A proposal to start training students in power electronics for experimental activities

This article presents the proposition, application, and results of a graduate course focusedon practical aspects of developing converters and applications in Power Electronics. Theinitial motivation behind the initiative was to mitigate the loss of laboratory experienceresulting from the closure of laboratories or restrictions on shared access imposed by theCOVID-19 pandemic, resulting in the breakdown of the synergistic experience that character-izes practical activities in the research environment. Over time, it was realized that the lackof practical experience in power electronics activities was related to structural issues in thetraining of engineers, and the pandemic worsened the situation. This signaled that thecourse could and should be offered regularly. Five themes were focused on topologies,power devices, passive devices, electromagnetic compatibility, thermal design, and electronicand control circuits. The activities included theoretical classes, laboratory classes, technicalvisits, and simulation exercises, ending with a final project. At the end of the course, anevaluation process with the students made it possible to verify a significant gain in know-ledge in the different topics covered, especially in topics less emphasized in traditionalcourses, such as magnetics components design, printed circuit board development, thermalanalysis, and EMC aspects.