FUNDAMENTAL OF POWER ELECTRONICS

Academic Year 2024/2025 - Teacher: LUIGI DANILO TORNELLO

Expected Learning Outcomes

The aim of the course is to give the students tools to be able to analyse and understand the main circuits that are used for power electronic converters.  In particular, basic knowledge of the main power electronic devices will be provided as well as advanced knowledge of electronic circuits for energy conversion in traction, transmission, and industrial/commercial applications (rectifiers, DC-DC converters, inverters). Selection and sizing of the main active devices (diodes and switches), sizing of the sinkers, analysis of the behavior and design of the power converters.  Design of the passive components.  Analysis and design of basic structure of feedback loops.

Knowledge and understanding

On successful completion of the module the student will be able to:

  • Understand and apply the principles of power electronic converters;
  • Select suitable power electronics devices and analyze their application in power electronic converters.  

Applying knowledge and understanding

The students will be able to solve practical design problems and produce technical reports.

Making judgements

Ability to properly evaluate performance, electrical and thermal stresses of various power converter topologies.

Communication skills

Ability to discuss with specialists interlocutors, both on issues related the power converter and the possible solutions to be undertaken.

Learning skills

On successful completion of the module the student will be able to:

  • Analyse and design standard power electronic converters;
  • Select passive and active power electronic devices against a specification;
  • Design and evaluate the application of power electronic converters in the conversion of the electrical energy.

Course Structure

Classroom Lectures on the main topics of the course. Numerical exercises on ancillary topics by the use of the personal computer and dedicated software packages.  Part of the course will be devoted to laboratory sessions, where the students will learn, verify, and reinforce lecture concepts by performing switching power converter experiments.

The exam requires positive evaluation of an assigned project work in PSIM with report and presentation, followed by an oral examination.

The examination provides the opportunity for the student to demonstrate their understanding of the course material, while the project work enables students to demonstrate that they are able to apply this understanding and their analytical skills to find solutions.

Should teaching be carried out in mixed mode or remotely, it may be necessary to introduce changes with respect to previous statements, in line with the programme planned and outlined in the syllabus.

Required Prerequisites

A basic understanding of electrical circuit analysis and control theory is an assumed prerequisite for this course.

Attendance of Lessons

Class attendance is highly recommended.

Detailed Course Content

Introduction to Power Electronics. Classification of converters. Semiconductors. Solid state devices for static power converters (diode, BJT, MOSFET, IGBT, Thyristors, GTO). Static characteristics and switching behavior. Thermal behavior. Multiple connection of power devices. Driving circuits and protection circuit. Static converters. Unidirectional and bidirectional converters. Methods of analysis of the converters. Main families of static converters for electrical conversion and for applications to electric systems. Single stage and multistage converters. Outline of resonant converters. Inductors and transformers. Magnetic materials and ferrites, power losses. Copper windings, power losses due to both skin and proximity effects. Calculation of the steady-state temperature. Examples of power converter applications: home appliance, industrial, automotive, power grids, and high voltage transmission. Line-frequency converters with 12 pulses. Control of HVDC converters.

Textbook Information

  1. Ned Mohan, Tore M. Undeland. William P. Robbins, "Power Electronics: Converters, Applications, and Design". 3rd Edition, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., New York, November 2002.
  2. Ned Mohan, Tore M. Undeland. William P. Robbins, “Elettronica di potenza: Convertitori e applicazioni”. Edizione italiana di Power Electronics 3rd Edition, Editore Hoepli, Milano, febbraio 2005.
  3. Daniel W. Hart, “Power Electronics”, McGraw-Hill Education, January 2010. 
  4. Notes of the lectures published in Studium website.

Course Planning

 SubjectsText References
1Power Electronics SystemsNed Mohan, Tore M. Undeland. William P. Robbins, "Power Electronics: Converters, Applications, and Design". 3rd Edition, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., New York – Main Reference Book.
2Overview of Power Semiconductor SwitchesNed Mohan, Tore M. Undeland. William P. Robbins, "Power Electronics: Converters, Applications, and Design". 3rd Edition, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., New York – Main Reference Book.
3Review Of Basic Electrical and Magnetic Circuit ConceptsNed Mohan, Tore M. Undeland. William P. Robbins, "Power Electronics: Converters, Applications, and Design". 3rd Edition, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., New York – Main Reference Book.
4Line-Frequency Diode Rectifier: AC/DCNed Mohan, Tore M. Undeland. William P. Robbins, "Power Electronics: Converters, Applications, and Design". 3rd Edition, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., New York – Main Reference Book.
5Line-Frequency Phase-Controlled Rectifiers and Inverters: AC/DCNed Mohan, Tore M. Undeland. William P. Robbins, "Power Electronics: Converters, Applications, and Design". 3rd Edition, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., New York – Main Reference Book.
6Switch-Mode DC-AC InvertersNed Mohan, Tore M. Undeland. William P. Robbins, "Power Electronics: Converters, Applications, and Design". 3rd Edition, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., New York – Main Reference Book.
7Semiconductor DevicesNed Mohan, Tore M. Undeland. William P. Robbins, "Power Electronics: Converters, Applications, and Design". 3rd Edition, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., New York – Main Reference Book.

Learning Assessment

Learning Assessment Procedures

The exam requires positive evaluation of an assigned project work in PSIM with report and presentation,  followed by an oral examination.

Learning assessment may also be carried out on line, should the conditions require it.

Examples of frequently asked questions and / or exercises

- Single-phase rectifiers: effect of input inductance in the case where the load is approximated with a current generator

- Buck converter: operation in continuous, discontinuous and "transition" mode

- PWM with unipolar voltage switching in an inverter

- Dead time effect

- Flyback converter

- Switching of the clamp diode in an inductive load circuit

- Breakdown mechanisms in BJT

- Losses in conduction of VD-MOSFET and U-MOSFET structures

- Static and dynamic latchup in the IGBT

VERSIONE IN ITALIANO