Industrial and Personal Applications of Electromagnets

If you need to hold a steel part securely and then release it at a precise point, an electromagnet can make the job much easier.

The ability to switch magnetic force on and off makes electromagnets useful in all sorts of settings. They’re used in production equipment, assembly fixtures and valve controls, as well as familiar devices such as traditional doorbells. They can also be used on smaller projects, from tabletop robots to DIY parts sorters.

The most suitable electromagnet depends on what you’re trying to hold or move, how often it will operate and the conditions it will work in.

What Makes an Electromagnet Different?

An electromagnet creates a magnetic field when electricity passes through a coil of wire. The coil is usually wound around an iron or steel core, which helps concentrate the magnetic field.

The main difference between an electromagnet and a permanent magnet is control. An electromagnet needs a power supply to create its magnetic field, so you can switch the holding force on and off as part of a wider process.

Our guide to how electromagnets work goes into more detail on the science behind this.

That doesn’t mean an electromagnet is the right choice every time. If you’re securing a removable cover, holding a sign in place or keeping a tool attached to a surface, a permanent magnet may do the job perfectly well. An electromagnet is suitable when you need electrical control over the holding action.

Where Are Electromagnets Used in Industry?

Automated Handling and Production Fixtures

A handling arm fitted with an electromagnet can grip a suitable steel component, carry it to the next workstation and release it for another operation. The gripping action can follow the same control sequence as the rest of the equipment.

Sometimes the part doesn’t need to travel anywhere. It simply needs to stay put while someone checks a dimension or fits another component. Here, the magnet can hold it in a fixture, which supports and positions the workpiece.

Jobmaster’s electromagnet range includes round-faced designs such as the EM-R1 electromagnet, available in separate 12 V and 24 V direct current (DC) versions.

Opening and Closing Valves

Electromagnets can also produce movement. A solenoid actuator uses a magnetic field to move a plunger, a sliding part inside the coil. In a valve assembly, that movement opens or closes a passage for liquid or gas.

This allows equipment to control flow electrically. The electromagnet provides the movement, while the valve itself must suit the fluid and operating pressure.

Lifting Steel and Scrap Metal

The huge magnets used in scrap yards are probably the most recognisable example of industrial electromagnets.

These lifting systems can pick up large quantities of ferrous metal and then release the load when it reaches the right location. It saves operators from having to attach lifting equipment to individual pieces of scrap.

This is a specialist application, though, and shouldn’t be confused with the pull rating of a general-purpose holding electromagnet. Lifting equipment needs to be specifically rated for the loads involved, with suitable measures in place if the electrical supply is interrupted.

As with any lifting operation, people should be kept clear of suspended loads. CCOHS provides guidance on safe material handling and hoisting practices.

Personal and Hobby Applications

You don’t have to be working with a production line to find a use for an electromagnet.

They’re already built into familiar household devices, and small electromagnets can also be useful for hobby projects where you need to pick up, hold or release a steel component.

Traditional Doorbells

The traditional electric doorbell is a simple example.

Press the button and electricity flows through a coil, creating a magnetic field. That field moves a striker, which hits the bell and produces the sound. The result is a small electrical signal being turned into mechanical movement.

If you’re repairing an older bell mechanism, compatibility is more important than simply finding the strongest electromagnet you can. The replacement needs to work with the existing mechanism and electrical supply.

Tabletop Robots and Parts Sorters

A small holding electromagnet can give a model robot a way to pick up and release steel pieces. The mechanism moves the part, while the magnet controls the grip.

Jobmaster’s EM-R1A electromagnet is one compact option to assess. It has a 1-inch diameter and a listed maximum pull of 10 lb. 

That 10 lb figure shouldn’t be treated as the amount your robot can safely lift in practice. Actual performance depends on things such as the contact surface, steel thickness, power supply and how securely the magnet is mounted.

For a hobby project, it’s worth testing at low height and using a tray or other means of catching parts while you work out how the system behaves.

How to Choose an Electromagnet

A catalogue pull figure is useful, but it doesn’t tell you how the magnet will behave in your assembly. Start with the force needed to hold the part, including any movement or vibration. For unusual requirements, Jobmaster can help you work through those details before you choose a model.

Holding Force and Contact

A clean, flat steel surface gives a holding magnet better contact than a curved or heavily painted one. Any separation between the magnet and the part is called an air gap. Paint, rust and unevenness can create that gap and reduce holding force.

Load direction matters, too. Pulling a part straight away from the magnet is different from making it slide across the face. Ask about resistance to sliding, or shear resistance, alongside the quoted pull force. The part’s material, thickness and contact area also affect the result.

Power, Duty Cycle and Heat

The supply must match the magnet’s voltage and current requirements, and be AC (alternating current) or DC. Include the supply and switching equipment in your budget, rather than comparing magnets on purchase price alone.

Just as important is how long the magnet stays on. Duty cycle describes the proportion of each operating cycle spent powered. Because the coil generates heat, a magnet used briefly between pauses may have different requirements from one that stays on throughout a shift. Check the permitted on-time, cooling period and operating temperature for the specific magnet you’re considering.

Mounting and Working Conditions

Take a look at the installation as a whole.

Does the magnet have enough space for its fixings? Where will the cable run? Is the surrounding area hot, damp or dusty? Could the magnet be exposed to water, oil or other substances?

These details can affect the choice of housing and protection.

And don’t assume that a metal housing automatically means a magnet is suitable for outdoor or wet environments. Check the actual specification.

Power Loss and Reliable Release

One important question is what happens if the power suddenly disappears.

A conventional powered holding magnet should not be treated as a safety device that will continue holding its load indefinitely after a power failure. If losing the load could cause injury or damage, the wider assembly needs a suitable mechanical restraint, catch or other safety measure.

Release can also be less straightforward than simply switching the power off. Some electromagnets retain a small amount of magnetism after they’re de-energised. This residual magnetism can mean that a light component doesn’t immediately fall away.

There are also hybrid designs that combine permanent magnets with electrical switching. Their behaviour during power loss can be quite different, so check the specifications for the exact model rather than assuming all electromagnets work in the same way.

A Practical Example: Holding a Painted Bracket

Suppose you’re holding a painted steel bracket in a fixture for inspection. Its weight alone won’t tell you which magnet to buy: the coating and steel thickness matter as well. Two seconds on and eight seconds off gives a 20% duty cycle, but what happens when an inspection takes longer than expected? Confirm the maximum powered time, use a locating stop to resist sideways movement, and test holding and release with the actual bracket before ordering a production quantity.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will an Electromagnet Hold Any Metal?

No. Iron and mild steel are suitable for many holding applications, but copper and aluminium are not. Stainless steel varies by grade, so check the actual material rather than assuming all metals will respond alike.

Can I Increase the Voltage for More Strength?

Stay within the manufacturer’s voltage and current limits. More electrical input can mean more heat, and it won’t correct poor contact or an unsuitable workpiece. A different magnet or mounting arrangement may be the better answer.

What Should I Include in an Enquiry?

Tell us what you’re trying to hold or move, the part’s material and dimensions, the available power and how often the magnet will operate. A sketch or photograph, quantity and any environmental concerns will help us understand the job.

Need Help Choosing the Right Electromagnet?

Whether you’re building a production fixture, modifying equipment or experimenting with a small workshop project, it’s worth discussing the application before choosing a magnet.

Contact Jobmaster Magnets Canada to talk through what you need. We can help you assess whether one of our stock electromagnets is suitable or discuss a custom magnetic assembly if your application calls for something more specific.