48561 Power Electronics and Drives
6cpRequisite(s): 48571 Electrical Machines
Field of practice: Electrical Engineering major
Undergraduate
Subject coordinator: Dr D Dorrell
The objectives of this subject are to enable students to: acquire reasonable proficiency in power electronics and its applications; gain confidence and expertise in the use of power semiconductor devices; have some understanding of rigorous analysis using computer simulation of real power electronic systems; be aware of the electromagnetic interference problems associated with power electronic systems and how these problems can be overcome; be aware of the interdisciplinary nature of power electronics; be aware of the enormous potential this area has for development and exploitation; learn how to evaluate whether one has the skills to undertake a specific design or analysis task and if not, how to build up the required skill level; be aware of good and bad practice in problem solving and learn the art of improving on practice whenever a weakness is revealed; develop validation strategies that enable one to have sufficient confidence to analyse one's own readiness to accept professional responsibility for conclusions reached; be aware of the importance of continually seeking improved analytical methods and computational tools that will give results more expeditiously and with reduced chance of errors; have a clear conceptual understanding of the difference between real practical systems and the models that are used to represent them.
Topics include: external characteristics, operation and gate drive circuit design of modern power semiconductor devices; protection circuits and thermal design for power devices; power conversion circuits including rectifiers, choppers, inverters, and cycloconverters; pulse-width modulation techniques; harmonic and voltage control of inverters; applications such as switch-mode power supplies, DC drives, AC drives, UPS systems, HVDC; recent advances in device technology; using microcontroller for power electronic applications; EMC and electromagnetic interference in power electronics; use of linear electronics for control of power electronic systems.
Assessment: Typically this subject is assessed through laboratory exercises, assignments, class tests and final examination.
Typical availability
Autumn semester, City campus
Fee information
2009 contribution for post-2008 Commonwealth-supported students: $926.50
Note: Students who commenced prior to 1 January 2008 should consult the Student contribution charges for Commonwealth supported students
Not all students are eligible for Commonwealth Supported places.
2009 amount for undergraduate domestic fee-paying students: $2,650.00
Note: Fees for Postgraduate domestic fee-paying students and international students are charged according to the course they are enrolled in. Students should refer to the Annual Fees Schedule.
Subject EFTSL: 0.125Access conditions
Note: The requisite information presented in this subject description covers only academic requisites. Full details of all enforced rules, covering both academic and admission requisites, are available at Access conditions and My Student Admin.
