31618 - Fundamentals of Electrotechnics

Learning outcomes

The student possesses the elements for the study of single-phase and three-phase electrical circuits in direct and alternating current, as well as the basic notions relating to the operation of the main electrical machines, with particular attention to the transformer and the induction motor.

Course contents

Algebraic networks
The approximation of concentrated circuits. Voltage and current, Kirchhoff's laws. Matrix formulation of Kirchhoff's laws. Memoryless electric dipoles, constitutive laws, energy aspects. Linearity, passivity and time-invariance. Anomalous connections and displacement properties of generators. Tableau and matrix analysis [T]. Substitution principle. Resistors in series, voltage divider. Resistors in parallel, current divider. Star/delta transformation. Equivalent resistor of a resistive network. Principle of superposition of effects. Thevenin and Norton theorems. Real generators, maximum power transfer. General methods for circuit analysis: node voltages and loop currents.

Dynamic networks
Dynamic components: capacitors and inductors. Constitutive relations, power and energy, continuity properties. Series/parallel connections and dividers. First-order circuits type RL and RC: approach with Thévenin/Norton. General solution. First order transients with DC generators: characteristics of the exponential waveform. Presence of switches.

Sinusoidal regime
Alternating, periodic, sinusoidal quantities. Mean value and effective value. Phasor associated with sinusoidal quantities. Operations with phasors and properties. Symbolic method (Steinmetz transform). Symbolic Ohm's law: impedances, reactances and admittances. Instantaneous power. Active, reactive and apparent power. Complex power. Cosfi and power factor. Maximum power transfer theorem. Power factor correction. Three-phase 3 and 4-wire systems: connections and definitions

Readings/Bibliography

Theory:
Linear and Nonlinear Circuits
by Chua, Desoer, Kuh.

Applications:
Fundamentals of Electric Circuits
by C.K. Alexander, M. Sadiku.

Teaching methods

The course is divided into lessons and classroom exercises. Each lesson topic corresponds to demonstrations, examples and application exercises.

Assessment methods

Written exam.

Teaching tools

Slides written by the teacher.

Office hours

See the website of Riccardo Mandrioli