EE 211 (was EE 220) – Electrical Circuits And Power Distribution

Designation:

Intended for non-Electrical Engineering students

Catalog Data:

EE 211: D.C. and A.C. circuits, transformers, single and three-phase distribution systems, A.C. motors and generators. Prerequisite: PHYS 212.

Prerequisites by topic:

1. Understanding of and ability to use basic and intermediate algebra, calculus & trigonometry, exponentials & complex numbers. Ability to use a calculator with trig functions, exponentials and polar/rectangular coordinate transformations.
2. Knowledge of Kirchoff’s laws, familiarity with the SI system of units and prefixes, both electrical and mechanical.

Course Objectives:

This course provides fundamental education in electrical circuit analysis techniques to non-electrical engineering majors. Students should be able to do the following upon completion of this course:

1. Analyze simple DC resistive circuits using ohm’s law, Kirchhoff’s current and voltage laws.
2. Analyze DC circuits containing independent sources using node-voltage & mesh-current methods.
3. Understand difference between ideal sources and practical sources.
4. Understand Thevenin and Norton equivalent circuits, superposition, and source transformation techniques.
5. Analyze the natural and step (Transient) responses of RL, RC circuits.
6. Analyze basic AC circuits using phasor analysis.
7. Learn concepts of complex power and residential electrical service.
8. Understand fundamental properties of three-phase power.
9. Gain basic insight into transformer fundamentals and electric motors.

Topics:

1. Introduction and units (1 class)
2. Definition of voltage, current, and Ohm’s law and resistance. (1 class)
3. Power & sign convention, KCL, KVL, resistors in series & parallel and voltage & current divider Rules (3 classes)
4. Node–voltage and mesh–current analysis techniques, Thevenin and Norton equivalent circuits, superposition principle (3 classes)
5. Capacitors, inductors and stored energy (2 classes)
6. 1st order RC and RL circuits (2 classes)
7. Sinusoidal sources, impedance, sinusoidal steady state phasor analysis methods, low-pass and high–pass filters, frequency response – Bode plots, Decibel (5 classes)
8. Average, reactive, and complex power, power factor, transformers, single and three-phase electricity generation and transmission, residential electricity and grounding (4 classes)
9. Fundaments of electric motors (4 classes)

Class/laboratory schedule:

Two 50-minute lectures and one 50-minute recitation per week.

Computer Usage:

Learning of concepts is reinforced through the use of multimedia presentations and proof of mastery exercises. Flash presentations are used to step students through complex example problems and an on-line quiz system is used to test mastery of material.