Power Electronics Fundamentals Skills Bootcamp

You will explore DC-DC, DC-AC, AC-DC, AC-AC conversion methods and the converters used for this electric power conversion. Practical applications in industries, automotive, and renewable energy systems are emphasised, ensuring that you can apply theoretical concepts to real-world scenarios.

Week 1

• Introduction to Electric Power Conversion
• Power Electronics versus Linear Electronics
• Classification, Scope, and Applications
• Inductors and Capacitors

Week 2

• Introduction to Basic Electrical and Magnetic Circuit Concepts
• Electric Circuits
• Magnetic Circuits

Week 3

• Physics and properties of semiconductors
• Semiconductor materials—Introduction
• Semiconductor devices processing and fabrication
• P-N junction theory & Avalanche Breakdown
• Diodes & Power Diodes

Week 4

• Semiconductor Devices
• Bipolar Junction Transistors
• Thyristors & Gate Tum-Off Thyristors
• Power MOSFETs
• Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistors

Week 5

• Generic Power Electronic Circuits: AC-DC Conversion (uncontrolled)
• Diode Rectifiers - Introduction
• Single-Phase Diode Bridge Rectifiers
• Three-Phase Diode Rectifiers
• Comparison of Single-Phase and Three-Phase Rectifiers

Week 6

• Generic Power Electronic Circuits: AC-DC Conversion (controlled)
• Phase-Controlled Rectifiers - Introduction
• Thyristor Circuits and their Control
• Single-Phase Converters
• Three-Phase Converters

Week 7

• Introduction to Generic Power Electronic Circuits: DC-DC Conversion
• Step-Down (Buck) Converter
• Step-Up (Boost) Converter
• Other DC-DC converters & Introduction to PWM techniques

Week 8

• Generic Power Electronic Circuits: DC-AC Conversion
• Switch-Mode DC- AC Inverters - Introduction
• Single-Phase Inverters
• Three-Phase Inverters
• Other Inverter Switching Schemes

Week 9

• Generic Power Electronic Circuits: AC-AC Conversion
• Phase-Controlled Single-Phase AC Voltage Controller
• Phase-Controlled Three-Phase AC Voltage Controllers
• Other AC- AC Conversion
• Applications of AC- AC Converters

Week 10

• Applications of Power Electronics
• Residential and Industrial Applications
• Electric Utility Applications
• Solar And Wind Renewable Energy Systems
• Electric and Hybrid Electric Vehicles

We regularly review our course content, to make it relevant and current for the benefit of our students. For these reasons, course modules may be updated.

This course is delivered online Monday to Thursday 6pm to 8pm offering you the opportunity to study from home and around other commitments. Skills Bootcamps are flexible courses that can allow you to build up valuable sector-specific skills based on local employer demand and can provide a direct path to a job on completion.

Our experienced academic staff will provide engaging and stimulating class sessions, bringing in their industry technical experience and research to the virtual classroom.

Throughout this course, you can expect up to 80 hours of learning activities, made up of online teaching and independent learning. Additionally, you will be expected to undertake significant self-directed study of approximately 120 hours, depending on the demands of individual modules. 

As an innovative university, we use different teaching methods including online tools and emerging technologies. So, some of your teaching hours and assessments may be delivered online.

You do not need any qualifications but will need to meet eligibility criteria and entry requirements as highlighted below.

Entry Requirements

To be eligible to join this course you must meet all the following criteria. You must:

• Be aged 19 or older.
• Live or work in the West Midlands Combined Authority area.
• Live in England.
• Have the right to work in the UK. This can be checked on the Government website.
• Meet residency requirements - applicants should be UK nationals or other persons with a right to live and work in the UK without any immigration restrictions who have been ordinarily resident in the UK, or the British Overseas Territories, or the Crown Dependencies (Channel Islands and Isle of Man) for at least the previous 3 years on the first day of learning.
  For more information on the residency criteria, please refer to AEB Funding Rules page.
• Not have already taken any accredited Power Electronics Fundamentals training.
• Not be currently enrolled in an apprenticeship or programme funded from the Adult Education Budget.
• Agree to provide mandatory personal data and supplementary information on their employment outcomes for up to 8 months following completion of the Skills Bootcamp.
• All Independent Learners (not co-funded by their employer, and not self-employed) are expected to progress on to a guaranteed job interview upon the completion of the Skills Bootcamp. This should be a genuine vacancy related to the skills gained through the Skills Bootcamp and the job must be expected to last at least 12 weeks.
• Independent Learner, who are currently in employment, are required to confirm that they intend to change employer if offered a suitable role following interview. A learner declaration will be provided if your application is successful.

You must also be either:

• unemployed within the last 12 months, or
• career changers/returners/redeployed, or
• self-employed/employed.

In addition to the criteria outlined above, you will need to meet the following minimum requirements to apply successfully for the Power Electronics Fundamentals Skills Bootcamp:

• You should be available to attend and complete the course.
• You must have an appropriate standard of English so that you can access relevant resources and complete the course which will be determined during the application process.
• You will need to demonstrate you do not already have the Knowledge Skills and Behaviours which will be taught as part of this Skills Bootcamp.

Required equipment:

• Access to a computer with sufficient RAM and memory to support study.
• Microphone, speakers and web camera.
• Office suite, such as Microsoft Office.
• Internet connection.

Computer or software specifications

• 250GB hard drive or higher.
• 8GB RAM or higher.
• 2.0GHz Intel or AMD processor.
• Windows 10 or MAC OS 10.10 or later.
• Browser: Google Chrome 96, Firefox 48, Safari 11 or later.
• Anti-virus software.

Courses are fully funded by the Government for independent learners (individuals not being co-funded by their employer). Where an employer is training an existing employee, they must contribute to the cost of the course. For small or medium sized enterprise: £440 and large sized enterprise: £1320. Please contact CUSkillsBootcamp@cusltd.co.uk for more information.

Fees are subject to annual review and change each year due to inflation (this would usually result in a nominal increase in line with consumer retail price index figures released by the UK Office for National Statistics) and/or as a result of funder requirements.

Facilities are subject to availability. Access to some facilities (including some teaching and learning spaces) may vary from those advertised and/or may have reduced availability or restrictions where the university is following public authority guidance, decisions or orders.

Places are limited and will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis to eligible applicants. Please note that individuals are only eligible to participate in one Skills Bootcamp per financial year and must not be on more than one Skills Bootcamp at any one time, but you can apply for multiple Skills Bootcamps.

To apply please complete all steps below:

1. Familiarise yourself with the Skills Bootcamp Privacy & Cookie Notice (combined).pdf
2. Review the Learner Declaration as you will be required to sign it as part of your online application form.
3. Complete the application.
4. Prepare documents to evidence your identity and age, current address, residency and right to work in the UK. The acceptable forms of ID and documentation to evidence all the above are below:

• • Identity and age - Valid passport. A photo driving licence. A proof of age card such as the PASS card from the national Proof of Age Standards Scheme.
  • Current address - Valid UK driving licence. Recent utility bill (gas, electricity, water, or landline phone) Council tax bill. Recent credit card or bank statement.
  • Continuous residency - Documentary evidence of continuous residence in the UK – find a list of accepted documents here.
  • Right to work in the UK:
    
    • If you are British and hold UK or Irish Citizen passport or Irish passport card your will not need to provide any additional evidence for this. Right to work share code.
    • If you are required to hold a Visa to work in the UK you will be asked to evidence of your right to work in the UK with a "right to work share code". If possible, please obtain this code before submitting your application via the government website.

If you are not satisfied with any aspect of your Skills Bootcamp and wish to raise a complaint you should do so in the first instance with Coventry University by completing the CU Coventry complaints form, with full details of your issue. If you are not satisfied with how your complaint has been dealt with you may write to DfE through their Whistleblowing and complaints process. Complaints +44(0)37 0000 2288; Whistleblowing advice line on +44(0)80 0028 0285.

Whistleblowing involves entering a 'whistleblowing' webform on the 'Contact the Department for Education' page.

Whistleblowing submissions for Skills Bootcamps must be clearly marked 'Skills Bootcamps'. They will be submitted via the DfE's whistleblowing submission process and will be escalated to the DfE Skills Bootcamps policy team for response.

On successful completion of the course you will gain knowledge about power electronic devices and semiconductor materials, and electrical power conversion. You will understand multiple converter topologies, their design, and the applications. You will be able to design and select a converter based on the application and the power requirements and will also learn about basic semiconductor manufacturing techniques. You can use these learnings to find a suitable job in sectors employing energy conversion and power semiconductor devices.

• Access to Higher Education
• Apprenticeships
• Higher Technical Qualifications

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