Power Electronics Lab: Converging Knowledge and Technologies

This paper presents some of the experimental activities of the Power Electronics discipline of the School of Electrical and Computer Engineering of the University of Campinas, in Brazil. Simulation is a powerful tool to help the analysis of real circuits since the simulation and experimental results have a strong correlation. The course proposes seven experimental setups, covering the four basic converters: ACDC, AC-AC, DC-DC and DC-AC. Together with the topologies analysis, typical applications are explored: DC and AC motor speed control, temperature control, UPS, etc. This scenario implies a close collaboration among other disciplines, as control, analog electronics, electric machines, etc. Two of the experiments are discussed to shown the basis of the course, integrating simulation and practical circuits and applications.