Electric Machines, Drives, and Protection Laboratory

Electric Machines, Drives, and Protection Laboratory

Electric Machines, Drives, and Protection Laboratory is a multi-faculty, multiple sponsors research laboratory focused on applying the principles of power electronics and energy systems to application space consisting of electrical generation, motion control, and solid-state protection. The topic area of electrical generation includes condition monitoring and diagnostics of large machines and magnetic gearboxes employed to serve power takeoff from off-shore turbine generators. The research projects in this area are predominantly supported by Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI), Coastal Studies Institute (CSI), and the National Science Foundation (NSF). The topic area of motion control includes investigations of advanced methodologies for speed and torque control of various motors employed in residential, commercial and industrial Heating, Ventilation, and Air-Conditioning (HVAC) systems. The research projects in this area are mainly supported by Ingersoll Rand. Lastly, the solid-state protection topic area includes characterization and performance testing of low voltage circuit breakers, and development of medium voltage breakers for Motor Control Centers (MCC). The research projects in this area are supported by Atom Power, Power America, and United State Department of Energy (US DoE).

Primary Faculty: Madhav Manjrekar, Robert Cox and Tiefu Zhao

Collaborators: Ehab Shoubaki, Aidan Browne and Wesley Williams

Location: EPIC G230