EEE8159 : Electrical Machines (Inactive)
- Inactive for Year: 2025/26
- Module Leader(s): Dr Andrew Smith
- Owning School: Engineering
- Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters
Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.
| Semester 1 Credit Value: | 20 |
| ECTS Credits: | 10.0 |
| European Credit Transfer System | |
Aims
To build on students previous experience of electrical machines from their undergraduate studies
They will investigate and understand the various machine topologies, be able to develop analytical models to obtain operating characteristics, be able to analyse and extract results and performance data for a variety of machines using numerical methods.
To experience operating machines in a laboratory setting and to be able to extract, process, and interpret experimental results.
To gain a contemporary understanding of research in electrical machines and their applications, in particular emerging trends in the automotive and aerospace areas, and new manufacturing technologies. Sustainability of electrical machines and their applications will be looked at.
Outline Of Syllabus
Mechanical Modelling: Understanding that the machine and load is a mechanical system and being able to analyse the steady state and transient effects. Understanding the sources of loss in the system and how these can be reduced for improved efficiency.
DC Machines: Understanding their principle of operation as a basis for more complex machines. Derivation and understanding of equivalent circuits and torque / speed characteristics for various DC, Universal, and Brushless DC machines. An introduction to the drive and control arrangements for BLDC machines.
Synchronous Machines: Production of rotating magnetic field by balanced excitation of the three-phase windings. The concepts and theory behind synchronous operation. Derivation of equivalent circuits, the voltage equations, alternative sink and source conventions, and the machines phasor diagrams. Explanation into how electrical power varies as a function of load angle, and the operating characteristics with constant power and varying excitation. Movement from wound field to permanent magnet machines, and how the concept of reluctance aids in torque production. Investigation into how field weakening is used to extend the speed range.
Asynchronous (Induction) machines: Transition from synchronous to asynchronous operation and understanding of the basic principles. Derivation of the equivalent circuit, and finding the relationships between 'rotor current', mechanical power, and torque, and determining the torque / speed characteristics. Finding the condition for maximum torque and the effect of changing the rotor resistance on the current and torque characteristics. How machine parameters are obtained from testing. An introduction to the drive and control arrangements for a constant Volts per Hertz (V/Hz) induction machine.
Electrical Machine Applications: In groups investigate contemporary machines research in Automotive and Aerospace applications, new manufacturing technologies, Sustainability, and the circular economy.
Teaching Methods
Teaching Activities
| Category | Activity | Number | Length | Student Hours | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 15 | 2:00 | 30:00 | In-Person Lectures |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 15:45 | 15:45 | Summative Individual Assessment Simulation Work |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 20 | 0:30 | 10:00 | Non-synchronous pre-recorded videos, extra worked examples |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 4 | 0:30 | 2:00 | Non-synchronous pre-recorded videos, detailed derivations |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 2:15 | 2:15 | Summative In-Person Closed Book Final Exam |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 30:00 | 30:00 | Revision for Final Exam |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Practical | 1 | 2:00 | 2:00 | In-Person Induction Machine testing |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Practical | 1 | 2:00 | 2:00 | In-Person Synchronous Machine testing |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Practical | 2 | 3:00 | 6:00 | In-Person Matlab sessions on Electric Drives. |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Small group teaching | 3 | 2:00 | 6:00 | Group activities exploring Electrical machine applications and manufacturing |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Workshops | 2 | 2:00 | 4:00 | In-Person computer lab sessions covering motor simulations |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Drop-in/surgery | 4 | 1:00 | 4:00 | Optional Drop-in surgery sessions |
| Guided Independent Study | Independent study | 1 | 86:00 | 86:00 | Reviewing lecture notes; general reading activity |
| Total | 200:00 |
Teaching Rationale And Relationship
Lectures provide the core materials as well as guidance for further reading. Problem solving is introduced and practiced through the tutorial in these lectures.
The experimental and computer-based sessions covering machines and electric drives provides an opportunity to gain practical experience with real life machine testing, power electronics, and Matlab / Simulink, and helps students validate the theory introduced in the lectures.
Additional individual support will be offered in timed surgery slots.
Group work will give us the opportunity to examine contemporary research material from a variety of journals, extract top level information, and make a short presentation.
Assessment Methods
The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners
Exams
| Description | Length | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Written Examination | 135 | 1 | A | 80 | 2 hour 15 min invigilated in-person closed-book exam |
Other Assessment
| Description | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Report | 1 | M | 20 | Individual simulation and analysis task |
Formative Assessments
Formative Assessment is an assessment which develops your skills in being assessed, allows for you to receive feedback, and prepares you for being assessed. However, it does not count to your final mark.
| Description | Semester | When Set | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oral Presentation | 1 | M | Group presentation to the class |
Assessment Rationale And Relationship
The individual examination allows students to demonstrate their ability to solve engineering problems based around their knowledge of the machines presented in the course material,
The report allows the students to demonstrate their knowledge using, simulation methods, analytical skills, and the interpretation of results.
The formative assessments will allow the students to practice working as a group, gathering relevant information in a limited time, and presenting this to an audience.
Reading Lists
Timetable
- Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
- EEE8159's Timetable