Strømvarmeanalyse

Strømvarmeanalyse, often translated as "current heating analysis" or "resistive heating analysis," is a computational method used to determine the temperature distribution within a material or system due to the passage of electric current. This phenomenon is primarily governed by Joule's law, which states that the heat generated by an electric current is proportional to the square of the current and the resistance of the conductor.

The analysis typically involves solving the heat conduction equation coupled with an electrical current density equation. The heat conduction equation describes how heat flows through a material and is influenced by internal heat generation. The electrical current density equation, often derived from Ohm's law and Maxwell's equations, describes how electric current distributes itself within the conductive medium. The coupling occurs because the electrical resistance of many materials is temperature-dependent, meaning that as the material heats up, its resistance can change, which in turn affects the heat generation rate and the subsequent temperature distribution.

Strømvarmeanalyse is crucial in various engineering applications. For instance, it is used in the design of electrical components like resistors, fuses, and heating elements to ensure they operate within safe temperature limits and to predict their lifespan. It is also applied in the analysis of power transmission lines, printed circuit boards, and even in fields like welding and forging where localized heating by electric current is employed. The output of such an analysis typically includes temperature maps, identifying hot spots, and quantifying heat dissipation.