The AC Electric solver computes the electric field (E) and the current density (J) due to an AC current or voltage source.  Like the Electrostatic Analysis, Maxwell’s displacement current is neglected, i.e. no propagating waves, and the size of the object is much smaller than the wavelength.  Unlike the Electrostatic Analysis, the AC Electric analysis depends on time but limited to time harmonic, sinusoidal, variation.  As a result, it handles perfect insulators, perfect conductors, or a mixture of both.  In other words, an object can have a finite electric conductivity as well as an electric permittivity. 

Applications

The AC Electric analysis is primarily used for computing conduction current density, electric field, displacement field, and potential due to an AC current or voltage.  It has many practical applications, including:

• Busbars,
• Cables,
• Bushings,
• Transformers,
• High voltage insulators,
• Transmission lines,
• PCBs,
• Switchgears.

Results

After running an AC Electric analysis, you can view the following output quantities:

• Electric Field in V/m,
• Displacement Field in C/m^2,
• Current Density in Amps/m^2,
• Potential in Volts,
• Safety Factor,
• Energy in Joules,
• Resistance in Ohms,
• Capacitance in Farads.

Examples of design issues

The AC Electric analysis can help study many devices and address numerous phenomena.

• Below is just a partial list:
• Optimize AC high power cables.
• Compute the AC capacitance.
• Detect breakdown voltage zone through safety factor output.
• Compute the temperature distribution in a device due to dielectric and conductor losses.
• Simulate insulators flashover and contamination.