Multi-motor controller as an educational tool

Mastering concepts on power electronics and motor drives can be very challenging for many students. In order to deliver the concepts successfully hardware based learning tools are frequently used in undergraduate and graduate level courses. But most of these tools fall below expectations due to their complexity, lack of functionality or cost. This paper presents a learning tool on motor drives which addresses most of these issues. This proposed learning tool has the capability to deliver effective learning experiences on different types of motors discussed in advanced driving courses. The learning tool comes with user software which provides additional functionalities, such as the ability to manipulate closed loop variables, monitor real time speed variation, control firing patterns, log data and program the motor speed variation. The proposed learning tool is ideal to be incorporated in lab sessions to deliver important concepts in motor drives effectively and efficiently.