Grainger Power Electronics Laboratory

There is a rapidly growing demand towards power electronic converters/systems in different high-tech applications. These applications include the well-known switching power supplies, personal computers, UPS systems, modern industrial automation systems, home appliances, and flexible AC transmission systems. They will also include some less well-known applications such as robotics, telecommunication systems, electronic drives, VLSI, active filters, computerized control systems, electric and hybrid electric vehicles, and cordless drives.

The impetus towards this expansion of power electronics has been provided by recent advancements in the areas of semiconductor switching devices, control electronics, and
advanced microcontrollers and Digital Signal Processors (DSP). In fact, these advancements facilitate high-tech applications and enable the introduction of power electronic converters with highest performance, maximum efficiency, and minimum volume and weight.

At the Illinois Institute of Technology, in order to provide state of the art courses and laboratories in electrical and computer engineering, we have established Power Electronics Laboratory with the support of a generous gift from the Grainger Foundation which is gratefully acknowledged. Facilities of this laboratory are advanced specialized experimental teaching setups for undergraduate power electronics programs. Therefore, this laboratory is one of the best-equipped and most advanced labs for undergraduate teaching purposes in the nation. In fact, few universities have equipment of this sophistication for their teaching laboratories.

This lab consists of eleven experiments and one simulation mini-project. The laboratory experiments give simple practical introduction to operation and control of electronic
switching circuits. They are done in groups of three students. Each student submits one lab report. Lab manual is designed in a way that allows students to finish their lab reports during
each lab session by simply filling out tables and sketching waveforms while they are doing the experiment. They also answer some questions in the lab manual.

This lab assumes that the student is familiar with general circuit analysis techniques. Therefore, it is appropriate for junior- or senior-level undergraduate electrical engineering
and computer engineering students. It is also recommended as an elective course for all ECE students.

Laboratories

Grainger Power Electronics Laboratory.