Introduction to Power Electronics

University of Colorado Boulder via Coursera

Go to Course: https://www.coursera.org/learn/power-electronics

Introduction

### Course Review: Introduction to Power Electronics on Coursera #### Overview The **Introduction to Power Electronics** course offered on Coursera is a valuable asset for anyone looking to deepen their understanding of electrical engineering, particularly in the domain of power conversion technologies. This course is a part of CU Boulder’s Master of Science in Electrical Engineering degree and can be taken for academic credit as ECEA 5700, making it an excellent choice for both professionals and students. Whether you're an electrical engineer seeking to enhance your skills or a student aspiring to specialize in power electronics, this course provides a comprehensive introduction that will equip you with the fundamental knowledge necessary for high-efficiency power management. #### Course Content and Structure The course is structured into three main chapters, each designed to build on the previous one while systematically guiding you through the complexities of switched-mode converter circuits. Here’s a breakdown of the syllabus: 1. **Chapter 1: Introduction** - This chapter lays the groundwork for understanding power electronics and outlines the course specialization on Coursera. You will get familiarized with the basic concepts, industry applications, and the significance of efficient power converters in modern electrical systems. 2. **Chapter 2: Steady-State Converter Analysis** - Delving deeper, this chapter focuses on how to find ideal steady-state voltages and currents for switched-mode converters. Understanding these parameters is critical for analyzing and designing power electronic systems, making this chapter foundational for practical applications. 3. **Chapter 3: Steady-State Equivalent Circuit Modeling, Losses, and Efficiency** - This section introduces you to the equivalent circuit modeling of switching converters, an essential skill for predicting power conversion functions and assessing efficiency under various operational conditions. Discussion on losses and efficiency provides a realistic view of practical power electronics systems. Each chapter is supported by a series of assignments that enable hands-on learning, including simulations of DC-DC converters. These practical applications solidify your theoretical understanding and give you experience in using tools that are standard in the field. #### Learning Experience The course offers a combination of video lectures, reading materials, and interactive quizzes, ensuring that you remain engaged and actively learning throughout. The instructors from CU Boulder are knowledgeable and present the material in a clear and structured manner, making complex topics more digestible. The progression from fundamental concepts to detailed applications allows learners to build confidence as they advance through the content. Moreover, the community aspect of the course, including forums where you can interact with peers and instructors, enhances the learning experience. This collaborative environment can help clarify doubts and foster discussions that enrich your understanding. #### Recommendation I highly recommend the **Introduction to Power Electronics** course for anyone vested in electrical engineering or related fields. The course intertwines theory with practice, making it suitable for both beginners and those with some prior knowledge seeking to specialize in power electronics. Taking this course not only gives you a firm foundation in power converter analysis and efficiency optimization but also provides you with a credible qualification that can boost your resume if you opt for academic credit. By completing this course, you're not just learning; you're preparing yourself to tackle real-world challenges in power management, setting you up for a successful career in a rapidly evolving field. Whether you're considering a transition into power electronics or looking to formalize your skills in this area, this course is an excellent choice.

Syllabus

Ch 1: Introduction

An introduction to power electronics and to the Coursera specialization

Ch 2: Steady-State Converter Analysis

How to find the ideal steady-state voltages and currents of a switched-mode converter

Ch 3: Steady-State Equivalent Circuit Modeling, Losses, and Efficiency

Equivalent circuit modeling of switching converters, to predict their power conversion functions and efficiency under steady-state conditions

Overview

This course can also be taken for academic credit as ECEA 5700, part of CU Boulder’s Master of Science in Electrical Engineering degree. This course introduces the basic concepts of switched-mode converter circuits for controlling and converting electrical power with high efficiency. Principles of converter circuit analysis are introduced, and are developed for finding the steady state voltages, current, and efficiency of power converters. Assignments include simulation of a dc-dc converter, an

Skills

Reviews

This course is really good, the approach to dealing with the problems (the models proposed) make the content easier than it looks, although still demanding some time to do the assignments.

Covers all basics required for steady-state analysis of converters.\n\nCould have been better if they provided a solution manual for the assignments and lived interaction with the professor.

The course is outstanding and designed in a very professional manner. This course can be made more better for students by including answers of problems and making forum more responsive.

Even though I am an electrical student this course really helped me in setting my foundation in power electronics.I would recommend all college going students to take up this course

Very nice course. Even if you are already familiar with power electronics, it will help you to form a system of knowledge and utilize rational approaches for task solution of any level of complicity.