Module manager: Dr Wesley Doorsamy
Email: w.doorsamy@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable
Year running 2025/26
ELEC3560 - Electric Drives
This module is not approved as a discovery module
Electric machines play a principal role in our lives. They are electromechanical energy converters able to convert electric to mechanical power and vice versa. As generators, they produce almost all electric energy on Earth (conventional and renewable). As loads, they consume more than 60% of all electric energy produced with applications in transportation (e.g., electric vehicles, trains, personal electric transportation), in automation/robotics (linear and rotational movement), and in everyday life (fans, pumps, washing machines, etc). This module introduces students to the basic principles of electromechanical conversion and focuses on DC and AC electric machines. Students will gain an understanding of the operation of electric machines, starting from basic electromechanical conversion principles to their numerous applications and visiting different machine types. It provides students with the necessary skills to select and analyse appropriate electric machines for different applications.
On completion of this module students should be able to:
1. Explain the relationship between voltage, current, flux and EMF, and perform calculations with magnetic circuits.
2. Explain the physical principles of electromechanical energy conversion.
3. Describe the operation of DC machines in generator and motor applications, draw the equivalent circuits and perform calculations involving the speed, torque and power.
4. Describe the operation of AC machines in generator and motor applications and explain qualitatively and quantitatively the differences between synchronous and asynchronous AC machines, draw the equivalent circuits and perform calculations involving the speed, torque and power.
5. Provide application examples for different types of electric machines.
Topics may include, but are not limited to:
Magnetic circuits and magnetic materials
Electromechanical energy conversion principles and rotating machines
DC machines and applications
AC machines (synchronous and asynchronous) and applications
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Laboratory | 2 | 2 | 4 |
| Consultation | 1 | 2 | 2 |
| Seminar | 16 | 1 | 16 |
| Independent online learning hours | 25 | ||
| Private study hours | 53 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 22 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 100 | ||
Students are expected to use private study time to consolidate their understanding of course materials, to undertake preparatory work for seminars, workshops, tutorials, examples classes and practical classes, and also to prepare for in-course and summative assessments.
Students studying ELEC modules will receive formative feedback in a variety of ways, including the use of self-test quizzes on Minerva, practice questions/worked examples and (where appropriate) through verbal interaction with teaching staff and/or post-graduate demonstrators.
Check the module area in Minerva for your reading list
Last updated: 30/04/2026
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