Date of Defense

4-17-2018

Date of Graduation

4-2018

Department

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering

First Advisor

Kristina Lemmer

Second Advisor

Bade Shrestha

Abstract

When performing experiments in the Aerospace Laboratory for Plasma Experiments (ALPE), creating test setups and working with electrical equipment can become dangerous and tedious. A breakout box was required that ensures the ability to troubleshoot electrical problems, decrease the time needed to reconfigure equipment for an experiment, and decrease the potential for a safety hazard. The goal was to design a box that would house most of the equipment necessary to easily obtain current and voltage data from experiments in a safe, reliable manner. Three primary electrical components used in the circuit of the box were the current sensor, the voltage divider, and the isolation amplifier. Voltage and current measurements of every power feedthrough can be easily obtained through signals that are sent to data acquisition hardware, and the inputs for power supplies can be switched safely and quickly. The box has been constructed from Plexiglas panels with an aluminum extrusion framing. A completed breakout box significantly improves the efficiency of ALPE experiments.

Access Setting

Honors Thesis-Open Access

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