The power systems curriculum at the North Carolina A&T State University is being updated, infusing more computer and control systems applications into the program. In line with this scheduled update, the undergraduate power laboratory is being upgraded in three phases - the digital application phase (1991- 1993), the control application phase (1993 - 1995), and the replacement of current old equipment phase. In this project, focusing on the first phase, personal computers are being introduced into the undergraduate power laboratory. The present analog meters are being replaced with IEEE-488 standard meters. The meters are interfaced with the PCs through a data acquisition board. The objective of this phase is to introduce the students to the use of computers in power systems operation. The laboratory procedures emphasize: (1) principles of collection and conversion of analog data to digital data; (2) programming (and use of standard menu-driven software) to select, display, or store required data, and perform simple analysis; and (3) the concept of energy (power x time) and energy conservation which is not possible with the present instantaneous data collection process. In the control systems application phase, the students will be introduced to the use of control and digital systems to control power systems elements.
