Credits

GLH

Degree

E-625-B
Bachelor of Electrical/Electronic Technology

Unit Code

Unit Code

Electric Drive Systems

Level #

Unit Title

E-625-B

15

45

Aim and purpose

This unit aims to introduce the learners to basic concepts of electric drive systems. The learner
will gain knowledge on designing selecting and installing electric drive systems for a range of
applications.

Unit introduction
This unit covers most of the variable speed drive systems found in industry today and provides a
thorough understanding of drive operation within the context of industrial systems. This unit is
designed to guide learners to correctly set up, maintain and carry out effective fault-finding on
inverter drive systems. The unit first introduces elements of drive systems, requirements of
industrial drives, drive representation, and quadrant operation. Concepts of dynamic and
regenerative braking, DC motors, converters for DC motor drives and their drive performance
analysis are studied. The unit then shifts to cover topics of AC drives including performance
analysis of synchronous motor drives with variable or current source and variable frequency
supply, performance analysis of induction motor drives with variable voltage or current source
and variable frequency supply and field oriented (or vector) control of induction motor drives.
The learner will be introduced to basics of testing and maintaining major components of a drive
system. Computer aided design and test examples are studied.

Learning outcomes
On completion of
1 Be able to
2 Be able to
3 Be able to
4 Be able to
5 Be able to
6 Be able to

this unit a learner should:

model and analyse the basic principles and operation of DC drives.
model and analyse the principles and operation of AC drives.
apply different problem solving techniques for DC and AC drives applications.
differentiate between drive faults, motor faults and power faults.
correctly configure, operate and monitor drive systems.
determine and analyse speed-time curves for a variety of applications.

Unit Content
1- Be able to model and analyse the principles and operation of DC drives.
Review of dc motors and characteristics. Single- and three-phase thyristor converter
circuits. Switched-mode PWM converters. Analysis of converter and DC motor circuits.
Effects of discontinuous conduction on drive. DC machine dynamics.
Brushless DC machine fundamentals; Analysis of machine back emf and torque; Ideal
back-emf and current waveforms, Sensor requirements. Starting and electric braking.
2- Be able to model and analyse the principles and operation of AC drives.
Review of synchronous motors and characteristics. Salient and non-salient pole
machines; Reluctance motors. Performance under Voltage Source Inverter (VSI) drive.
Performance under Current Source Inverter (CSI) drive. Operation with maximum torque,
field-weakening and Unity power factor. Drive characteristics using equivalent circuit
representation. Parameter determination of induction machines. Voltage and current

source drives. Characteristics with VSI-VF inverter and CSI-VF drive. Effect of harmonics
on drive performance. Starting and electric braking.
3- Be able to apply different problem solving techniques for DC and AC drives applications.
Role of various control loops in drive systems; drive system damping; torque, speed and
position control loops; hierarchy of control loops; Typical controllers; design
considerations for each control loop.
4- Be able to differentiate between drive faults, motor faults and power faults.
Typical motor faults. Typical drive faults. Typical power utility faults.
5- Be able to correctly configure, operate and monitor drive systems.
Specification of drive systems; Mechanical transmission elements, gears, leadscrews,
belts etc.; Sizing algorithms; commercial considerations.
6- Be able to determine and analyze speed-time curves for a variety of applications.
Types of loads: active torque and passive torque. Typical load curves of elevators, fans,
pumps, extrudersetc.

Assessment and Grading Criteria

In order to pass this unit, the learner is required to prove that he/she has passed ALL the
targeted Learning Outcomes of this unit. The assessment criteria for a pass grade describe the
level of achievement required to pass this unit.

Assessment and Grading Criteria

Learning Outcome

To achieve the pass grade the learner must show that

he/she is able to:
1- Be able to model and
P1: determine torque speed curves of DC drives
analyse the principles
incorporating series, shunt and compound DC motors.
and operation of DC
P2: determine torque speed curves of DC drives
drives.
incorporating series, shunt and compound DC
generators.
P3: Calculate starting current and starting torques for
series, shunt and compound DC drives.
P4: Perform speed control calculations for DC drives.
2- Be able to model and
P5: determine torque speed curves of AC drives
analyse the principles
incorporating induction or synchronous motors.
and operation of AC
P6: determine torque speed curves of AC drives
drives.
incorporating induction or synchronous generators.
P7: Calculate starting current and starting torques for AC
drives.
P8: Perform speed control calculations for AC drives.
3- Be able to apply
P9: Design a typical drive system controller including
different problem solving
design considerations for each control loop.
techniques for DC and AC P10: Analyse the performance of a given AC or DC drive

drives applications.
4- Be able to differentiate
between drive faults,
motor faults and power
faults.

system.
P11: identify and classify different gear faults in an
electric drive system.
P12: identify and classify different power source related
faults in an electric drive system.
P13: identify and classify different electric machine
related faults in an electric drive system

P14: Configure, operate and monitor various components

of a typical drive system.
P15: Analyse the performance of an electric drive system
using data outcome of monitoring devices installed in
an electric drive system.
6- Be able to determine and P16: Recognize and differentiate between torque-speed
analyse speed-time
curves of various domestic loads as fans, pumps,
curves for a variety of
elevators...etc.
applications.
P17: Recognize and differentiate between torque-speed
curves of various industrial loads including loads like
extrusion, milling...etc.
5- Be able to correctly
configure, operate and
monitor drive systems