An intelligent data-acquisition and control (IDAC) system for energy conversion laboratory

The range of experiments that a typical undergraduate energy conversion laboratory facility can support does not adequately prepare power engineering students for the digital-computer oriented power system industry. Traditional approach to experimentation involves manually reading several meters, logging data, performing necessary calculations and plotting results. In order to correct this problem, an Intelligent Data-Acquisition and Control (IDAC) system is implemented for the energy conversion laboratory at Penn State University-Harrisburg. Using the IDAC system, data gathering and analysis becomes automated. Students are therefore able to devote the bulk of their time to the intellectual aspects of the project.