01 / Protect
Why does this LED burn out?
Build a circuit, measure current, understand polarity and find the fault.
Current · resistance · polarityOpen the experimentThe workbench · 12 experiments · 3 levels
Understand, piece by piece.
Electrical systems, mechanics and automation. Understand, diagnose and decide.
01 / Beginner
Understand how it works
Predict, manipulate and observe. From electrical components to a diesel engine.
02 / Adapt
How do you get 3.3 V from 5 V?
Two resistors divide a voltage. A load changes the result.
Ratio · voltage · loadingOpen the experiment03 / Store
Where does the capacitor’s energy go?
Charge, isolate, discharge. Follow voltage and energy over time.
Charge · energy · time constantOpen the experiment04 / Control
Why won’t this motor turn?
Separate power and control, reverse direction and understand stalling.
H-bridge · PWM · torqueOpen the experiment05 / Sense
How do you light an LED as it gets darker?
Connect light, resistance, voltage and a threshold to build a night light.
Sensor · threshold · decisionOpen the experiment06 / Switch
How do you drive and protect a coil?
Separate control and power. Observe coil current and turn-off voltage.
Relay · inductance · flybackPrerequisites · LED · DC motorOpen the experiment12 / Transform
Inside the Descartes.
Explore the Wärtsilä 9L32: nine cylinders, a diesel cycle and a 60 Hz generator.
Air · combustion · motion · electricityOpen the experiment02 / Intermediate
Diagnose equipment
Trace the measurement chain and support a diagnosis at several operating points.
07 / Instrument
Is the pressure wrong, or its measurement?
Trace a 4–20 mA loop, collect useful evidence and verify two operating points.
Transmitter · loop · scalingPrerequisites · Divider · sensorOpen the experiment08 / Three-phase
Why more amps without more kW?
Measure pump P‑01 in steady operation. Connect voltage, current, power and compensation.
RMS values · P/Q/S · power factorPrerequisites · Divider · capacitorOpen the experiment09 / Starting
How can we start within the feeder limit?
The same pump, from rest to operating speed. Compare direct-on-line and star-delta starting.
Torque · inrush current · protectionPrerequisites · Relay · three-phaseOpen the experiment10 / Interlocks
Why won’t the pump start?
Trace demand, permissives, the 24 V output and contactor feedback. Test stopping and restarting.
Run latch · permissives · running feedbackPrerequisites · Relay · pump startingOpen the experiment03 / Advanced
Operate an installation
Connect subsystems, handle a disturbance and preserve essential services.