Virtual instrumentation based learning methodology for teaching power system measurement and protection

• Published in: Computer applications in engineering education 2019-11, Vol.27 (6), p.1555-1570
• Main Authors: Betancourt, Ramón J., González‐López, Juan M., Espejo, Emilio B., Pérez‐González, Marco A., Laureano, Efraín V., Ledesma, Jaime A.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Algorithms; Colleges & universities; Computer simulation; Electric potential; Electric power systems; Electric relays; electrical engineering; Equipment costs; Hardware; Hazard mitigation; Instruments; Laboratory equipment; Learning; learning objectives; Measurement; Metering; Methodology; Power consumption; professional skills; project‐based learning; protective relay; Security aspects; Signal processing; Students; Switchgear; virtual instrumentation; Voltage
• ISSN: 1061-3773; 1099-0542
• DOI: 10.1002/cae.22170

In this work, virtual instrumentation based learning methodology is presented for teaching measurement and protection in power systems courses at the Faculty of Electromechanical Engineering of the University of Colima, Mexico. The proposed methodology uses the project‐based learning method for developing experience learning. The students develop the hardware which can be used with the conventional machinery laboratory equipment and it considers the necessary security aspects to provide students with safe studying conditions by avoiding the risk of hazards. Through the use of low‐cost voltage and current sensors, the variables of interest of the equipment under measurement and protection are reduced to suitable values for the data acquisition system (DAQ). The voltage and current signals are processed using the LabVIEW® environment and the algorithms for power metering and the most common relays are developed. Acting signals coming from the DAQ are interfaced with the electrical machines by appropriate contactors and which simulates the power switchgear. The implemented hardware and the algorithms developed, allow students to measure the power consumption of conventional loads and to reproduce the most used relays by the electrical industry. This proposal represents an alternative to the high costs of didactic equipment. Finally, a survey provides a good insight of how the application of virtual instrumentation in the teaching process impacts the development of professional skills in the ambit of measurement and protection of power systems.