PLECS Essentials and Applications for Power Electronics from Udemy

This course is designed to provide a comprehensive introduction to PLECS (Piecewise Linear Electrical Circuit Simulation), a powerful tool for modeling and simulating power electronics and control systems. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced engineer, this course will guide you step-by-step from the fundamentals of circuit design to advanced converter modeling.

In the first module, you’ll gain an understanding of PLECS capabilities, its interface, and the differences between PLECS Standalone and Blockset. We’ll walk you through installation, licensing, and project creation to ensure you’re ready to dive in. From there, you’ll build your first project, learning how to configure blocks, visualize results, and construct an RLC circuit with adding power electronic components like diodes, transistors, and thyristors.

Advanced modules focus on modeling DC and AC power converters, exploring control techniques like PWM, closed-loop control, and dq0-frame conversion. You’ll also learn to incorporate thermal modeling, analyze power losses, determine expected converter efficiencies and work with non-ideal switches. Additionally, the course introduces the PLECS C-script block for creating custom control functions.

In the final module we will tie everything together by going through the step-by-step development of a full converter application : a 3-phase 2-level grid-connected voltage source inverter, with casqueding control topology and non-ideal switches. By the end of this course, you’ll have the skills to model, simulate, and optimize complex power electromic systems with PLECS. All models created by instructor throughout the course are attached.

What's inside

Learning objectives

Master the basics of plecs
Build and simulate power electronic circuits
Model and control dc and ac power converters

Perform thermal modeling and loss analysis
Develop custom control with plecs c-scripts
Simulate full-scale grid-connected systems

Master the basics of plecs
Build and simulate power electronic circuits
Model and control dc and ac power converters
Perform thermal modeling and loss analysis
Develop custom control with plecs c-scripts
Simulate full-scale grid-connected systems

Syllabus

Students will be able to confidently install, set up, and navigate PLECS while understanding its capabilities and key uses.

Course overview and PLECS Software

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Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Provides a comprehensive introduction to PLECS, which is a valuable tool for modeling and simulating power electronics and control systems, making it highly relevant for engineers

Covers advanced modules focusing on modeling DC and AC power converters, exploring control techniques like PWM, closed-loop control, and dq0-frame conversion, which are essential for power electronics professionals

Teaches thermal modeling and loss analysis, which are crucial for determining converter efficiencies and working with non-ideal switches, enhancing practical engineering skills

Introduces the PLECS C-script block for creating custom control functions, enabling advanced users to tailor simulations to their specific needs and applications

Culminates in the step-by-step development of a full converter application, a 3-phase 2-level grid-connected voltage source inverter, providing hands-on experience with a complex system

Requires PLECS software, which may involve a separate license or subscription fee, potentially posing a barrier for some students depending on their access and resources

Reviews summary

Plecs for power electronics applications

According to learners, this course provides a solid introduction to using the PLECS software, particularly for power electronics applications. Many students found the practical examples and step-by-step demonstrations covering topics like converter design, thermal modeling, and control systems to be highly beneficial and clear. While some reviewers mentioned that a prior background in power electronics is helpful, the overall feedback indicates a highly positive experience and that the course successfully equips engineers with the skills needed to simulate complex systems in PLECS.

May require prior knowledge in power electronics.

"While good, this course is best if you already have a basic understanding of power electronics circuits."

"Someone completely new might find some parts challenging without prior electrical engineering knowledge."

"Having a background in control systems helps with the later modules."

Covers essential PLECS features effectively.

"This course gives a great overview of the essential PLECS functionalities needed for power electronics."

"I now feel comfortable using blocks, scopes, and setting up simulations."

"It covers important aspects like thermal modeling and non-ideal switches, which is crucial."

Instructor explains complex topics well.

"The instructor explains everything very clearly, making complex ideas easy to grasp."

"I found the explanations on PWM and closed-loop control particularly easy to follow."

"The lectures break down challenging concepts into manageable parts."

Hands-on demos and examples are valuable.

"The practical examples are very helpful for applying the concepts."

"I really appreciated the step-by-step approach to building circuits and converters."

"Learning by doing with the provided models was the strongest part for me."

Some faced challenges with installation/licensing.

"Getting the PLECS software installed and licensed was a bit tricky for me initially."

"Had some minor issues with the software setup steps mentioned early on."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in PLECS Essentials and Applications for Power Electronics with these activities:

Review Basic Circuit Theory

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Reinforce your understanding of fundamental circuit laws and theorems. A solid grasp of these concepts is crucial for understanding how power electronic circuits behave and for effective simulation in PLECS.

Browse courses on Kirchhoff's Laws

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Review key concepts and formulas.
Solve practice problems involving resistors, capacitors, and inductors.
Focus on understanding voltage and current relationships.

Brush Up on Power Electronics Fundamentals

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Revisit the basics of power semiconductor devices. Understanding the behavior of diodes, transistors, and thyristors is essential for modeling power electronic converters in PLECS.

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Study the operating principles of diodes, transistors, and thyristors.
Review switching characteristics and limitations of these devices.
Understand how these devices are used in power electronic circuits.

Read 'Power Electronics: Converters, Applications, and Design' by Ned Mohan

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Supplement your learning with a comprehensive textbook on power electronics. This book provides a deeper understanding of the concepts covered in the course and offers practical design insights.

View Power Electronics on Amazon

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Read chapters related to converter topologies and control techniques.
Work through example problems and design exercises.
Relate the concepts to the PLECS simulations you are performing.

Four other activities

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Simulate Basic Converter Topologies in PLECS

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Practice building and simulating basic converter circuits in PLECS. This hands-on experience will solidify your understanding of converter operation and control.

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Build and simulate buck, boost, and buck-boost converters.
Implement PWM control for each converter.
Analyze the performance of each converter under different load conditions.

Document Your PLECS Projects

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Create documentation for each PLECS project you complete. This will help you organize your work, reinforce your understanding, and provide a valuable reference for future projects.

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Describe the purpose and functionality of each circuit.
Explain the design choices and parameter settings.
Include simulation results and analysis.

Model a Grid-Connected Inverter with LCL Filter

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Extend your knowledge by modeling a more complex system. This project will challenge you to apply the concepts learned in the course to a real-world application.

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Design an LCL filter for grid connection.
Implement closed-loop control for the inverter.
Simulate the system under various grid conditions.
Analyze the performance of the inverter and filter.

Explore 'Semiconductor Device Modeling with Spice' by Paolo Antognetti and Giuseppe Massobrio

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Deepen your understanding of device modeling. This book will provide insights into the models used in PLECS and help you interpret simulation results more effectively.

View Semiconductor Device Modeling on Amazon

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Study the models for diodes, transistors, and thyristors.
Understand the parameters that affect device behavior.
Relate the models to the simulation results you are observing in PLECS.

Career center

Learners who complete PLECS Essentials and Applications for Power Electronics will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Power Converter Designer

A Power Converter Designer specializes in the design and development of power converters for various applications. This role requires a deep understanding of power electronics, control systems, and simulation tools. This course is directly relevant, as it provides in-depth training in modeling and controlling DC and AC power converters using PLECS. The modules on PWM, closed-loop control, LCL filters, and Fourier analysis can be extremely helpful for Power Converter Designers. Additionally, the course's focus on thermal modeling, loss analysis, and non-ideal switches can help with optimizing converter designs for efficiency and reliability. This course covers the essentials that one needs to know to start a career as a Power Converter Designer.

See salaries and explore the career path for Power Converter Designer

Simulation Engineer

A Simulation Engineer develops and runs simulations to analyze and optimize system performance. This role requires expertise in simulation software and a strong understanding of the underlying physics and engineering principles. This course provides comprehensive training in PLECS, a powerful simulation tool for power electronics and control systems. The course's modules on building and simulating power electronic circuits, modeling DC and AC power converters, and performing thermal modeling and loss analysis may be very useful for those in this career. The course also goes over how to model a 3-phase grid connected voltage source inverter, which can be a valuable experience.

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Power Electronics Engineer

A Power Electronics Engineer designs, develops, and tests power electronic systems and components. This role requires a strong understanding of circuit design, control systems, and simulation tools. This course directly addresses these requirements by providing a comprehensive introduction to PLECS, a tool essential for modeling and simulating power electronics. By mastering the basics of PLECS, building and simulating power electronic circuits, and modeling DC and AC power converters as taught in this course, one may be better prepared to contribute to the design and optimization of these advanced systems. The module on thermal modeling and loss analysis can also be useful for improving the efficiency of power electronic designs. This course is especially useful for understanding how to simulate using PLECS, which is an essential skill for a Power Electronics Engineer.

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Electric Vehicle Engineer

An Electric Vehicle Engineer designs and develops the electrical and electronic systems in electric vehicles, with particular emphasis on power electronics. This role generally requires either a masters or doctoral degree. This course provides training in modeling and simulating power electronic systems with PLECS. The final module, which focuses on the step-by-step development of a full converter application, may be very useful since electric vehicles rely on power conversion. The course's modules on thermal modeling and loss analysis, as well as the use of non-ideal switches, can also be very relevant for designing efficient electric vehicle systems. This course may give the learner experience with using the same software that is used in the electric vehicle industry.

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Control Systems Engineer

A Control Systems Engineer designs and implements control systems for a variety of applications, often involving power electronics. This role requires a strong understanding of control theory, modeling, and simulation. This course provides a foundation in modeling and controlling DC and AC power converters using PLECS. This course can help build skills in implementing PWM, closed-loop control, and dq0-frame conversion, which are essential for designing effective control systems. Furthermore, the introduction to the PLECS C-script block for creating custom control functions can be especially useful for advanced control system designs. For a Control Systems Engineer, this course may provide the skills needed to create and simulate these systems using PLECS.

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Power Systems Analyst

A Power Systems Analyst studies and optimizes the performance of electrical power systems. This role often involves modeling and simulating power grids and their components. This course can help Power Systems Analysts by providing training in modeling and simulating power electronic systems with PLECS. The final module, which goes through the development of a full converter application for a 3-phase 2-level grid-connected voltage source inverter, is highly relevant. The course's modules on thermal modeling and loss analysis, as well as the use of non-ideal switches, can also be useful for analysts seeking to improve the accuracy of their models. Learning to use PLECS can accelerate the learning curve for a Power Systems Analyst.

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Renewable Energy Engineer

A Renewable Energy Engineer works on the design, development, and integration of renewable energy systems. This role often involves power electronics for grid connection and energy conversion. This course can help Renewable Energy Engineers by providing training in modeling and simulating power electronic systems with PLECS. The final module, which focuses on the step-by-step development of a full converter application for a 3-phase 2-level grid-connected voltage source inverter, is particularly relevant. The course's modules on thermal modeling and loss analysis, as well as the use of non-ideal switches, can be valuable for engineers working to improve the efficiency and reliability of renewable energy systems. This course may provide the experience needed to model and design the power electronics portions of such a system.

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Research Engineer

A Research Engineer works on investigating new technologies and developing innovative solutions, often requiring a master's degree or PhD. In power electronics, this could involve researching new converter topologies, control algorithms, or materials. This course can help Research Engineers by providing a solid foundation in modeling and simulating power electronic systems with PLECS. The ability to model converters, implement control techniques, incorporate thermal effects, and create custom control functions with the PLECS C-script block can be invaluable for conducting research and developing new technologies. This course can help a Research Engineer test and evaluate their concepts.

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Electrical Engineer

An Electrical Engineer may work on a broad range of electrical systems, including those involving power electronics. This role requires a solid understanding of circuit design, power systems, and simulation tools. This course can help Electrical Engineers by providing a hands-on introduction to PLECS, a valuable tool for modeling and simulating power electronic circuits. The course modules on building RLC circuits, adding power electronic components, and visualizing results can be especially helpful for those new to PLECS. The course may also be useful for engineers working with DC and AC power converters, and those who need to incorporate thermal modeling and loss analysis into their designs. For any Electrical Engineer who wants to specialize in power electronics, this course will be a very useful introduction.

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Application Engineer

An Application Engineer provides technical support and guidance to customers using a company's products. In the power electronics industry, this could involve helping customers integrate PLECS into their workflows or troubleshoot power electronic systems. This course provides a comprehensive introduction to PLECS, covering everything from installation and licensing to advanced converter modeling and control techniques. By mastering PLECS, the learner can be prepared to assist others in using it effectively. The course's hands-on approach, with step-by-step instructions and real-world examples, can be particularly valuable for Application Engineers. This course will give a prospective Application Engineer a deeper understanding of the product.

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Hardware Engineer

A Hardware Engineer designs, develops, and tests hardware components and systems. In the context of power electronics, this could involve designing PCBs for power converters or developing control hardware. This course can help Hardware Engineers by providing a deeper understanding of the power electronic systems they are working with. The course's modules on building and simulating power electronic circuits, modeling DC and AC power converters, and incorporating thermal modeling can be particularly relevant. Furthermore, learning to use PLECS C-script block may lead to the development of custom control functions for hardware systems, as well as helping to understand the software side of hardware.

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Product Development Engineer

A Product Development Engineer is involved in the entire lifecycle of a product, from conception to launch. In the power electronics field, this could involve the design, testing, and manufacturing of new power converters or systems. This course can provide Product Development Engineers with a practical understanding of power electronics and the tools used to design and simulate them. The course's focus on PLECS can be particularly helpful in the design and simulation phases, while the modules on thermal modeling and loss analysis can be important for optimizing product performance and reliability. Product Development Engineers may find value in simulating the product in PLECS.

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Firmware Engineer

A Firmware Engineer develops the software that controls hardware devices, often including power electronic systems. This role requires a strong understanding of embedded systems and control algorithms. This course can help Firmware Engineers by providing insights into the control and behavior of power electronic systems. The modules on PWM, closed-loop control, and dq0-frame conversion can be particularly valuable for implementing control algorithms in firmware. Additionally, the introduction to the PLECS C-script block can enable Firmware Engineers to create custom control functions for their embedded systems. Learning to simulate and model in PLECS may allow a Firmware Engineer to analyze and debug code.

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Test Engineer

A Test Engineer develops and executes test plans to ensure that products meet performance and quality standards. In power electronics, this could involve testing power converters, inverters, or other power electronic systems. This course can help Test Engineers by providing a deeper understanding of the systems they are testing. The course's modules on building and simulating power electronic circuits, modeling DC and AC power converters, and incorporating thermal modeling can be particularly relevant. By understanding the behavior of these systems through simulation, Test Engineers can design more effective test plans and better interpret test results. This course may help Test Engineers catch flaws in a product during testing.

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Technical Sales Engineer

A Technical Sales Engineer combines technical knowledge with sales skills to promote and sell technical products or services. In the power electronics industry, this could involve selling PLECS software or power electronic components. This course provides a solid foundation in power electronics and PLECS, which can be useful for communicating the value and benefits of these products to potential customers. The course's emphasis on practical applications and real-world examples can be particularly helpful for demonstrating the capabilities of PLECS and how it can solve customer problems. This course may give a Technical Sales Engineer credibility when selling PLECS-related products.

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Reading list

We've selected two books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in PLECS Essentials and Applications for Power Electronics.

Power Electronics

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Comprehensive resource on power electronics, covering a wide range of converter topologies, control techniques, and applications. It provides a strong theoretical foundation and practical design considerations. It is commonly used as a textbook in power electronics courses. Reading this book will provide additional depth to the material covered in the PLECS course.

Semiconductor Device Modeling with Spice

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Provides a detailed understanding of semiconductor device models used in circuit simulation. While PLECS is not SPICE, understanding the underlying models will help you interpret simulation results and troubleshoot issues. This book is more valuable as additional reading to provide background knowledge. It useful reference for understanding the behavior of non-ideal switches and thermal models.

Semiconductor Device Modeling

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PLECS Essentials and Applications for Power Electronics

What's inside

Learning objectives

Syllabus

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Reviews summary

Plecs for power electronics applications

Activities

Career center

Reading list

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