94247 - Laboratory on Power Electronics

Learning outcomes

The student will acquire the basic skills on power electronic systems used in sectors such as renewable energy, automotive, etc. He/She knows and is able to design and simulate, using LTspice, basic circuits for AC-DC, DC-DC and DC-AC conversion.

Course contents

Introduction to Power Electronic Systems

• Power Electronics versus Linear Electronics
• Scope and Applications
• Classification of power converters

 

Power Semiconductor Switches

• Diodes
• Desired Characteristics in Controllable Switches
• MOSFET

 

Basic Electrical Circuit Concepts

• Definition of Steady State
• Average Power and rms Current
• Inductor and Capacitor Response
• Current and Voltage Avarage in Steady State

 

Line-Frequency Diode Rectifiers

• Basic Rectifier concepts
• Single-phase diode bridge rectifiers

 

DC-DC Switch-Mode Converters

• Step-down (Buck) Converter:
  • Continuous, Boundary and Discontinuous Conduction Mode
    
  • Output Voltage Ripple
• Pulse-Width Modulator (PWM)
• Step-up (Boost) Converter:

• Continuous, Boundary and Discontinuous Conduction Mode
• Output Voltage Ripple

 

Snubber Cicuits

• Function and types of Snubber circuits
• Implementation of a RC snubber
  

 

Switch-mode DC-AC Inverters

• Basic concepts of Switch-mode inverters
• Single-phase inverters

 

Introduction to LTspice Circuit Simulator

 

Laboratory Activities:

• Desing and Simulation, using LTspice, of AC-DC, DC-DC, amd DC-AC power converters
• Experimental tests of Buck and Boost DC/DC converters

Readings/Bibliography

N. Mohan, T. M. Undeland, W. P. Robbins, “Power Electronics: Converters, Applications, and Design”, Third Edition, John Wiley & Sons, Inc. ISBN: 978-0-471-22693-2.

Teaching methods

Theoretical lessons (40%) and laboratory activities (60%) related to simulation and testing of Ac-DC, DC-DC and DC-AC power converters.

NOTE: In order to attend the laboratory activities, all students must have completed the safety and health training course for study environments, specifically modules 1 and 2, in e-learning mode [https://www.unibo.it/it/servizi-e-opportunita/salute-e-assistenza/salute-e-sicurezza/sicurezza-e-salute-nei-luoghi-di-studio-e-tirocinio]

Assessment methods

Oral exam, which consists in a series of questions aimed at ascertaining the knowledge of the topics and project aspects presented in class and treated during the laboratory activities.

Teaching tools

Slides, Circuit Simulator (LTspice), Instrumentation for experimental characterization of DC-DC power converters.

Office hours

See the website of Andrea Natale Tallarico