Development of Levitation Experiments for Teaching Purposes

The objective of this paper is to present two magnetic levitation experiments, which give a first didactic approach to the concepts necessary to understand magnetic bearings. On the first experiment, an electrodynamic levitation system with alternating current, capable of levitating metallic rings will be presented. On the second experiment, an electromagnetic levitation system, using a Hall effect sensor to measure the levitated object position – a ferromagnetic sphere combined with permanent magnets – will be described. These laboratory rigs demonstrate the importance of simulation tools and experimental work on the verification of theoretical concepts learned in Electrical/Electronic Engineering classes.