Microcontroller based electrical machines training set

In this study, a multi-purpose training set has been designed and implemented as an auxiliary learning tool to teach the main concepts of electrical motors for students who attend the vocational and technical education. The system deals with three types of electrical motors as direct current (DC) motor, stepper motor and servo motor, which are controlled by a microcontroller. Although most of the systems in classical laboratories are focused on experimental activities without theoretical substructure, the system presented integrates the hands-on activities with the theoretical information. For this purpose, the theoretical information related to each electrical motor in the system has been given to the students firstly. Then, proficiency of the students has been evaluated using test questions related to the topic. Finally, if the students are reached to the desired level, they can perform the experimental studies using the system in order to efficiently reinforce the theoretical courses they have already learned. Combining the theoretical information with the application studies can be shown as an advantage of this study.

I. Introduction

The information to be transferred to students in vocational and technical education is realized in two basic levels [1]. One of these is the theoretical part where the comprehending the concepts and mathematical analyses. It is aimed to get the students to solve various problems and analyzing the results that are related to novel subjects learned at the theoretical part. The second part of the education involves practical applications done in the laboratory. The applications realized in this part simplify to produce solutions to problems met in the professional work by reinforcing the education stage. The knowledge and problem solutions that are obtained in the first part of education are supported by the experimental studies done in the second stage, and an effective and permanent education stage is obtained. However, the lack of laboratory and auxiliary equipment cause to hitches on experimental studies [2].