MAGNETIC UNITS

The size of a magnetic field is measured in units called webers, abbreviated Wb. One weber is mathematically equivalent to one volt-second. For weaker magnetic fields, a smaller unit, called the maxwell, is sometimes used. One maxwell is equal to 0.00000001 (one hundred-millionth) of a weber, or 0.01 microvolt-second. The flux density of a magnetic field is given in terms of webers or maxwells per square meter or per square centimeter. A flux density of one weber per square meter (1 Wb/m2) is called one tesla. One gauss is equal to 0.0001 weber, or one maxwell per square centimeter.
Magnetic units 39
2-12 Magnetic flux lines around a coil of wire. The fines converge at the magnetic poles.
In general, the greater the electric current through a wire, the greater the flux den- sity near the wire. A coiled wire will produce a greater flux density than a single, straight wire. And, the more turns in the coil, the stronger the magnetic field will be. Sometimes, magnetic field strength is specified in terms of ampere-turns (At). This is actually a unit of magnetomotive force. A one-turn wire loop, carrying 1 A of current, produces a field of 1 At. Doubling the number of turns, or the current, will dou- ble the number of ampere-turns. Therefore, if you have 10 A flowing in a 10-turn coil, the magnetomotive force is 10 10, or 100 At. Or, if you have 100 mA flowing in a 100-turn coil, the magnetomotive force is 0.1 100, or, again, 10 At. (Remember that 100 mA 0.1 A.) Another unit of magnetomotive force is the gilbert. This unit is equal to 0.796 At.