Figure 1 Generating electrical eddy currents.
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Electrical eddy currents (eddies) are produced whenever there is relative motion between a conductor and a magnetic field. These currents produce their own magnetic fields to oppose the change producing them, which means opposing the original magnetic fields. This is described by Lenz’s law. Figure 1 shows a piece of conducting material passing between the poles of a magnet. The eddy currents give rise to a magnetic field pointed towards the north pole of the permanent magnet, which reduces the outside field. This takes energy and so the piece of conductor loses kinetic energy and tries to come to rest.
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