A method to characterise and to model the hysteresis phenomenon of mag
netic material is proposed. It is based on the Preisach model taking a
normal distribution law for the switching field density. The using of
this model needs the identification of five parameters. The character
isation of a magnetic material is made and the results obtained from s
imulation are compared with experimental ones. A reverse approach is a
lso proposed to determine the magnetic field in function of the induct
ion. (C) 1998 IMACS/Elsevier Science B.V.