Difference between an Electromagnet and a Permanent Magnet
What Is the Difference between an Electromagnet and a Permanent Magnet?
Generally, magnets can be divided into permanent magnets and non-permanent magnets. And they are widely used in modern industry and people’s daily lives. NdFeB magnets, SmCo magnets, AlNiCo magnets, and Ferrite magnets are all permanent magnets while electromagnets are non-permanent magnets. Although both permanent magnets and electromagnets are magnetic and have the ability to attract iron, they have different characteristics and advantages. In this article, let’s take a look at the difference between an electromagnet and a permanent magnet.
The Definition of Electromagnets and Permanent Magnets
Permanent Magnets
Permanent magnets are magnets that can maintain their magnetism for a long time. Permanent magnets are not easily demagnetized or magnetized. However, if the permanent magnet is heated above the Curie temperature or in an environment with high reverse magnetic field strength, its magnetism will also decrease or disappear.
Electromagnets
The electromagnet is composed of a magnetic core and a coil, which can generate a magnetic field when current flows through the coil. Electromagnets are extremely widely used in our daily life. Because of its invention, the power of the generator has also been greatly improved.
The Difference between an Electromagnet and a Permanent Magnet – 1. Magnetic Pole
The permanent magnets have fixed N and S poles, which can be easily distinguished with a compass, while the electromagnets can be divided into DC electromagnet and AC electromagnet. Like permanent magnets, DC electromagnets have a fixed magnetic field and stable magnetic poles. However, the AC electromagnet produces an alternating magnetic field, and the N and S poles are constantly changing.
The Difference between an Electromagnet and a Permanent Magnet – 2. Magnetic Force
Among the permanent magnets, the permanent magnet with the strongest magnetic force is the artificial permanent magnet while the magnetic force of natural permanent magnets is much weaker. The magnetic force of the artificial magnet is obtained by “magnetizing”. Therefore, the magnetic force of the permanent magnet usually does not reach the level of the electromagnet magnetic force.
The Difference between an Electromagnet and a Permanent Magnet – 3. Size
Normally, permanent magnets cannot and do not need to be too large. Imagine if a strong permanent magnet is as large as 1m³. Then, in the process of transportation and use, there must be many difficulties that are difficult to overcome. However, we can determine the size and shape of the electromagnet according to the specific situation. When the electromagnet is not energized, there is no difference between carrying and installing electromagnets, and other equipment.
The Difference between an Electromagnet and a Permanent Magnet – 4. Whether the magnetic force can be controlled.
We can adjust the magnetic force of the electromagnet by changing the current according to actual needs. However, the magnetic field strength and magnetic force of the permanent magnet are fixed and difficult to adjust.
The Difference between an Electromagnet and a Permanent Magnet – 5. Applications
Permanent magnets are usually small in size and are mostly used on smaller objects, such as the rotor in the quartz clock, the magnetic buckle on the backpack, and the small motor used for vibration on the mobile phone. Electromagnets are mainly used in large motors or equipment. For example, magnets used for heavy motors and steel mills for lifting purposes must be electromagnets.
Conclusion
Thank you for reading our article and we hope it can help you to have a better understanding of the difference between an electromagnet and a permanent magnet. If you want to learn more about magnets, we would like to recommend you to Stanford Magnets for more information.
As a leading supplier of magnet products across the world, Stanford Magnets has more than two decades’ experience in the manufacture & sale of permanent magnets and provides customers with high-quality rare earth permanent magnetic products such as neodymium magnets, and other non-rare earth permanent magnets at a very competitive price.
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