Unit Outline

This unit introduces students to the operation principles and characteristics of electrical machines and transformers as well as the physics behind the operation of these machines. Students will gain a thorough understanding of transformers, DC motors, induction machines and synchronous machines. This unit prepares students to undertake future studies in Electrical Power Engineering.

Intended Learning Outcomes

As per the Assessment and Results Policy 1.3, your results will reflect your achievement against specified learning outcomes.

On completion of this unit, you will be able to:


1	Explain the operation of motors, generators and transformers using knowledge of magnetic circuit laws, three-phase AC circuit principles, and fundamental circuit laws.
2	Solve problems related to the operation, characteristics, implementation, and equivalent-circuit modelling of motors, generators and transformers.
3	Determine electric and magnetic field strengths and their effects in and around electrical machinery.
4	Predict and model the effects of magnetic induction on moving parts of electrical machinery by applying Maxwell’s equations and related electromagnetism principles.
5	Analyse, draw conclusions from, and report the outcomes of experiments and practical activities in physics, transformers, and electrical machines.

Requisites


REQUISITE TYPE	REQUISITES
Pre-requisite	KAA112 and KMA154

Alterations as a result of student feedback

N/A

How will I be Assessed?

For more detailed assessment information please see MyLO.

Assessment schedule


ASSESSMENT TASK #	ASSESSMENT TASK NAME	DATE DUE	WEIGHT	LINKS TO INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES
Assessment Task 1:	Laboratory	Week 9	35 %	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5
Assessment Task 2:	Design and Build Project	Week 11	25 %	LO2, LO3, LO5
Assessment Task 3:	Final Exam	Exam Period	40 %	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4

Assessment details

Assessment Task 1: Laboratory

Task Description:

In this task, students will complete laboratory experiments to explore the underlying physics principles, three-phase circuit analysis, transformer operation, and electrical machine performance covered in the unit. Laboratory work will generally be completed in pairs or groups of up to 3, with an individual proforma to be completed and submitted one week after the lab session.

The laboratory program includes:
Lab 1: physics, including measurement of flux and experimental determination of magnetic properties;
Lab 2: three-phase circuits and analysis;
Lab 3: transformers;
Lab 4: induction machines.

Some lab sessions may also require completion of a pre-lab proforma prior to attendance. These labs provide hands-on experience, allow students to perform measurement and testing, demonstrate safe work practices, and analyse the behaviour and performance of electrical systems, transformers, and machines.

The measurement, testing, analysis, and reporting techniques developed through the laboratory activities will support students in completing the other assessment tasks in the unit by providing practical understanding of the properties, characteristics, and operation of electrical machines and transformers.

Not all criteria will be assessed on each lab.
GenAI use is permitted (with acknowledgement) in completion of lab proformas.

Task Length:

2 page proforma lab report for each lab

Due Date:

Week 9

Weight:

35 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Safely complete laboratory work	LO5
2	Measure magnetic and electrical characteristics of machines and transformers	LO3
3	Analyse experimental results and accuracy of experiments	LO5
4	Calculate magnetic induction and electrical properties of machines and transformers	LO4
5	Model electrical machines and transformers in steady state using equivalent circuits	LO2
6	Perform tests and analysis on machines and transformers to accurately determine their equivalent circuit parameters	LO2
7	Analyse how inductors and capacitors can effectively alter the power factor of power supplied to a three phase AC load	LO1
8	Represent and solve 3-phase systems using per-phase equivalent circuits	LO1
9	Calculate the line to line and phase voltages and currents for Y and Delta connected loads	LO1

Assessment Task 2: Design and Build Project

Task Description:

In this project, students will design a transformer to meet specified design requirements, including the use of relevant physics knowledge to characterise material properties where required, and then construct, test, and evaluate its performance. This task is intended to develop students’ design, construction, analytical, and reporting skills in the context of electrical machines and transformers, while also supporting the safe completion of practical activities. The construction, testing, and evaluation stages of the project will draw on measurement and analysis techniques developed through the laboratory program.

Task Length:

1-page design proposal, 10-minute demonstration of product, 10-page summary report

Due Date:

Week 11

Weight:

25 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Explain fundamental electromagnetism principles such as Ampere's Law and Faraday's Law and apply them to machines and transformers	LO3
2	Model electrical machines and transformers in steady state using equivalent circuits	LO2
3	Safely complete laboratory work	LO5
4	Design and build a transformer	LO5
5	Analyse experimental results and accuracy of experiments	LO5
6	Calculate efficiencies and losses in electrical machines and transformers	LO2

Assessment Task 3: Final Exam

Task Description:

Final examination of three hours duration. Approximately 25% of the exam content will relate to the physics foundations of the unit, and the remainder will relate to the three-phase circuits, transformers, and electrical machines content. GenAI use is not permitted.

Task Length:

Three hours

Due Date:

Exam Period

Weight:

40 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Apply electromagnetism principles to analyse magnetic materials, magnetic circuits, magnetic induction, electric and magnetic field strengths, and magnetic forces relevant to electrical machinery.	LO3
2	Explain the operating principles and basic operating characteristics of motors, generators and transformers.	LO1
3	Describe and calculate the parameters and operating quantities of three-phase transformer equivalent circuits in an AC context.	LO2
4	Apply induction machine equivalent circuits, characteristics, and magnetic induction principles to analyse induction machine performance under given operating conditions.	LO4

How your final result is determined

To pass this unit, you must demonstrate attainment of each Intended Learning Outcome (ILO), achieve a final unit grade of 50% or higher, and pass any hurdle tasks. Specifically:

To pass ILO1 your aggregate mark on the components of Final Exam and Laboratory assessing ILO1, weighted according to their contribution to the final mark, must be greater than or equal to 50%.

To pass ILO2 your aggregate mark on the components of Final Exam and Laboratory assessing ILO2, weighted according to their contribution to the final mark, must be greater than or equal to 50%.

To pass ILO3 your aggregate mark on the components of Final Exam and Laboratory assessing ILO3, weighted according to their contribution to the final mark, must be greater than or equal to 50%.

To pass ILO4 your aggregate mark on the components of Final Exam and Laboratory assessing ILO4, weighted according to their contribution to the final mark, must be greater than or equal to 50%.

To pass ILO5 your aggregate mark on the components of Laboratory and Design and Build Project assessing ILO5, weighted according to their contribution to the final mark, must be greater than or equal to 50%

Academic progress review

The results for this unit may be included in a review of your academic progress. For information about progress reviews and what they mean for all students, see Academic Progress Review in the Student Portal.

Submission of assignments

Where practicable, assignments should be submitted to an assignment submission folder in MYLO. You must submit assignments by the due date or receive a penalty (unless an extension of time has been approved by the Unit Coordinator). Students submitting any assignment in hard copy, or because of a practicum finalisation, must attach a student cover sheet and signed declaration for the submission to be accepted for marking.

Academic integrity

Academic integrity is about acting responsibly, honestly, ethically, and collegially when using, producing, and communicating information with other students and staff members.

In written work, you must correctly reference the work of others to maintain academic integrity. To find out the referencing style for this unit, see the assessment information in the MyLO site, or contact your teaching staff. For more detail about Academic Integrity, see Important Guidelines & Support.

Requests for extensions

If you are unable to submit an assessment task by the due date, you should apply for an extension.

A request for an extension should first be discussed with your Unit Coordinator or teaching support team where possible. A request for an extension must be submitted by the assessment due date, except where you can provide evidence it was not possible to do so. Typically, an application for an extension will be supported by documentary evidence: however, where it is not possible for you to provide evidence please contact your Unit Coordinator.

The Unit Coordinator must notify you of the outcome of an extension request within 3 working days of receiving the request.

Late penalties

Assignments submitted after the deadline will receive a late penalty of 5% of the original available mark for each calendar day (or part day) that the assignment is late. Late submissions will not be accepted more than 10 calendar days after the due date, or after assignments have been returned to other students on a scheduled date, whichever occurs first. Further information on Late Penalties can be found on the Assessments and Results Procedure.