OVERVIEW

Teaching of Electric Circuit Analysis (Resistive-only DC and Steady State AC analyses).

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The aim of the course is to provide students of cultural and practical competence of simple electric circuit models, with particular attention to energy aspects.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

The aim of the teaching is to enable Students to master, both theorically and practically, the basic knowledge necessary to study and solve simple Circuit Models, with particular attention to power aspects.

The basic methods for Linear, Time Independent and Lumped Parameter Circuit Analysis are taught, and the techniques for their application to the problems are developed. The analysis is developed in Steady State and Steady State AC regimes. Furthermore, laboratory exercises are carried out, in order to improve the understanding of concepts learned theoretically.

At the end of the teaching, the Student shall have correctly understood the basic concepts of Electric Circuit Analysis, shall be able to correctly classify the different types of Circuit problems, and to correctly formulate the solution, arriving, when possible, to determine their analytical solution.

PREREQUISITES

Useful competences are the knowledge of Mathematical Analysis and the Mathematics of Complex Numbers.

TEACHING METHODS

Theory lectures and related exercises with laboratory exercises, for a total of 8 credits. The course is held during the second semester.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

The Circuit Model.
Current and Voltage. Potential Difference. The Electric Circuit: Model inherent Hypotheses and Limits. Circuit components: Terminals and Connectors, Bipoles and Multipoles, Limit Surface. Lumped Parameter Circuits. Reference directions for Voltage and Current. Kirchhoff’s Voltage and Current Laws. Linearly independent relations among Kirchhoff’s Laws, and elementary selection techniques.

Component’s Equations expressed on voltage-current plane. Elementary bipoles: Resistor, Open Circuit, Short Circuit, Voltage and Current Ideal Generators. Representation of Components on voltage-current plane.

Instantaneous Electric Power. Power of a Bipole. Power Conventions for Generators and Loads. Power dissipated by a Resistor. Joule effect. Tellegen’s Theorem. Conservation of Power. Graphs, oriented Graphs, and their application to Circuit Analysis.

Resistive-only Circuits.
Definitions and inherent Hypotheses. Resistor: Linear, Time-Independent Resistor, its constitutive equation (Ohm’s Law). Definition of Resistance and Conductance. Concept of equivalent network, formulae of equivalent network of Resistors in series and in parallel, Voltage Divider and Current Shunt. Network reduction techniques.
The star-delta transform. Theorems for resistive networks: Thevenin’s, Norton’s and determination of equivalent networks. Maximum power transfer theorem. Real generators, Millmann’s Theorem. Superposition Theorem and its application. Description of general techniques for Circuit Analysis (Nodal and Loop Analysis).

Capacitors, inductors, coupled inductors.
Ideal capacitor and inductor, elementary properties. Characteristic equations, stored energy, initial conditions, state variables. Formulae of equivalent network of Capacitors and Inductors in series and in parallel. Real components. Two port components: description in terms of impedance, admittance, hybrid parameter, transmission parameter matrices. Ideal transformer.

Equations of circuits in Steady State Alternate Current (SSAC), and their solution.
Representation of sinusoidal waveforms through the use of complex numbers: the phasors. Definition of impedance and admittance for all types of linear components. Extension of already defined network theorems to the networks in SSAC. Voltage drop across a line. Power factor correction. Example of solution of simple linear circuits of applicative significance.

Power in SSAC: instantaneous power, active power, reactive power, complex power. Tellegen’s Theorem for SSAC networks. Balance of active and reactive power.

Resonance and antiresonance conditions. Concept of filter. Elementary R-C and L-R filters.

Techniques for the practical solution of SSAC networks: power balance method, methods based on impedance computations. Example of solution of simple linear circuits for high and low power applications.

Laboratory exercises:

• Introduction to theory of measurement error and related applicative examples

1. Setup of two simple circuits, formed by resistances connected in series and in parallel
2. Voltage-current relationship: Ohm's First Law
3. Voltage-current relationship of a Silicon Diode. The voltage divider.
4. DC fed RC circuit, and its transient output
5. AC fed RC circuit (SSAC regime)
6. AC fed LC circuit (SSAC regime)

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

• M. Nervi, E. Torello: “Dispense del corso” (Lecture Notes)

Besides the books in Bibliography, available in Polytechnic School Library, on AulaWeb are available copies of written examination problems, with their solutions.

Reference (for OPTIONAL study deepening on specific subjects)

• M. Repetto, S. Leva: “Elettrotecnica – Elementi di Teoria ed Esercizi”, 3^ edn, Città Studi Edizioni, Torino, 2022
• L. Verolino: “Elementi di Reti Elettriche”, 1^ edn, EdiSES, Napoli, 2019

More oriented towards circuit analysis for signal applications:

• C. K. Alexander, M.N.O. Sadiku: “Circuiti elettrici” V edn., McGraw Hill Italia, 2017.
• G. Rizzoni: “Elettrotecnica – Principi e applicazioni”, III edn., McGraw Hill Libri Italia, 2018.

For further theoretical study:

• C.A. Desoer, E. S. Kuh: “Fondamenti di teoria dei circuiti”, 18^ edn, Franco Angeli, Milano, 2010.

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

Exam Board

MARIO NERVI (President)

MASSIMO BRIGNONE

DANIELE MESTRINER

EUGENIA TORELLO (President Substitute)

LESSONS

LESSONS START

https://corsi.unige.it/8716/p/studenti-orario

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

The examination of Theory of Circuits and Electric Laboratory is based on two partial written tests held during the course (one about Steady State regime, and the other about Steady State AC regime) that the Student must both solve and one oral discussion, lasting about 30 minutes, after the end of the course. In case the Student was absent to one partial test, or the result was not sufficient, the examination will be based on a written test comprising the complete program of the module. The marking will be organized as follows: max. 14 points for the written examination (both for the two partial tests, and for the complete written examination), max. 17 points for the oral examination. To be admitted to the oral examination, the marking of written test (partial or complete) must be at least 8/14. The final marking is the sum of the marks of written and oral examinations.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

In written exams, the assessment is done by verifying the ability to obtain a correct solution of some applicative problems regarding all the content of the course; in oral exams are verified: the correct understanding of some theoretical subjects regarding all the content of the course, the correct use of technical language, the ability to critically examine the presented subjects and the successful learning of the technical competence necessary for the fruitful continuation of studies.

Exam schedule

FURTHER INFORMATION

Students who have valid certification of physical or learning disabilities on file with the University and who wish to discuss possible accommodations or other circumstances regarding lectures, coursework and exams, should speak both with the instructor and with Professor Federico Scarpa (federico.scarpa@unige.it), the School's disability liaison.