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Session 2649

A Video-Taped Laboratory in Electrical Power and Machinery

John R. Hackworth

Old Dominion University

Abstract

The development and implementation of an upper-division (junior-level) electrical power and machinery laboratory utilizing video taping of the machine operation is described. The laboratory course was developed to accommodate distance-learning students who have limited or no access to campus facilities. All students enrolled in the course have completed an associate degree in electronics or electrical engineering technology and, therefore, have completed traditional basic electronic courses taught in a traditional laboratory environment. Moreover, most of the students are working in industry as engineering technicians and have sufficient maturity to understand the practical aspects of their observations.

Unlike many of the experiments in electronic circuits where innovation is encouraged, most experiments in electrical power and machinery are highly structured because of the potential safety hazards and the potential destruction to expensive equipment. Therefore, the actual wiring diagrams are relatively simple and do not present any significant challenges to students. The major educational objectives are the measurement of performance parameters and the correlation of results with predicted theoretical models.

All of the experiments parallel those offered in the more traditional course on the campus and include numerous performance tests on dc and ac motors and generators as well as power transformers. Each video taped experiment begins by showing the instructor wiring the circuit. The student is supplied with wiring diagrams to enhance correlation with the actual wiring details. The machines are then operated by the instructor in a step-by-step fashion, and the camera zooms in on each instrument reading. The student records the data in the same fashion as if he or she were performing the test within the laboratory. The student then analyzes the data, prepares performance calculations and curves, and submits comprehensive reports to the instructor.

A comprehensive final examination testing the expected outcomes of the course has been developed and implemented. Performance studies thus far indicate that the video-taped laboratory is equally effective with the traditional laboratory. Students also indicate that they work harder and require more time than with traditional laboratories, but their overall evaluation is very positive. The recorded materials will shortly be transferred to either CD-ROM or to DVD format. "Proceedings of the 2001 American Society for Engineering Education Annual Conference & Exposition Copyright © 2001, American Society for Engineering Education"

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Hackworth, J. (2001, June), A Video Taped Laboratory In Electrical Power And Machinery Paper presented at 2001 Annual Conference, Albuquerque, New Mexico. 10.18260/1-2--9993