Simulating Power Electronic Circuits using Python from Udemy

For a student of electrical engineering or for a practicing electrical technician, getting started with simulating electrical circuits can be challenging. Even more so in the case of power electronics where circuits are non-linear. This course introduces the process of simulation and also provides basic theory lectures to help you understand how simulations can be used to learn how power converters work.

This course uses only free and open source software. The course will have lectures to show you how to download and install each software. All software are compatible with Windows, Linux and Mac OS and you can follow this course whatever operating system you prefer to use. The course also has a basic tutorial on Python programming to help you with writing control code for electrical circuits. The course uses the free and open source circuit simulator Python Power Electronics. You can use other simulators if you are already using them. However, all examples in this course will use Python Power Electronics as I would like all students registered for the course to be able to access a circuit simulator and not all simulators are free to use.

This course is not a comprehensive course on power electronics. I will not be covering a vast number of power converters. Instead, this course focuses on depth. The lectures will have code along sessions where I will be building simulations from scratch and will be switching back and forth between theory presentations and simulation results to understand how circuits work. The course will not be heavily mathematical but on the contrary will use fundamental concepts of Physics to understand how power converter circuits.

In order to successfully complete this course, a student is required to have some basic electrical knowledge. This implies basic network laws - Kirchoff's Voltage Law, Kirchoff's Current Law, Ohm's Law. These would be taught in first year of electrical engineering. Other than that, you do not need to have prior knowledge of power electronics or analog electronics. A student will also be required to have some basic knowledge of programming. This course uses Python. However, if a student has used any other high level language such as C, C++, Java etc, that would do as well. Expert knowledge of programming is not necessary. This course however, should not be a student's very first time coding.

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Know what's good

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Uses free software and resources

Provides basic Python programming tutorial

Uses non-linear circuit simulations

Focuses on power converters specifically

Recommended for those with basic electrical knowledge

Does not cover a vast number of power converters

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 Simulating Power Electronic Circuits using Python with these activities:

Review basic circuit analysis techniques

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A strong foundation in circuit analysis is essential for success in power electronics.

Browse courses on Circuit Analysis

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Review your notes or textbooks on basic circuit analysis techniques.
Solve practice problems to reinforce your understanding.
Check your answers against the provided solutions.

Review the book "Power Electronics: A First Course" by Ned Mohan, Tore Undeland, and William Robbins

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This book provides a comprehensive overview of power electronics concepts and is a valuable resource for supplementing the course material.

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Read the assigned chapters or sections.
Take notes and highlight important concepts.
Solve the end-of-chapter problems.
Discuss the concepts with classmates or the instructor.

Join a study group or participate in online forums

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Engaging with peers can provide different perspectives, clarify concepts, and improve understanding.

Browse courses on Power Electronics

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Join a study group or find peers online who are also taking the course.
Schedule regular meetings or online discussions.
Review course materials together.
Work on practice problems or projects collaboratively.

Four other activities

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Follow online tutorials on power electronics topics

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Following online tutorials provides additional exposure to different perspectives and approaches to power electronics concepts.

Browse courses on Power Electronics

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Search for online tutorials on your preferred power electronics topic.
Choose a tutorial that is relevant to your learning goals.
Watch or read the tutorial.
Take notes and ask questions if needed.
Practice the concepts covered in the tutorial.

Practice circuit analysis and simulation techniques

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Practice using the circuit simulator and applying circuit analysis techniques to reinforce understanding of power electronics concepts.

Browse courses on Circuit Analysis

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Choose a circuit from the course materials or design your own simple circuit.
Build the circuit in the circuit simulator.
Simulate the circuit and analyze the results.
Compare your results with the theoretical predictions.
Repeat steps 1-4 for different circuits and scenarios.

Create a tutorial on a specific power electronics topic

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Creating a tutorial helps solidify understanding by forcing you to explain concepts in a clear and concise manner.

Browse courses on Power Electronics

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Choose a specific power electronics topic to focus on.
Research the topic and gather information from reliable sources.
Organize your information into a logical structure.
Create a tutorial using written, visual, or video format.
Share your tutorial with others and get feedback.

Design and simulate a power converter circuit for a specific application

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Designing and simulating a power converter circuit demonstrates a deep understanding of the concepts covered in the course.

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Identify a specific application for a power converter circuit.
Design the circuit topology and select appropriate components.
Build the circuit in the circuit simulator.
Simulate the circuit and analyze the results.
Optimize the design and iterate on the simulation until the desired performance is achieved.

Career center

Learners who complete Simulating Power Electronic Circuits using Python will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Power Electronics Engineer

A Power Electronics Engineer designs, develops, and tests power electronic systems. These systems convert electrical energy from one form to another, and are used in a wide variety of applications, including renewable energy, electric vehicles, and industrial automation. This course can help you build a foundation in the fundamentals of power electronics, which will be essential for success in this role. You will learn about the different types of power electronic devices, how to model and simulate power electronic circuits, and how to design and control power electronic systems.

See salaries and explore the career path for Power Electronics Engineer

Electrical Engineer

Electrical Engineers design, develop, and test electrical systems. These systems can be used in a wide variety of applications, including power generation, transmission, and distribution, as well as industrial automation and control. This course can help you build a foundation in the fundamentals of electrical engineering, which will be essential for success in this role. You will learn about the different types of electrical devices, how to model and simulate electrical circuits, and how to design and control electrical systems.

See salaries and explore the career path for Electrical Engineer

Electronics Engineer

Electronics Engineers design, develop, and test electronic devices and systems. These devices and systems can be used in a wide variety of applications, including consumer electronics, medical devices, and industrial automation. This course can help you build a foundation in the fundamentals of electronics engineering, which will be essential for success in this role. You will learn about the different types of electronic devices, how to model and simulate electronic circuits, and how to design and control electronic systems.

See salaries and explore the career path for Electronics Engineer

Mechatronics Engineer

Mechatronics Engineers design, develop, and test mechatronic systems. These systems combine mechanical, electrical, and computer engineering to create products and systems that can sense, control, and actuate. This course can help you build a foundation in the fundamentals of mechatronics engineering, which will be essential for success in this role. You will learn about the different types of mechatronic systems, how to model and simulate mechatronic systems, and how to design and control mechatronic systems.

See salaries and explore the career path for Mechatronics Engineer

Control Systems Engineer

Control Systems Engineers design, develop, and test control systems. These systems are used to control a wide variety of processes, including industrial automation, robotics, and aerospace. This course can help you build a foundation in the fundamentals of control systems engineering, which will be essential for success in this role. You will learn about the different types of control systems, how to model and simulate control systems, and how to design and control control systems.

See salaries and explore the career path for Control Systems Engineer

Robotics Engineer

Robotics Engineers design, develop, and test robots. Robots are used in a wide variety of applications, including manufacturing, healthcare, and space exploration. This course can help you build a foundation in the fundamentals of robotics engineering, which will be essential for success in this role. You will learn about the different types of robots, how to model and simulate robots, and how to design and control robots.

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Systems Engineer

Systems Engineers design, develop, and test systems. These systems can be complex and can include a variety of components, such as hardware, software, and human operators. This course can help you build a foundation in the fundamentals of systems engineering, which will be essential for success in this role. You will learn about the different types of systems, how to model and simulate systems, and how to design and control systems.

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Project Engineer

Project Engineers manage the design, development, and testing of products and systems. This course can help you build a foundation in the fundamentals of project management, which will be essential for success in this role. You will learn about the different phases of a project, how to plan and schedule a project, and how to manage a project team.

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Data Scientist

Data Scientists use data to solve problems and make decisions. This course can help you build a foundation in the fundamentals of data science, which will be essential for success in this role. You will learn about the different types of data, how to collect and clean data, and how to analyze data to extract insights.

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Computer Scientist

Computer Scientists research and develop new computer technologies. This course can help you build a foundation in the fundamentals of computer science, which will be essential for success in this role. You will learn about the different areas of computer science, how to design and implement computer algorithms, and how to analyze the performance of computer systems.

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Technical Writer

Technical Writers create documentation for a variety of products and systems. This documentation can include user manuals, technical reports, and marketing materials. This course can help you build a foundation in the fundamentals of technical writing, which will be essential for success in this role. You will learn about the different types of technical writing, how to write clear and concise technical documentation, and how to use different software tools to create technical documentation.

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Software Developer

Software Developers design, develop, and test software applications. This course can help you build a foundation in the fundamentals of software development, which will be essential for success in this role. You will learn about the different phases of software development, how to write clean and efficient code, and how to test and debug software applications.

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Electrical Technician

Electrical Technicians install, maintain, and repair electrical systems. This course can help you build a foundation in the fundamentals of electrical technology, which will be essential for success in this role. You will learn about the different types of electrical systems, how to troubleshoot electrical problems, and how to safely work with electricity.

See salaries and explore the career path for Electrical Technician

Computer Hardware Engineer

Computer Hardware Engineers design, develop, and test computer hardware. This course can help you build a foundation in the fundamentals of computer hardware engineering, which will be essential for success in this role. You will learn about the different types of computer hardware, how to design and implement computer hardware, and how to test and debug computer hardware.

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Electronics Technician

Electronics Technicians install, maintain, and repair electronic devices and systems. This course can help you build a foundation in the fundamentals of electronics technology, which will be essential for success in this role. You will learn about the different types of electronic devices and systems, how to troubleshoot electronic problems, and how to safely work with electronics.

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Simulating Power Electronic Circuits using Python

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