IRE35123 Power Electronics (Spring 2025)

The course is connected to the following study programs

Compulsory subject in the Bachelor's degree in engineering - electrical: electronics and green energy, field of study "digital power systems", as well as for TRESS and the Y-veien associated with this study programme.

Recommended requirements

IRF10721 Engineering Mathematics, IRE10521 Electrical Circuits, IRE20012 Electronics, IRE25717 Electric Power Distribution and Machines

Lecture Semester

4th semester (Spring)

The student's learning outcomes after completing the course

Knowledge

• basic knowledge of power electronic components and working principles 
• understanding the basic principles of power electronics application in power converters, power systems, and drives
• basic knowledge of theory, mathematical models and simulation models applied to power electronics.
• knowledge of speed control using variable frequency drives 
• knowledge of what are the most important design parameters and what impact these have on the functionality of current and future solutions for power electronic converters in industrial applications.

Skills

• can recognize, define and analyse power electronic converters that convert electrical energy either as DC/AC, DC/DC or AC/DC
• can model and simulate electrical, electromagnetic and thermal characteristics in such converters based on circuit analysis
• can perform circuit analysis and calculations on power electronic circuits with ideal and non-ideal components
• can use instruments and equipment in the laboratory

General competence

• expertise in how different topologies for power electronic converters can be simulated and evaluated and their application.
• competence in the basic principles of power electronic operations
• an understanding of what characterizes the different applications of power electronics within power systems
• expertise in writing technical reports
• familiarity with different terms that are used internationally in the field and how technical manuals should be understood.
• the competence to be able to contribute to innovation processes towards a greener society.

Content

• Power electronics components
• Harmonics
• AC-DC converters
• DC power supplies and DC-DC converters 
• AC-AC converters
• AC Variable frequency drives (Frequency converters / AC motor drives)
• Application of power electronics within industry and household 
• EMFT, Transformers and PFC

Forms of teaching and learning

Undervisningen gis som forelesninger, regneøvinger, simuleringsøvinger og laboratoriums oppgaver.

Workload

250-300 hours

Coursework requirements - conditions for taking the exam

•  Exercises carried out in the laboratory, group. The exercises must form the basis for the group report (see section on the exam).
• Approved 7-10 calculation tasks including lab reports,  reports related to the simulation exercises and theories must be delivered.

Work requirements must be approved before the student can appear for the exam.​

Examination

The exam has two parts: Individual written exam and report.

Part exam 1: Written exam, individual. Duration: 5 hours (80%) Allowed aids:  Formula sheet provided. Calculator, with empty memory, which cannot calculate symbolically or communicate wirelessly.

Part exam 2: Report, group (20%)Laboratory report, group. The report is based on exercises carried out in the laboratory. The report must be written in English. The number of students per group: 6/2 (max/min) or as agreed with the course advisor.

Grading rule A to F, where A is the best grade and F is not passed

Examiners

External and internal sensor or two internal sensors.

Conditions for resit/rescheduled exams

The re-examination is held early in the following semester. You can find more information about accounts here. 

Course evaluation

Ongoing evaluation of the teaching throughout the semester, where the method of evaluation is agreed between the subject teacher(s) and students. Written final evaluation of the subject.

Literature

The reading list will be published in Leganto.