ENGINEERING TRIPOS PART IIA 2012/2013

Project GB2 - Electrical Power

Leader: Dr R.A. McMahon email: ram1

Project Type: Group
Project Category: Design
Prerequisites: 3B3 useful
Timing: Thursdays 11-1pm and Mondays 9-11am plus afternoons

SUMMARY

This project will involve students in a wide variety of design issues within electrical engineering. Included are circuit design using integrated circuits, power semiconductor device circuits and the design of a transformer suitable for use with non-sinusoidal supplies. A tight specification will be given for a prototype 24V dc to 230V ac (50Hz), 150W inverter for use as an emergency power supply in the event of mains failure. Simple calculations for the designs of each stage will be iterated such that a satisfactory solution is obtained. A complete inverter will be made by each group and thoroughly tested to establish whether it meets the specification.

AIMS

• To introduce the techniques of conceptual design.
• To introduce and develop methods for optimising designs through iteration of design equations.
• To gain an appreciation of the factors influencing power component designs.

FORMAT

Students will work in groups of four, comprising two pairs. Each student will write two interim reports and a shorter final report containing test results and conclusions.

ACTIVITIES

Week 1: Conceptual design (Report 1).

Week 2: Design and build converter circuits for dc to dc and ac to dc conversion

Week 3: Test converter circuits and integrate (Report 2) .

Week 4: Final assembly and test (Report 3).

MINI-LECTURES

Three or four mini-lectures will be presented covering:

1. Introduction to circuit topologies.
2. Transformer design.
3. Introduction to power semiconductor devices.

Circuits and methods

A detailed handbook and a collection of datasheets is given to each student. One practical design is outlined but there is no bar to using other designs if they are sensible. The datasheets are distributed simply to help with the conceptual design stage and no limit is placed on the availability of components. Following the conceptual design report, students may be encouraged or otherwise from following a particular path. Hence it may be expected that each group will produce a working inverter. Use of computers is encouraged, particularly for optimisation of the transformer design. Good quality general purpose electrical and electronic engineering facilities are available.

ASSESSMENT

Format: Submission Date - Marks

Interim report 1: Thursday 16 May 2013 - 20 marks

Interim report 2: Thursday 23 May 2013 - 30 marks

Final report: 4pm Thursday 6 June 2013 - 30 marks

Last updated: December 2012