Uses of Electromagnet - Circuit Breaker

1 Figure
above shows
the structure of
a circuit
breaker.
2 A circuit
breaker is an
automatic
switch that cut
off current in a
circuit when the
current become
too large.
3 When the current in a circuit increases, the strength of the electromagnet will
increase in accordance; this will pull the soft iron armature towards the
electromagnet.
4 As a result, the spring pulls apart the contact and disconnects the circuit
immediately, and the current stop to flow.
5 We can reconnect the circuit by using the reset button. The reset button can be
pushed to bring the contact back to its original position to reconnect the circuit.
Uses of Electromagnet - Electromagnetic Relay

1 A
relay is
an
electrical
switch
that
opens
and
closes
under the
control of
another
electrical
circuit.
The switch is operated by an electromagnet to open or close one or many sets of

contacts.
3 A relay has at least two circuits. One circuit can be used to control another circuit.
The 1st circuit (input circuit) supplies current to the electromagnet.
4 When the switch is close, the electromagnet is magnetised and attracts one end of
the iron armature.
5 The armature is then closes the contacts (2nd switch) and allows current flows in
the second circuit.
6 When the 1st switch is open again, the current to the electromagnet is cut, the
electromagnet loses its magnetism and the 2nd switch is opened. Thus current stop to
flow in the 2nd circuit.

Uses of Electromagnet - Electric Bell

1 When
the
switch is
on, the
circuit is

completed and current flows.

2 The electromagnet becomes magnetised and hence attracts the soft-iron armature
and at the same time pull the hammer to strike the gong. This enables the hammer to
strike the gong.
3 As soon as the hammer moves towards the gong, the circuit is broken. The current
stops flowing and the electromagnet loses its magnetism. This causes the spring to
pull back the armature and reconnect the circuit again.
4 When the circuit is connected, the electromagnet regain its magnetism and pull
the armature and hence the hammer to strike the gong again.
5 This cycle repeats and the bell rings continuously.

Uses of Electromagnet - Telephone Earpiece

1 An
electromagnet
is used in the
earpiece of a
telephone. The
figure shows
the simple
structure of a
telephone
earpiece.
2 When you
speak to a
friend through
the telephone,
your sound will
be converted into electric current by the mouthpiece of the telephone.
3 The current produced is a varying current and the frequency of the current will be
the same as the frequency of your sound.
4 The current will be sent to the earpiece of the telephone of your friend.
5 When the current passes through the solenoid, the iron core is magnetised. The
strength of the magnetic field changes according to the varying current.
6 When the current is high, the magnetic field will become stronger and when the
current is low, the magnetic field become weaker.
7 The soft-iron diaphragm is pulled by the electromagnet and vibrates at the
frequency of the varying current. The air around the diaphragm is stretched and
compressed and produces sound wave.
8 The frequency of the sound produced in the telephone earpiece will be the same
as your sound.