NG3S853 - Power Electronics and Drives 01 Sep 2020 - 31 Aug 2026 | Version 4

Associated Module Information

Module Code: NG3S853
Module Title: Power Electronics and Drives
Faculty: Faculty of Computing, Engineering and Science
Faculty Group: Information and Electronics
Faculty Sub Group: Electronics
Module Leader: Clive Morgan
Module Team: Eurfyl Davies
First Intended Intake: SEP 2015 Final Year of Intake:
Date Closed:
Credit Value: 20 Credit Level: 6
Language: English
Percentage of Module Taught in Welsh: 0
Equivalent Module:
HECOS codes: 100163 - electrical and electronic engineering
HECOS Code Weighting: 100

Document Version Information

Version 4
Valid From 01 Sep 2020
Valid To 31 Aug 2026

Module Aims

To provide a sound understanding of the operating principles of power electronic devices and power electronic converters.

To develop an ability to analyse motor drive schemes and apply control techniques.

To provide a detailed understanding of switch mode techniques and systems.

Content Summary

Power Electronic Devices

Operating principles and control characteristics of devices (power diodes, power transistors, thyristors, triac).

Power Electronic Converters

Conversion processes of single-phase and three-phase rectifiers (uncontrolled and controlled), inverters, cycloconverters and ac voltage controllers. DC choppers (for motors).

Calculation of peak, mean and rms values of current and voltage for converters. Calculation of harmonics and harmonic distortion factors. Conversion efficiency and power factor calculations.

Design of snubber circuits for limitation of dv/dt and di/dt.

Multi-level converters - Cascaded H-Bridges, Diode-Clamped and Flying-Capacitor converters.

Modulation techniques for converters.

Electrical Machines and Drives

Analysis of dc motors, three-phase induction motors and synchronous motors (especially permanent magnet ac and switched reluctance types).

Analysis of motor drive schemes for a broad range of motors and power electronic converters. Analysis of speed and torque control techniques, including vector control.

Switch Mode DC-DC Power Supplies

Analysis of ideal buck, boost, buck-boost and cuk converter circuits. Analysis of ideal flyback and forward converters. Effects of parasitics on converter operation. Synchronous and bidirectional converters. Voltage-mode and current-mode PWM control methods.

Principles of soft-switching techniques and analysis of common soft-switching converter topologies.

Magnetic design theory for transformers and dc inductors.

Design of switch mode circuits and systems.

Learning and Teaching Methods

Activity Type Hours
Lecture 48
Practical classes and workshops 24
Independent Study 80
Directed Study 48
Total Hours Selected 200

Learning Outcomes

# Learning Outcome
LO1 Demonstrate a sound understanding of the operating principles of power electronic devices and power electronic converters.
LO2 Analyse motor drive schemes using appropriate models and mathematical methods and demonstrate a sound understanding of control techniques.
LO3 Critically analyse and design switch mode dc-dc circuits and systems.

Module Requisites

N/A

Assessment Criteria

Assessment Category Assessment Type Description Duration Word Count Weight (%) Best of? Pass Mark
Asynchronous Assessment Essay 1 A written coursework on a specified engineering or research problem 0 1800 30 No 40
Synchronous Onsite Assessment (Exam) Onsite Closed Book Examination 1 Exam 180 N/A 70 No 40

Assessment Matrix

Assessment Type Learning Outcomes
LO1 LO2 LO3
Essay 1
Onsite Closed Book Examination 1

Reading List

Hughes, A. and Drury, B. (2019) Electric Motors and Drives. 5th Ed. Elsevier. (ISBN: 9780081026151).

Rashid, M. (2013) Power Electronics: Devices, Circuits, and Applications, International Edition, 4th Ed. Pearson. (ISBN 13:9780273769088; ISBN 10:0273769081).

Rashid, M. H. (2017) Power Electronics Handbook, 4th Ed. Elsevier. (ISBN: 9780128114070).