A magnetic circuit is made up of one or more closed loop paths containing a magnetic flux. The flux is usually generated by permanent magnets or electromagnets and confined to the path by magnetic cores consisting of ferromagnetic materials like iron, although there may be air gaps or other materials in the path. Magnetic circuits are employed to efficiently channel magnetic fields in many devices such as electric motors, generators, transformers, relays, lifting electromagnets, SQUIDs, galvanometers, and magnetic recording heads.
The law relating magnetic flux, magnetomotive force, and magnetic reluctance in an unsaturated magnetic circuit, Hopkinson's law bears a superficial resemblance to Ohm's law in electrical circuits, resulting in a one-to-one correspondence between properties of a magnetic circuit and an analogous electric circuit. Using this concept the magnetic fields of complex devices such as transformers can be quickly solved using the methods and techniques developed for electrical circuits.
Some examples of magnetic circuits are:
horseshoe magnet with iron keeper (low-reluctance circuit)
horseshoe magnet with no keeper (high-reluctance circuit)
electric motor (variable-reluctance circuit)
some types of pickup cartridge (variable-reluctance circuits)