PCB multi-track coils for domestic induction heating applications

In this paper, an analysis of the resistance of multi-track coils in printed circuit board (PCB) implementations, where the conductors have rectangular cross-section, for spiral planar coils is carried out. For this purpose, different analytical losses models for the mentioned conductors have been reviewed. From this review, we conclude that for the range of frequencies, the coil dimensions and the planar configuration typically used in domestic induction heating, the application in which we focus, these analysis are unsatisfactory. Therefore, in this work the resistance of multi-track winding has been calculated by means of finite element analysis (FEA) tool. These simulations provide us some design guidelines that allow us to optimize the design of multi-track coils for domestic induction heating. Furthermore, several prototypes are used to verify the simulated results, both single-turn coils and multi-turn coils.