Engineering Commons^™

Solar Photovoltaic Iv Curve Tracer, Jonathan W. Skelly

Electrical Engineering

The Solar Photovoltaic Current-Voltage (IV) Curve Tracer, sponsored by Cal Poly Professor Dale Dolan, characterizes solar array current vs. voltage curves for any given temperature and irradiance. The curve tracer is battery powered, and functions autonomously across loading conditions from short circuit to open load on any sub-450-watt solar array. The curve tracer supports separate data logging modes for both single cells and single modules to maximize data accuracy for each. For testing full strings of solar panels, up to 10 IV curves may be stored in persistent EEPROM memory. Stored data may be recalled later for output to a …

Wax Bee Gone: A Safe, Effective Solution To Ear Wax Removal, Robert G. Shenon, Shanvir S. Dhinsa

Electrical Engineering

This project sought to combine conventional methods such as scraping and water pressure to removal ear wax, but with electronic automation to removal the potential for human error as much as possible. Through the use of a 9V battery, and Arduino microcontroller, DC motors, and other circuitry, this project has developed a prototype for a device that can properly remove ear wax without any discomfort or risk to the user. Much of this project involved learning how to properly manipulate and provide the necessary power requirements DC motors from an Arduino and a 9V battery. Additionally, creating a 3D printed …

Designing A Power Distribution System For The Arce 257 Revit Structural Model, Reid Wilhelm

Electrical Engineering

The construction industry needs engineers. Mechanical, electrical, and plumbing engineers, better known as MEPs, comprise a large number of employees who design and assist in the building of commercial structures. In particular, electrical engineers design power distribution systems for these buildings, including the power, lighting, low voltage, and fire protection subsystems.

Here at Cal Poly, architectural engineers enrolled in ARCE 257 create authentic structural plans for a fictitious two-story structure. This senior project transforms these structural plans into an architectural model and creates a power distribution system for the entire building. This is done through a building information modeling (BIM) …

Solar-Powered Hot Tub, Jonathan Peterson, Anthony Zepeda

Electrical Engineering

This paper discusses the design and implementation of a solar-powered hot tub. The concept of this project was to design an independently-operated hot tub powered by a 12V rechargeable battery, charged during the day by a single 400W solar panel. For this purpose, a twenty-year-old name-brand hot tub was purchased, in used condition. The plumbing, AC electrical wiring, and mechanical pumps were all removed and replaced with new components to meet our design specifications. Additionally, a solar water-heater was designed and integrated into the system to directly apply the sun’s heat to water pumped in and out of the tub, …

Enterprise Smart Outlet, David Faltmier, Matthew Mcgill, Luke Stencel

Electrical Engineering

The purpose of our senior project, Enterprise Smart Outlet, is to create an electrical outlet which will allow enterprise users to monitor and change their power consumption habits on a large scale. The initial goal of this project is to allow consumers to see their power consumption per outlet in real time, and then using that information conform their future habits to help them conserve electrical energy, and more importantly, money. Three requirements for our project to meet our initial goal are, the outlet will work in a standard electrical outlet and be completely compatible with current electrical standards, the …

Merry-Go-Round Human Powered Generator, Sarah Lorraine Ashe, Salvador Navarro

Electrical Engineering

How do you bring electricity to families who have limited resources in a developing country? The DC House project, advised by Dr. Taufik, provides a way for kids to have fun, exercise and generate power for their homes – play-park human powered generators. This project intends to create a more efficient and cost effective way for playground equipment to be implemented for power generation. The redesigned and reconstructed merry-go-round human powered generator converts mechanical energy into electrical energy to power the DC house. This was a fully functioning generator that needed a better voltage gain, as well as, a more …

Formula Hybrid Primary Electrical Systems Senior Project Report, Gregg Schultz, Matthew (Matt) Tolman

Electrical Engineering

This senior project involves the "Primary electrical systems" (excluding data-acquisition) for Cal Poly’s Hybrid Racecar Team: SAE Formula Hybrid. Effectively, this project involves the high-voltage and low-voltage electrical systems one would typically find in an electric car, with the addition of some circuitry for an on-board battery charger. The primary electrical systems need to follow strict rules and guidelines as given by the Formula Hybrid Competition, as well as provide reliable and high-performance operation to ensure a competition-worthy vehicle. In addition to designing, building, testing, and competing with the Primary electrical systems, we will also generate a detailed step-by-step "guide" …