each node; these can be magnetic vector potential (AZ), displacements, temperature, or time-integrated electric potential

Legacy element

Supported for cyclic symmetry (periodic) analysis, static only.

PLANE233 2D8-node quadrilateral or 6-node triangularUp to three at each node; these can be magnetic vector potential (AZ), electric potential/voltage drop or time-integrated electric potential/voltage drop (VOLT), electromotive force or time-integrated electromotive force (EMF)

Current-technology element

[1]

Supported for cyclic symmetry (periodic) analysis.


  1. Whenever possible, Ansys, Inc. recommends using PLANE233 (the current-technology electromagnetic element) rather than PLANE13 (legacy magnetic element). See Older vs. Current 2D Magnetic Element Technologies for a list of the capabilities that are only available with PLANE233.

Some procedural steps discussed here do not apply applicable to PLANE233. For information on the differences between PLANE233 and PLANE13, see Older vs. Current 2D Magnetic Element Technologies.

Table 4.2: Far-Field Elements

ElementDimens.Shape or CharacteristicDOFs
INFIN110 2DQuadrilateral, four or eight nodesMagnetic vector potential (AZ), electric potential, temperature

Table 4.3: General Circuit Elements

ElementDimens.Shape or CharacteristicDOFs
CIRCU124 NoneGeneral circuit element applicable to circuit simulation, up to six nodesUp to two at each node; electric potential, current

Table 4.4: Contact Elements

ElementDimens.Shape or CharacteristicDOFsNotes
TARGE169 2DTarget segmentn/aUsed to model the target region for a contact analysis
CONTA172 2DSurface-to-surface contact element (3-node)AZUsed to model the contact region for a contact analysis
CONTA175 2DNode-to-surface contact element (1-node)AZUsed to model the contact region for a contact analysis