Bachelor of Engineering (BEng)

BEng Electrical and Electronic Engineering

*This course is now closed for applications for 2025 entry.

  • Duration: 3 years
  • Year of entry: 2025
  • UCAS course code: H600 / Institution code: M20
  • Key features:
  • Scholarships available
  • Accredited course

Full entry requirementsHow to apply

Course unit details:
Machines, Drives & Power Electronics

Course unit fact file
Unit code EEEN20212
Credit rating 10
Unit level Level 2
Teaching period(s) Semester 2
Available as a free choice unit? No

Overview

This unit will cover the following:

(1) Single-Phase Transformers. Principles of operation. Equivalent circuit. Load calculations. Open- and short-circuit. Tests. Regulation. Loss mechanisms. Uses of transformers. Construction (including high-frequency). Basic design principles and examples.

(2) Induction Machines. Production of a rotating field. Induced emf in the rotor, the concept of slip. Equivalent circuit. Performance calculations. Loss mechanisms. Efficiency. Torque/speed characteristics. Load curves and speed of operation. Speed control by classical means. The need for variable frequency.

(3) Synchronous Machines. Machine topologies and construction. Equivalent circuit. Performance. Phasor diagrams. Permanent-magnet machines, BLDC motor equivalent circuit and torque/speed characteristics.

(4) DC-DC converters. Principle of switched-mode power conversion. Power MOSFET device. Step-up and step-down DC-DC converters. Bi-directional step-down / step-up DC-DC converter. High-frequency transformer isolation and the the two-transistor forward converter. Inductive switching waveforms and switching losses.

(5) AC-DC Converters. Single-phase diode rectifier circuit with inductor or capacitor DC filter. Calculation of active power, apparent power and power factor. Power transfer in AC circuits to non-linear loads, harmonics and power factor.

Pre/co-requisites

Unit title Unit code Requirement type Description
Circuit Analysis EEEN10121 Pre-Requisite Compulsory
Energy Transport and Conversion EEEN10212 Pre-Requisite Compulsory
Electromagnetic Fields EEEN10222 Pre-Requisite Compulsory

Aims

The course unit aims to: Introduce the methods by which electrical energy is converted from one voltage level to another using transformers or solid-state techniques, and converted to mechanical energy, using electrical machines and appropriate control techniques.

Learning outcomes

On the successful completion of the course, students will be able to:

ILO 1: Describe using sketched waveforms the operation of DC-DC converters and single-phase rectifiers.

ILO 2: Formulate equivalent circuits of transformers, induction, synchronous and BLDC machines.

ILO 3: Model transformer and machine behaviour using per-phase equivalent circuits.

ILO 4: Analyse DC-DC and AC-DC converter waveforms, calculate operating conditions, component values and switching losses.

ILO 5: Measure transformers and DC-DC converter waveforms and critically evaluate the results.

ILO 6: Evaluate the technical, environmental and sustainability impacts of electrical drive and power electronic technologies.

Teaching and learning methods

Lectures supported by laboratories, tutorials and Bb assessments and quizzes. Revision classes provided for examination support. All lecture notes and overheads are provided on Bb and all lectures are podcasted with camera.

 

Assessment methods

Method Weight
Other 20%
Written exam 80%

Coursework:
Machines Lab (10%)
Power electronics Lab (10%)
The coursework forms 20% of the unit assessment

Feedback methods

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Recommended reading

D. O’Kelly:’Performance and control of electrical drives’, McGraw-Hill
G.R. Slemon: ‘Electrical Machines and Drives’, Addison Wesley
Mohan, Undeland and Robbins, ‘Power Electronics: Converters, Applications and Design’, Wiley.

Study hours

Scheduled activity hours
Assessment written exam 4
Lectures 22
Practical classes & workshops 6
Independent study hours
Independent study 68

Teaching staff

Staff member Role
Andrew Forsyth Unit coordinator
Theodor Heath Unit coordinator

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