POWER ELECTRONIC DEVICES WITH ITS APPLICATION

BY

ANIGBOGU IKECHUKWU JOSEPH

FPOEEHA19003

A SEMINAR SUBMITTED TO THE DEPARTMENT OF

ELECTRICAL/ELECTRONIC ENGINEERING, SCHOOL OF
ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY
FEDERAL POLYTECHNIC OKO

IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENT FOR THE

AWARD OF THE HIGHER NATIONAL DIPLOMA (HND) IN
ELECTRICAL/ELECTRONIC ENGINEERING

SUPERVISOR: ENGR. DR. ANANTI J.

NOVEMBER 2021

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 ABSTRACT

Power Electronics deals with the applications of solid state electronic

devices in the control and conversion of electric power. Power
Electronics has seen a tremendous growth in recent times and almost
all the applications today use power electronic devices in some or the
other form. Hence it becomes essential to study the advantages of
these devices, which made it so popular.

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 INTRODUCTION

The systems and machines of our world depend on power

electronics for the ability to run efficiently and sustainably. Power
electronics is the application of solid-state electronics for the control
and conversion of electric power. It applies to both the systems and
products involved in converting and controlling the flow of electrical
energy, allowing the electricity needed for everyday products to be
delivered with maximum efficiency in the smallest and lightest
package.

The evolution of power electronics is over the past 100-plus years. It

includes electrical machines, mercury-arc rectifiers, gas tube
electronics, Mas, power semiconductor devices, converter circuits,
and motor drives. Wherever possible it gives the name of the
inventor and the year of invention for important technologies. It is
important to note, however, that inventions are generally developed
by a number of contributors working over a period of time. The
history of power electronics is so vast that it is impossible to review
it within a few pages. More information is available in the
references.

Power electronics is a technology that deals with the conversion and

control of electrical power with high-efficiency switching mode
electronic devices for a wide range of applications. These include as
dc and ac power supplies, electrochemical processes, heating and
lighting control, electronic welding, power line volt–ampere reactive
(VAR) and harmonic compensators, high-voltage dc (HVdc) systems,
flexible ac transmission systems, photovoltaic and fuel cell power
conversion, high-frequency (HF) heating, and motor drives. We can
define the 21st century as the golden age of power electronics
applications after the technology evolution stabilized in the latter
part of the past century with major innovations.

Power electronics is ushering in a new kind of industrial revolution

because of its important role in energy conservation, renewable

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energy systems, bulk utility energy storage, and electric and hybrid
vehicles, in addition to its traditional roles in industrial automation
and high-efficiency energy systems. It has emerged as the high-tech
frontier in power engineering. From current trends, it is evident that
power electronics will play a significant role in solving our climate
change (or global warming) problems, which are so important.

Power electronics has recently emerged as a complex and

multidisciplinary technology after the last several decades of
technology evolution made possible by the relentless efforts of so
many university scientists and engineers in the industry. The
technology embraces the areas of power semiconductor devices,
converter circuits, electrical machines, drives, advanced control
techniques, computer-aided design and simulation, digital signal
processors (DSPs), and field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), as
well as artificial intelligence (AI) techniques.

The history of power electronics goes back more than 100 years. It
began at the dawn of the 20th century with the invention of the
mercury-arc rectifier by the American inventor Peter Cooper Hewitt,
beginning what is called the “classical era” of power electronics.
However, even before the classical era started, many power
conversion and control functions were possible using rotating
electrical machines, which have a longer history.

DEFINITION OF POWER ELECTRONICS

A field of electrical engineering that deals with the application of

power semiconductor devices for the control and conversion of
electric power.

OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY

The main objective of this work is to deal with the study of the part
of engineering that deals with the application of power

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semiconductor devices for the control and conversion of electric
power.

SCOPE OF THE PROJECT

The capabilities and economy of power electronics system are

determined by the active devices that are available. Their
characteristics and limitations are a key element in the design of
power electronics systems. Formerly, the mercury arc valve, the
high-vacuum and gas-filled diode thermionic rectifiers, and
triggered devices such as the thyratron and ignitron were widely
used in power electronics. As the ratings of solid-state devices
improved in both voltage and current-handling capacity, vacuum
devices have been nearly entirely replaced by solid-state devices.

SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

Mass Production: Due to huge development in the production

techniques of semiconductor devices, these semiconductor based
power electronic devices are now produced in huge bulk and hence
have resulted into very low price. These devices are available in a
variety of voltage and current ratings to choose from.

Highly Reliable: Since these devices have no mechanical moving

parts, there are very less failure chances and hence has a very
rugged performance and long life, provided it is operated under
rated conditions.

Highly Efficient: In most of the applications these devices acts as a

switch and we know that in both the modes of the switch, i.e. ON
and OFF the power loss in it is very less, and the switching losses
are also very low.

Negligible Maintenance: Again due to absence of mechanical

moving parts, the power electronic systems require almost nil
maintenance.
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Fast: In comparison to mechanical or electro-mechanical devices
the power electronic systems have way faster dynamic response.

Size: These power electronic systems are very small in size when
compared to mechanical systems for similar power ratings and
hence less weight, less floor space, less handling issues, less
installation cost, less packing and transportation prices and many
more.

LIMITATION OF THE STUDY

Power electronic systems suffer from some limitation also. The

following are some of them:

Harmonics: This is the only serious disadvantages of power

electronic systems that it injects considerable harmonics both the
sides, to the connected load side and to the power source side.
Since the converters alter the sinusoidal waveform according to the
requirement, harmonics are generated in the output voltage and
current of the converter and also in the input current to the
converter. Now these harmonics create a lot of trouble on both the
sides.

On the load side if we have motors, harmonics cause problems such

as excess heating, more acoustic noise, torsional vibration of motor
shaft, commutation issues in DC motors, etc. Hence nowadays we
have special VFD motors which are designed to better handle the
effects of harmonics. Apart from this we also have filter circuits to
limit the harmonics to the load. On the supply side also harmonics
create a lot of trouble. The performance of other equipment
connected to the same supply is seriously affected. Harmonics in
supply lines also leads to radio interference with communication
lines, audio and video equipment. Apart from this the input side
transformer also gets overheated and its efficiency gets reduced.
Special converter transformers are used when the output has
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considerable power electronic systems, such as motor drives in
industries. Harmonics also increases skin effect in the cables and
hence more heating. Thus we need to install filters in the input side
also.

 Low Power Factor: Certain power electronic converters

operate at very low input power factor and hence it might be
required to install reactive power compensation equipment.
 Low Overload Capacity: Power electronic devices work on
rated voltage and current provided proper heat evacuation
system is provided. Excess current causes hot spots at
junctions and burning of devices. High dv/dt leads to false
triggering and hence a power electronic device along with it
needs compulsory protection arrangements such as
snubber circuit etc.

Electronic circuits are employed for controlling many operations

such as control of thickness of a job, moisture contents in a
material

For quick arithmetical calculations electronic computers are

employed for automatic record keeping and solving of complicated
problems. Any computer can be connected to internet through an
electronic device, called the modem. Electronic link is being used to
transmit and receive e-mail and fax messages.

Use of automatic control system in industry is increased day by

day. Speed of industrial motors is controlled through thyratrons,
thyristors or magnetic amplifiers.

Instrumentation plays a vital role in any industry and research

organization for precise measurement of various quantities.
Accuracy of electronics instruments such as cathode-ray
oscilloscope, strain gauges, frequency counter etc, is much higher

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than that of ordinary instruments. No research laboratory is
completed without suitable electronic instruments.

Air traffic is controlled electronically. It is through the RADAR

(Radio Detection and Ranging) that country is guarded from enemy
aircraft. By employing RADAR, it is possible not only to detect, but
also to determine the exact location and velocity of the enemy
aircraft. Most of the sophisticated military attack and detection
equipment are operated electronically.

Electronic circuits are employed for controlling many operations

such as control of thickness of a job, moisture contents in a
material. Electronic amplifiers are employed to control the operation
of automatic door-openers, lightning systems, sound systems,
power systems and safety devices.

Power electronics can be found in power system in many forms

within the power system. These forms range from high voltage
direct current (HVDC) converter station to a flexible ac transmission
system (FACTS) devices that are used to control and regulate ac
power grids, variable speed drives for motors, the electric drive in
transportation systems, fault current limiting devices, the solid-
state distribution transformer, and transfer switches.

The challenge facing the power system engineering today is to use

existing transmission facilities to a greater effect. Improving
utilization of the existing power systems is provided through the
application of advanced control technologies in power electronics
based equipment or FACTS. FACTS provide proven technical
solutions to address new operating challenges being presented
today. With that said, FACTS are too expensive to purchase, install,
and maintain in the current utility systems.

Differences in essential features of devices call for special protection

schemes particular for those devices.

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Power electronics can provide utilities the ability to more effectively
delivering power to their consumers while providing increased
reliability to the bulk power system. Power electronics can also play
a pivotal role in improving security of the nation’s electric grid.
Although it is very difficult to quantify reliability benefits, studies
show the estimated present value of aggregated attributes of
reliable, modernized grid to be USD 638 to USD 802 billion over a
twenty year horizon, with annualized values of between USD 51 and
USD 64 billion/year. With that power electronics is not considered
ideal systems. Some of the important issues the power electronics
encounter include cost, reliability, cooling methods, efficiency,
thermal management and control.

Power electronic converters often operate from the utility mains and
are exposed to the disturbances associated with it. Even otherwise
the transients associated with switching circuits and faults that
occur at load point stress converters and devices. Consequently,
several protections must be incorporated in a converter. Power
semiconductor devices are commonly protected against:

 Overcurrent.
• di/dt.
• Voltage spikes or over-voltages.
• Gate-under voltage.
• Over voltage at gate.
• Excessive temperature rise.
• Electro-static discharge.

Some of these techniques are common for all devices and

converters. However, differences in essential features of devices call
for special protection schemes particular for those devices.

APPLICATIONS OF POWER ELECTRONIC DEVICES

High efficiency due to low loss in power semiconductor devices.

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 • High reliability of power electronic converter systems.
• Long life and less maintenance due to the absence of any
moving parts.
• Fast dynamic response of the power electronic systems.
• Small size and less weight result in less floor space and
lower installation cost.
• Mass production of power semiconductor devices has
resulted in lower cost of the converter equipment.

Semi-Conductor Devices:

Develop high-voltage, high-current SiC devices for utility

applications.

• Develop low-cost SiC IGBT devices to elevate the

capability of power electronics in utility applications by
replacing GTOs.
 Wide Bandgap Materials
 Conduct system-level impact studies to evaluate the impact of
wide bandgap semiconductors on the utility grid.
• Develop high temperature packing to take advantage of
the capability of SiC devices.
• Develop innovative wide bandgap materials processes to
create low cost, defect free wafers.

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 REFERENCES

Kenneth Wacks, "The Impact of Home Automation on Power

Electronics," In the Conference of IEEE-APEC'93, pp. 3-9,
March 2018.

Bimal K. Bose, "Recent Advances in Power Electronics," In the

Conference Rec. of IEEE-IECON'90, pp.829-838, 2019.

Bimal K. Bose, "Power Electronics - A Technology Review," In the

Proceedings of the IEEE, pp. 1303-1334, August 2017.

Weinberg, A., and Schreuders, J., "A High Power High Voltage
Dc/Dc Converter for Space Applications, " IEEE PESC 2019
Record.

Lowell D. Massie, "Future Trends in Space Power Technology," IEEE

Aerospace and Electronics SYSTEMS Magazine, Vol. 6, No. 11,
pp. 8-13, November 2018.

William McMurry, "Power Electronics in the 20's," In the Conference

of IEEE-APEC'90, pp. 839-843, March 2020.

Bimal K. Bose, "Power Electronics and Motion Control - Technology

Status and Recent Trends," In the Conference Rec. of IEEE-
PESC'92, pp. 3-10, June 2017.

Ned Mohan, "Power Electronic Circuits: An Overview," In the

Conference Rec. of IEEE-IECON'88, pp. 522-527, 2018.

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M. Ehsani and K.R. Ramani, "Recent Advances in Power Electronics
and Applications", IEEE-SouthCon'94, pp. 8-13, March 2017.

Lowell D. Massie, "Future Trends in Space Power Technology," IEEE

Aerospace and Electronics SYSTEMS Magazine, Vol. 6, No. 11,
pp. 8-13, November 2019.

Richard Quigley, "More Electric Aircraft," In the Conference of IEEE-

APEC'93, pp. 906-911, March 2018.

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