A modular power electronics protoboard for didactic applications

Over ten years ago, the first laboratory course on Power Electronics was introduced in the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ). The course was conceived in conjunction with the development of a small, but consistent set of modules, which have been designed with the aim of making it easier to implement many different converter functions. After a decade of successful use, this conception has been proving so far to be very effective and versatile, that it motivated the effort for updating and improving the initial testbed. Undergraduate and graduated students have developed a variety of experiments using these modules. The whole material has evolved to a tool for interdisciplinary work on many subjects, such as: power electronics, electrical motor drives and digital control. An overview of ways to use this teaching tool is presented in this paper, along with a discussion about perspectives for the next years.