Vehicle Electrification Systems Standards: DC-DC Converter Systems

Vehicle Electrification Systems Standards Curriculum Description:

The Vehicle Electrification Systems Standards curriculum is provided by the Northwest Engineering and Vehicle Exchange (NEVTEX) and developed by Central Oregon Community College (COCC) and Rio Hondo College (RHC). COCC and RHC worked together "to develop curriculum and training standards for technicians in hybrid electric vehicle (HEV), electric vehicle (EV), and Fuel Cell (FC) vehicle systems." This curriculum was developed with the intention of addressing industry needs by partnering with industrial and educational representatives to obtain input and assistance to develop:

1. new approaches to prepare an advanced technologies workforce,
2. licensure procedures and policies to ensure the safety of technicians, their employers, and clients, and
3. collaboration between educational and industrial partners in the development of new standards and practices.

The Vehicle Electrification Systems Standards are divided into 11 topics. This section of the standards covers the topic DC-DC converter systems. The other 10 topics and a Master Acronym and Definition list are available to view separately.

DC-DC Converter Systems Description and Contents:

This section of the Standards includes the following five lesson plans: VIII. a - Acronyms and Definitions; VIII. b - Overview of DC-DC Converter Systems; VIII. c - DC-DC Converter Components; VIII. d - DC-DC Converter Operation; VIII. e - DC-DC Converter Diagnostics and Service. Each lesson plan covers different aspects of DC-DC converter systems. The lesson plans include a description, objectives, tools, tasks, and outcomes.

The 11-page acronyms and definitions document introduces students to the terms related to DC-DC converter systems and prepares them for the following lessons. 

The 2-page DC-DC converter systems components overview lesson plan will have students learn “how and where the DC-DC converter is connected to high and low voltage systems” and “the operation of a DC-DC Converter when connected to vehicle 12V electrical loads.”

The 2-page lesson plan on components will have students identify the DC-DC converter system components, “disassemble and reassemble the DC-DC converter,” and “statically test specified power electronics and electrical components within the DC-DC converter.”

The 2-page operations lesson plan will have students describe “how each stage of the DC-DC converter operates” that “will prepare them for identifying failure modes, systems testing, and diagnostics of the DC-DC converter.”

The 2-page diagnostics and service lesson plan has students “test the DC-DC converter system using specified processes and equipment to confirm its output current and voltage regulation performance throughout its entire output range.”