ECE 411 - Power Electronics
2013 Catalog Data:
ECE 411: Power Electronics. Credit 4.
Power electronic circuits and switching devices such as power transistors,
MOSFETs, SCRs, GTOs, IGBTs, and UJTs are studied. Their applications in
AC/DC, DC/DC, DC/AC, and AC/AC converters as well as switching power
supplies are explained. Simulation mini-projects and lab experiments emphasize
power electronic circuit analysis, design, and control.
Prerequisite: ECE 311
(3-3-4) (P) (C)
Enrollment:
Elective course for CPE and EE majors.
Textbook:
D. Hart, Introduction to Power Electronics, Prentice Hall, 1st Edition, 1997.
ECE 411 Laboratory Manual
Coordinator:
M. Krishnamurthy, Assistant Professor of ECE
Course goals:
After completing this course, the student should be able to do the following:
1. Given a power semiconductor devices such as power diodes, thyristors, power transistors, power
MOSFETs, Diacs, Triacs, GTOs, IGBTs, and UJTs, draw the v-i characteristics and analyze the
switching behavior.
2. Given a power electronic circuit including power diodes and thyristors, determine time intervals
when the semiconductor devices are ON and OFF, draw the equivalent circuits for ON and OFF
time intervals, analyze the circuit, and find RMS, average, harmonics, THD, and CF of the current
and voltage signals.
3. Given a half-wave/full-wave controlled/uncontrolled single-phase AC/DC rectifier, find the
voltage and current waveforms and analyze the equivalent circuits.
4. Given a half-wave/full-wave controlled/uncontrolled three-phase AC/DC rectifier, find the voltage
and current waveforms and analyze the equivalent circuits.
5. Derive and apply the relevant equations of DC/DC converters: Buck, Boost, and Buck-Boost
converters in continuous-conduction and discontinuous-conduction modes of operation.
6. Derive and apply the relevant equations of DC switching power supplies: Flyback and Forward
converters in continuous-conduction and discontinuous-conduction modes of operation.
7. Given a PWM/square-wave, single-phase/three-phase DC/AC inverter, find the voltage and
current waveforms and analyze the equivalent circuits.
8. Derive and apply the relevant equations of single-phase and three-phase AC voltage controllers
including power diodes and thyristors.
9. Complete an engineering design incorporating engineering standards and realistic constraints.
10. Prepare an informative and organized design project report.
Prerequisites by topic:
1. AC and DC circuit analysis.
2. Theory of operation and biasing of BJTs and FETs.
Lecture schedule:
Laboratory schedule:
Two 75-minute sessions per week.
One 160-minute session per week.
Topics:
1. Introduction to power electronics (1 week)
2. Power semiconductor devices, power diodes, thyristors, commutation techniques, power
transistors, power MOSFETs, Diac, Triac, GTOs, IGBTs, UJTs (1 week)
3. Power computations and definitions, modeling and simulations with PSpice (1 week)
4. Half-wave rectifiers (1 week)
5. Single-phase, full-wave rectifiers (1 week)
6. Three-phase rectifiers (1 week)
7. DC/DC converters (0.5 week)
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
DC/DC Boost and Buck-Boost converters (1 week)
Discontinuous mode of operation (1 week)
DC power supplies (1 week)
DC/AC inverters (1 week)
PWM techniques (0.5 week)
Three-phase inverters (1 week)
AC voltage controllers (1 week)
Applications in industrial electronics, switching power supplies, UPS systems, low-voltage highcurrent applications, conclusion (1 week)
16. Exams (1 week)
Computer usage:
PSIM, Simplorer, Pspice, and Matlab/Simulink are used for a modeling and
simulation design project in the laboratory.
Laboratory topics:
1. Laboratory Introduction (1 week)
2. Power Diode and Thyristor (1week)
3. Diac and Triac (1 week)
4. Power Transistor, Power MOSFET, and IGBT (1 week)
5. UJT, Pulse Transformer, and Firing Circuits (1 week)
6. Simulation of Switching Circuits with PSpice and Matlab (1 week)
7. Single-Phase AC/DC Rectifiers (1 week)
8. Single-Phase Full-Wave AC/DC Rectifiers (1 week)
9. Three-Phase AC/DC Rectifiers (1 week)
10. Single-Phase AC Voltage Controllers (1 week)
11. Three-Phase AC Voltage Controllers (1 week)
12. DC/DC Converters and PWM Techniques (1 week)
13. Four-Quadrant DC/DC Converters (Inverters) (1 week)
14. Demonstration: Advanced Power Electronic Converters in Research Projects (1 week)
15. Experimental Exam (1 week)
Relationship of ECE 411 Course Goals to Student Outcomes:
Course
Goals
Student Outcomes
a Apply knowledge of math, engineering, science
1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9
b Design and conduct experiments / Analyze and interpret data
c Design system, component, or process to meet needs
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d Function on multi-disciplinary teams
e Identify, formulate, and solve engineering problems
1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9
f Understand professional and ethical responsibility
g Communicate effectively (written / oral)
10
h Broad education
i Recognize need for life-long learning
j Knowledge of contemporary issues
k Use techniques, skills, and tools in engineering practice
Prepared by: M. Krishnamurthy
Date: September 21, 2013
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