1 / 23

Basic Electrical Practices and Tips for Passing Inspection

Michael Nasson 303 Alumni – Mechanical Engineer. Basic Electrical Practices and Tips for Passing Inspection. Agenda. Electrical Components System Design/Planning Inspection Tips Resources Questions. Basic Electrical Components. Compact RIO ( cRIO ) Powerful computer

koren
Download Presentation

Basic Electrical Practices and Tips for Passing Inspection

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript


  1. Michael Nasson 303 Alumni – Mechanical Engineer Basic Electrical Practices andTips for Passing Inspection

  2. Agenda • Electrical Components • System Design/Planning • Inspection Tips • Resources • Questions

  3. Basic Electrical Components • Compact RIO (cRIO) • Powerful computer • Java, C++, Labview • Module Order and placement matters • Camera (x-over) = Port 1 • Radio = Port 2 • Not all modules are required

  4. Basic Electrical Components • Speed Controllers • PWM Signal is sent to control motor speeds • One controller per motor • Two types exist: • Victor 884 • Jaguars (black new for 2010)

  5. Basic Electrical Components • Victor 884 • More pricey ($115) • Older technology • Well tested • Very reliable • May be phased out in the next couple of years • Black Jaguar • Cheaper ($85) • Newer Technology • Better low end control • More features • Read rules • Unknown reliability • Larger

  6. Basic Electrical Components • Spike relay module • On or Off, not analog • Both outputs on • Both outputs off • One on one off • Pneumatics primarily • Compressor • Solenoids for cylinders • Can also control motors • Except CIMS/FP

  7. Basic Electrical Components • Digital side car • Feeds information back to the CRio • All the information to and from digital sensors and speed controllers goes through digital side car to the CRio

  8. Basic Electrical Components • Analog Break Out board • Plugs directly into cRIO module for sensor and battery feedback • Potentiometers • Gyros • Accelerometers • Solenoid Breakout • Plugs into cRIO module for control of spikes

  9. Basic Electrical Components • Power Distribution Board • Battery Is connected here to distribute all power safely • After 120A breaker on positive • 6AWG for main power • Wago terminals secure wires • No solder! • CIMS are 40A protected • All else are 20A-30A • Camera/Radio/cRIO power plugs are special plugs

  10. Basic Electrical Components • Sensors • Camera • Potentiometers • Gyros • Accelerometers • Optical Encoders • Microswitches

  11. Power Schematic

  12. Power + Data Graphic

  13. Electrical System Design • Step 1 • Read the ENTIRE rulebook • Think about the robot design • How many motors? • Which speed controllers? • How many sensors? • Safe wiring paths? • How much space should be put aside? • One board or multiple locations?

  14. Electrical System Design • Step 2 • Discover how much space is allocated for the electronics once the robot is designed • Consider preparing an early schematic • Electronics should be protected, but easily accessible • Velcro panel, zip tied cover • Radio should not be enclosed, keep from noise

  15. Electrical System Design • Step 3 • Get all components laid out nicely • Non-conductive platform (wood/fiberglass/lexan) • Think about wire paths (bend radius and #) • Leave room in case you need to add something • Try to group related components to shorten wires • Use proper wiring color conventions • Red/white/brown = Positive : Black/blue = Negative • Labels! • Assist troubleshooting and inspection

  16. Electrical System Design • Step 4 • Bench top test the electronics if possible • Basic control system & programming testing • Mount into the robot when it is ready to move • Secure wires from motors/sensors to frame • Chassis must be isolated, no ground return • Design a secure battery holder with quick access • Remember, Battery position matters! Help your CoG

  17. Inspection Tips • Do inspections regularly during build • Know the rules! • Don’t crowd the inspector • 1-2 people interacting makes things easier • Neat wiring and accessibility • Make sure all components are secured • Have charged battery ready + no air pressure

  18. Acceptable Wire Gages

  19. Common Inspection Failures • Signal light proper operation + visibility • Battery Terminal Lugs need electrical tape • Voltage monitoring improperly wired • Easily accessible 120A breaker/Dump Valve

  20. Other hints • Plan for sensor expandability • Keep a log of parts used • Nice for keeping the budget for inspection • Also keep a spec sheet of components for reference • With your log as reference you can form your own schematic to assist in inspection/judging • Schematics are great for debugging especially when those who wired it aren’t around (off-seasons, future years)

  21. General Things • Batteries, put someone in control of charging • Zip Tie/Velcro Anderson Battery connectors during the matches • Assign someone to preventative maintenance • Make sure zip-ties aren’t breaking, battery holder loosening, etc • Check that your radio is plugged into the cRIO!

  22. Resources • Usfirst.org • Get the Inspection Checklist and FRC Suggestions • Chiefdelphi.com • Great forums for asking anything • Andymark.biz • Purchase electronics/gearboxes/chassis/misc • Ifirobotics.com • Purchase Victors/Spikes/Wheels

  23. Thanks for attending! Questions?

More Related