Electromagnetic theory is the least visible and most pervasive branch of physics in modern industry. Faraday’s law of induction and Maxwell’s equations do not merely explain generators and transformers — they underpin every motor, sensor, wireless link and radar system on a plant.
The two ideas that matter
Faraday’s law states that a changing magnetic field induces a voltage. That single relationship gives us the generator, the transformer and the current transformer used to measure power.
Maxwell’s equations describe how electric and magnetic fields generate and propagate as waves — the basis of radio, radar, wireless telemetry and industrial microwave heating.
Where it shows up on site
- Motors and generators — torque produced by the interaction of current and field.
- Transformers and CTs — voltage and current scaled by induction.
- Sensors — inductive proximity, electromagnetic flow measurement, eddy-current displacement.
- Wireless — Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and cellular telemetry in IIoT installations.
- Radar and imaging — level measurement, collision avoidance and inspection.
- Heating and welding — induction heating and electromagnetic stirring.
Why it matters to buyers
Electromagnetic behaviour explains most “inexplicable” faults: interference on a signal cable, a proximity sensor that will not detect a target, a flowmeter that drifts until it is properly earthed. Shielding, grounding, cable routing and separation are not installation niceties — they are the practical application of the theory.
Looking forward
The direction of travel is towards higher frequency, higher efficiency and tighter integration: wide-bandgap semiconductors, wireless power transfer, and sensing that combines several electromagnetic principles in one device.
References we have recently quoted in this category
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Related reading
- Obsolete PLC, Sensor & Motor Parts: A Cross-Reference Workflow
- MRO Spare Parts Management
- Spare Parts Management: Principles and Practice
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