Motors and Generators 24 PDH Discount Package

This online engineering PDH course provides a basic understanding of AC generators and motors, explaining how to use them, how to calculate power, and determine torque considerations.

An alternating current generator, or AC generator, produces an alternating current, which means the voltage produced alternately reverses from positive to negative polarity, producing a corresponding change in the direction of current flow. Much like a DC generator, an AC generator requires a coil to cut across the force lines of a magnetic field. This coil is attached to two slip rings, which deliver the current to and from the load destination, thus completing the circuit. Alternating current generators are often called "Alternators".

An alternating current motor, or AC motor, uses electrical energy to produce motion and torque. Very simple AC motors are called "Squirrel Cage Motors"; these have only one or more stationary coils within which a special kind of mechanical rotor is free to rotate. There is no electrical connection to the rotor from the outside. Most AC motors require a starter, or method of limiting the inrush current to a reasonable level. Types of motor starting include reactive (capacitor start and inductive start), and electronic (frequency drives and soft start drives). The reactive start method is usually used on fractional horsepower motors, and the electronic method is usually reserved for larger motors.

This 3 PDH online course is applicable to students, professional engineers, service technicians, energy auditors, operational & maintenance personnel, facility engineers who are interested in gaining a better understanding in AC generators and motors.

This online engineering PDH course presents the fundamental information and necessary guidance required to assist the Manufacturing and Process industries in optimizing their electric motor driven systems which leads to substantial energy / cost savings.

Electric motors are among the least well-managed industrial equipment, even though motor-driven equipment accounts for approximately 70% of the electrical energy consumed by process industries and approximately 90% for electrical intensive industries. Motors that are not properly managed can result in billions of dollars in wasted energy and operating costs to an industry.

A detailed analysis of the U.S. motor systems inventory indicates that this energy use could be reduced by 11% to 18% if plant managers implement all cost-effective applications of mature and proven energy efficiency technologies and practices. It is worth noting that the suggested improvements are not necessarily limited to the U.S., but can be implemented in any industry around the world that utilizes motor driven systems.

This online engineering PDH course discusses salient features of DC motors and generators in detail.

A direct current generator, or DC generator, produces a voltage of constant polarity, which means the voltage and current do not change over time. DC generators are basically AC generators whose output voltage is switched the other way round at the proper moment, so that the direction of the voltage is always in a single direction. The AC generator uses slip rings to transfer the current to the electrical circuit, while the DC generator uses a split-ring commutator.

A direct current electric motor, or DC motor, is very similar to a generator, except that power is provided to turn the rotors. They may, in fact, be described as generators "running backwards". When current is passed through the armature of a DC motor, a torque is generated by magnetic reaction, and the armature revolves. Adjustable speed is difficult to obtain with motors whose armatures are connected to fixed frequency power lines (AC motors). Here is where DC motors shine; their rotating field speed depends on the rotor speed itself. The speed of DC series motors varies with load, and torque varies inversely with speed. This makes them particularly suitable to starting high inertia loads such as railway trains.

This 4 PDH online course is applicable to students, professional engineers, service technicians, energy auditors, operational & maintenance personnel, facility engineers who are interested in gaining a better understanding in DC generators and motors.

This online engineering PDH course provides an overview of the characteristics, economics, and benefits of standard versus high-efficiency motors. It covers the economic and operational factors to be considered when motor purchase decisions are being made.

The majority of electrical energy consumed in most industrial facilities is used to run electric motors. By incorporating energy efficient electric motors during new construction or replacement can increase productivity while achieving substantial energy and dollar savings. The efficiency gains are obtained through the use of refined design, better materials, and improved construction.

This 4 PDH online course is applicable to electrical engineers, energy auditors, plant managers, plant engineers, and others interested in energy management or preventative maintenance programs.

This online engineering PDH course addresses the benefits obtained from motor-starting studies and examines various types of computer-aided studies normally involved in motor-starting studies. It presents data or information required for these studies as well as the expected results of a motor-starting study effort. It presents numerous diagrams and waveforms to help students understand how large motors are started in large industrial systems.

The starting current of most AC motors is several times normal full load current. Both synchronous and induction motors can draw five to ten times full load current when starting them across the line. By using motor-starting study techniques, these problems can be predicted before the installation of the motor. If a starting device is needed, its characteristics and ratings can be easily determined. The study can help select the best method of starting, the proper motor design, or the required system design for minimizing the impact of motor starting on the entire system.

This 5 PDH online course is applicable to electrical engineers with a desire to learn about motor starting analysis.