Grainger CEME

Figure 12 Map in Room 50 Everitt Laboratory, Grainger Laboratory.

ECE 431, Electric Machines, is an undergraduate class addressing theory and laboratory experimentation with three-phase power, power factor correction, single- and three-phase transformers, induction machines, dc machines, and synchronous machines. It also includes dynamic behavior of machines, stepping and reluctance machines, and electrostatic machines, as well as project work on energy control systems.

The pictures given here show the final class project: a model power system. The purpose of the experiment was to construct a small model power system electrically independent from outside sources using equipment in the lab and apply everything learned up to this last class in the semester.

Figure 13 Bench 2. Dominic Poon

Lab benches show system elements including three generators and various loads, both single-phase and three-phase. The system is in a ring configuration which ideally allows power to flow to a load from two directions, thus permitting better load sharing and higher reliability. Induction machines on Benches 2, 5, and 6 and the resistive three-phase load on Bench 3 represent a heavy commercial load. A smaller “household” load is represented by the single-phase load (toaster and light bulbs) on Bench 6. Generators were used both for power and control. Capacitors were added at Bench 5 to maintain a satisfactory voltage level throughout the network. Students had to communicate with each other to avoid overload and prevent blackout. The goal was to understand the complexity of a real system.

Figure 14 Bench 3. Khristina Weaver

Figure 15 Bench 4. Left: Babalunde Badmus Costa. Right: Brittany Potter.

Figure 16 Bench 5. Foreground: Matt Davis. Background:Professor Krein

Figure 17 Bench 6. Left: Carl Press. Right: Brandon Middleton.

Figure 18 Bench 7. Left: George Nellikunnel. Right: Chris Giovingo

Figure 19 Bench 9. Left: Philip Marry. Right: Greg Eakins.