BEEE412 

Module Name Rotating Electrical Machines 
 Module Code BEEE412 
Level Four 
 Credits 15 

  

Module Description and General Aims 

The objective of this module is to familiarise students with the fundamental principles of main types of rotating electrical machines, including motor and generator, operating from DC and AC power supplies, their operation, control techniques, construction/components, and ratings. Additionally, the determination of the efficiency of these machines, common problems, troubleshooting methods, testing of the machines for commissioning and during operation to ascertain their performance, condition monitoring, and essential maintenance aspects, will also be covered. The emphasis will be on AC machines since these types of machines are more widely used in industry. 

  

Learning Outcomes 

On successful completion of this Module, students are expected to be able to: 

  1. Explain the fundamental principles behind electro-mechanical energy conversion and calculate the relation between motor rated power and torque. 
    Bloom’s Level 3 
  1. Describe the principle of operation of DC motors, the function of the commutator, and the different types of DC machines based on field winding connections. 
    Bloom’s Level 2 
  1. Explain the theory of 3-phase synchronous motors and the relation between excitation and motor power factor. 
    Bloom’s Level 2 
  1. Explain the fundamental theory of 3 phase and single-phase induction motors, the various types of motors, and their control aspects. 
    Bloom’s Level 2 
  1. Discuss the construction of AC motors and the ways of enhancing motor efficiency. 
    Bloom’s Level 4 
  1. Describe the procedure for testing AC motors and perform these tests in a simulated environment to calculate motor parameters. 
    Bloom’s Level 3 

  

Student Assessment 

Assessment Type When assessed Weighting (% of total module marks) Learning Outcomes Assessed 
Assessment 1   Type: Multi-choice test / Group work / Short answer questions / Practical / Remote Lab / Simulation Example Topic: Basic principles of energy conversion and DC motor concepts. Students may complete a quiz with MCQ type answers and solve some simple equations to demonstrate a good understanding of the fundamental concepts Due After Topic 3 15% 1, 2 
Assessment 2  Type: Multi-choice test / Group work / Short answer questions / Practical / Remote Lab / Simulation Example Topic: AC motor theory covering synchronous and induction type motors. Students will complete a test with about 20 questions each to be answered in less than 100 words and explanatory diagrams to demonstrate a detailed knowledge of AC motor theory, synchronous type motors, and induction type motors. Due After Topic 6 20% 3 and 4 
Assessment 3 Type: Multi-choice test / Group work / Short answer questions / Practical / Remote Lab / Simulation / Project / Report Example Topic: Simulate AC motors and perform simulated tests to calculate motor parameters and how to improve efficiency. Simulation software could be Simulink for example. Due After Topic 11 20% 5 and 6 
Assessment 4 Type: Examination 
An examination with a mix of descriptive questions and numerical problems to be completed within 3 hours. 		Final Week 40% All 
Attendance / Tutorial Participation Example: Presentation, discussion, group work, exercises, self-assessment/reflection, case study analysis, application. Continuous 5% 1 - 6 

  

Overall Requirements: Students must achieve a result of 40% or above in the exam itself to pass the exam and must pass the exam to be able to pass the module. An overall final module score of 50% or above must be achieved to pass the module once all assessment, including the exam, has been completed. 

Prescribed and Recommended Readings 

Suggested Textbook 

  1. S. Umans, Fitzgerald and Kingsley’s Electric Machinery, 7th Edition. McGraw Hill Education, 2013 – ISBN-13: 978-0073380469 
  1. Chapman, S. J., Electric machinery fundamentals fifth edition. McGraw-Hill, inc.: 2012. 

Reference Materials 

  1. Bird J, 2013, Electric Circuit Theory and Technology, Newnes (Elsevier Science), Chapters 21 and 22, ISBN 978-0415662864 
  1. AC Motors and Protection (MP). IDC Technologies. 

  

Module Content 

  

 Topic 1 

Electro-mechanical energy conversion principles 

1. Comparison between electrical and magnetic circuit 
2. Energy and Geo-energy 
3. Induction 
4. Forces and torques in magnetic fields and balance equations 

Topic 2 

DC Machines Part 1 (Generators) 

  1. Separately excited DC generators 
  1. Self-excited DC generators 
  1. Shunt generators 
  1. Load characteristics of DC generators 

Topic 3 

DC Machines Part 2 (Motors) 

  1. Working and principal of DC motors 
  1. Types of DC motors 
  1. Speed control of a DC motors 
  1. Faults, Inspection and maintenance of DC Machines 

  

Topic 4 

Synchronous machines Part 1(Generators) 

  1. General aspects and principal of Synchronous Machines 
  1. Operation of synchronous generators 
  1. Synchronizing methods (single phase & three phase) 
  1. Classification of synchronous generators 

Topic 5 

Synchronous machines Part 2 (Motors) 

  1. Operation and construction of synchronous motors 
  1. Excitation of synchronous motors 
  1. V-curves and inverted V-curves 
  1. Characteristics of synchronous motors 

  

Topic 6 

Induction machines – Part 1 

  1. Principal of single-phase AC machines 
  1. Equivalent circuit of a single-phase induction machine 
  1. Explanation of zero starting torque in single phase induction motors 
  1. Split winding construction for developing starting torque 
  1. Universal motors (based on DC series motors) 

Topics 7 

Induction machines – Part 2 

  1. Principal of 3-phase induction motors and generators 
  1. Equivalent circuit of induction motor and generator 
  1. Leakage resistance and reactance 
  1. Starting behaviour and the role of back EMF in an induction motor 

  

Topic 8 

Control of 3 phase motors and industrial applications – Part 1 

  1. Torque-speed characteristics of cage and slip ring motors 
  1. Crawling and cogging problem 
  1. Impact of voltage reduction on motor torque 
  1. Direct-on-line starting of a 3-phase induction motor-typical control circuit 
  1. Reversible motor circuit 

Topic 9 

Control of 3 phase motors and industrial applications – Part 2 

  1. Need for assisted starting in weak systems 
  1. Motor starting methods 
  1. Motor braking 
  1. Selection of motor based on torque-speed characteristics 

 Topic 10 

Testing of Motors and Generators 

  1. DC test 
  1. No-Load and Blocked rotor test 
  1. Heat Run test 
  1. Motor and generator component test 

Topic 11 

Special Machines 

  1. Stepper motors 
  1. Permanent-Magnet DC motors 
  1. Servo motors 
  1. Brushless DC motors 
  1. Brushless Synchronous generators 

  

Topic 12 

Module Review 

In the final week students will have an opportunity to review the contents covered so far. Opportunity will be provided for a review of student work and to clarify any outstanding issues. Instructors/facilitators may choose to cover a specialized topic if applicable to that cohort. 

  

Software/Hardware Used 

Software 

  • Software: MATLAB/SIMULINK 
  • PSCAD 
  • Version: Student version 
  • Instructions:  N/A 
  • Additional resources or files: N/A 

Hardware 

  • N/A