Magnetics for Power Electronic Converters (Coursera)

Magnetics for Power Electronic Converters (Coursera)

This course covers the analysis and design of magnetic components, including inductors and transformers, used in power electronic converters. The course starts with an introduction to physical principles behind inductors and transformers, including the concepts of inductance, core material saturation, airgap and energy storage in inductors, reluctance and magnetic circuit modeling, transformer equivalent circuits, magnetizing and leakage inductance.

Class Deals by MOOC List - Click here and see Coursera's Active Discounts, Deals, and Promo Codes.

Multi-winding transformer models are also developed, including inductance matrix representation, for series and parallel structures. Modeling of losses in magnetic components covers core and winding losses, including skin and proximity effects. Finally, a complete procedure is developed for design optimization of inductors in switched-mode power converters.
After completing this course, you will:

  • Understand the fundamentals of magnetic components, including inductors and transformers
  • Be able to analyze and model losses in magnetic components, and understand design trade-offs
  • Know how to design and optimize inductors for switched-mode power converters

This course assumes ONLY prior completion of Introduction to Power Electronics and Converter Circuits.
What You Will Learn
-Understand the fundamentals of magnetic components, including inductors and transformers

  • Analyze and model losses in magnetic components, and understand design trade-offs
  • Design and optimize inductors and transformers for switched-mode power converters

Course 4 of 4 in the Power Electronics Specialization.

Course Syllabus

WEEK 1
Basic Magnetics
Magnetics are an integral part of every switching converter. Often, the design of the magnetic devices cannot be isolated from the converter design. The power electronics engineer must not only model and design the converter, but must model and design the magnetics as well. Modeling and design of magnetics for switching converters is the topic of this course. In this module, basic magnetics theory is reviewed, including magnetic circuits, inductor modeling, and transformer modeling. This provides the technical tools needed in the remainder of the course to understand operation of magnetic devices, model their losses, and design magnetic devices for switching converters.

WEEK 2
AC Copper Losses
Eddy currents also cause power losses in winding conductors. This can lead to copper losses significantly in excess of the value predicted by the dc winding resistance. The specific conductor eddy current mechanisms are called the "skin effect" and the "proximity effect". These effects are most pronounced in high-current conductors of multilayer windings, particularly in high-frequency converters. This module explains these physical mechanisms and provides practical methods to compute these losses.

WEEK 3
Inductor Design
The goal of this chapter is to design inductors for switching converters. Specifically, magnetic elements such as filter inductors are designed using the Geometric Constant (Kg) method. The maximum flux density Bmax is specified in advance, and the element is designed to attain a given copper loss. Both single-winding inductors and multiple-winding elements such as coupled inductors and flyback transformers are considered.

WEEK 4
Transformer Design
In a substantial class of magnetic applications, the operating flux density is limited by core loss rather than saturation. For example, in a conventional high-frequency transformer, usually it is necessary to limit the core loss by operating at a reduced value of the peak ac flux density. Hence, design of core-loss-limited magnetic devices is characterized by finding the ac flux density that minimizes total core plus copper loss.This module considers the design of transformers and ac inductors for switching converters, including minimization of total loss. Design examples include the isolation transformers of a full bridge two-output converter and of an isolated Cuk converter.

Go to Class
MOOC List is learner-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Related Courses

Quantitative Methods (Coursera) Coursera
University of Amsterdam

Quantitative Methods (Coursera)

Discover the principles of solid scientific methods in the behavioral and social sciences. Join us and learn to separate sloppy science from solid research! This course will cover the fundamental principles of science, some history and philosophy of science, research designs, measurement, sampling and ethics. The course is comparable to a university level introductory course on quantitative research methods in the social sciences, but has a strong focus on research integrity. We will use examples from sociology, political sciences, educational sciences, communication sciences and psychology.

Aug 17th 2026
5-12 Weeks
Introduction to Power Semiconductor Switches (Coursera) Coursera
University of Colorado Boulder

Introduction to Power Semiconductor Switches (Coursera)

This course can also be taken for academic credit as ECEA 5721, part of CU Boulder’s Master of Science in Electrical Engineering. This course is primarily aimed at first year graduate students interested in engineering or science, along with professionals with an interest in power electronics and semiconductor devices .

Aug 3rd 2026
4 Weeks
Foundations of Microgrids (edX) EdX
University of Alaska Fairbanks,AlaskaX

Foundations of Microgrids (edX)

A foundational course on microgrid systems design with an emphasis on community-based projects and non-grid connected remote systems. The electric grid of the future will need to be more resilient, decentralized, and capable of integrating more distributed energy resources including on-site renewable energy technologies, energy storage and even electric vehicle (EV) charging. Microgrids are an important building block in designing this sustainable grid architecture of the future. This course covers fundamental concepts of microgrid design from a community-centric perspective and emphasizes a holistic approach to energy systems management.

Self Paced
Self-Paced
Introduction to Electromagnetism (saylor.org) Saylor Academy
Saylor.org

Introduction to Electromagnetism (saylor.org)

The physics of the universe appears to be dominated by the effects of four fundamental forces: gravity, electromagnetism, weak nuclear forces, and strong nuclear forces. These forces control how matter, energy, space, and time interact to produce our physical world. All other forces, such as the force you exert in standing up, are ultimately derived from these fundamental forces.

Self Paced
Self-Paced
Electricity and Magnetism: Maxwell’s Equations (edX) EdX
MIT,MITx

Electricity and Magnetism: Maxwell’s Equations (edX)

In this final part of 8.02, we will cover Faraday’s Law, Circuits with Inductors, Maxwell’s equations, and electromagnetic radiation. This introductory Electromagnetism physics course will require the use of calculus. Electricity and Magnetism dominate much of the world around us – from the most fundamental processes in nature to cutting edge electronic devices.

Self Paced
Self-Paced
Geographical Information Systems - Part 1 (Coursera) Coursera
École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne

Geographical Information Systems - Part 1 (Coursera)

This course is organized into two parts presenting the theoretical and practical foundations of geographic information systems (GIS). Together theses courses constitute an introduction to GIS and require no prior knowledge. By following this introduction to GIS you will quickly acquire the basic knowledge required to create spatial databases and produce high-quality maps and cartographic representations. This is a practical course and is based on free, open-source software, including QGIS.

Aug 17th 2026
5-12 Weeks
MV Substation - An industrial approach (PART-A) (Coursera) Coursera
L&T EduTech

MV Substation - An industrial approach (PART-A) (Coursera)

This tailor-made certificate course on MV Substation Engineering is curated by the Subject Matter Experts and practitioners of L&T, and is structured pragmatically to help the learner understand the industry practices in carrying out the engineering for substations and selection of various substation equipment in accordance with Indian & International Standards. In addition, it covers the electrical safety rules, safe operating procedures and an overview of maintenance practices to give a holistic understanding of the subject.

Aug 3rd 2026
5-12 Weeks
Converter Circuits (Coursera) Coursera
University of Colorado Boulder

Converter Circuits (Coursera)

This course introduces more advanced concepts of switched-mode converter circuits. Realization of the power semiconductors in inverters or in converters having bidirectional power flow is explained. Power diodes, power MOSFETs, and IGBTs are explained, along with the origins of their switching times. Equivalent circuit models are refined to include the effects of switching loss. The discontinuous conduction mode is described and analyzed. A number of well-known converter circuit topologies are explored, including those with transformer isolation.

Aug 17th 2026
4 Weeks
Modeling and Control of Single-Phase Rectifiers and Inverters (Coursera) Coursera
University of Colorado Boulder

Modeling and Control of Single-Phase Rectifiers and Inverters (Coursera)

This is Course #5 in the Modeling and Control of Power Electronics Specialization. The course is focused on modeling and control of grid-tied power electronics. Upon completion of the course, you will be able to understand, analyze, model, and design low-harmonic rectifiers and inverters interfacing dc loads or dc power sources, such as photovoltaic arrays, to the single-phase ac power grid.

Aug 3rd 2026
3 Weeks