Abstract: An automated system for designing power converters includes receiving power converter operating characteristic information, and, in a computer, determining alternative power converter configurations that are consistent with the operating characteristic information. One of the alternative power converter configurations that tends to have optimal efficiency is selected in the computer. Optimization criteria or selection criteria may be received, or a combined heat loss may be calculated for each configuration, and the selection may be of the configuration that is optimal with respect to the optimization criteria, or may be based upon the selection criteria, or may be of the configuration that minimizes the combined heat loss. The functional operating characteristic information and optimization criteria may be received by a first party from a second party.