This module will give the student a thorough understanding of electrical power consumption, a modern account of the principles of electrical machines and drives, and practical wiring skills essential to the construction of a mechatronics system. This includes a major skills-based component, with emphasis on providing students with the ability to design and wire control circuits for a variety of electrical machines.
Introduction to motor control wiring: Protective devices, contactors, thermal overload, stop/start push-buttons, indicator lamps, control panel installation and wiring, cable sizing, three/single phase motors.
Electrical Distribution: Electrical Distribution, Earthing, Protection Devices.
Electricity Generation: Line and phase relationships. Single and three phase power. Active and reactive power. Power factor and pf correction. Calculation of voltage, current and power in three-phase circuits.
DC motors and generators: Construction of a DC motor/generator. Series and shunt motor terminal properties and modes of operation.
Induction Motors/generators: The rotating magnetic field. Three-phase synchronous and asynchronous (induction) machines. Implications of the phenomenon of slip of an induction machine. Starting methods for three-phase motors. Single-phase motors. Starting techniques for single phase motors.
Stepper Motors: Permanent magnet and variable reluctance. Drive waveforms and basic drive circuits.
Solenoids and Relays: Construction, pull-in and holding current, back E.M.F. Applications of relays
Transformers: Principle of operation. Transformer formulae. Ideal circuit. Efficiency and losses. Transformer tests. Equivalent circuit. No-load phasor. Transformer regulation. Transformer connections.
