INTRODUCTION

TO POWER
ELECTRONICS
I. What is power electronics?
1) Definition

2) Relation with information electronics

3) The interdisciplinary nature

4) Position and significance in the human

society
1) Definition
Power Electronics:
is the electronics applied to conversion and control of
electric power.

Range of power scale :

milliwatts(mW) megawatts(MW) gigawatts(GW)

A more exact explanation:

The primary task of power electronics is to process and
control the flow of electric energy by supplying voltages
and currents in a form that is optimally suited for user
loads.
Goal of Power
Electronics

Efficient conversion, conditioning, or processing and

control of electric power using solid-state
semiconductor devices in order to supply high quality
power to the load causing minimum pollution of
environment and the utility supply circuit.
Conversion of electric power
Electric Other names for
Power Power Power electric
input output
Converter power converter:
-Power converter
-Converter
Control -Switching converter
input -Power electronic circuit
-Power electronic converter

Changeable properties in
Two types of electric power
conversion

DC(Direct Current) Magnitude

Frequency, magnitude,
AC (Alternating Current)
number of phases
Classification of power converters
Power
output
Power DC AC
input
AC to AC converter
AC AC to DC converter ( Fixed frequency : AC controller
(Rectifier) Variable frequency: Cycloconverter
or frequency converter)

DC DC to DC converter DC to AC converter
(Chopper) (Inverter)
Types of Converters

Converter Type Input Output Symbol

A.C. at constant
Rectifier D.C. at variable
voltage and
voltage
frequency

A.C. at desired
D.C. at constant
Inverter voltage and
voltage
frequency

Chopper D.C. at constant D.C. at desired voltage

voltage

A.C. at constant A.C. at desired

Cycloconverter voltage and voltage and
frequency frequency

A.C. at constant A.C. at desired

A.C. Voltage voltage and voltage
Controller frequency and input
frequency ACVC
 Power electronic system
Generic structure of a power electronic system

Power Power Power

input output
Converter

Control input
Feedforward/Feedback Feedback/Feedforward
Controller
( measurements of input signals ) ( measurements of output signals )
Reference
(commanding)

Control is invariably required.

Power converter along with its controller including the
corresponding measurement and interface circuits, is
also called power electronic system.
 2) Relation with information electronics
A Classification of electronics by processing object
Information electronics: to process information
Electronics
Power electronics: to process electric power

Other classifications of electronics

Vacuum electronics: using vacuum devices,
e.g, vacuum tubes devices
Electronics
Solid (Solid state) electronics: using solid state devices,
e.g, semiconductor devices

Physical electronics: physics,material,fabrication,

and manufacturing of electronic
Electronics
devices
Applied electronics: application of electronic
devices to various areas
3) The interdisciplinary nature
William E. Newells description
Electronics Power

Power
Electronics
Continuous,
discrete
Control

Power electronics is the interface between

electronics and power.
Relation with multiple disciplines

Systems & Signal

Control theory processing
Circuit
Simulation &
theory
computing

Electric Power
Electronics
machines electronics

Power Solid state

systems physics
Electromagnetics

Power electronics is currently the most active

discipline in electric power engineering worldwide.
4) Position and significance
in the human society
Electric power is used in almost every aspect 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 exactly about
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.
 II. The history
Application of
fast-switching
Invention of fully-controlled
Thyristor semiconductor
devices GTO
GTR IGBT
Mercury arc rectifier Power diode Power MOSFET Power MOSFET
Vacuum-tube rectifier Thyristor Thyristor Thyristor
Thyratron (microprocessor) (DSP)
1900 1957 mid 1970s late 1980s

Pre-history 1st phase 2nd phase 3rd phase

The thread of the power electronics history precisely follows and

matches the break-through and evolution of power electronic devices
III. Applications
Industrial
Transportation
Utility systems
Power supplies for all kinds of electronic equipment
Residential and home appliances
Space technology
Other applications
THANKS YOU