Case Study: ABB achieves reduced transformer hum and faster design workflows with COMSOL Multiphysics

Increasing Lifespans of Highpower Electrical Systems

ABB, a global leader in power transformers, needed to reduce transformer hum caused by coupled electromagnetic, mechanical, and acoustic effects (magnetostriction in the core and Lorentz forces in the windings) and found traditional spreadsheets insufficient for new designs. To address this, ABB partnered with Comsol and used Comsol Multiphysics together with the Application Builder (and COMSOL Server for distribution) to build multiphysics models and custom simulation apps.

Comsol’s tools let ABB simulate magnetic flux, magnetostrictive strains, Lorentz forces, structural resonances, and resulting acoustic pressure, then wrap those models into user-friendly apps for designers. By deploying these Comsol-based apps across the business unit, ABB reduced dependence on physical prototyping, lowered the risk and cost of late-stage noise mitigation, and accelerated design cycles by enabling designers to run FEA-based virtual tests without needing deep simulation expertise.

ABB

Samuel Hartmann

Principal R&D Engineer