Introduction to Power Electronics
Keep adding new skills with 10,000+ programs for $239 (usually $399). Save now.
Introduction to Power Electronics
This course is part of Power Electronics Specialization
Instructor: Dr. Robert Erickson
135,525 already enrolled
Included with
3,556 reviews
3,556 reviews
What you'll learn
Understand what a switched-mode converter is and its basic operating principles
Be able to solve for the steady-state voltages and currents of step-down, step-up, inverting, and other power converters
Know how to derive an averaged equivalent circuit model and solve for the converter efficiency
Details to know
3 assignments
See how employees at top companies are mastering in-demand skills
Build your subject-matter expertise
- Learn new concepts from industry experts
- Gain a foundational understanding of a subject or tool
- Develop job-relevant skills with hands-on projects
- Earn a shareable career certificate
There are 3 modules in this course
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, analysis of an inverting dc-dc converter, and modeling and efficiency analysis of an electric vehicle system and of a USB power regulator. After completing this course, you will: ● Understand what a switched-mode converter is and its basic operating principles ● Be able to solve for the steady-state voltages and currents of step-down, step-up, inverting, and other power converters ● Know how to derive an averaged equivalent circuit model and solve for the converter efficiency A basic understanding of electrical circuit analysis is an assumed prerequisite for this course.
An introduction to power electronics and to the Coursera specialization
What's included
5 videos6 readings1 assignment2 discussion prompts
5 videos•Total 53 minutes
- Applications and Examples of Power Electronics•2 minutes
- Sect. 1.2 Preliminaries and Grading•11 minutes
- Sect. 1.3 What will be Covered•7 minutes
- Sect. 1.1 Technical Introduction•16 minutes
- Sect. 1.4 Simulation of a Buck Converter using LTspice•16 minutes
6 readings•Total 51 minutes
- Course Updates and Accessibility Support•1 minute
- Non-Credit Students: Welcome and Where to Find Help•10 minutes
- Entering formulas in homework assignments•10 minutes
- If you have problems with the Coursera system•10 minutes
- Buck converter simulation files•10 minutes
- Materials for the LTspice simulation assignment•10 minutes
1 assignment•Total 30 minutes
- Homework Assignment #1: Ch. 1 - Boost Converter Simulation•30 minutes
2 discussion prompts•Total 20 minutes
- Introduce Yourself•10 minutes
- Homework Discussion: LTspice simulation of a boost converter•10 minutes
How to find the ideal steady-state voltages and currents of a switched-mode converter
What's included
4 videos1 reading1 assignment1 discussion prompt
4 videos•Total 74 minutes
- Sect. 2.1 Introduction•9 minutes
- Sect. 2.2 Volt-Sec Balance and the Small Ripple Approximation•30 minutes
- Sect. 2.3 Boost Converter Example•23 minutes
- Sects. 2.4 and 2.5 Additional Topics•12 minutes
1 reading•Total 10 minutes
- Sample problems with solutions•10 minutes
1 assignment•Total 180 minutes
- Homework Assignment #2: Ch. 2 - Converter Analysis•180 minutes
1 discussion prompt•Total 10 minutes
- Forum: Analysis of a buck-boost converter•10 minutes
Equivalent circuit modeling of switching converters, to predict their power conversion functions and efficiency under steady-state conditions
What's included
6 videos1 reading1 assignment
6 videos•Total 93 minutes
- Sect. 3.1 The DC Transformer Model•17 minutes
- Sect. 3.1 Supplement: Review of Circuits with Ideal Transformers•11 minutes
- Sect. 3.2 Inductor Copper Loss•13 minutes
- Sect. 3.3 Construction of Equivalent Circuit Model•19 minutes
- Sect. 3.4 How to Obtain the Input Port of the Model•11 minutes
- Sect. 3.5 Example: Semiconductor Conduction Losses in Boost Converter•23 minutes
1 reading•Total 10 minutes
- Sample problems with solutions•10 minutes
1 assignment•Total 180 minutes
- Homework Assignment #3: Ch. 3 - Equivalent Circuit Modeling•180 minutes
Earn a career certificate
Add this credential to your LinkedIn profile, resume, or CV. Share it on social media and in your performance review.
Build toward a degree
This course is part of the following degree program(s) offered by University of Colorado Boulder. If you are admitted and enroll, your completed coursework may count toward your degree learning and your progress can transfer with you.¹
Instructor
Offered by
Explore more from Electrical Engineering
- Status: Free TrialU
University of Colorado Boulder
Course
- U
University of Colorado Boulder
Course
- U
University of Colorado Boulder
Course
- Status: Free TrialU
University of Colorado Boulder
Course
Why people choose Coursera for their career
Learner reviews
- 5 stars
80.20%
- 4 stars
15.80%
- 3 stars
2.19%
- 2 stars
0.70%
- 1 star
1.09%
Showing 3 of 3556
Reviewed on Jun 17, 2017
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
Reviewed on Jul 29, 2022
An excellent course installing the fundamental knowledge of power electronics. Would definitely recommend it especially to automotive engineers planning to work in the field of electrical mobility
Reviewed on Sep 9, 2020
It was a bit too hard.I wish it had more simulations and practices with software.Most of the assignments I had to use the simulator to have a better understanding of the subjects.
Frequently asked questions
To access the course materials, assignments and to earn a Certificate, you will need to purchase the Certificate experience when you enroll in a course. You can try a Free Trial instead, or apply for Financial Aid. The course may offer 'Full Course, No Certificate' instead. This option lets you see all course materials, submit required assessments, and get a final grade. This also means that you will not be able to purchase a Certificate experience.
When you enroll in the course, you get access to all of the courses in the Specialization, and you earn a certificate when you complete the work. Your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile.
Yes. In select learning programs, you can apply for financial aid or a scholarship if you can’t afford the enrollment fee. If fin aid or scholarship is available for your learning program selection, you’ll find a link to apply on the description page.
More questions
Financial aid available,