Diploma in Active/Passive Filters and Compensation
Online postgraduate diploma of 800 hours in active and passive filters and compensation. 8 modules covering reactive power compensation, passive filters, active power filters, static compensators, filtering solution design, converter control for compensation and installation, commissioning and maintenance, with an assigned technical tutor.
Diploma in Active/Passive Filters and Compensation — studying from South Africa
Electronics and telecommunications are substantial sectors in South Africa, with operators such as MTN, Vodacom and Telkom supporting national connectivity. Electronics manufacturers and design houses serve automotive, industrial and consumer markets, and embedded systems engineers are needed across these industries. Research at institutions such as Stellenbosch University and the CSIR contributes to advances in communications and signal processing. Compliance with national radio spectrum rules is overseen by the national communications regulator.
Fees for South Africa: R 24 000 (South African rand), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in South Africa
Typical roles
Questions from South Africa
Which South African bodies recognise electronics and telecom engineers, and does SEIUM feature?
ECSA registers engineering professionals in South Africa, and the Electronic Communications and Postal Act means telecom roles are regulated through ICASA and related licensing. SEIUM is a private online institute whose qualifications are not official state degrees and are not accredited by a national body. Recognition is decided by employers or the relevant professional body, so check with them before enrolling.
Would this programme help me work in embedded systems or telecoms in South Africa?
South Africa has electronics manufacturers, telecom operators and technology firms that employ embedded and communications engineers. Employers typically weigh practical skills, experience and recognised qualifications. A private online qualification can strengthen your profile in specialist areas, but it does not guarantee employment. Ask prospective employers whether they would value it.
Can I study around a job, and what English level is needed?
The programme is entirely online and taught in English, so you need solid English for coursework and tutor communication. Because it is remote, no student visa is needed to study from home. Master's programmes are 1,900 hours, postgraduate diplomas 800 hours and specialist courses 300 hours, each supported by a technical tutor. Fees can be paid in instalments, and employer sponsorship may be possible.
Take the controls.
Run a real engineering trade-off from this field. Move the sliders, watch the model react in real time and beat the challenge.
What you will be able to do
Size reactive power compensation systems.
Design single-tuned, detuned and high-pass passive filters.
Explain how active power filters work and how they are controlled.
Compare SVC, STATCOM, DVR and UPQC static compensators.
Select the filtering solution through impedance studies.
Implement resonant and repetitive controllers for compensation.
Commission and maintain filtering and compensation equipment.
Who it's for
- Power quality engineers.
- Reactive power compensation engineers.
- Power electronics engineers working on grid-connected converters.
- Electrical project engineers.
- Commissioning technicians for compensation and filtering equipment.
- Energy consultants advising industrial clients.
- Engineering or science graduates aiming to enter industry.
What you'll work with
- IEC 60831-1 (shunt power capacitors of the self-healing type for AC systems up to 1 kV)
- IEC 61642 (industrial AC networks affected by harmonics — application of filters and shunt capacitors)
- IEEE 1531-2020 (guide for the application and specification of harmonic filters)
- IEEE 519-2022 (harmonic control in electric power systems)
- IEC 62927 (voltage sourced converter valves for static synchronous compensators)
- IEEE 18-2012 (shunt power capacitors)
- IEC 61000-2-4 (compatibility levels in industrial plants for low-frequency conducted disturbances)
- IEC 60871-1 (shunt capacitors for AC power systems above 1 kV)
- DIgSILENT PowerFactory
- ETAP
- PSCAD
- MATLAB/Simulink with Simscape Electrical
- PLECS
8 modules
1.1Reactive power and power factor1.2Penalties and tariffs for reactive energy1.3Fixed and automatic capacitor banks1.4Power factor controllers1.5Switching with contactors and thyristors1.6Sizing the compensation1.7Individual, group and central compensation1.8Overcompensation and its risks1.9Capacitors according to IEC 608311.10Practical exercise: sizing an automatic capacitor bank
2.1Single-tuned filters2.2Detuned filters with blocking reactors2.3Detuning factor and selection of p2.4Second- and third-order high-pass filters2.5C-type filters2.6Design of multi-branch filters2.7Thermal and voltage rating2.8Ageing and detuning due to tolerances2.9Interaction with the network impedance2.10Workshop: design of a 7% detuned filter
3.1Principle of the shunt active filter3.2Series active filter3.3Hybrid active-passive filters3.4Inverter topologies for active filters3.5Instantaneous p-q power theory3.6Synchronous reference frame method3.7Hysteresis and predictive current control3.8Sizing in compensation amperes3.9Bandwidth limitations3.10Lab: simulation of a shunt active filter
4.1Static var compensator (SVC)4.2Thyristor-controlled reactors4.3STATCOM and its control4.4Dynamic voltage restorer for dips (DVR)4.5Unified power quality conditioner (UPQC)4.6Unbalance compensation4.7Flicker compensation in arc furnaces4.8Low- and medium-voltage equipment4.9Comparison of performance and costs4.10Case study: STATCOM for a wind farm
5.1Load and spectrum characterisation5.2Modelling the network and the installation5.3Impedance scans and resonances5.4Choosing between passive and active filters5.5Coordination with protection5.6Optimal location of filters5.7Parametric sensitivity studies5.8Technical specifications for procurement5.9Life-cycle cost analysis5.10Practical exercise: filtering study in PowerFactory
6.1Real-time harmonic detection6.2PLL and grid synchronisation6.3Proportional-resonant controllers6.4Repetitive control for periodic harmonics6.5Selective harmonic compensation6.6DC bus control6.7Implementation on a DSP6.8Stability with weak grids6.9HIL validation6.10Lab: resonant control of an active filter
7.1Protection of capacitor banks and filters7.2Commissioning tests7.3Verifying filtering effectiveness7.4Predictive maintenance of capacitors7.5Thermography of compensation equipment7.6Remote monitoring of filters7.7Safety when working with capacitors7.8Alarm and fault management7.9Final verification report7.10Case study: commissioning an active filter
8.1Analysis of the existing installation8.2Load measurement and characterisation8.3Resonance study8.4Design of the compensation solution8.5Design of passive or active filters8.6Simulation of the proposed solution8.7Economic assessment and payback8.8Commissioning plan8.9Report and presentation8.10Final project: final review with your tutor
How you'll learn
100% online training on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. No fixed timetables: you progress at your own pace within each intake, so you can combine it with your job.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is DIgSILENT PowerFactory, ETAP, PSCAD, MATLAB/Simulink with Simscape Electrical and PLECS, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Testing is studied through real procedures for sizing capacitor banks in industrial installations, resonance studies prior to filter installation and verification of active filters after commissioning. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final project.
Standards covered: IEC 60831-1, IEC 61642, IEEE 1531-2020, IEEE 519-2022, IEC 62927, IEEE 18-2012, IEC 61000-2-4, IEC 60871-1.
Build it end to end
Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- Prior technical training or professional experience in the sector. No university degree is required.
- Internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme software.
- English sufficient to read technical standards.
Ready to start?
Send your application today. Our admissions team replies within 72 hours with your study plan and funding options.
Frequently asked questions
The programme totals 800 hours over 6–8 months. You set your own pace within each intake, and your tutor helps you plan the workload around your job.
You work with DIgSILENT PowerFactory, ETAP, PSCAD, MATLAB/Simulink with Simscape Electrical and PLECS, using free, academic or evaluation versions. Your tutor indicates the free alternative wherever one exists.
A SEIUM Institute diploma, awarded on passing the continuous assessment and the final project. It is SEIUM's own qualification, not an official state degree; its recognition depends on the programme completed and the regulations of each country.
Yes. Modules passed are recognised in a higher programme in the same area (postgraduate diploma or master's). Ask about the recognition policy when you enrol.
Prior technical training or professional experience in the sector (no university degree required), a computer able to run the programme software and English sufficient to read technical standards.
Start dates are set by SEIUM's faculty for each intake. Our admissions team will confirm the next available date when you apply.
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