Teaching electric machines and power electronics: Emphasis and challenges

Abstract

The widespread applications of industrial power electronics and electric machine drives have increased the need for graduates well trained in leading edge motor control technologies. Efficient and flexible power electronics circuits are used nowadays in most areas of industrial applications, including dc and ac motor control and commercial electric power transmission and generation. This paper describes the development of an electrodynamics program in the Engineering Technology Department at Northern Illinois University. An effective approach to introduce students to electric machines and the latest solid-state technologies as applied to motor speed controls is presented. A sequence of training modules is developed on low-power, industrial-type equipment that enables students to perform visual inspection of the machine's internal construction. Other supporting instructional technologies are also presented, and discussed, in this paper.