Heating caused by induced eddy currents in a conducting material when subjected to a varying magnetic field. The varying magnetic field is commonly produced by an alternating current in a coil, known as the load coil, surrounding the load to be heated.
One type of furnace uses induction heating for melting metal: the advantages of this type of heating are that the heat is generated within the metal itself, and the eddy currents set up circulatory movements in the molten metal that have the effect of stirring the melt. Compare dielectric heating.