INTRODUCTION

POWER ELECTRONICS

What is Power Electronics?

Electrical Engineering is divided into three main areas.

Interface between Electronics and Power

What is Power Electronics?

Power Electronics is the branch of Electrical Engineering devoted to

conversion and control of electrical power using electronic converters.

Electric
energy in
one form

Power Electronic
System

Electric
energy in
another
form

Control and conversion

Electronic converters use power semiconductor devices as switches for
power conditioning.
Power conditioning involves CONVERSION from AC to DC or vice versa

and CONTROL of the magnitude and/or frequency of output voltage.

Range of power scale :

milliwatts(mW)

megawatts(MW)

gigawatts(GW)

Example

Why Power Electronics?

The existing power system deliver an AC voltage of fixed

magnitude and frequency.

1- Low voltage- for homes and 3- voltage Industries
A consumer may need power at DC or AC with same /higher,

lower or variable frequency.

Power need to be conditioned
Power Electronic system- interface between utility supply

system and consumer load.

Position and significance in the human society:

Electric power is used in almost every part and everywhere of

modern human society.

Electric power is the major form of energy source used in

modern human society.

The objective of power electronics is right on how to use

electric power, and how to use it effectively and efficiently, and

how to improve the quality and utilization of electric power.
Power electronics and information electronics make two poles

of modern technology and human society: information

electronics is the brain, and power electronics is the muscle.

Importance of Power Electronics

Main aspect of power electronics is power saving.
In all developed country power electronic converters occupied

key positions in the areas of distribution and usage of

electrical energy.
An efficient

power electronic system can significantly

contribute energy saving.

So they can improve system capability without investment in

new power plants and transmission lines.

History of Power electronics

In late 19th century rotating machines (motor-generator set)

were used for

power control and conversion.

A glass-bulb ARC rectifier (MAR) was introduced in 1900.
Gradually metal tank rectifier, grid controlled rectifier, ignitron, phanotron and

thyrotran were introduced.

In 1948, greatest revolution occurred with invention of Transistor.
In 1956 , Bell Telephone Laboratory invented PNPN triggering transistor

known as THYRISTOR or SCR.

In 1958 General Electric company introduced commercial thyristor and era of

power electronics begun.

In modern system power electronic devices and microelectronic control chips

are used.

Power Electronic System

Main Power Source

Command

Control
Unit

Digital
circuit

Power
Electronic
Circuit

Feedback Signal

Load

Power Electronic Converters:

Power Electronic converter uses a matrix of semiconductor

switches to convert electrical power at high efficiency.

Power converter system is comprised of switches, reactive

components L,C, and transformers.

Switches include two terminal device like diode and three

terminal device like thyristor.

Types of Power Electronic converters

1. Phase controlled rectifiers (AC-DC Converter):

Rectifier

Type of input: AC supply (fixed voltage & frequency)

Type of output: DC voltage (variable)
Applications: DC motor drives, regulated DC power supplies

Types of Power Electronic converters

2. Choppers (DC-DC Converter):
+ V 0 (d c )
+
Vs

DC
C hop p e r

V a ria b le D C
O u tp u t V o lta g e
-

Type of input: Fixed DC supply voltage.

Type of output: Variable DC voltage
Applications: DC drives, Battery driven vehicles

Types of Power Electronic converters

3. Inverters (DC-AC Converter):

Type of input: Fixed DC supply voltage.

Type of output: AC O/P voltage of variable frequency and of fixed or
variable magnitude
Applications: UPS, AIRCRAFT and space power supplies

Types of Power Electronic converters

4.Cycloconverters (AC-AC Converter):
V 0 , f0
AC
In p u t
V o lta g e

Vs
fs

C y c lo
C o n v e rte rs

V a ria b le F re q u e n c y
A C O u tp u t
f0< fS

Type of input: AC supply (fixed voltage & frequency).

Type of output: Variable frequency ac O/P voltage.
Applications: AC drives

Types of Power Electronic converters

5.AC voltage controller( AC regulator):

V 0 (R M S )

AC
In p u t
V o lta g e
fs

Vs
fs

AC
V o lta g e
C o n tro lle r

V a ria b le A C
R M S O / P V o lta g e
fS

Type of input: AC supply (fixed voltage & frequency).

Type of output: Variable AC RMS O/P voltage.
Applications: Lighting control, Speed control of large fans

Applications of Power Electronics:

Industrial applications
1.Motor drives
2.Electrolysis
3.Electroplating
4.Induction heating
5.Welding
6.Arc furnaces and ovens
7.Lighting

Applications of Power Electronics:

Transportation applications
1.Trains & locomotives
2.Subways
3.Trolley buses
4.Magnetic levitation
5.Electric vehicles
6.Automotive electronics
7.Ship power systems
8.Aircraft power systems

Applications of Power Electronics:

Utility stems applications
1.High- voltage dc

transmission(HVDC)
2.Flexible ac transmission(FACTS)
3.Static var compensation & harmonics
4.suppression: TCR, TSC, SVG, APF
5.Custom power & power quality
control
6.Supplemental energy sources :
7.wind, photovoltaic, fuel cells
8.Energy storage systems

Applications of Power Electronics:

Residential and home appliances
1.Lighting
2.Heating
3.Air conditioning
4.Refrigeration & freezers
5.Cooking
6.Cleaning
7.Entertaining

Applications of Power Electronics:

Power supplies for electronic

equipment
1.Telecommunications
2.Computers
3.Office equipment
4.Electronic instruments
5.Portable or mobile electronics

Applications of Power Electronics:

Applications in space technology
1.Spaceship power systems
2.Satellite power systems
3.Space vehicle power systems

Advantages of Power Electronics Converters:

1. Fast dynamic response due to static devices.
2. High efficiency of conversion due to low losses in
3.
4.
5.
6.

electronic devices.
Compact size and lightweight.
Increased operating life and reduced maintenance since
no moving part.
Highly flexible due to digital or microprocessor based
control.
EMI and acoustic noise is reduced due to solid state
devices

Disadvantages of Power Electronics Converters:

1. Power electronic converters generate harmonics.
2. Power factor of some converters is very low so power

factor correction is necessary.

3. For simple conversion power electronic converters may
be costly.