Faculty of Engineering
Department of Mechatronics
Electric Machines EEM 3111 / EEMV 301
P.KHWAMBALA
Study Guide
Faculty of Engineering
Department of Mechatronics
Syllabus Guide for Electric Machines 3
Doc ID.:
Rev. 5
2025
By
PK
PRE-REQUISITE SUBJECTS/MODULES
Electrotechnology 2B
A
OBJECTIVES
This course is intended to introduce the students to the fundamental principles of electrical machinery. It includes magnetic circuits,
transformers, DC machines, stepper motors, servo motors, AC machines, linear machines and induction machines.
Understanding the use of electrical machinery follows from Electrotechnology 2B and is an essential requirement to support further
study in Mechatronics, Power Electronics, and other advanced engineering subjects.
The objectives of this course are therefore to:
•
•
•
Introduce students to the fundamental principles of electrical machinery.
Develop skills in analysing electrical machines and the effect they have on peripheral mechanical devices,
Develop understanding of a concept of multi-disciplinary engineering.
Faculty of Engineering
Department of Mechatronics
Syllabus Guide for Electric Machines 3
B
Doc ID.:
Rev. 5
2025
By
PK
ESSENTIAL CONTENT
The following are essential aspects of this course:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Magnetic circuits
Transformers
DC machines
Stepper motors
Servo motors
AC machines
Linear machines
Induction machines
Elements of Complementary Studies such as report writing are also discussed but the required notional hours do not warrant any
earned credits, and so no credits are allocated for these.
Credits per Knowledge Area
Basic
Engineering
Complementary
Maths
Design
Sciences
Science
Studies
0
4
12
0
0
C
SYLLABUS
Faculty of Engineering
Doc ID.:
Department of Mechatronics
Syllabus Guide for Electric Machines 3
Rev. 5
2025
By
PK
The following syllabus describes the scope of the work to be covered in this course.
Content
Related Topics Considered
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•
•
Magnetic circuits
Transformers
Learning outcomes
After completing this unit,
learners will be able to:
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•
•
•
•
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Simple magnetic circuit
Magnetic circuit with air gap
Electric circuit analogy of
magnetic circuit
AC operation
Laminated cores
Hysteresis
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•
•
Magnetically coupled circuits
No load conditions
Ideal transformer with load
Reactance and equivalent
circuits
Autotransformers
3 phase transformers
Star delta transformation
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•
•
•
•
Rotating machines
DC motors
Stepper motors
Servo motors
Magnetic saturation
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•
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•
DC machines
Stepper and servo
motors
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•
•
Analyse magnetic circuits
Explain the effect of an air gap in
a magnetic circuit
Illustrate hysteresis losses
Explain eddy current losses
Understand magnetic coupling of
electric coils
Describe the function and
operation of a transformer
Illustrate the connection of 3
phase transformers
Explain the phase shift of a star
delta connection using phasor
diagrams
Explain the function of a field
winding
Explain the function of an
armature
Describe the operation of
commutation
Show the analogy between a
generators commutator and a
rectifier
Reference/s
[1]
[2]
[1]
[2]
[1]
[2]
Assessment
Expected
duration
Formative
And summative
2 weeks
Formative and
summative
2 weeks
Formative and
summative
4 weeks
Faculty of Engineering
Doc ID.:
Department of Mechatronics
Syllabus Guide for Electric Machines 3
•
AC Machines and
motors
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Elementary induction machines
Torque slip curves
AC machines
Distributed windings
Rotating magnetic fields
1 phase machines
3 phase machines
Linear machines
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•
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•
Rev. 5
2025
By
PK
Illustrate the relevance of a rotors
inertia
Understand magnetic induction
Illustrate the development of
torque by slip
Explain the operation and
purpose of induction and
synchronous machines
Describe power factor correction
by over exciting a synchronous
machine
[1]
[2]
Formative and
summative
4 weeks
Faculty of Engineering
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Department of Mechatronics
Syllabus Guide for Electric Machines 3
D
Rev. 5
2025
By
PK
PRACTICAL WORK
This course consists of a theoretical component and practical work done to support the theory. The practical work will be done in the north
campus laboratories.
E
EVALUATION
E1
ASSESSMENT METHODOLOGY
FORMATIVE ASSESSMENT
The one assignment is designed to assess comprehension, application and analysis. Students must do the assignment individually. The
students must submit their assignments in writing and must be typed. After that they present their assignment. The lecturer assesses the
assignment and presentation.
The assignment will be assessed based on the following criteria:
Evaluation
Format and Presentation
Insight and Comprehension
Approach
Results/Solutions
Oral Presentation
Communication
Discussion
Total
Weight
(%)
5
15
15
40
10
5
10
100
Faculty of Engineering
Department of Mechatronics
Syllabus Guide for Electric Machines 3
Doc ID.:
Rev. 5
2025
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PK
SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT (LABORATORY / PRACTICAL ASSIGNMENTS)
The purpose of this assessment is to ascertain whether or not an individual has achieved the specific outcomes. The attainment of the
specific outcomes will be assessed by observation of the practical demonstrations performed in the laboratory, the analysis undertaken
and the oral descriptions/explanations given during the assessment followed by a report. This assessment is open-book, therefore a learner
may use his/her own reference books and other resources.
Faculty of Engineering
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Department of Mechatronics
Rev. 5
2025
By
PK
Syllabus Guide for Electric Machines 3
Laboratory/Practical work will be assessed based on the following criteria:
Lab/Prac Evaluation
Objective and Theory
Apparatus and Methodology
Results
Discussion / Conclusion
Bibliography
Presentation
Total
Weight
(%)
20
10
30
30
5
5
100
NOTE: IT IS THE LEARNER’S RESPONSIBILITY TO ENSURE THAT HE/SHE REACHES A HIGH LEVEL OF COMPETENCY BEFORE
BEING ASSESSED. THE LEARNER SHOULD THEREFORE CONSULT THE LABORATORY TECHNICIAN / ASSISTANT FOR
ADDITIONAL ACCESS TO THE LABORATORY IF REQUIRED.
THEORETICAL ASSESSMENTS
The purpose of this assessment is to ascertain whether or not an individual has achieved the specific outcomes.
Students write one theoretical assessment individually. The attainment of the specific outcomes will be assessed by the application of the
assessment criteria supplied with each unit of learning and detailed for each assessment task. This assessment is closed-book and
therefore the application of the various engineering concepts is written from memory.
E2 SEMESTER MARK
Faculty of Engineering
Department of Mechatronics
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PK
Syllabus Guide for Electric Machines 3
Semester work will contribute to a mark of 40% consisting of the following:
•
•
•
Two tests, which will count 20% of the semester mark.
Regular practical exercises to test the students understanding of machine theory, which will count 10% of the semester mark.
The individual assignments will count 10% of the final mark.
The student must acquire a subminimum of 50% in Laboratory/Practical work to gain entry to the final written examination.
E3
EXAMINATION
The final examination will be three hours in duration and will count 60% towards the final mark.
E4
FINAL RESULT
The semester mark and examination mark are combined to give the final mark. A pass is 50% and a subminimum of 40% must be
obtained in the examination.
F
REFERENCES (Prescribed)
1. Fitzgerald, Kingsley and Umans; Electric Machinery. McGraw Hill, 6th Edition
[2] Class notes
G
ACADEMIC PARTICIPATION
You are required to attend 80% of the offered classes for this course, failing which, the lecturer will not allow you to write tests and
the final examination. Class register will be taken at the end of each class time.
Faculty of Engineering
Department of Mechatronics
Doc ID.:
Rev. 5
2025
By
PK
Syllabus Guide for Electric Machines 3
You can read more in the general prospectus or request the departmental minutes where this guideline is given in detail.
SCHEDULE OF WORK
TESTS
Test 1:
Date: 5 March 2025
Test 2:
Date: 9 April 2025
Notes:
1.
The order in which the syllabus is covered may change and is at the discretion of the lecturer.
LABORATORY/PRACTICAL WORK
Faculty of Engineering
Doc ID.:
Department of Mechatronics
Syllabus Guide for Electric Machines 3
1.
Practical work: 1
Date: TBA
2.
Practical work: 2
Date: TBA
ASSIGNMENT
Assignment :
Submission date: TBA
Rev. 5
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PK
Faculty of Engineering
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Department of Mechatronics
Syllabus Guide for Electric Machines 3
I
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PK
ASSESSMENT OF GRADUATE ATTRIBUTES
ASSESSMENT
Graduate Attribute 1: Problem Solving
Performance
GRADUA
TE
ATTRIBU
TE
GA 1
Associated Assessment Criteria
The candidate demonstrates problem solving skills by
Marginally
Exceeds
45-49
60-74
Satisfactory
Unsatisfactory
Unsatisfactory
Requirements
<45
50-59
Excellent
75-100
Faculty of Engineering
Doc ID.:
Department of Mechatronics
Rev. 5
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By
PK
Syllabus Guide for Electric Machines 3
1.Analyzing and defining the problem and possible solving
methods
2.Identifying necessary missing information, and formulate
possible approaches
3.Presenting the solution in an appropriate form after
proper evaluation
Tally
Has the GA been satisfied?
YES
Mark
Name of Examiner/Moderator:
Signature:
Date:
Comments:
ASSESSMENT
Graduate Attribute 2: Application of Scientific and Engineering Knowledge
Gra
duate
Attrib
ute
Associated Assessment Criteria
Performance
Faculty of Engineering
Department of Mechatronics
Syllabus Guide for Electric Machines 3
Doc ID.:
Rev. 5
2025
By
PK
Marginally
Unsatisfactory Unsatisfactor
<45
y
45-49
Associated Assessment
The candidate is required to demonstrate the
following:
GA 2
ing physical laws and knowledge of the physical
world as a foundation for the engineeringsciences
and the solution of engineering problems by an
appropriate mix of:
a) Formal analysis and modelling of engineering
components, systems or processes using
principles and knowledge of the basic
sciences;
b) Reasoning about and conceptualising
engineering problems, components,
systems or processes using principles
of the basic sciences.
Laboratory Assignment (above)
Satisfactor
y
50-59
Exceeds
Requirements
60-74
Excellent
75-100
Faculty of Engineering
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Department of Mechatronics
Syllabus Guide for Electric Machines 3
Rev. 5
2025
By
PK
Total
An overall final mark above 50% is required to demonstrate satisfactory performance of the GA.
Name of Examiner/Moderator:
Comments:
Signature:
Date:
Faculty of Engineering
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Department of Mechatronics
Rev. 3:
2016
By :
CFS
Syllabus Guide for Electric Machines 3
ASSESSMENT
Graduate Attribute 9: Independent learning ability
Graduate
Attribute
Associated Assessment
Criteria
Performance
Unsatisfactory
Independent learning ability
The candidate is required to
demonstrate the following
GA 9
1. Reflects on own learning and
determines learning
requirements and strategies
2. Sources and evaluates
information
3. Accesses, comprehends and
applies knowledge acquired
outside formal instruction
Has the GA been satisfied?
YES
Name of Examiner/Moderator:
Date:
Comments:
Signature:
Satisfactory