Description

These instructional materials include a PowerPoint with instructor voice-over. The PowerPoint explains the fundamental structures of the magnetic circuit and transformer; common problems of alternating current (AC) machines; and the working principles of synchronous, asynchronous and direct current (DC) machines. The library for the courseware includes a series of 2-D and 3-D colourful animation models, viz.

• 3-D structure animations of AC machines, DC machines and transformers;
• 3-D animations describing the working principles of AC and DC machines;
• 2-D and 3-D animations of pulsating and rotating magnetic fields;
• 3-D and 2-D teaching models for each kind of machine, and transformers and transformation animations from real structures to teaching models; and
• animations describing some difficult concepts such as saturation, magnetic hysteresis and space and time harmonics

Intended educational value

Electrical machinery, which is one of the main areas in electrical engineering studies, is a difficult subject for many students because electrical machinery problems vary not only with time but also with space coordinates. Consequently, students need to understand abstract concepts such as space distribution of current and magnetic fields in electric machines in order to have a good understanding of the subject. This courseware - which describes the fundamental concepts clearly and consists of a model library with a series of 2-D and 3-D colourful animation models to represent the fundamental structures, working principles and some internal processes of machines - will enhance students' understanding and help them to achieve the expected subject outcomes related to electrical machines.
 

Example of application

The courseware will be used with our electrical engineering students as a self-learning tool. It is expected that the tool can help them to understand the fundamental operating principles and appreciate difficult concepts in the area of electrical machinery.
 

Evaluation/Comments

The courseware will be used in the coming year and evaluations will then be conducted.