Students are familiar with the special features of electrical measurement technology for the development and testing of power electronic circuits. The rules for the safe handling of high voltages and high currents for the protection of persons and equipment are always followed.
They understand the electronic circuit and the function of the components, can estimate the measurement results and disturbing influences and judge the results with regard to plausibility. They are also able to select suitable measuring equipment and specify error limits.
They can independently develop and apply a methodology to perform the required measurements on power electronic components and circuits and to obtain meaningful results. They understand how the measured variables required for internal control and regulation of power electronic circuits are recorded by sensors and processed as electrical signals.
Furthermore, they master the handling of the measuring instruments and use their features for advanced signal processing.

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• Safety when working on high-voltage parts, personal protection, recognition of error scenarios and prevention of consequential damage
• Planning a series of measurements and handling the oscilloscope, differential probes, current probes, signal generators. Practical application of potential separation as a protective measure.
• Properties and parameters of passive power components. Limit values (current, voltage, power), ideal vs. real behaviour, measurement of the saturation behaviour of power chokes and the magnetic coupling of transformers.
• Properties and parameters of semiconductor (active) power devices. Limit values (current, voltage, power, safe operating area (SOA), maximum slew rates of voltage, current). Measurements on power diodes and power transistors of switched mode power supplies, plausibility of the measurement results under the influence of high common mode voltages and high voltage-current slew rates.
• Measurements on linear power amplifiers in 2- and 4-quadrant operation (complex load). Accuracy of measurement of active, reactive and apparent power at different frequencies. Determination of the power dissipation of the power semiconductors used.
• Measurements on switch-mode power amplifiers (half-bridge, e.g. as part of a three-phase motor control). Accuracy of measurement of active, reactive and apparent power at different frequencies. Influence of the bandwidth of the measuring devices on the accuracy of the measurement results.
• Efficiency measurements on linear and switch-mode power stages. Investigation of thermal stability and effect of heating on efficiency.
• Observation of the static and transient thermal behaviour of power semiconductors. Calculation and measurement of the junction tempe­rature of power semiconductors under different operating conditions.

Course materials as provided before the lab exercises (required)
Baliga B. Jayant "Fundamentals of Power Semiconductor Devices", 2nd ed., Springer, 2019
Webster, J. G., "The Measurement, Instrumentation and Sensors Handbook", Springer, 1999

- Lecture at the beginning of each exercise unit
- Measurements in the laboratory
- protocols, seminar papers and presentation (group work)
- Discussions within groups, moderated by the lecturers.

Immanent examination character:
At the beginning of an exercise unit, the teaching objectives and criteria for the assessment of performance are announced. These criteria consist mainly of the subject requirements, supplemented by a meaningful presentation of the results and a formally correct design of the minutes.
Each exercise unit will be assessed methodically via written examination of the preparation, practical work in the laboratory, presentation of the results (lecture), written protocol and possible oral examination interview.
The practical knowledge of working in the laboratory is checked during the laboratory work on the measuring instruments and test objects.