Module Specification

The information contained in this module specification was correct at the time of publication but may be subject to change, either during the session because of unforeseen circumstances, or following review of the module at the end of the session. Queries about the module should be directed to the member of staff with responsibility for the module.
Title Electrical Circuits for Engineers
Code ELEC121
Coordinator Dr PM Bryant
Electrical Engineering and Electronics
P.M.Bryant@liverpool.ac.uk
Year CATS Level Semester CATS Value
Session 2021-22 Level 4 FHEQ First Semester 7.5

Aims

To provide students with a basic understanding and analysis of electrical circuits and theory. To introduce students to basic semiconductor devices and circuits involving diodes and transistors. To provide the student with a fundamental knowledge of the principles and construction of DC and AC machines, transformers and linear actuators.


Pre-requisites before taking this module (other modules and/or general educational/academic requirements):

 

Co-requisite modules:

 

Learning Outcomes

(LO1) Understanding the electrical behaviour of basic passive and active electrical circuit components

(LO2) To understand and apply fundamental circuit analysis to solve circuit problems

(LO3) To understand how the physical laws of electromagnetism and mechanics apply to practical motors, transformers and actuators.

(LO4) Demonstrate a basic understanding of those factors that determine the performance of electrical motors, transformers and simple electro-mechanical actuators

(S1) Problem solving skills

(S2) Numeracy

(S3) Teamwork


Syllabus

 

Introduction: Overview of the course. Fundamental principles of electrostatics. Components and symbols - passive and active components. Insulators and Dielectrics. Concept of current flow in a circuit and Ohm’s Law.

Impedance and Power: Concept of impedance - resistance and reactance. Power dissipation in electrical circuits and energy usage (kilowatt hours).

Circuit Theory I: Kirchhoff’s voltage and current laws. Resistors in series and parallel. Current and voltage dividers.

Circuit Theory II: Ideal current and voltage sources. Linear circuits. Principle of Superposition. Thevenin equivalent circuits .

Semi-conductor devices I - the diode: Small signal and Zener diodes - characteristics and data sheets. Typical diode applications - diode rectifier circuits, voltage regulator circuits.

Semi-conductor devices II - the transistor: Transistors (BJT) - types, operating principle, characteristics and data sheets. Transistor modes. Typical tran sistor applications and the CE-amplifier.

Electromechanics - Basic principles: Basic terminology and electromagnetic principles. Magnetic fields, Ampere’s law, force on a conductor (the motor effect) and magnetic circuits.

Electromagnetic induction: Faraday’s and Lenz’s Law. Concept of self-inductance and back emf. Step response of an RL circuit. Energy stored in a magnetic field.

Transducers and solenoid actuators: Definitions, types of transducers. Linear actuators and the principle of energy conversion.

Electrical machines: The DC motor: operating principle, EMF and torque production. AC / DC generators - methods of excitation and commutation. Self-excited motor/generator - series and shunt connected machines. Equivalent circuits and power production. Typical machine characteristics.

AC machines & transformers: Single phase and multi-phase alternators and output frequency. AC operation of an iron core and transformer action.


Teaching and Learning Strategies

As a result of COVID-19 one or more of the following scenarios will be implemented depending on local conditions:

Note - Hydrid delivery with social distancing on campus is not possible due to high student numbers (ie laboratory work).

a) Fully on-line delivery and assessment

Teaching method 1 - on-line asymchronous lectures
Description: To explain the material
Attendance Recorded: No
Notes: Two 1 hr lectures per week

Teaching method 2 - Synchronous online laboratory work
Description: To explain the material. Pre-recorded videos (with random data sets) and web accessable simultaion software.
Attendance Recorded: No
Notes: Labs commence in week 8. In total 6 hrs of lab work per group.

Teaching method 3 - on-demand tutorials
Description: To explain the material and assist with learning
Attendance Recorded: No
Notes: Utilising Canvas when sufficient requests fbr a tutorial on a topic has been reached an online tutoria l will be arranged (and recorded)

b) Standard on-campus delivery with minimal social distancing
Teaching method 1 - Lecture
Description: To explain the material
Attendance Recorded: Yes
Notes: Two 1 hr lectures per week

Teaching method 2 - Laboratory work
Description: To explain the material and develop practical skills with real machines, elecrical equipment and components
Attendance Recorded: Yes
Notes: Labs commence in weeks 6 with no lab during assessment period (week 7). In total 6 hrs of lab work per group.

Teaching method 3 - on-demand tutorials
Description: To explain the material and assist with learning
Attendance Recorded: No
Notes: Utilising Canvas when sufficient requests for a tutorial on a topic has been reached an online tutorial will be arranged. (and recorded)


Teaching Schedule

  Lectures Seminars Tutorials Lab Practicals Fieldwork Placement Other TOTAL
Study Hours 22

    6

    28
Timetable (if known)              
Private Study 47
TOTAL HOURS 75

Assessment

EXAM Duration Timing
(Semester)
% of
final
mark
Resit/resubmission
opportunity
Penalty for late
submission
Notes
(121) Written Exam There is a resit opportunity. Standard UoL penalty applies for late submission. This is an anonymous assessment. Assessment Schedule (When) :Semester 1 Examination Period    70       
(121.3) On-line open book class test. Annonymous marking. Standard UoL penalty applies for late submission.  50    10       
CONTINUOUS Duration Timing
(Semester)
% of
final
mark
Resit/resubmission
opportunity
Penalty for late
submission
Notes
(121.1) Lab 1 - Electrical circuits Standard UoL penalty applies for late submission. This is not an anonymous assessment. Assessment Schedule (When) :As scheduled - Semester 1    10       
(121.2) Lab 2 - DC Motor Standard UoL penalty applies for late submission. This is not an anonymous assessment. Assessment Schedule (When) :As scheduled - Semester 1    10       

Reading List

Reading lists are managed at readinglists.liverpool.ac.uk. Click here to access the reading lists for this module.