University of Colorado Boulder

Motors and Motor Control Circuits

This course is part of Embedding Sensors and Motors Specialization

Taught in English

Some content may not be translated

Jay Mendelson
James Zweighaft

Instructors: Jay Mendelson

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Course

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals

4.7

(1,344 reviews)

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95%

Intermediate level
Some related experience required
36 hours (approximately)
Flexible schedule
Learn at your own pace
Progress towards a degree

What you'll learn

  • Understand how to specify the proper AC or DC motor for a machine design

  • Integrate the motor to a machine, based on analysis of motor equations for voltage, current, torque and speed

  • Implement the motor and accompanying rotary sensor into a motor control circuit in both hardware and software

  • Create hardware and firmware to process motor feedback data to a microprocessor for further evaluation

Details to know

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Assessments

6 quizzes

Course

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals

4.7

(1,344 reviews)

|

95%

Intermediate level
Some related experience required
36 hours (approximately)
Flexible schedule
Learn at your own pace
Progress towards a degree

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This course is part of the Embedding Sensors and Motors Specialization
When you enroll in this course, you'll also be enrolled in this Specialization.
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  • Gain a foundational understanding of a subject or tool
  • Develop job-relevant skills with hands-on projects
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There are 5 modules in this course

In module 1 you will learn principles of operation of AC induction motors, both single and 3-phase types. You well then learn how to interpret data from torque speed curves, and how to optimize data in these curves based on electrical resistance, inductance, and capacitance. Then you will learn about different types of single phase motors, featuring a video analysis of a split phase motor used in a clothing dryer. You will also learn about typical applications for single phase motors, which will assist you in picking the right one for an application.

What's included

8 videos2 readings1 quiz1 discussion prompt

In module 2 you will learn the details of AC motor specifications and enclosures, as well as how these details are governed by national and international design standards. Then you will learn a detailed methodology for researching design requirements for AC motors, and how to use these requirements to pick the right motor for your needs. Afterwards, you will have lessons on AC motor control components and systems, both manual and automatic. This will culminate in training for you on AC variable speed drives.

What's included

8 videos2 readings1 quiz

In module 3 you will learn principles of DC motors, traditional brushed motors, as well as electronically driven brushless motors. We will discuss shunt wound, series wound, compound wound, servo, stepper, and torque motors, with detailed explanation of how commutation and control is implemented in these designs. We will have a lab exercise for you on DC motor speed measurement. We will have another video analysis for you, this time featuring teardown of a paper shredder. Then you will learn a detailed methodology for researching design requirements for DC motors, and how to use these requirements to pick the right motor for your needs.

What's included

9 videos2 readings1 quiz

In module 4 you will start off with another lab exercise, this time gaining hands-on experience with DC motor control. Then, we will illustrate a simplified stepper motor drive, so you will understand the basic principles involved in stepper motor control. Next, you will do a deep dive into stepper motor specs, operation and commercial driver chips and packages. You will then do another lab exercise, this time on actuating a rotary sensor. We end the module with a comparison of DC vs. AC motors, so you take away a core understanding of their pros and cons.

What's included

8 videos3 readings1 quiz

In this module you will perform your lab work for the Course. There will be two labs

What's included

4 readings2 quizzes

Instructors

Instructor ratings
4.6 (392 ratings)
Jay Mendelson
University of Colorado Boulder
6 Courses88,938 learners
James Zweighaft
University of Colorado Boulder
4 Courses87,926 learners

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