Electrotechnics

The objective of this course is to provide to future graduates on Chemical Engineering, with knowledge on the fundamentals of Electrical Engineering,.
Special attention will be paid:
1.- To know the physical foundations and the mathematical tools that are applied in Electrical engineering and its relation with the practical applications of the electricity.
2.- Become familiar with the current regulations to be applied to electrical installations, as well as basic aspects of safety and electrical risks.
3.- To Identify the different elements that are part of the domestic and industrial electrical installations.
4.- To know the main characteristics of asynchronous electric motors and transformers, as well as the electrical equipment used in electrical installations.
5.- In relation to the UN Sustainable Development Goal "Affordable and clean energy" (SDG 7), the ethical aspects of the generation and consumption of renewable and non-renewable electricity will be analysed.
6.- To promote the different general and transversal competences associated with the course.

The contents (descriptors) of this subject according to the title memory are: "Alternating current. Monophase and three-phase alternating current circuits. Power and energy in single-phase and three-phase alternating current circuits. Calculation of power lines and distribution networks. Lighting technology Transformers Rotating machines Protection of facilities and safety of people. Current regulations. Representation and projects of electrical installations. Rates and contracting of electric power. Electrical engineering practices: basic maneuver and basic automation of electrical machines ".

Considering these descriptors, the subject is structured in two parts, one to be developed in the classroom and another in the Laboratory or in the Computer Room:

Part I. Theoretical contents and seminars of Electrical engineering

Lesson 1: Introduction to the theory of electrical circuits (5 h)
1.1.- Electrical Engineering
1.2.- Basic notions: Direct Current (DC). Alternating Current (AC). Electrical wires. Luminaries. Electrical lamps. Electric motors. Transformers.
1.3.- DC circuits:
1.3.1. Ideal active elements, voltage sources or generators.
1.3.2. Passive elements: Resistance, Coil, Condenser.
1.3.3. Nomenclature. Sign convention.
1.3.4. Kirchhoff's laws.
1.3.5. Association of active and passive elements.
1.3.6. Analysis of circuits.

Lesson 2. Single-phase alternating current (8 h)
2.1. Introduction. Sinusoidal wave, generation and associated values.
2.2. Complex representation of a sinusoidal magnitude.
2.3. The domain of time and the frequency domain.
2.4. Sinusoidal response of the passive elements.
2.5. Circuit analysis: General; Association of passive elements; Circuit resolution methods.
2.6. Power of a circuit in sinusoidal alternating current regime.
2.7. Complex power, power factor.
2.8. Power factor correction.

Lesson 3. Three-phase alternating current (8 h)
3.1. Three-phase systems, characteristics, generation.
3.2. Connection of loads. Star and Delta connections.
3.3. Power in three-phase systems.
3.4 Power measurement
3.5. Correction of the power factor.

Lesson 4. Electric machines (8 h)
4.1. Single-phase power transformer.
4.2. Three-phase power transformer.
4.3. Rotating electric motors, general principles.
4.4. Asynchronous motors.
4.5. Start of asynchronous motors.
4.6 Synchronous motors

Lesson 5. Electrical installations (7 h)
5.1 The Electric Power Supply System.
5.2. Low Voltage Regulations.
5.3. Components of electrical installations.
5.4. Electric load calculations.
5.5 Wires: materials and sections.
5.6. Lighting. Lamps.
5.7. Electrical installations safety:
5.7.1 Overloads and short circuits, protection of installations: Automatic switches and fuses.
5.7.2. People’s protection: differential switches and earth connections.
5.8. Measurement of electricity consumption
5.9. Compensation of the reactive power.
5.10. Electricity rates and tariffs.
5.11. Ethical aspects in the generation and consumption of electrical energy.


Part II. Laboratory sessions (computer and practice)

Workshop 1 (Laboratory room): Basic wiring and automation for motor control (9 h)
Session 1. Switchgear and security in electrical installations.
Session 2. Start and stop of a three-phase asynchronous motor.
Session 3. Reversal of rotation of a three-phase electric motor.
Session 4. Modification of the rotation speed of a three-phase AC electric motor by means of a variable-frequency driver: Determination of stirring power.

Workshop 2 (Computer room): Electrical installations: calculation of wire sections and protection facilities (6 h)
Session 5: Switchgears in a electrical installations.
Sessions 6 and 7: Design of a basic electrical installation.

Basic bibliography:
Queijo García, G. (2018) Fundamentos de Tecnología Eléctrica. UNED. ISBN: 978-84-362-7314-4. (Electronic book of the USC Library)
Cerdá Filiu, Luis Miguel (2017) Electricidad y automatismos eléctricos. Ed. Paraninfo. ISBN 978-849-732-454-0. B-ETSE Code: A022 59 (A/B).


Complementary bibliography:
Catalán Izquierdo S. (2014) Electrotecnia. Instalaciones eléctricas. Editorial Universitat Politécnica de Valencia. 1ª Edición. ). B-ETSE Code: A022 64
Fraile Mora, J. (2012): Circuitos Eléctricos. Pearson Educación, S.A. Madrid. B-ETSE Code: A022 66
Fraile Mora, J. (2008): Máquinas Eléctricas. McGraw-Hill, 6ª ed. Madrid. B-ETSE Code: A022 53
MOLINA, José; CÁNOVAS RODRÍGUEZ, Francisco Javier (2012) Fundamentos de electrotecnia para ingenieros. Ed. Alfaomega, Marcombo ISBN: 978-607-707-580-6 (tomo 1); 978-607-707-612-4 (Tomo 2); 978-607-707-566-0 (tomo 3). B-ETSE Code: A022 56 (A/B).
Moreno Alfonso, N. e Cano González, R. (2004): Instalaciones Eléctricas de Baja Tensión. Thomson Editores Spain. Madrid.

Real Decreto 842/2002, de 2 de agosto de 2002 por el que se aprueba el “Reglamento Electrotécnico para Baja Tensión e Instrucciones Técnicas Complementarias”. (Boletín Oficial del Estado. Edición actualizada, 23 de marzo de 2023)

During the course the student develops the following competencies:

General Competences
CX.3 Knowledge in basic and technological subjects, which enables them to learn new methods and theories and versatility skills to adapt to new situations.
CX.6 Capacity to handle specifications, regulations and mandatory standards.
CX.11. Knowledge, understanding and ability to apply the necessary legislation in the exercise of the profession of Industrial Technical Engineer.

Specific competences
CI.4. Knowledge and use of the principles of circuit theory and electrical machines.
CI.6. Knowledge on the basics of automation and control methods.

Transversal competences
CT.6. Problem resolution.
CT.7. Decision making.
CT.11. Ability to communicate with experts from other areas.
CT.13. Ability to apply knowledge in practice.
CT.19. Autonomous Learning.

Part I (master lectures and seminars): in the lectures, exposition lessons will be combined to present the theoretical contents, with the practical resolution of exercises that illustrate the theoretical contents. The seminars will focus on the performance of short evaluation tests, sometimes individual and others in groups, to evaluate the acquisition of the contents seen in the lectures.

The active participation of students will be encouraged, both in lectures and in seminars.

One seminar will be held for the selection of electrical conductors.

It is planned to carry out joint activities with the "Transportation of fluids" subject, consisting of a seminar on the design of a fluid pumping installation project and a technical visit (mandatory attendance).

Part II. Practical classes:
Workshops: In the workshop 1 (basic wiring and automation for motor control), the students, divided into teams, will assemble various circuits that integrate various elements of power and control. At the end of the seminars the students will deliver a report of activities. In the workshop 2 carried out in the computer room, specific software will be used for the design of electrical installations.

Tutorials (mandatory): the two hours of group tutoring will be dedicated to the realization of a technical visit to the electrical installations of the ETSE and the subsequent exhibition, in groups of 2/3 people, of a brief study related to the visit.

The tutorials requested by the students, to consult doubts, will be carried out in person or electronically through MS Teams.

The use of a learning management system (LMS, Moodle) is contemplated, which will be used for the distribution of teaching materials, conducting multiple-choice tests and notices or deliveries of activities. The use of spreadsheets and specific electrical installation design software will be encouraged to solve some of the problems in the bulletins.

The development of competences will be carried out through the different activities planned for the learning of the course.
CX.3 Exam. Lessons 1, 2, 3 and 4. Workshops 1 and 2.
CX.6 Exam. Lesson 5 and Workshops 1 and 2.
CX.11 Exam. Lesson 5 and Workshops 1 and 2.
CI.4. Exam. Lesson 1 to 4. Workshop 1.
CI.6. Lesson 5 and Workshops 1 and 2.
CT.6. Exam. Seminars of the subject.
CT.7. Exam. Tutorials and Workshops 1 and 2.
CT.11. Tutorials, technical visit and Workshop 2.
CT.13. Tutorials, Workshops 1 and 2
CT.19. Exam. Part I, classroom and Workshops 1 and 2.

The course has obligatory attendance for all the workshops, tutorials and seminars of the subject. Workshops cannot be missed for more than 3 hours, and it is generally recommended to justify any absences that occur during the experimental practices. It is recommended to attend all seminars.

The evaluation will be the result of a weighted average, in which the results obtained in the following items will be considered:
a. Exam: 50%.
b. Seminars and participation in the classroom: 20%.
c. Workshops: 20%.
d. Tutorials: 10%.

To pass the subject you must obtain a minimum score of 40% of the maximum score corresponding to each the examination, tutorials and workshops and to obtain an overall rating of 5,0. The maximum grade that the student would obtain, if he/she did not exceed the minimum score of the exam, tutoring or practices, would be 4.9 failing. The final examination includes two parts, theory (30% of the overall score of the exam) and problems (70% of the overall score of the exam). In the theory part, the contents acquired in either the classroom or in the laboratories or in the tutorials will be evaluated.

Before the final exam, students will know the grades obtained in the continuous assessment (items b, c and d). Those students who attended the workshops and tutorials, but did not obtained the minimum of 40% of the score corresponding to these activities, may be re-qualified again before the second opportunity exam.

If it is detected that any assignments or tests were carried out in a fraudulent manner by the students, the document "Regulations for assessment of the academic performance of the students and for revision of marks" ("Normativa de avaliación do rendemento académico dos estudiantes e de revisión das cualificacións") will be of application.

Assessment of competences:
CX.3 Exam. Lessons 1, 2, 3 and 4. Workshops.
CX.6 Exam. Lesson 5 and Workshops 2.
CX.11 Exam. Lesson 5 and Workshops.
CI.4. Exam. Lesson 1 to 4. Workshops.
CI.6. Workshops 1 and 2.
CT.6. Exam. Seminars of the subject.
CT.7. Exam. Tutorials and Workshops 1 and 2.
CT.11. Tutorials, technical visit and Workshops.
CT.13. Tutorials, Workshops.
CT.19. Exam. Part I, classroom and Workshops.

In-class time at the ETSE, total: 58.0 h
Expository classes: 30.0
Seminars: 6.0
Laboratories: 15.0
Individualized tutorials: 2.0
Review and revision: 5.0

Personal work at home, total: 92.0 h
Expository classes: 36.0
Seminars: 18.0
Laboratories: 18.0
Individualized tutorials: 4.0
Review and revision: 16.0

TOTAL HOURS: 150.0 (6 ECTS)

The in-class study indicates the number of hours that were planned for the various activities that will be carried out: theory classes, problems, workshops in the laboratory and in the computer room, tutorials, as well as the final examination. In personal work, the associated activities of the student outside the classroom were estimated. The total hours, 150 hours, are the sum of the hours of personal and in-class time and are adjusted to the corresponding 6 ECTS assigned to the subject.

It is recommended that students pass Mathematics and Physics courses. Class attendance is also recommended, as well as the use of the LMS of the subject (Moodle) in accordance with the indications indicated above.

The subject will be taught in Galician, although English information sources will be handled.

The admission and permanence of the students enrolled in the practical laboratory requires that they know and comply with the rules included in the "Basic training protocol on security for experimental spaces" of the Higher Technical School of Engineering, available in the security section of its website that you can access as follows:
1. Access your intranet.
2. Enter Documentation / Security / Training.
3. Click on "Protocolo de formación básica en materia de seguridad para espacios experimentales".

Moreover, a basic instruction manual will be provided to the students for each of the practices, which will include the most relevant aspects in relation to safety and prevention of occupational risks.