ENEL471-26S2 (C) Semester Two 2026

Power Electronics 2

15 points

Details:
Start Date: Monday, 13 July 2026
End Date: Sunday, 8 November 2026
Withdrawal Dates
Last Day to withdraw from this course:
  • Without financial penalty (full fee refund): Sunday, 26 July 2026
  • Without academic penalty (including no fee refund): Sunday, 27 September 2026

Description

Building modern Power Electronic circuits is a complex task. It involves analysis of the electro-mechanical system within which a circuit is embedded, followed by selection of appropriate circuit configurations. Electric circuit, magnetic circuit and control design are all integral to sound system operation. This course covers switching circuits for a range of powers and applications. It covers circuits and thermal management needed to maximise efficiency and reliability, and meet EMC requirements. Three phase system modelling, to enable model-based control of motion control systems, is included. Students will learn how to design a modern power electronic system within the context of a power supply or motion control system. It has a significant group project implementing an electric go-cart control system.

Topics Covered:

Circuits:
   Revision of buck and boost converters.  Flyback and Ćuk converters.
   Isolated forward converters.  
   Multiple switch forward converters
   Resonant converters.
   Layout and EMI/EMC
   Snubbers
   Managing heat
   Three phase and Multilevel converters.

Modelling and Control:
   State-space modelling of converters.
   Power converter feedback compensation.  
   Current mode control.
   Motor control
   Induction machines
   Space vectors and vector control
   Space Vector PWM

Learning Outcomes

  • At the conclusion of this course you should be able to:

  • LO1: Appreciate the applications and limitations of components and topologies used in power electronic systems (WA1, WA2)

  • LO2: Develop knowledge about, design, and analyse the performance of a range of power electronic circuit configurations, accounting for electromagnetic compatibility and thermal requirements, using modern techniques and tools (WA1, WA2, WA3, WA4, WA5, WA12)

  • LO3: Learn how to model power electronic systems and three phase motors for control design, including state space based and vector control. (WA1, WA2, WA5)

  • LO4: Design and build a modern high-power dc/dc converter control system in a team environment. (WA1, WA2, WA3, WA4, WA5, WA9, WA10)
    • University Graduate Attributes

      This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attributes specified below:

      Critically competent in a core academic discipline of their award

      Students know and can critically evaluate and, where applicable, apply this knowledge to topics/issues within their majoring subject.

      Employable, innovative and enterprising

      Students will develop key skills and attributes sought by employers that can be used in a range of applications.

Prerequisites

Timetable 2026

Students must attend one activity from each section.

Lecture A
Activity Day Time Location Weeks
01 Monday 10:00 - 11:00 E6 Lecture Theatre
13 Jul - 23 Aug
7 Sep - 18 Oct
Lecture B
Activity Day Time Location Weeks
01 Tuesday 16:00 - 17:00 E5 Lecture Theatre
13 Jul - 23 Aug
7 Sep - 18 Oct
Lecture C
Activity Day Time Location Weeks
01 Thursday 10:00 - 11:00 E5 Lecture Theatre
13 Jul - 23 Aug
7 Sep - 18 Oct

Course Coordinator

Alan Wood

Lecturer

Paul Gaynor

Assessment

Assessment Due Date Percentage 
Test 35%
Go-Cart Assignment - Lab Review 10%
Go-Cart Assignment - Report 20%
Exam 35%

Textbooks / Resources

Recommended Reading

A.I. Pressman; Switching Power Supply Design ; McGraw-Hill, 1992 (TK 7868.P6.P93).

D.W. Hart; Introduction to Power Electronics ; Prentice Hall, 1997 (TK 7881.15.H325).

I. Batarseh; Power Electronic Circuits ; Wiley, 2004 (TK7881.15.B328).

K. Billings; Switchmode Power Supply Handbook ; 2nd Edition; McGraw-Hill, 1999 (TK 7881.15.S955).

N. Mohan; Power Electronics - Converters, Applications and Design ; 3rd Edition; Wiley, 2003 (TK 7871.85.M697).

R.W.Erickson; Fundamentals of Power Electronics ; 2nd Edition; Kluwer, 2001 (TK7881.15.E68).

Additional Course Outline Information

Academic integrity

Use of Generative AI in ENEL471:

Generative AI tools may be used for specific purposes within the Go-Cart Project assessment only.  Generative AI tools may not be used for the Test or Examination. In the Go-Cart Project assessment, you are permitted to use generative AI solely for the purpose of checking grammar in the group project report. No other use of generative AI is permitted. To assist with maintaining academic integrity, you must appropriately acknowledge any use of generative AI in your work. Please include a statement of acknowledgement/AI declaration with your report, clearly indicating which AI tools were used and how they contributed to your assessment.

Mahi ā-Ākonga | Workload (expected distribution of student hours, note 15 points = 150 hours):

Contact Hours

Lectures: 36 hours
Tutorials: 0 hours
Workshops: 0 hours
Laboratories: 0 hours

Independent study

Review of lectures: 36 hours
Test and exam preparation: 36 hours
Assignments: 42 hours


Total 150 hours

Indicative Fees

Domestic fee $1,344.00

International fee $6,488.00

* All fees are inclusive of NZ GST or any equivalent overseas tax, and do not include any programme level discount or additional course-related expenses.

For further information see Electrical and Computer Engineering .

All ENEL471 Occurrences

  • ENEL471-26S2 (C) Semester Two 2026