Course: ECE 412. Power Electronics (3)
Prerequisites: ECE 240 or ECE 240N; ECE 340. Recommended Prerequisite: ECE 410. Switching losses in power semiconductor switches are covered in detail. Computer simulation of power electronic converters is taught using PSPICE and MATLAB. Study of line-frequency diode rectifiers (line-frequency ac-to-uncontrolled dc) as well as line-frequency phase-controlled rectifiers and inverters (line-frequency ac-to-controlled dc). Dc-to-dc switch-mode converters and switch-mode dc-to-ac inverters also are discussed. Power electronics applications in solar energy are studied with emphasis in applications. Application of these concepts as they apply to energy sustainability is discussed. Several projects are included in which students design, simulate, build, test and report on their findings. Available for graduate credit.