Exploring the Basic Principles of Electric Motors and Generators With a Low-Cost Sophomore-Level Experiment

Author(s)

Thomas F. Schubert Jr, University of San DiegoFollow
Frank G. Jacobitz, University of San DiegoFollow
Ernest M. Kim, University of San DiegoFollow

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2-2009

Abstract

In order to meet changing curricular needs, an electric motor and generator laboratory experience was designed, implemented, and assessed. The experiment is unusual in its early placement in the curriculum and in that it focuses on modeling electric motors, predicting their performance, and measuring efficiency of energy conversion. While subfractional-horsepower electric motors and a primitive, but unique, small-scale dynamometer were used, experimental results proved to be reliable, accurate, and repeatable. The change in student knowledge and confidence in the application of that knowledge was assessed and shown to have increased significantly in both cases.

Digital USD Citation

Schubert, Thomas F. Jr; Jacobitz, Frank G.; and Kim, Ernest M., "Exploring the Basic Principles of Electric Motors and Generators With a Low-Cost Sophomore-Level Experiment" (2009). School of Engineering: Faculty Scholarship. 16.
https://digital.sandiego.edu/engineering_facpub/16