31619 - Fundamentals of Plant and Safety of Electricity

Learning outcomes

The student gets a basic understanding of electrical systems electricity distribution / transmission, as well as those related to electrical safety both in electrical installations and in the distribution / transmission networks. During the course, special attention is paid to issues concerning the safety in the living and work environment as well as in the construction industry.

Course contents

Requirements/Prior knowledge

A prior knowledge and understanding of 1-phase and 3-phase electric circuit is required to attend with profit this course.

Fluent spoken and written Italian is a necessary pre-requisite: all lectures and tutorials, and all study material will be in Italian.

 

Course Contents

General information on electrical systems. Distribution systems. Protection equipment and main components of a plant. Effects of current on the human body. Safety curves. Contacts and masses. Grounding and its functions. Systems TT, TN and IT. The PELV systems, SELV and FELV. Electrical installations in civil buildings and construction sites. Phenomenology of lightning and lightning protection. The safety legislative bases.

Readings/Bibliography

• V. Carrescia, Fondamenti di sicurezza elettrica, Torino: TNE, 1999.
• V. Cataliotti, Analisi dei sistemi di distribuzione a media e bassa tensione, Palermo: Flaccovio, 2004
• R. Benato, L. Fellin, “Impianti elettrici”, UTET, 2011.

Teaching methods

Lectures and laboratory exercises, including the measurement of earth resistance, measurement of loop impedance. Visit to an electrical transformer substation.

Assessment methods

Achievements will be assessed by the means of a final written/oral exam. This is based on an analytical assessment of the "expected learning outcomes" described above.

In order to properly assess such achievement the examination consists of  3 questions on topics of the course, to ascertain the knowledge of the student and the ability to apply such knowledge in simple practical problems. The first question is to be answered in written form in 1 hour of time, without the help of notes and books. The other two questions are oral. Each question is given a score from 0 to 11. In order to pass the exam successfully, the score received in each single question must be higher than 5. The final grade is given by the sum of the scores obtained in the three questions. If the final grade is greater than 31, the LODE is awarded.

Higher grades will be awarded to students who demonstrate an organic understanding of the subject, a high ability for critical application, and a clear and concise presentation of the contents.

To obtain a passing grade, students are required to at least demonstrate a knowledge of the key concepts of the subject, particularly regarding protections against indirect and direct contacts in electic distribution networks, some ability for critical application and an acceptable use of technical Language.

A failing grade will be awarded if the student shows knowledge gaps in key-concepts of the subject, in particular on protections against indirect and direct contacts, inappropriate use of language, and/or logic failures in the analysis of the subject.

Teaching tools

Slides projected in the classroom provided in advance by the teacher.

Office hours

See the website of Davide Fabiani