Pictured here are three components that all look similar in the fact that all three of them have inductor windings and iron laminates. The main thing that they have in common is they all use very specific magnetic interactions to achieve a desired consequence. The operating principle for all three is quite different. One would represent a transformer. One would represent a magnetic amplifier. And one would represent an energy harvester. To look at them you pretty much can't tell which one is which. For those who may have never heard of a magnetic amplifier it was discovered in the early 20th century. It was used as an alternative to vacuum tube amplifiers where robustness and high current capacity were required. The magnetic amplifier was most prominent in power control and low frequency signal applications from 1947 to about 1957 when the transistor began to supplant it.

*Here is an informative YouTube video by Robert Murray Smith explaining the magnetic amplifier.

2112 Magnetic Amplifiers

The energy harvester exhibits no characteristics that a transformer has. But the energy harvester does exhibit characteristics that are experienced with a magnetic amplifier. A transformer's primary function is to modify voltage and current for a primary load. The magnetic amplifier's primary function is to lower voltage on a primary line to control current for a primary load. The magnetic amplifier should not be confused with an audio amplifier. 

The harvester utilizes all magnetic interactions within the circuit including magnetic interactions on the primary line, which are the motor itself and capacitance that is used for power factor correction. By utilizing all magnetic interactions the power factor correction can be accessed on the secondary side of the harvester. Unlike a magnetic amplifier the harvester uses no externally applied magnetic fields. The harvester uses the magnetic fields that are naturally present because of diamagnetism which was first observed in 1778. “An applied magnetic field creates an induced magnetic field in them in the opposite direction.” Just like a transformer and a magnetic amplifier the harvester uses magnetic interactions allowing voltage and current to be consequences.

Power factor is caused by the motor and can only be corrected on the line between the motor and the source. The harvester utilizes phase shift or power factor, and through magnetic interactions allows it to become available on the secondary side of the harvester. Harvesting potential is directly proportional to power factor. The lower the power factor the greater the harvesting potential. Harvesting of power factor correction is simply harvesting of an unrealized potential.

With that being said I have found that people (professionals) don’t ask the right questions. And the questions that are asked, their replies to my answers are, well usually negative because no one seems to believe magnetism is a major importance of electricity itself.

No one has asked me this one very important question.

How do volt amps on the primary side reduce and then become available with precision on the secondary side based on power factor?