CQUniversity Unit Profile
ENAX12001 Power Electronics Applications
Power Electronics Applications
All details in this unit profile for ENAX12001 have been officially approved by CQUniversity and represent a learning partnership between the University and you (our student).
The information will not be changed unless absolutely necessary and any change will be clearly indicated by an approved correction included in the profile.
General Information

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

Career Level: Undergraduate
Unit Level: Level 2
Credit Points: 6
Student Contribution Band: 8
Fraction of Full-Time Student Load: 0.125

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

Mixed Mode

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).

Class and Assessment Overview

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

Bundaberg, Cairns, Emerald, Gladstone, Mackay, Rockhampton, Townsville
Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth, Sydney

Assessment Overview

1. Written Assessment
Weighting: 20%
2. In-class Test(s)
Weighting: 20%
3. Practical and Written Assessment
Weighting: 20%
4. Take Home Exam
Weighting: 40%

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.

Previous Student Feedback

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

Feedback

The student appreciated the current delivery style.

Recommendation

Current delivery style should be continued.

Feedback from UC reflection

Feedback

The student preferred to have additional support to complete the laboratory exercises.

Recommendation

Additional support should be provided to complete laboratory exercises.

Unit Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
  1. Explain the construction of power semiconductor devices, their principle of operation, and their suitability for various switching functions
  2. Compare and select power electronic components, converters, and drives for renewable energy integration and electric vehicles
  3. 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
  4. Analyse variable speed motor drives and controllers for different types of electric motors and evaluate their performances
  5. 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
1.2 Conceptual understanding of the mathematics, numerical analysis, statistics, and computer and information sciences which underpin the engineering discipline. (LO: 1N 2N 3I 4I 5I )
1.4 Discernment of knowledge development and research directions within the engineering discipline. (LO: 1N 2I 3I 4I 5I )
1.5 Knowledge of engineering design practice and contextual factors impacting the engineering discipline. (LO: 2I 3I 4I 5I )
2.4 Application of systematic approaches to the conduct and management of engineering projects. (LO: 3I 4I 5I )
3.1 Ethical conduct and professional accountability. (LO: 1N 2I 4I )
3.2 Effective oral and written communication in professional and lay domains. (LO: 1N 2I 3I 4I 5I )
3.3 Creative, innovative and pro-active demeanour. (LO: 1N 2I 3I 4I 5I )
3.4 Professional use and management of information. (LO: 1N 2I 3I 4I 5I )
3.5 Orderly management of self, and professional conduct. (LO: 1I 2I 3I 4I 5I )

Advanced
1.1 Comprehensive, theory-based understanding of the underpinning natural and physical sciences and the engineering fundamentals applicable to the engineering discipline. (LO: 1N 2I 3A 4A 5I )
1.3 In-depth understanding of specialist bodies of knowledge within the engineering discipline. (LO: 1N 2I 3A 4A 5I )
1.6 Understanding of the scope, principles, norms, accountabilities and bounds of sustainable engineering practice in the specific discipline. (LO: 2A 3A 4A )
2.1 Application of established engineering methods to complex engineering problem solving. (LO: 1I 2I 3A 4A 5I )
2.2 Fluent application of engineering techniques, tools and resources. (LO: 1I 2I 3A 4A 5A )
2.3 Application of systematic engineering synthesis and design processes. (LO: 1I 2I 3A 4A 5A )
3.6 Effective team membership and team leadership. (LO: 3A 4A 5A )

Note: LO refers to the Learning Outcome number(s) which link to the competency and the levels: N – Introductory, I – Intermediate and A - Advanced.
Refer to the Engineering Undergraduate Course Moodle site for further information on the Engineers Australia's Stage 1 Competency Standard for Professional Engineers and course level mapping information
https://moodle.cqu.edu.au/course/view.php?id=1511

Alignment of Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Graduate Attributes
N/A Level
Introductory Level
Intermediate Level
Graduate Level
Professional Level
Advanced Level

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 and Resources

Information for Textbooks and Resources has not been released yet.

This information will be available on Monday 20 October 2025
Academic Integrity Statement

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?