Electrical and Electronic Principles EN021

8/8/2019 Electrical and Electronic Principles EN021

1/5

BTEC Foundation Degree programmes in Engineering

Electrical and Electronic Principles

Module Number: EN-021

Notional hours: 150 Credits value: 15 Level: L2

Pre-requisite module(s): Engineering Science, Mathematics forEngineers

Co-requisite module(s): NoneForbidden Combination(s): None

Description of module

Circuits and their characteristics are fundamental to any study of electrical andelectronic engineering and therefore a good appreciation is important to anyengineer.

The engineer must be able to take complex electrical circuit problems, break themdown into acceptable elements and apply techniques to solve or analyse thecharacteristics in order to make judgements or determine output characteristics.Additionally, fine tuning of the circuits can be performed to obtain required outputdynamics.

This module draws together a logical appreciation of the topic and offers a structuredapproach to the development of the broad learning required at this level.

The modules initial approach is to investigate circuit theory and their theorems todevelop solutions to electrical networks. Network modules are developed, such as2-port network as a useful way to combine networks, which in future could, forexample, be used in filters and matching circuits, etc.

The complex circuit waveforms and their properties that circuits produce, must beanalysed, thus Fourier analysis is used to perform frequency analysis on producedanalogue signals. This, for example, allows engineers to use the square-wavefunction in describing electromotive forces, in an electric circuit, when repetitivelyturned on and off.

Laplace transforms are closely related to Fourier transforms in mathematicallyrepresenting a function, so similar properties exist. Laplace transforms allow onekind of function or equation to be changed into another kind, in order to make themathematics easier to perform.

The module also provides a foundation for further study in more specialist areas ofelectrical principles.

BTEC Foundation Degrees in Engineering Modules

Approved for Centre Validation Edexcel Ltd 2005

Page 67


2/5


Electrical and Electronic PrinciplesModule Number: EN-021

Key features to Planned Experience

A practical approach to learning should be adopted wherever possible, with tutors

providing relevant examples of the theory in practice together with supporting

laboratory investigations. Wherever possible, students should be encouraged toverify theory using observation and measurements made on practical circuits.

Computer simulation and analysis of circuits should be encouraged, particularly

where practical measurements can be compared with computer-generated analysisof the same circuits.

Page 68

BTEC Foundation Degrees in Engineering ModulesApproved for Centre Validation Edexcel Ltd 2005


3/5



Module Outcomes and Indicative Content

1 Investigate circuit theory

Transformation theorems: energy sources as constant-voltage and constant-currentgenerators; Thvenins and Nortons theorems; star-delta transformation

Circuit theory: maximum power transfer conditions for resistive and complex circuits;mesh and nodal analysis; the principle of superposition

Magnetically coupled circuits: mutual inductance; the use of dot notation; equivalentcircuits for transformers including the effects of resistive and reactive features

R-L-C tuned circuits: series and parallel resonant circuits; impedance; phase angle;dynamic resistance; Q-factor; bandwidth; selectivity and resonant frequency; theeffects of loading on tuned circuit performance

2 Investigate network modules

Network models: symmetrical two-port network model; characteristic impedance, Zo;

propagation coefficient (expressed in terms of attenuation and phase change); inputimpedance, Zin for various load conditions including ZL = Zo; relationship between the

neper and the dB; insertion loss, block modules, sub-system modules

Symmetrical attenuators: T and attenuators; the expressions for Ro and in termsof component values

3 Investigate complex wavesProperties: power factor; RMS value of complex periodic waveforms

Analyse: Fourier coefficients of a complex periodic voltage waveform eg Fourierseries for rectangular, triangular or half-wave rectified waveform, use of a tabularmethod for determining the Fourier series for a complex periodic waveform; use anappropriate software package


Page 69


4/5



4 Investigate transients in R-L-C circuitsLaplace transforms: definition of the Laplace transform of a function; use of a table ofLaplace transforms

Transient analysis: expressions for component and circuit impedance in the s-plane;first order systems must be solved by Laplace (R-L and R-C networks); second ordersystems could be solved by Laplace or computer-based packages

Circuit responses: over, under, zero and critically damped response following a stepinput; zero initial conditions being assumed

Page 70



5/5

Documents

Electrical and Electronic Principles EN021