Laboratory Supported Lectures on Modeling: Transformer Case

The modeling process of a component or system consists of several steps, which are rarely entirely covered in undergraduate courses. Moreover, theoretical and laboratory lectures focus on different stages on modeling, and are commonly taught at different periods, which may negatively affect the learning process. Thus, this paper proposes a set of lectures that mixes theory and experiments, taught in an experimental laboratory, and which address all steps of modeling process. The case study is a single-phase transformer, where from a conceptual (electromagnetic) model, physical (electrical) models are developed up to a model capable of representing more complex phenomena such as inrush currents and magnetizing inductance saturation. Increasingly detailed theoretical modeling, using simulation tools and experimental measurements, guides the student in this process. It is shown that models can be improved at the expense of deeper understanding of the involved phenomena, and of more complex theoretical and experimental strategies to validate them. Moreover, this paper demonstrates that modeling complexity is only necessary up to a point which explains adequately the experimental results. Finally, the paper presents the perception of the students on the lectures, indicating that this teaching methodology can be adequate for other courses on system modeling.