Program Overview

FOUNDATIONS OF ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING

Course Details

• CODE: 72351
• ACADEMIC YEAR: 2025/2026
• CREDITS: 6 cfu anno 2 INGEGNERIA MECCANICA 8784 (L-9) - LA SPEZIA
• SCIENTIFIC DISCIPLINARY SECTOR: ING-IND/31
• LANGUAGE: Italian
• TEACHING LOCATION: LA SPEZIA
• SEMESTER: 1° Semester
• MODULES: This teaching is a module of: FOUNDATIONS OF ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONICS ENGINEERING
• TEACHING MATERIALS: AULAWEB

OVERVIEW

The module aims at providing basic knowledge on circuit theory, propaedeutic for the subsequent study of electronics, electrical machines, and drives.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

At the end of the module, students will acquire the tools to analyze electrical circuits, both DC and AC (single and three phase). They will be able to solve circuits by applying circuit simplification techniques (for example by means of the Thévenin and Norton theorems) and systematic methods (nodal analysis and mesh analysis) to derive voltages, currents, and powers. They will also be able to solve simple transients.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

At the end of the course, students will be able to analyze:

• DC circuits
• AC circuits
• simple transients employing both systematic methods (nodal and mesh analysis) and by simplifying the network by means of Thévenin and Norton theorems, Millman formulas, etc.

Students will be able to describe the basic concepts of circuit theory (Kirchhoff laws, bipole characteristics, network theorems, solution methods,...) and the meaning of the involved quantities (e.g., voltage, current, powers in DC and AC, etc...)

Students will also have a basic knowledge of three-phase networks and will become familiar with the concepts of electrical power balance.

TEACHING METHODS

Frontal lessons, alternating theory subjects and examples of analysis of DC and AC circuits, similar to those students will have to solve during the exam.

Students with SLD, with disabilities, or with other regularly certified special educational needs will agree with the teacher on the exam method and the compensatory instruments, by contacting the instructor at least 10 days before the exam. They will also be able to take advantage of the additional time required by law.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

• Introduction - Electromagnetic phenomena, current and voltage
• Bipoles and energy balance
• Network properties
• Direct current networks
• Dielectric phenomena (capacitors)
• Magnetic phenomena (inductor)
• Transients
• Alternate Current networks
• Three phase networks

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

• L. Verolinio, Elementi di Reti Elettriche, Edises, 2019
• M. Repetto, S. Leva, "Elettrotecnica. Elementi di teoria ed esercizi", CittàStudi, 2018
• R. Perfetti: "Circuiti Elettrici", seconda edizione, Zanichelli Editore, Bologna. ISBN: 978–88–08–1788–6
• M. Guarnieri, A. Stella: "Principi ed applicazioni di Elettrotecnica (volume primo)", Edizioni Libreria Progetto Padova.
• C. K. Alexander, M.N.O. Sadiku: "Circuiti elettrici", McGraw–Hill, ISBN –9.
• C. A. Desoer, S. Kuh: "Fondamenti di teoria dei circuiti", Franco Angeli Editore, Collana di Ingegneria Elettrica.

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

• DANIELE MESTRINER

Exam Board

• DANIELE MESTRINER (President)
• MASSIMO BRIGNONE
• ERMANNO FABIO DI ZITTI (President Substitute)
• CHIARA MICHELI (President Substitute)
• PAOLO MOLFINO (President Substitute)
• MARIO NERVI (President Substitute)
• MANSUETO ROSSI (President Substitute)

LESSONS

LESSONS START

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

Written test: two written tests will be held during the lesson period (first one: a DC circuit, second one: an AC circuit; 3 points each). As an alternative: written tests during the examination period (2 circuits to solve, AC and DC, 6 points in total).

Threshold for admission to the oral examination: score ≥ 4, out of 6. Any additional points (1 or 2) will be used as a bonus in the oral exam.

Oral exam: a discussion of about 30 minutes on exercises and theoretical arguments.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

Written tests: solution of a DC circuit (first test during the module or first exercise of a test after the end of the module) and of an AC circuit (second test during the module or second exercise of a test after the end of the module), similar to those analyzed during the course. Solutions of some of the previous tests are available on aulaweb.

Oral: consists of three questions, in increasing order of difficulty, mainly on theoretical topics, application examples or simple exercises related to the theory explained during the lessons.

Exam Schedule

• 14/01/2026 | 09:30 | LA SPEZIA | Scritto + Orale
• 27/01/2026 | 09:30 | LA SPEZIA | Scritto + Orale
• 13/02/2026 | 09:30 | LA SPEZIA | Scritto + Orale
• 11/06/2026 | 09:30 | LA SPEZIA | Scritto + Orale
• 07/07/2026 | 09:30 | LA SPEZIA | Scritto + Orale
• 10/09/2026 | 09:30 | LA SPEZIA | Scritto + Orale