Overview
In this unit, you will learn to select power electronics solutions for industrial problems and simulate selected power electronic circuits. You will also learn the practical applications of power electronics circuits in complex systems such as renewable energy integration and electric/hybrid vehicle energy management systems. This unit is based on your knowledge of electronics and electrical machines you previously studied. In this unit, you will learn about power semiconductors such as Diacs, silicon controlled rectifiers (SCR), metal oxide silicon field-effect transistors (MOSFET), isolated gate bipolar junction transistors (IGBT), their symbols, and theory of operation and limitations. You will be introduced to the concepts DC to DC, and DC to AC circuits, and pulse width modulation (PWM) control circuits. You will also learn about different types of motor control and drive systems including DC motor control, AC motor control, and stepper motor control schemes. Students enrolled in online mode are required to attend a compulsory residential school.
Details
Pre-requisites or Co-requisites
Prerequisites: ENEX12002 Introductory Electronics OR (ENEE13018 Analogue Electronics and ENEE13020 Digital Electronics) AND (ENEX12001 Electrical Power and Machines OR ENEE12015 Electrical Power Engineering)
Important note: Students enrolled in a subsequent unit who failed their pre-requisite unit, should drop the subsequent unit before the census date or within 10 working days of Fail grade notification. Students who do not drop the unit in this timeframe cannot later drop the unit without academic and financial liability. See details in the Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework).
Offerings For Term 3 - 2025
Attendance Requirements
All on-campus students are expected to attend scheduled classes - in some units, these classes are identified as a mandatory (pass/fail) component and attendance is compulsory. International students, on a student visa, must maintain a full time study load and meet both attendance and academic progress requirements in each study period (satisfactory attendance for International students is defined as maintaining at least an 80% attendance record).
Recommended Student Time Commitment
Each 6-credit Undergraduate unit at CQUniversity requires an overall time commitment of an average of 12.5 hours of study per week, making a total of 150 hours for the unit.
Class Timetable
Assessment Overview
Assessment Grading
This is a graded unit: your overall grade will be calculated from the marks or grades for each assessment task, based on the relative weightings shown in the table above. You must obtain an overall mark for the unit of at least 50%, or an overall grade of 'pass' in order to pass the unit. If any 'pass/fail' tasks are shown in the table above they must also be completed successfully ('pass' grade). You must also meet any minimum mark requirements specified for a particular assessment task, as detailed in the 'assessment task' section (note that in some instances, the minimum mark for a task may be greater than 50%). Consult the University's Grades and Results Policy for more details of interim results and final grades.
All University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
You may wish to view these policies:
- Grades and Results Policy
- Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework)
- Review of Grade Procedure
- Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure - Domestic Students
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure - International Students
- Student Refund and Credit Balance Policy and Procedure
- Student Feedback - Compliments and Complaints Policy and Procedure
- Information and Communications Technology Acceptable Use Policy and Procedure
This list is not an exhaustive list of all University policies. The full list of University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
Feedback, Recommendations and Responses
Every unit is reviewed for enhancement each year. At the most recent review, the following staff and student feedback items were identified and recommendations were made.
Feedback from UC reflection
The student appreciated the current delivery style.
Current delivery style should be continued.
Feedback from UC reflection
The student preferred to have additional support to complete the laboratory exercises.
Additional support should be provided to complete laboratory exercises.
- Explain the construction of power semiconductor devices, their principle of operation, and their suitability for various switching functions
- Compare and select power electronic components, converters, and drives for renewable energy integration and electric vehicles
- Analyse and model the operation of single-phase and three-phase power electronic circuits, including alternating current (AC) to direct current (DC), AC to AC, DC to DC, and DC to AC topologies
- Analyse variable speed motor drives and controllers for different types of electric motors and evaluate their performances
- Work collaboratively and autonomously, and communicate professionally using power electronics terminology in presenting your solutions.
The Learning Outcomes for this unit are linked with the Engineers Australia Stage 1 Competency Standards for Professional Engineers in the areas of 1. Knowledge and Skill Base, 2. Engineering Application Ability and 3. Professional and Personal Attributes at the following levels:
Intermediate
Advanced
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes
| Assessment Tasks | Learning Outcomes | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | |
| 1 - Written Assessment - 20% | |||||
| 2 - In-class Test(s) - 20% | |||||
| 3 - Practical and Written Assessment - 20% | |||||
| 4 - Take Home Exam - 40% | |||||
Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes
| Graduate Attributes | Learning Outcomes | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | |
| 1 - Communication | |||||
| 2 - Problem Solving | |||||
| 3 - Critical Thinking | |||||
| 4 - Information Literacy | |||||
| 5 - Team Work | |||||
| 6 - Information Technology Competence | |||||
| 7 - Cross Cultural Competence | |||||
| 8 - Ethical practice | |||||
| 9 - Social Innovation | |||||
| 10 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures | |||||
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Graduate Attributes
| Assessment Tasks | Graduate Attributes | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | |
| 1 - Written Assessment - 20% | ||||||||||
| 2 - In-class Test(s) - 20% | ||||||||||
| 3 - Practical and Written Assessment - 20% | ||||||||||
| 4 - Take Home Exam - 40% | ||||||||||
Textbooks
Power Electronics Devices, Circuits, and Applications
4th Edition (International) (2014)
Authors: Muhammad H. Rashid
Pearson Education Ltd.
Harlaw Harlaw , England
ISBN: 978-0-273-76908-8
Binding: Hardcover
IT Resources
- CQUniversity Student Email
- Internet
- Unit Website (Moodle)
- Microsoft Excel (or equivalent)
- Multisim 14.0 Education Edition or later (National Instruments normally issues a student licence key to CQU - for students to install it on their private computers).
All submissions for this unit must use the referencing style: Harvard (author-date)
For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.
s.desilva@cqu.edu.au
Module/Topic
- Introduction to Power Electronics
- Power Diodes and RLC Circuits
Chapter
Chapters 1 & 2
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Diode Rectifiers
Chapter
Chapter 3
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Power Transistors
Chapter
Chapter 4
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
DC - DC Conversions
Chapter
Chapter 5
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
DC - AC Converters
Chapter
Chapter 6
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Multilevel Inverters
Chapter
Chapter 8
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Resonant Pulse Inverters
Chapter
Chapter 7
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
- Thyristors
- Controlled Rectifiers
Chapter
Chapters 9 + 10
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
AC Voltage Controllers
Chapter
Chapter 11
Events and Submissions/Topic
RES SCHOOL: ALL STUDENTS @ ROCKHAMPTON CAMPUS MON-WED
In-Class Test Due: Week 9 Tuesday (20 Jan 2026) 9:00 am AEST
Module/Topic
DC Drives
Chapter
Chapter 14
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
AC Drives
Chapter
Chapter 15
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Introduction to Renewable Energy
Chapter
Chapter 16
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Final Online Test to be conducted during the exam period, date and time
to be confirmed on the unit website.
1 Written Assessment
This individual assignment together with feedback, helps to prepare you for the final End of Term Test.
The unit content from Weeks 1 to 5 will be tested in Assignment 1. Questions will be largely analysis based.
Individual work is mandatory - this is a take-home test. None of your steps or solutions may be discussed or divulged to a fellow student.
Please refer to the CQU plagiarism policy - a signed cover page declaring individual work is required.
The assignment questions will be released on the unit website at least 2 weeks before the assignment is due to be submitted.
To prevent electronic plagiarism, typed submissions are not acceptable. Students should scan clear and legible hand written work for online submission as a PDF file.
AI ASSESSMENT SCALE - NO AI
This assessment must be completed without the use of AI tools such as ChatGPT, Copilot, or other generative
technologies, even if completed outside a controlled environment.
However, students may use basic search, grammar and spelling aids, provided these tools do not assist with analysis or
generating content.
Week 5 Thursday (11 Dec 2025) 11:00 pm AEST
1) Plagiarism statement and 2) complete hand-written assignment scanned in together as a single .pdf file
Week 7 Friday (9 Jan 2026)
It is endeavoured to provide feedback within 2 weeks of submission.
Marks will be allocated for the followings:
- Application of theoretical fundamentals.
- Explanation of reasons to apply specific theory or method to solve a given problem where applicable.
- Correct circuit diagrams/schematics and relevant input/output waveforms.
- Correct mathematical working and correct answers.
- All work and intermediate steps must be shown with justification of steps taken.
- Assignments must be tidy and legible.
- Explain the construction of power semiconductor devices, their principle of operation, and their suitability for various switching functions
- Analyse variable speed motor drives and controllers for different types of electric motors and evaluate their performances
- Communication
- Problem Solving
- Critical Thinking
- Information Technology Competence
2 In-class Test(s)
This individual analysis and design based test helps to prepare you for the end of term Online Test.
The unit content from Weeks 5 to 9 will be tested in this Mid-Term test.
Individual work is mandatory. None of your steps or solutions may be discussed or divulged to a fellow student.
Please refer to the CQU plagiarism policy - a signed cover page declaring individual work is required.
The Test questions will be released on the unit website on the day.
To prevent electronic plagiarism, typed submissions are not acceptable. Students should scan clear and legible hand written work for online submission as a PDF file.
AI ASSESSMENT SCALE - NO AI
This assessment must be completed without the use of AI tools such as ChatGPT, Copilot, or other generative
technologies, even if completed outside a controlled environment.
However, students may use basic search, grammar and spelling aids, provided these tools do not assist with analysis or
generating content.
Week 9 Tuesday (20 Jan 2026) 9:00 am AEST
To be conducted during Res School. Hand-written work should be submitted on paper.
Week 11 Friday (6 Feb 2026)
It is endeavoured to provide feedback within 2 weeks of submission.
Marks will be allocated for the followings:
- Application of theoretical fundamentals.
- Correct theory or method deployed to analyse and/or design power electronic circuitry where applicable.
- Correct circuit diagrams/schematics and relevant input/output waveforms.
- Correct mathematical working and correct answers.
- All work and intermediate steps must be shown with justification of steps taken.
- Assignments must be tidy and legible.
- Compare and select power electronic components, converters, and drives for renewable energy integration and electric vehicles
- Analyse and model the operation of single-phase and three-phase power electronic circuits, including alternating current (AC) to direct current (DC), AC to AC, DC to DC, and DC to AC topologies
- Communication
- Problem Solving
- Critical Thinking
- Information Technology Competence
- Ethical practice
3 Practical and Written Assessment
Laboratory sessions are to be held during Residential School, currently only on the ROCKHAMPTON campus. Refer to the Handbook for dates.
This assessment item consists of a series of laboratory experiments on plug-and-play power electronic circuits and drives.
Teams of 2 students should be formed, and only ONE combined report needs to be submitted by BOTH students.
Each student should submit a personal signed cover page declaring the team work done, specifying the other team member's name.
Each heading of the report should show the responsible team member's name in brackets.
Team reports must be professional and typed, including references.
Photographic evidence is required to prove that the various circuits were constructed and measurements were obtained - for this reason it is required that a team member's hand or fingers be included in all your photographs as a 'signature'.
Laboratories are compulsory and all students must attend and pass all laboratory assessments in order to pass the unit.
Detailed explanations of these experiments and how to carry them out will be posted on the unit website at the start of the term.
AI ASSESSMENT SCALE - NO AI
This assessment must be completed without the use of AI tools such as ChatGPT, Copilot, or other generative
technologies, even if completed outside a controlled environment.
However, students may use basic search, grammar and spelling aids, provided these tools do not assist with analysis or
generating content.
Week 11 Thursday (5 Feb 2026) 11:00 pm AEST
Each student should submit a .PDF copy of their combined 2-person professional team report.
Week 12 Friday (13 Feb 2026)
It is endeavoured to provide feedback within 2 weeks of submission.
Laboratory Exercise Reports will be graded using the following criteria:
- Correct description of laboratory concepts and procedures;
- Correct calculations, analysis and thinking;
- Photographic evidence that circuits were constructed by the team;
- Correct measurements, answers and units;
- Photographic and other evidence that correct results / measurements were obtained by the team;
- Discussion and understanding of laboratory results;
- Team reports must be professional and typed, including references;
- All laboratory exercises must be attempted.
- Compare and select power electronic components, converters, and drives for renewable energy integration and electric vehicles
- Analyse and model the operation of single-phase and three-phase power electronic circuits, including alternating current (AC) to direct current (DC), AC to AC, DC to DC, and DC to AC topologies
- Work collaboratively and autonomously, and communicate professionally using power electronics terminology in presenting your solutions.
- Communication
- Problem Solving
- Critical Thinking
- Team Work
- Information Technology Competence
- Ethical practice
4 Take Home Exam
The End of Term Online Test will be released via Moodle on the day (timetable to be published towards the end of term).
This will be an 'open resource' exam including the internet, but you will be required to sign a declaration of individual work done.
No contact is allowed with fellow students or any person proficient in the field, i.e. neither virtual contact via the Moodle forums, nor using any communications technology to exchange information etc.
Late penalties will be deducted at 20% per hour (or proportional part).
Questions during the test period will be taken via email/phone and where necessary, responses will be sent out to everyone via forums.
AI ASSESSMENT SCALE - NO AI
This assessment must be completed without the use of AI tools such as ChatGPT, Copilot, or other generative
technologies, even if completed outside a controlled environment.
However, students may use basic search, grammar and spelling aids, provided these tools do not assist with analysis or
generating content.
The Final Online Test takes place during the exam period, exact date to be published on the unit website
CQU does not require detailed feedback when End of Term Online Test papers are marked. Final grades will only be official after the confirmation of grades.
Marks will be allocated for the followings:
- Application of theoretical fundamentals.
- Correct theory or method deployed to analyse and/or design power electronic circuitry where applicable.
- Correct circuit diagrams/schematics and relevant input/output waveforms.
- Correct mathematical working and correct answers.
- All work and intermediate steps must be shown with justification of steps taken.
- Work must be tidy and legible.
- Explain the construction of power semiconductor devices, their principle of operation, and their suitability for various switching functions
- Analyse and model the operation of single-phase and three-phase power electronic circuits, including alternating current (AC) to direct current (DC), AC to AC, DC to DC, and DC to AC topologies
- Analyse variable speed motor drives and controllers for different types of electric motors and evaluate their performances
- Communication
- Problem Solving
- Critical Thinking
- Information Technology Competence
As a CQUniversity student you are expected to act honestly in all aspects of your academic work.
Any assessable work undertaken or submitted for review or assessment must be your own work. Assessable work is any type of work you do to meet the assessment requirements in the unit, including draft work submitted for review and feedback and final work to be assessed.
When you use the ideas, words or data of others in your assessment, you must thoroughly and clearly acknowledge the source of this information by using the correct referencing style for your unit. Using others’ work without proper acknowledgement may be considered a form of intellectual dishonesty.
Participating honestly, respectfully, responsibly, and fairly in your university study ensures the CQUniversity qualification you earn will be valued as a true indication of your individual academic achievement and will continue to receive the respect and recognition it deserves.
As a student, you are responsible for reading and following CQUniversity’s policies, including the Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure. This policy sets out CQUniversity’s expectations of you to act with integrity, examples of academic integrity breaches to avoid, the processes used to address alleged breaches of academic integrity, and potential penalties.
What is a breach of academic integrity?
A breach of academic integrity includes but is not limited to plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, cheating, contract cheating, and academic misconduct. The Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure defines what these terms mean and gives examples.
Why is academic integrity important?
A breach of academic integrity may result in one or more penalties, including suspension or even expulsion from the University. It can also have negative implications for student visas and future enrolment at CQUniversity or elsewhere. Students who engage in contract cheating also risk being blackmailed by contract cheating services.
Where can I get assistance?
For academic advice and guidance, the Academic Learning Centre (ALC) can support you in becoming confident in completing assessments with integrity and of high standard.
What can you do to act with integrity?
