Electrical and Telecommunications Engineering Society-CBU

The Electrical And Telecommunications Engineering society (CUETES)
Is Inviting All CBU Engineers To Join Us This Thursday For A Trip To Dangote Cement Plant..

For More Information Check The Poster.

Today We Celebrate The Birthday Of Our Hardworking President Eng. CHIKUNJI

The Society Wishes You A Happy Birthday And May You Enjoy Your Day Sir.

How to Build a Power Inverter Circuit?

Components Needed

12V Battery
Power Transformer 120VAC Primary 12VAC Secondary
2 2N2222 BJT transistors
2 IRF640 Power MOSFETs
2 16.5KΩ resistors
2 680Ω resistors
2 1µF capacitor

The type of battery we will use for this circuit is one of those big 12V batteries, such one you would find in a car. These types of batteries give out 12V with several amperes of current output capability, typically about 7A of current. This allows for large output powering. This is not a small battery such as a 'AA' battery.

An power inverter is really a powerful backup power supply used frequently in the event of AC mains power goes down. Therefore, it uses heavy duty backup power.

In case you just want to test the circuit without actually connecting all the true components, you can use a DC power supply switched to 12V with current capability turned on to replicate the effect of a 12V battery.

Apart from the battery, we need a power transformer. Since we are using a 12V battery to supply our voltage, we need a power transformer that converts from 12VAC to 120VAC. But you don't have to choose this voltage. You may want another voltage. In that case, just make sure it can use the 12VAC to convert it into the voltage you want, whether that's 110VAC or 220VAC or 230VAC or 240VAC. This may be the voltage that your device operates on. For this circuit, you can use any output AC voltage, without it affecting any other part of the circuit.

Then we just need a few transistors, and resistors and capacitors.

We use the IRF640 power MOSFETs because they are able to withstand high powers such as those used in this circuit and they provide voltage amplification so the circuit gets a power boost.

The IRF6400 is an N-channel power MOSFET that can handle up to 200V and 18A of continuous drain current.

The datasheet for the IRF640 is shown at the following link: IRF640 MOSFET transistor datasheet.

The whole part of the circuit composed of the 2N2222 trans

Highlights of the 2025 third year CUETES Orientation.

CUETES management to conduct the third year orientation today and a number of issues were discussed such as;

1.Guidance on application for industrial attachment from the society.
2.Industrial tours to visit nearby sites and appreciate their various fields
3.Webinars from students in the industry
4.Exciting extra curricular activities among which (movie nights, football tournaments, outings and an end of year gala)
5.Members were advised to subscribe for the growth of their society.
6.How to behave in the industry during attachments

Be a part of CUETES
Be an informed Engineer
Be a part of the movement.

Orientation Is Very Much On Tomorrow
CUETES Invites All The Electrical/Electronics And Telecommunications Third Year Students To Join In.

For More Details Visit The Poster

Happy CUETES Thursday 🦺

A Day Were We Embrace The Engineering Profession..

Join Us Today...

*GET READY FOR A NIGHT OF ACTION AND LAUGHTER!*

CUETES in conjunction with The EIZ-CBU-STUDENT CHAPTER ,, is excited to invite you to a Movie Night this Friday, 31st January!

We've got an epic lineup of movies for you:

1. *Henry Danger the Movie*

2. *Back in Action*

This Friday, 31st January
Time: 18:00
Where: Main Lecture

Tickets are now available at *K15* ! Don't miss out on this amazing opportunity to catch these two awesome movies on the big screen.

Get your tickets now and join us for an unforgettable night of movies, fun, and friends!

Contact 0965757901

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ZESCO’s 100 megawatt Chisamba Solar Project is offering a glimmer of hope to power stricken Zambians who for the past one week have been plagued by 21 hours of load shedding.
Situated in Kafungalubala village, Chisamba district, this project is part of the utility’s strategic efforts to diversify its energy sources, shifting from an over-reliance on hydroelectric power to building a more climate-resilient power system.

Recently, Zambians have faced extreme hardships as a result of load shedding, enduring up to 21 hours a day without electricity, with only three hours of power in between.

This severe shortage has crippled industries, strained households and stifled economic growth.

The load shedding crisis, which has been exacerbated by unpredictable rainfall patterns affecting the hydro electric dam has forced many businesses to close temporarily or operate at minimal capacity, while households have struggled to meet basic needs such as cooking, lighting and staying connected.

The Chisamba Solar Project is one of government’s medium-term solutions aimed at alleviating this power deficit.

This project marks a significant step toward achieving energy security in a country where 90 percent of power generation is derived from hydro electric sources which are increasingly vulnerable to climate change impacts such as droughts.

As of the third of last month, significant progress has been made where a 120-hectare plot has been cleared and infrastructure developments are well underway.

The fence has been installed, the main road to the plant has been constructed and drainage systems are under development.

ZESCO stated that the foundations for the photovoltaic field transformer have been excavated and concrete pouring for the transformer foundation has been completed.

This project, which has already created 230 jobs, is being funded by ZESCO’s subsidiary, the Kariba North Bank Extension Power Corporation.

Once completed, the 100 megawatt solar plant is expected

*France's Nuclear Energy and the New Flamanville 3 Nuclear Station*
France has long been a leader in nuclear energy, with around 70% of its electricity generated from nuclear power. Recently, the country has taken another significant step forward with the completion of the Flamanville 3 European Pressurized Reactor (EPR).

The Flamanville 3 Project
The Flamanville 3 project, located in Normandy, France, is the first new nuclear power station built in the country in the past 15 years. The reactor, which began construction in December 2007, has faced numerous delays and cost overruns, with the final price tag reaching approximately €24 billion. Despite these challenges, the reactor was successfully connected to the national grid on December 21, 2024.

Key Features and Benefits
The Flamanville 3 reactor is designed to have a net electricity output of 1,650 megawatts (MW), making it France's most powerful nuclear reactor. This new reactor is expected to produce around 14 terawatt-hours (TWh) of electricity annually, contributing significantly to France's energy mix and helping to reduce its dependence on fossil fuels.

Future Plans
The success of the Flamanville 3 project has paved the way for France's ambitious plans to build more nuclear reactors. French President Emmanuel Macron has announced plans to construct at least six new reactors by 2050. Could Zambia also adopt something in this line or should we stick with something friendly that we know i.e Hydro?

Electric motors are marvels of modern engineering that convert electrical energy into mechanical energy. They power countless devices and machines in our daily lives, from household appliances to industrial machinery. But how exactly do they work?🔍

At the core of an electric motor are two essential components: the stator and the rotor. The stator is the stationary part of the motor, while the rotor is the rotating part. Let's break down the process:

Electromagnetic Induction: When an electric current passes through the windings of the stator, it creates a magnetic field. This magnetic field interacts with the magnetic field of the rotor, causing the rotor to move.🔌

Magnetic Fields: The interaction between the magnetic fields of the stator and rotor creates a torque that drives the rotation. The rotor is usually equipped with either permanent magnets or electromagnets.🧲

Mechanical Output: As the rotor turns, it generates mechanical output in the form of rotational motion. This motion can be harnessed to perform various tasks, such as turning a fan blade or driving a conveyor belt.

Recent Advancements in Motor Technology
High-Efficiency Motors: New materials and designs have led to the development of high-efficiency motors that consume less energy while delivering the same or greater power output. This is particularly important for reducing energy consumption in industrial applications.⚡

Smart Motors: The integration of sensors and IoT(Internet of Things) technology in motors has given rise to smart motors. These motors can monitor their own performance, detect faults, and communicate with other devices. This leads to improved reliability and efficiency.💡
Article by: Chikunji Elijah
Cuetes Thursday edition.

CUETES THURSDAY😊🔥

Our President Stated The Benefits Of Joining CUETES Today!🦺
He Stated
Become a part of the CUETES community and enjoy numerous benefits, including:

1. *Discounted industrial tours*: Explore the industry at a lower cost.
2. *Certificate of membership*: Receive a certificate at the end of term 3.
3. *Guidance and lobbying for industrial attachment*: Get support for your industrial attachment and gain valuable experience.
4. *Free workshops and webinars*: Enhance your skills and knowledge with free workshops and webinars.
5. *Discounted recreation activities*: Enjoy discounted prices on football tournaments, game nights, outings, and more.
6. *Networking opportunities*: Interact with like-minded engineers and gain insights into the real world.
7. *Hands-on experience*: Sharpen your simulation and hands-on skills.

*Membership fee:* K35

*Branded merchandise:*

- Branded T-Shirt: K150
- Long-sleeved shirt: K165

Join CUETES today and become part of a community that will help you achieve greater heights in your engineering journey!