Program Overview

Design and Control of Electric Drives

This CPD module aims to enhance learners' knowledge of the fundamentals of electric drive systems and their applications and to show the relationship between the theoretical and practical aspects of the subject. On successful completion, learners will be able to implement and analyse the control performance of fundamental electric drive systems and apply various control concepts. This course is aimed at learners with a fundamental appreciation of Power Electronics, Machines and Drives technology, but are looking to deepen their knowledge and understanding of the subject area.

Learning Outcomes

• An awareness of basic drive design, configuration, and characteristics.
• Recognise the use of power electronics in electric drives, how they operate, and how they can be used to control electrical machines.
• An ability to analyse both DC and AC electric drives and their systems control.
• An appreciation of electronics design and control software issues.
• An ability to develop appropriate motor models
• Analyse various electric drive control schemes and analyse their performance.
• Awareness of the state-of-the-art, and likely future trends.

Course Agenda

This is a two-day CPD course. The course consists of six main topics:

• An introduction to basic drive configurations and load characteristics
• DC drives: motor and power converter modelling, closed loop response of speed and position control; stability considerations
• Digital speed control; cascade control structures; converter control with saturation; armature current control; practical current control methods; integrator windup.
• AC drives: dynamic model of an induction motor, configurations of three-phase power electronic converters; space vector theory; three-phase to two-phase transformation; rotor flux-oriented vector control of induction motor drives.
• Case Study: Study of a digitally controlled drive system. Electronics design and control software issues.
• An overview of current state-of-the-art technology, and likely future trends.