If you model motors, generators or power-electronic drives, you have almost certainly bumped into Chee-Mun Ong’s Dynamic Simulation Of Electric Machinery: Using MATLAB/Simulink. First released by Prentice Hall in 1998 and packing 626 pages, the book remains a staple reference for graduate students and R & D engineers who need time-domain accuracy beyond per-unit phasors. Two decades (and countless Simulink versions) later, does it still earn shelf space in 2025? Let’s find out.
Table of Contents
Book at a Glance
| Full Title | Dynamic Simulation Of Electric Machinery: Using MATLAB/Simulink |
| Author | Chee-Mun Ong |
| Publisher / Year | Prentice Hall PTR • 1998 |
| Print Length | 626 pp. + companion CD-ROM with models |
| ISBN-13 | 978-0137237852 |
| Typical Price | New ≈ US $45; used US $20-30 on Amazon/eBay |
| Audience | Graduate EE students, motor-drive engineers, power-system modelers |
| Key Focus | Detailed dq-axis modeling & time-domain simulation of DC, induction, synchronous & PM machines, plus power-electronics interfacing |
Why Dynamic Simulation Of Electric Machinery Still Matters
- First principles + code – Every chapter derives dq-axis equations from Maxwell, then shows the exact MATLAB/Simulink implementation, so you see where each block comes from.
- Breadth of machines – Separately excited DC, wound-rotor induction, cage induction, salient-pole synchronous, permanent-magnet, and brushless DC machines all get full model listings.
- Power-electronics integration – Rectifiers, choppers, inverters and cycloconverters are modeled right beside the machines, so you can study closed-loop drives, not isolated motors.
- Verification workflow – Sample transient plots (speed, torque, flux linkages) help you sanity-check your own simulations.
Chapter Highlights
| Ch. | Key Topics | What You’ll Learn |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Review of Electromagnetic Principles | Energy conversion, dq transformation basics |
| 2 | DC Machine Modeling | Armature reaction, commutation, speed-control simulation |
| 3 | Three-Phase Induction Motor | Symmetric & unsymmetrical faults, load-torque profiling |
| 4 | Wound-Rotor & Double-Fed Induction | Slip-ring dynamics, converter-fed wind-turbine models |
| 5 | Salient-Pole Synchronous Machine | Transient reactance derivation, AVR loop demo |
| 6 | Permanent-Magnet & BLDC | Cogging-torque inclusion, six-step vs. sinusoidal drive |
| 7 | Power-Electronic Converters | Six-pulse, PWM inverter, hysteresis controllers |
| 8 | System-Level Studies | Start-up transients, short-circuit tests, parameter sensitivity |
| Appendix | MATLAB/Simulink Tips | Fixed-step vs. variable-step solvers, stiffness mitigation |
Strengths
- Model-ready Simulink files – The original CD-ROM (now mirrored online) lets you open complete models instead of building from scratch.
- Step-by-step derivations – No “black-box” blocks; each Simulink component is traced to a differential equation.
- Still curriculum-aligned – Many universities continue to assign select chapters for machine-dynamics labs.
Limitations
| Issue | Impact | Quick Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Written for MATLAB 5 / Simulink 2 | GUI screenshots look ancient; block libraries renamed | Open models in compatibility mode, then save in current format |
| Limited discussion of modern SiC/GaN drives | Switching speeds & device parasitics beyond 1998 scope | Update inverter blocks with modern SPICE-extracted loss data |
| No direct renewable-energy case studies | Wind & PV coupling absent | Combine with recent journal papers on WECS & PMSG modeling |
How It Compares
| Feature | Ong (1998) | Power Electronic Converters & Systems (Bose, 2022) | Finite-Element Modelling for Machines (Salon, 2014) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Machine types covered | DC, induction, synchronous, PM | Induction, PMSM, reluctance + EV focus | Induction, SRM, PMSM (FEA) |
| Simulink model files | Yes (CD) | Partial (online) | No |
| Mathematical depth | ★★★★☆ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★★★ (FEA heavy) |
| Ideal for | Time-domain machine studies | Converter control & DSP | Geometry-level flux analysis |
FAQ
Is Dynamic Simulation Of Electric Machinery beginner-friendly?
It suits readers comfortable with differential equations and basic machine theory. Undergraduates can follow with a motor-fundamentals refresher.
Does the book work with modern MATLAB versions?
Yes—models open in R2024a with automatic block-upgrade prompts. Update solver settings for variable-step tolerance.
Are renewable-energy generators included?
While wind/PV are not explicit topics, the wound-rotor and PM models adapt easily to wind-turbine or hydro inputs.
Where can I buy or download the model files?
Used copies often include the CD; many universities host the model set on internal Moodle sites. The paperback lists new at about US $45.
