The Power Electronics Laboratory

POWER ELECTRONICS LABORATORY

The Power Electronics Laboratory is where theory meets innovation. Here, students and researchers design and test the electronic systems that power tomorrow’s world — from renewable energy grids and electric vehicles to industrial automation and smart devices.

More than just a workspace, the lab offers a hands-on journey: analysing high-speed switching devices, simulating real-world energy systems, and building circuits that drive motors, charge batteries, and optimise efficiency. Whether through cutting-edge simulation tools like MATLAB and PSIM or hardware experiments with advanced gate drivers and power modules, the lab transforms classroom knowledge into practical expertise.

WHY IT MATTERS

Energy is the backbone of every modern technology. The lab bridges theory and practice, empowering students and researchers to:

  • Understand and analyse switching devices such as MOSFETs, IGBTs, and SCRs.
  • Compare real-world device behaviour with theoretical predictions.
  • Design, simulate, and test circuits for renewable energy, EVs, and automation.
  • Develop expertise in hardware implementation, simulation, and advanced measurement techniques.

HANDS-ON LEARNING

In this lab, learning goes beyond textbooks:

  • Circuit design & fabrication – build and optimise converters, inverters, and controllers.
  • Cutting-edge instrumentation – use oscilloscopes, DSOs, and power analysers to measure high-frequency and high-voltage systems.
  • Practical engineering – apply gate driver circuits, cooling systems, and protection circuits.
  • Simulation practice – master MATLAB/Simulink, PSIM, and PSpice to predict and refine real-world behaviour.

INDUSTRY RELEVANCE

The skills built here are directly aligned with industry needs, preparing graduates for careers in:

  • Electric vehicle drive systems
  • Renewable energy and grid integration
  • UPS and inverter design
  • Motor drives and industrial automation
  • Power supply design and efficiency optimisation
  • Gain exposure to EMI mitigation, thermal management

LABORATORY FACILITIES

The lab is equipped with tools for exploration, innovation, and research.

Power and Devices

  • DC & AC power supplies (single-phase & three-phase, programmable, variable).
  • Power semiconductor modules: MOSFETs, IGBTs, SCRs, TRIACs, diode bridges.
  • Converter & inverter kits: buck, boost, rectifiers, voltage controllers, full/half-bridge inverters.

Motor and Drive Systems

  • DC motors with torque and speed sensors.
  • Induction motors (single-phase & three-phase).
  • BLDC motor kits for advanced experiments.

Measurement and Control

  • Oscilloscopes and DSOs (50–100 MHz+).
  • Voltage/current probes, RMS multimeters, clamp meters.
  • Power analysers, tachometers, and LCR meters.
  • DSP and microcontroller boards (TI C2000, Arduino, STM32).
  • MATLAB/Simulink, PSIM, PSpice simulation platforms.

Safety and Prototyping

  • Isolation transformers, circuit breakers, emergency cut-offs.
  • Insulated benches, safety covers, soldering and PCB prototyping kits.

RESEARCH CAPABILITIES

The laboratory is a research hub, enabling advanced experiments in:

  • Solar PV emulation and MPPT testing.
  • Grid-connected inverter systems.
  • Battery charging/discharging and energy storage studies.
  • Electric vehicle drive emulation and testing.

PARTNERSHIPS AND COLLABORATIONS

The lab maintains strong industry partnerships and academic collaborations that keep it at the forefront of innovation. Its industry links include MG Motors India and Foxconn, while its academic tie-ups extend to prestigious institutions such as IIT Delhi, IISc Bangalore, NIT Rourkela, Jadavpur University, and Aalto University in Finland.

COURSES SUPPORTED

  • Power Electronics and Machine Drives
  • EV Converter and Powertrain

RESEARCH PROJECTS

Title: Development of GaN-FET based high efficiency bidirectional DC-DC Converter with zero input current ripple for PV application.

Funded by SERB from Dec 2021 to Dec 2024. 18.3 Lakhs.