BASIC ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING M - Z

The course introduces the knowledge of the principles of electrical engineering and aims to provide students with the methods for the study of electrical circuits and preparatory knowledge for subsequent courses in electronics, automatic and electrical communications.

After a brief mention of the electric and magnetic fields, useful for the introduction of the model with concentrated parameters, the student engineer learns to analyze simple circuits in the time and sinusoidal regime, methods of systematic analysis and fundamental theorems of analysis of networks.

Finally, the usual use of models and methods of electrical circuit analysis for signal and power applications is highlighted.

Knowledge and understanding.
The knowledge acquired during the course, in particular, the link between the electromagnetic field and the model with concentrated parameters, the solution methods and the theorems of the electrical networks allow the student to fully understand the functioning of the electrical networks, as well as the application and limits of validity of the circuit model.

Applying knowledge and understanding.
At the end of the course, the student acquires the ability to solve linear and time-invariant electric circuits both in stationary and sinusoidal regimes as well as in transient.

Making judgements.
The course also aims to improve critical skills and judgment. In fact, the student is asked to identify the most appropriate solution methods in relation to the complexity of the circuit to be analyzed. Moreover, each time he analyzes an electrical circuit, the student is asked to verify the correctness of the solution obtained both on the basis of the approximate knowledge of the expected solution and the comparison of solutions obtained with different methods (and with IT tools). Finally, he is invited to critically interpret any anomalies found in the solution of a circuit. In this way, he acquires certainty of the result found, an awareness of the functioning of the circuit and is able to judge autonomously the correctness of the obtained solution.

Communication skills.
The student learns the correct use of the circuit and mathematical symbols as well as the technical terms and units used in electrical engineering.

Learning skills.
The study of the subject improves the classification skills of the engineer student. In particular, by solving the electrical circuits with the various systematic methods and theorems studied in the theory of circuits, the student catalogs the circuits in different classes, on the basis of their topology and the bipoles that compose them, in order to identify the most efficient method for analyze the circuit itself. The improvement of the classification capacity and the exercise of the critical spirit contribute to strengthening the student's ability to continue the study autonomously after the course of study.

The knowledge to be acquired during the course is the content of the lectures conducted in the classroom by the teacher and - in order to facilitate personal study - the topics are listed in detail in the course syllabus, with explicit references to the parts in which they are covered in the main set texts.

The practical classes and personal training by solving exercises are the means to acquire the ability to apply knowledge. Examples, with the steps necessary to apply the knowledge acquired to the solution of the circuits, are carried out by the teacher in the classroom during the practical classes that follow the explanation of a new topic. Some of the exercises solved by the teacher are also solved by means of a free software for the numerical solution of the electric networks so as to provide students with an alternative way to independently verify the correctness of the results obtained. In order to guide the student, during the personal training phase, to master the tools to be used for the solution of the circuits, at the end of each practical class, a list of recommended exercises (available on the reference books for the exercises or online) is published. In addition, the student is invited to solve the same circuit with different methods, using all the knowledge acquired and all the tools (including IT ones) at their disposal, thus multiplying the value of the single exercise. Finally, the student is encouraged to deepen the topics covered using materials other than those proposed, especially for what concerns the personal study phase, thus developing the ability to apply the acquired knowledge to contexts different from those presented during the course.

To encourage students to study theory topics and to practice already during the course, as well as to facilitate the passing of the final exam in the sessions immediately following the conclusion of the course, there is an alternative route to the classic exam (typically consisting of a written test and an oral exam) consisting of:
a SUITABILITY TEST, to be carried out, approximately, halfway through the period of the lessons;
an "IN ITINERE" TEST, to be carried out at the end of the lecture period;
a SIMPLIFIED WRITTEN TEST to be held in the exam sessions immediately following the end of the course;
an ORAL TEST to be held a few days after the written test.
This route allows students to evaluate if they are up to date with the arguments explained by the teacher and has the advantage of splitting the written exam into two tests to be tackled at different times, ensuring the student has more time available for the solution of the proposed questions.

Should teaching be carried out in mixed mode or remotely, it may be necessary to introduce changes with respect to previous statements, in line with the programme planned and outlined in the syllabus.

Teory

1. M. De Magistris, G. Miano, Circuiti. Fondamenti di circuiti per l'ingegneria, Springer Verlag Italia.
2. C.A. Desoer, E.S. Kuh, Fondamenti di Teoria dei Circuiti, Franco Angeli Editore.

Other books to consult

3. P.P. Civalleri, Elettrotecnica, Levrotto&Bella.
4. V. Daniele, A. Liberatore, R. Graglia, S. Manetti, Elettrotecnica, Monduzzi Editore (fuori produzione disponibile nella biblioteca di Ingegneria e Architettura, c/o DICAR)
5. G. Someda, Elementi di Elettrotecnica Generale, Pàtron Editore (fuori produzione disponibile nella biblioteca di Ingegneria e Architettura, c/o DICAR)​

Exercises (all the texts of exercises are equally good, we report a non-exhaustive list of some texts recommended and available at the library of Engineering and Architecture)​.

6. A. Laurentini, A.R. Meo, R. Pomè, Esercizi di elettrotecnica, Levrotto&Bella
7. G. Marchesi, P.L. Mondino, C. Monti, A. Morini, Esercizi di elettrotecnica, Libreria Cortina
8. S. Bobbio, Esercizi di elettrotecnica, CUEN
9. J.A. Edminidter, Circuiti elettrici, coll. Schaum (1975), McGraw-Hill
10. J. O’Malley, Basic Circuit Analysis (Second Edition), coll. Schaum's Outlines, McGraw-Hill
11. Exercises online.
12. Examination tests.