We consider electromagnetic separators with a traveling magnetic field designed to separate the metal waste into fractions. It is shown that the final result is determined by the combined effect of electromagnetic and mechanical forces on the metal particles to be separated. A mathematical model of the separator which provides description of the electromechanical processes in the separator and calculation of the particle trajectory in the feeding plane is developed. A comparison of theoretical and experimental results demonstrated the reliability of the results obtained with the developed mathematical model, and expediency of using the model to select both the parameters of inductors and mechanical part of the units to increase the efficiency of the separator operation