Level 4 – Electrical Machines

Pearson/Edexcel BTEC Level 4 Engineering – Electrical Machines

This unit can be studied  as part of a BTEC HNC or HND in Engineering. 

Unit introduction

Electrical machines can be found in manufacturing, transport, consumer appliances and hospitals. People will come across them every day in their home and at work. They convert energy in three ways: transformers which change the voltage level of an alternating current; motors which convert electrical energy to mechanical energy; and generators which convert mechanical energy to electrical energy. Transducers and actuators are also energy converters, and can be found in a wide range of industrial and domestic applications.

This unit introduces students to the characteristics and operational parameters of a range of electromagnetic powered machines that are used in a variety of applications. Among the topics included in this unit are: principles underlying the operation and construction of transformers, induction motors, synchronous machines, electromagnetic transducers, actuators, and generators; and operating characteristics of electrical machines such as voltage, current, speed of operation, power rating, electromagnetic interference (EMI) and efficiency.

On completion of this unit you should:

1. Assess the constructional features and applications of transformers.
2. Analyse the starting methods and applications of three-phase induction motors and synchronous machines.
3. Investigate the types of generator available in industry by assessing their practical applications.
4. Analyse the operating characteristics of electromagnetic transducers and actuators.

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