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Electrical Fundamentals
LEARNING OUTCOMES:

The tasks within this assessment satisfy the following Learning Outcomes of the course
according to the table below:

No. Learning Outcomes Tasks

3 Apply basic practical skills to competently use a 1,2,3,4

range of electrical test/measuring instruments.
4 Apply basic and some advanced practical skills to 1,2,3,4
implement and test a project using common electrical

/electronic components and devices.

• According to BP Policy, feedback will be provided to students within 10

working days of submissions
• Students are required to apply for a remark of any contested grading within 4
working days of receiving back their work.
• Mark awarded for the assignment is provisional and subjected to post-
moderation and final approval from the examination board committee.

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Project Title:

Realization of the Maximum Power Transfer Theorem on a DC Resistive Network and

its implementation on a PCB.

This project will help the students understand the practical application of the Maximum
Power Transfer Theorem, build hands-on circuit design skills, and introduce them to
PCB design using Altium Designer.

Objective:
The aim of this project is

• To verify the Maximum Power Transfer Theorem by conducting lab

experiments on a resistive network consisting of four resistors, with one of
them acting as a load resistor.

• The students will measure the power delivered to the load under different
load conditions, plot the current vs. power graph to identify the point of
maximum power.

• Find the efficiency of the circuit under maximum power condition.

• Design a printed circuit board (PCB) for the circuit using Altium Designer.

• A detailed report will be prepared and submitted along with the PCB.
Project Description:

1. Theoretical Background:

• The Maximum Power Transfer Theorem states that for a given electrical
network, maximum power is delivered to the load when the load resistance
equals the internal resistance (Thevenin equivalent resistance) of the network.
In this project, students will construct a circuit with a combination of resistors,
where one of them will be the variable load resistor.

• Refer to the supporting document uploaded unto Moodle to gain insight into
the theoretical background of the topic.

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Electrical Fundamentals
 2. Circuit Design:

• The circuit (shown in figure 1) will consist of four resistors, where one of them
will act as the load resistor (RL) (it must be a variable resistor). The fixed
resistors will form the source side of the circuit. The load resistor will be
varied in steps, and corresponding current and power measurements will be
taken.

• The Supply voltage, resistance values of the resistors R1, R2 and R3 will be
decided by your tutor.

3. Lab Experiment:

• Assemble the circuit on a breadboard and connect it to a DC power supply.

Measure the current flowing through and the voltage across the load resistor
using a multimeter.

• For each value of the load resistor, record the current, voltage, and calculate
the power (P = I²R).

• Tabulate the data and plot the power vs. current curve. From this curve,
identify the point at which the power delivered to the load is maximum.
• Refer to the supporting document (a sample experiment lab sheet) uploaded
unto Moodle. This will guide you to conduct your experiment.

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 4. PCB Design and Manufacturing:

• Use Altium Designer (version 23.6.0) to create a schematic and design a PCB
for the circuit.

• The design should include space for all four resistors, power connections, and
test points for measuring current and voltage.

• Generate the PCB file and submit the PCB for fabrication.

• Once the PCB is fabricated, solder the components, and test the circuit to
verify the results.

• Refer to the supporting document uploaded unto Moodle to implement step

by step process to create PCB in Altium Designer (version 23.6.0).

5. Project Report: The report will consist of the following sections:

• Introduction: Discuss the theory behind the Maximum Power Transfer

Theorem.

• Experimental Setup: Provide a detailed description of the circuit design,

including a schematic diagram, resistor values, and experimental procedure.

• Results and Analysis: Present the tabulated data of the measurements taken.
Plot the power vs. current graph and analyze the results, identifying the
maximum power point.

• PCB Design: Include screenshots of the schematic and PCB layout designed
using Altium Designer. Discuss any challenges encountered during the PCB
design and manufacturing process.

• Conclusion: Summarize the findings and verify if the experimental results align
with the theoretical expectations of the Maximum Power Transfer Theorem.

• Appendix: Attach any additional documentation, such as the PCB files, circuit
diagrams, and data sheets of the components used.

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 6. Deliverables:

• A completed and tested PCB of the circuit.

• A soft copy of the project report, including all relevant data, graphs, and design
files to be uploaded unto Moodle.

• Deadline: Thursday, 12th December 2024.

7. Assessment after submission

• The students in a group must demonstrate their work in front of their tutor.

• Each student must attend a viva-voce test after the demonstration to face
questions from the tutor.

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Rubrics for Assessment:

Group Performance (80% of grade):

Needs
Proficient (75- Satisfactory (60-
Criteria Exemplary (90-100%) Improvement
89%) 74%)
(<60%)
Circuit works correctly, Minor errors in Circuit works, but significant
Circuit design is
load variation is smooth, and data, but the errors in data; theoretical
Circuit Design and flawed or does
data aligns perfectly with circuit works alignment is unclear.
Implementation not work
theoretical predictions. with load
properly.
variations.

Data Collection & Accurate and thorough data Adequate data Data collected but with Insufficient data
Analysis collected, with clear analysis collected, with significant gaps or errors; or major errors;
identifying maximum power some minor analysis is incomplete. no meaningful
point on the curve. inaccuracies; analysis.
Discussed the efficiency of analysis is
the circuit. acceptable.

PCB design has

PCB design is error-free, PCB design has PCB design is
PCB Design and significant issues, or there
meets project requirements, minor issues but incomplete or
Manufacturing were problems in
and functions as expected. is functional. nonfunctional.
manufacturing.

Report is clear
Report is well-structured, Report is
but lacks detail in Report is poorly organized
thorough, with excellent incomplete or
Report Quality one or two areas or missing important
analysis, graphs, and PCB lacks significant
(e.g., analysis or sections.
design documentation. details.
PCB design).

Individual Performance (20% of grade):

Needs
Satisfactory
Criteria Exemplary (90-100%) Proficient (75-89%) Improvement
(6074%)
(<60%)
Actively contributed to all Contributed to most Limited contribution
Minimal or no
parts of the project, parts of the project, to project or
Individual contribution, with
demonstrating deep with a good understanding of key
Contribution little understanding of
understanding of both understanding of the concepts was
the project.
theory and practical aspects. key concepts. incomplete.

Demonstrated exceptional Limited problem- Struggled to solve

Problem Showed good problem-
problem-solving skills and solving ability; relied problems; showed
Solving and solving skills and took
took initiative throughout on group members for little initiative or
Initiative initiative at times.
the project. major decisions. engagement.

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