module specification

The module introduces students to the analysis of DC (including both steady state and transient behaviour) for resistors, capacitors and inductors. Techniques for the analysis of DC resistive circuits will be introduced including serial and parallel networks, mesh and node analysis and the principle of superposition. Equations for the response of a switched voltage across a capacitor and inductor will be developed considering an R-C and R-L circuits. The module then develops the analysis of AC circuits, introducing the more powerful methods associated with the use of complex numbers

Aims of the module: what key skills and knowledge will it enable students to develop?
1. To introduce students to the basic principles governing the behaviour of electrical circuits;
2. To introduce students to the applications of complex numbers in AC analysis;
3. To develop the ability to analyse more complex circuits by using techniques of network analysis;
4. To develop the ability to design circuits to meet a given specification within agreed tolerances;
5. To develop an awareness of the two different modes of analysis of time-domain and frequency domain.

Basic Concepts: charge, current, potential difference, power, resistance; ideal and real voltage and current sources; the basic circuit laws: Ohm’s Law and Kirchhoff’s Current and Voltage Laws; application to simple DC series, parallel and series-parallel circuits. LO1,3

DC Network Analysis: mesh (loop) analysis; nodal analysis; network theorems: Superposition Theorem, Thévenin’s Theorem, Norton’s Theorem, and Maximum Power Transfer Theorem. LO4

Circuit Transients: capacitance; capacitor charge and discharge; inductance; inductive transients; LCR transients; differentiating and integrating circuits. LO2,5

AC Basics: period and frequency, RMS values; phase; current-voltage relations for R, L and C; voltage phasor diagrams; application to RL and RC circuits; reactance and impedance; frequency-domain analysis and Bode plots. LO3

Complex analysis of AC circuits using the j operator; Cartesian and polar representation of current, voltage and impedance; application to RC, RL and RLC series circuits; resonance, bandwidth and Q factor; power in AC circuits; parallel AC circuits and admittance; transformers. LO4,6

AC Network Analysis: network theorems: Superposition Theorem, Thévenin’s Theorem, Norton’s Theorem, and Maximum Power Transfer Theorem.
Concepts Time and Frequency Domains and their application in circuit analysis. LO4,6

Analysis and design of DC and AC circuits using CAD tools:
Students will be introduced to a suitable simulation and modelling tools such as Matlab and Circuit Wizard in order to provide a platform by which more complex networks may be analysed and designed. LO7

Module delivered in a three-hour session weekly. The electrical principles and network analysis techniques are taught by formal lecture programme. Lectures are followed by tutorials and workshops. Students engage in problem solving under supervision during tutorials while during workshops students are introduced to CAD based approaches in  the analysis and design of DC and AC circuits to specifications. The learning material is available to students via WebLearn (VLE). Students also have access to module leader’s office hours for quick queries and consultation. Students are supported by dedicated Academic Mentors and Success Coaches (2nd and 3rd year students) for additional help on mathematics and CAD tools.

List and number the learning outcomes.

On successful completing this module, students will be able to:
LO1. Distinguish between voltage and current sources, and behaviour of resistor networks through formal examination;
LO2. Understand behaviour of capacitors and inductors in both DC and AC circuits;
LO3. Apply basic circuit laws for analysis of simple DC and AC circuits;
LO4. Apply techniques of network analysis to more complex DC and AC circuits;
LO5. Demonstrate an appreciation of the role of transients;
LO6. Use complex numbers in the analysis of series, parallel and series-parallel AC circuits;
LO7.   Apply network analysis techniques and CAD tools in analysis, design and evaluation of DC and AC circuits in form of professional documentation.

Module is assessed with three summative components:

A final Unseen Examination (LO1-4, 6) assesses student’s theoretical understanding and timebound analytical ability in analysis and design of DC and AC circuits.

Problem Solving and Simulations -1 (LO1-3, 5, 7) is designed to access student’s ability to analyse DC circuits using paper-pen based working out and then verify the results using CAD tools. Student is expected to submit a formal report on this coursework via WebLearn near the end of the autumn semester.

Problem Solving and Simulations - 2 (LO4, 6, 7) is designed to access student’s ability to analyse AC circuits using paper-pen based working out and then verify the results using CAD tools. Student is expected to submit a formal report on this coursework via WebLearn near the end of the spring semester.

Core Texts:

• John Bird (2017), Electrical circuit theory and technology (6 ed), Routledge, ISBN: 1317202805, http://catalogue.londonmet.ac.uk/record=b1891097~S1
• Allan H. Robbins, Wilhelm C. Miller (2013), Circuit analysis: theory and practice (5 ed), Cengage Learning, ISBN: 1133281001, http://catalogue.londonmet.ac.uk/record=b1673852~S1
• William H. Hayt, Jr et al (2019), Engineering Circuit Analysis (9 ed), McGraw-Hill, ISBN: 9781259989452

Other Texts:
• Anthony Croft, Robert Davison (2015), Mathematics for engineers, Prentice Hall, ISBN: 1292077751, http://catalogue.londonmet.ac.uk/record=b1792386~S1
• Svein Linge, Hans Petter Langtangen (2016), Programming for computations : Python : a gentle introduction to numerical simulations with Python, Springer, ISBN: 3319324284, http://catalogue.londonmet.ac.uk/record=b1892340~S1
• Brian H. Hahn, Daniel T. Valentine (2010), Essential MATLAB for engineers and scientists (4 ed), Academic Press, ISBN: 9780080952116, http://catalogue.londonmet.ac.uk/record=b1603014~S3
• Alan Keith Walton (1987), Network Analysis and Practice, Cambridge University Press, ISBN: 9781139171816, http://catalogue.londonmet.ac.uk/record=b1765969~S1
• Edward Hughes et al (2016), Hughes electrical and electronic technology (12 ed), Pearson, ISBN-10: 1292093048

Journals:
• IET circuits, devices & systems

Websites
• University Library website:
https://student.londonmet.ac.uk/library/
• Subject guides and research support:
https://student.londonmet.ac.uk/library/subject
• Mathworks (fro Matlab): https://uk.mathworks.com/
• CircuitWizard: https://www.new-wave-concepts.com/ed/circuit.html

Electronic Databases
• IEEE Xplore / IET Digital Library (IEL):
https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/Xplore/home.jsp
• Wiley Online Library:
https://0-www-onlinelibrary-wiley-com.emu.londonmet.ac.uk/

Social Media Sources
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/

Other
• Lynda: http://www.lynda.com/