Electric Motor Design? Learn How in EE School Classes

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the availability of electric motor design courses within electrical engineering (EE) curricula. Participants share their experiences and perspectives on whether motor design is adequately covered in their education, and the relationship between electrical and mechanical engineering in this context.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • One participant notes a lack of specific courses on motor design in their EE program, mentioning the presence of classes on drives and motor control instead.
  • Another participant suggests that electric motor design is more aligned with mechanical engineering, indicating that EE programs often emphasize software over hardware.
  • A participant shares their positive experience with a course titled "Electric Machinery," which included practical lab work with DC and AC motors.
  • Concerns are raised about the qualifications of mechanical engineers in electric motor design, with some participants asserting that motor design relies heavily on electrical engineering principles.
  • Several participants reference specific courses and textbooks related to electric machines, indicating that such classes do exist but may vary by institution.
  • One participant mentions a new course on electric machines and drives being introduced at their school, reflecting ongoing developments in the curriculum.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the adequacy of EE programs in covering motor design, with some asserting that it is primarily an EE topic while others believe it falls under mechanical engineering. There is no consensus on whether motor design is sufficiently taught in schools.

Contextual Notes

Participants highlight variations in course offerings and the evolving nature of engineering education, suggesting that the availability of motor design courses may depend on specific institutions and faculty interests.

Who May Find This Useful

Students considering a career in electrical or mechanical engineering, educators looking to develop or enhance course offerings, and professionals interested in the intersection of electrical and mechanical design may find this discussion relevant.

Ryuk1990
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I've been looking at the undergrad catalog of my school and I haven't noticed any classes that teach motor design. I found classes on drives and motor control but nothing on the actual design of motors/generators. I always thought electric machines was a fundamental topic that all EE curriculums go over. Did you learn motor design in school? If so, what was the class called?
 
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Most EE studies tend to focus the other direction - towards software, instead of toward hardware. I believe electric motors are more in Mechanical Engineering.

Also, I do not believe there will be a single class that covers electric motors. Instead, I think you have to look at it yourself and learn from the web.

There comes a point in every EE students life when he realizes that most of what goes on in the real world of EE will not be taught in school. Most of it you have to learn yourself.
 
"Electric Machinery"

We covered DC then AC motors, then transformers.

a delightful course with a lab accompanying it.
Each student station had a dynamometer with a 7.5 hp DC and a like sized 3phase AC machine.

See if you can locate TI's "Motor Compendium" and interest your faculty in teaching a course. Since my day they've revolutionized motors - the simple washing machine motor is now a three phase computer controlled marvel with complex math for its "Field Oriented Control", not unlike a giant disk drive motor..
 
@Runei: Mechanical engineers doing electric motor design? Why would that happen? Do MEs even have enough knowledge about electricity and magnetism? I've met a few motor designers and they were all EE trained. They told me there's not much mechanics involved. It's more about EE principles which is why motor design is more appropriate for an EE.

@Jim: I found this link if this is what you meant. http://focus.ti.com/docs/training/catalog/events/event.jhtml?sku=OLT210201
 
That's it, Ryuk. It does a great job with basic principles.

It doesn't go into(as best i recall) how to size your iron and copper
but it'll sure familiarize you with terminology and concepts.

old jim
 
I took "Transducers and Electrical Machinery".

Book was "Electromagnetic and Electromechanical Machines" by Matsch.

That was many years ago but I just looked online and same course it is still offered and is currently called "Electrical Machines and Actuators".
 
My school has a new professor who is planning on teaching a new course on electric machines and drives. Just my luck...literally. :-)
 

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