Credits

GLH

Degree

E-624
Bachelor of Electrical/Electronic Technology

Unit Code

Unit Code

Power Electronics

Level #

Unit Title

E-624

15

45

Aim and purpose

This unit aims to give learners the tools that enable them to analyze, understand and design
the main circuits used for power electronic devices deployed in a variety of electrical power
systems.

Unit introduction
This unit introduces learners to the fast and growing world of power electronics. Power
electronics are at the heart of todays electric drive systems, driving most of electric
machinery in industry. The unit first gives an introduction to power electronic systems with an
overview of power semiconductor switches. Learners then gain the knowledge of various power
semiconductor devices like power diodes, Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor Field-Effect Transistor
(MOSFET), Bipolar Junction Transistor (BJT), Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistor (IGBT) and
thyristors (SCR, GTO, MCT) in addition to learning their different triggering techniques.
Rectifiers are then studied, where controlled rectifiers, converters, single phase, three phase,
half controlled and fully controlled rectifiers are introduced. The learners are then made to
tour the basics of different inverters circuits as voltage and current source inverters, resonant,
Series inverter, PWM inverter. Different converters circuits as DC to DC converters, Buck, boost
and buck boost converter Circuits are also studied. Finally, learners are introduced to power
electronics usage in a variety of applications like DC motor drives, induction and synchronous
motor drives, and brushless motor drives, battery charger, UPS, induction and dielectric
heating.

Learning outcomes

On completion of this unit a learner should:

1- Be able to model and analyse characteristics of power semiconductor devices when used
as switches.
2- Be able to analyse basic operation of various dc/dc converter circuits.
3- Be able to determine and analyse the operation of resonant power supplies, and carry
out basic design calculations.
4- Be able to determine and analyse the operation and draw the expected waveforms for
inverter and active rectifier circuits.
5- Be able to determine and analyse the harmonics produced by inverter circuits, and
explain the operation of PWM techniques.

Unit Content
1- Be able to model and analyse characteristics of power semiconductor devices when used
as switches.
Introduction to power electronic systems. Overview of power semiconductor switches.
Power Semiconductor Devices: Power Diodes, Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor Field-Effect
Transistor (MOSFET), Bipolar Junction Transistor (BJT), Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistor
(IGBT) Thyristors (SCR, GTO, MCT). Triggering techniques, Turn on circuits for SCR
triggering with single pulse and train of pulses synchronizing with supply triggering

with microprocessor forced commutation different techniques series and parallel

operations of SCRs. Switching losses.
2- Be able to analyse basic operation of various converter circuits.
Basic Converter Circuits, Circuit Manipulations, Inversion of Source and Load, Cascade
Connection of Converters. DC to DC converters Buck, boost and buck boost. FullBridge and Half-Bridge Isolated Buck Converters. Forward Converter. Push-Pull Isolated
Buck Converter, Flyback Converter, Boost-Derived Isolated Converters, Isolated Versions
of the SEPIC and the Cuk Converter. Converter Evaluation and Design. Design Using
Computer Spreadsheet.
3- Be able to determine and analyse the operation of power supplies, and carry out basic
design calculations.
DC Power Supplies: Switched Mode DC Power Supplies, flyback converter, forward
converter, half and full bridge converter, resonant DC power supplies, bi-directional
power supplies. AC Power Supplies: Switched mode power supplies, Resonant AC power
supplies, bidirectional AC power supplies. Multistage conversions, Control Circuits:
Voltage Mode Control, Current Mode Control.
4- Be able to determine and analyse the operation and draw the expected waveforms for
inverter and active rectifier circuits.
Voltage and current source inverters, resonant, Series inverter, PWM inverter. AC and DC
choppers.
5- Be able to determine and analyse the harmonics produced by inverter circuits, and
explain the operation of PWM techniques.
Principle of Operation of inverters, Single-phase bridge inverters, Three phase bridge
Inverters: 180 and 120 degree of conduction. Voltage control of Single Phase and Three
Phase Inverters, Current Source Inverters, Harmonics and its reduction techniques.

Assessment and Grading Criteria

In order to pass this unit, the learner is required to prove that he/she has passed ALL the
targeted Learning Outcomes of this unit. The assessment criteria for a pass grade describe the
level of achievement required to pass this unit.

Assessment and Grading Criteria

Learning Outcome
1- Be able to model and
analyse characteristics of
power semiconductor
devices when used as
switches.
2- Be able to analyse basic
operation of various
dc/dc converter circuits.

To achieve the pass grade the learner must show that

he/she is able to:
P1: Classify and identify basic semiconductor devices used
for switching applications.
P2: design basic switching circuits using various power
semiconductor switches for signal rectification.
P3: Classify and identify basic signal converter circuits.
P4: Design basic signal converter circuits.
P5: Analyse the performance of basic converter circuits.

3- Be able to determine and

analyse the operation of
resonant power supplies,
and carry out basic
design calculations.
4- Be able to determine and
analyse the operation
and draw the expected
waveforms for inverter
and active rectifier
circuits.

P6: Classify and Identify various components of a DC power

supply.
P7: Classify and Identify various components of an AC
power supply.

P8: Draw the expected waveforms for basic inverter

circuits.
P9: Draw the expected waveforms for active rectifier
circuits.
P10: Identify basic inverter circuits and explain user
usage.
5- Be able to determine and P11: Calculate the harmonic due to inverter operation.
analyse the harmonics
P12: Design basic circuits to reduce inverter harmonics.
produced by inverter
circuits, and explain the
operation of PWM
techniques.