The thesis at hand deals with an in-depth analysis of eddy current separators by means of simulations based on finite element methods. For this purpose, three different variations of rotors for eddy current separators from IFE Aufbereitungstechnik GmbH are compared. These variations include one eccentric and two different centric designs. The theoretical part of this work contains the essential basics that are required to comprehend the operating mode of eddy current separators. Beside the main magneto-physical quantities also the phenomenon of hysteresis within magnetic materials is characterized. Specifications of the currently most common variants of eddy current separators as polar wheel separators as well as a calculation model for the resulting force effect are described. The first part of this thesis concludes with the statement that magnetic flux density and pole changing frequency are the decisive apparatus-related parameters influencing the separation success of eddy current separators. The practical part focuses on the comparison of the examined designs. In order to be able to compare these as objectively as possible, simulations using the software Ansys Maxwell are employed. After learning to use this software tool, a methodical approach to the simulation is outlined, thus defining a reproducible scheme including the respective error potentials. The results from the simulations are then calibrated against real measured values. The paper concludes with a compact guideline to the procedure of designing new rotors for eddy current separators. The evaluation of the simulation results illustrates that the centric rotor is ideally suited for coarser particle sizes > 20 mm and the two eccentric models for finer particle sizes < 20 mm. Regarding the two eccentric rotors, it is worth mentioning that the more basic INPXS may be seen as a standard model and the more complex INPXV as a special model. Thereby each of the three rotors examined can be clearly assigned to an area of application.