Calculation of leakage inductance in transformer windings

A formula is presented to calculate mutual impedance between transformer windings on ferromagnetic cores. The formula is based on the solution of Maxwell's equations for coils on ferromagnetic cores and as such offers the ultimate in accuracy. The formula is frequency dependent, taking into account the effect of eddy currents in the core on the flux distribution as well as representing the eddy current core loss as an equivalent resistance. Experimental results are presented for leakage inductance and an illustrative example is presented showing how leakage inductance affects the operation of a typical switching mode power supply. Approximations for the formula are also presented to simplify the calculations under certain operating conditions.< >