EN1040: Electrical Technology
| School | Cardiff School of Engineering |
| Department Code | ENGIN |
| Module Code | EN1040 |
| External Subject Code | 100164 |
| Number of Credits | 10 |
| Level | L4 |
| Language of Delivery | English |
| Module Leader | Dr Jeremy Hall |
| Semester | Spring Semester |
| Academic Year | 2025/6 |
Outline Description of Module
To provide students, from widely ranging backgrounds, with a basic introduction to electrical technology.
On completion of the module a student should be able to
- Define the terms rms, mean, reactance and impedance as they apply to ac conditions.
- Describe the principles, construction and basic operation of an ideal transformer and perform basic calculations.
- Define the terms power, volt amps, VAr and power factor and perform basic calculations revolving these and other circuit quantities.
- Describe the principles, construction and operation of the alternator, the dc motor, the dc voice coil actuator and the induction motor.
- List the principal types of electrical drive system and main components and their functions in each.
How the module will be delivered
The module will be delivered through a blend of online teaching and learning material, guided study, and on-campus face-to-face classes (tutorials, feedback sessions).
Skills that will be practised and developed
- Calculate resistance and inductance for simple cases.
- Apply circuit reduction, node voltage and Thevenin techniques to the solution of dc circuits.
- Use Thevenin models to estimate loading effects in instrumentation systems.
- Solve ac circuits using phasor-diagram and complete number techniques.
- Solve simple C-R and L-R circuits subjected to step changes in applied dc voltage.
- Calculate the emf produced by an alternator and its frequency.
- Calculate the emf and torque (or force) produce in dc machines.
- Calculate dc machine basic performance for simple cases.
How the module will be assessed
This module is assessed using class tests and a computer-based assessment at the end of the semester.
There is a potential for re-assessment in this module which may result in a 100% online assessment during the August Resit period.
Assessment Breakdown
| Type | % | Title | Duration(hrs) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Exam - Spring Semester | 90 | Electrical Technology | 1 |
| Class Test | 10 | Class Test | N/A |
Syllabus content
Electrical circuits: statement of Ohm and Kirchhoff Laws; circuit reduction and node voltage techniques for dc circuit analysis. Thevenin models and their application to circuit analysis; basic relations for resistance, inductance and capacitance; rms and average quantities; phasors and complex number notation; analysis of simple ac circuits; phasor diagrams; resonance; coupled circuits; transients in L-R and C-R circuits.
Introduction to power systems: power, volt-amps, VArs and power factor; structure of a typical power system; typical power system components including the ideal transformer, its operation and basic relations. Principles of electrical safety.
Electrical machines: basic electromechanical principles; principal motor types and their operating principles; principal generator and actuator types and their operating principles, basic relations for dc machine and alternator; natural characteristics of machines.
Drive systems: general composition of a drive system; principal components and typical applications categorised by power level; control using contactors, resistors, rectifiers, choppers and inverters; motor selection; load matching issues; duty cycle.