Alexandria University

Lecture 1:
Introduction to Power
Electronics

Dr. Mohamed M. Zakaria Moustafa

Department of Electrical Engineering

Faculty of Engineering

Introduction to Power Electronics

 Alexandria University

Outlines

• Introduction to Power Electronics

• Uncontrolled device — power diode

• Half-controlled device — thyristor

Introduction to Power Electronics

 Alexandria University

What is Power Electronics?

• Definition
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.

Introduction to Power Electronics

 Alexandria University

Conversion of electric power

Other names for electric
power converter:
-Power converter
-Converter
-Switching converter
-Power electronic circuit
-Power electronic converter
Changeable properties in
Types of Electric Power
conversion

DC (Direct Current) Magnitude

Frequency, Magnitude,
AC (Alternating Current)
Number of phases

Introduction to Power Electronics

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Classification of Power Converters

DC AC

AC to AC converter
AC (Fixed frequency : AC controller
AC to DC converter
(Rectifier) Variable frequency: Cycloconverter
or frequency converter)

DC DC to DC converter
DC to AC converter
(Chopper)
(Inverter)

Introduction to Power Electronics

 Alexandria University

History

The thread of the power electronics history precisely follows and

matches the break-through and evolution of power electronic
devices
Introduction to Power Electronics
 Alexandria University

Applications of Power Electronics

• Industrial: Motor drives, Induction heating, Welding, Arc
furnaces and ovens, Lighting…etc.
• Transportation: Trains Subways, Electric vehicles,
Automotive electronics, Ship power systems, Aircraft power
systems…etc.
• Utility systems: High-voltage dc transmission(HVDC),
Flexible ac transmission (FACTS), wind, photovoltaic, fuel
cells…etc.
• Residential and home appliances: Lighting, Heating, Air
conditioning…etc.

• Other Applications.

Introduction to Power Electronics

 Alexandria University

Terminals of P.E. devices

A power electronic A power electronic device

device usually has a must have at least two
third terminal - control C terminals allowing power
terminal to control the circuit current flow through
states of the device

Drive
Circuit
E

• The control signal from drive circuit must be connected

between the control terminal and a fixed power circuit
terminal (therefore called common terminal ).

Introduction to Power Electronics

 Alexandria University

P.E. Devices: The Diode

• The pn junction is basically a Diode, which is a device that
allows current in only one direction.

Basic Structure

Symbol Diode packages

Introduction to Power Electronics

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Diode Approximation: Ideal model

Forward bias

Ideal characteristics
Vbias
IF =
R
Reverse bias IR = 0
Introduction to Power Electronics
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P.E. Devices: The Thyristor

• The thyristor also know as silicon-controlled rectifier (SCR) is
a 4-layer pnpn device similar to the 4-layer diode except with
three terminals: anode (A), cathode (K), and gate (G).

Cathode

Gate
Anode

Basic Structure

Thyristor packages

Symbol

Introduction to Power Electronics

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Thyristor: Equivalent circuit

• The SCR operation can best be understood by considering its

internal pnpn structure as a two-transistor arrangement.
• The upper pnp layers act as a transistor, Q1, and the lower
npn layers act as a transistor, Q2. Notice that the two middle
layers are “shared”.

Introduction to Power Electronics

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Thyristor: Turn-ON

• When IG=0, as shown in Figure (a),

the device acts as a 4-layer diode in
the off state. In this state, the very
high resistance between the anode
and cathode can be approximated by
an open switch.

Introduction to Power Electronics

 Alexandria University

Thyristor: Turn-ON (Cont.)

• When a positive pulse of
current (trigger) is applied
to the gate, both transistors
turn on. This action is shown
in Figure (b), IB2 turns on
Q2, providing a path for IB1
out of the Q2 collector, thus
turning on Q1.

• The collector current of Q1 provides additional base current

for Q2 so that Q2 stays in conduction after the trigger pulse is
removed from the gate. By this regenerative action, Q2
sustains the saturated conduction of by providing a path for
IB1; in turn, Q1 sustains the saturated conduction of Q2 by
providing IB2. Thus, the device stays on (latches) once it is
triggered on, as shown in Figure (c).
Introduction to Power Electronics
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Thyristor: I-V Characteristics

• Once triggered on, the
thyristor will be latched on
conducting even when the
gate current is no longer
applied;

• Turning off: decreasing

current to be near zero
(below holding current IH)
with the effect of external
power circuit. The process
of turning off is also
referred to as the
commutation process;

• Thyristors provide controlled turn on but their turn off cannot

be controlled directly.
Introduction to Power Electronics
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Thyristor: I-V Ideal Characteristics

Introduction to Power Electronics

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Methods of Turning ON the thyristor

• Gate Current: positive pulse with sufficient amplitude
and duration to the gate;

• High voltage across anode and cathode (above the forward

break over voltage VFBO);

• High rising rate of anode voltage — dV/dt too high;

• High junction temperature;

• Light activation.

Introduction to Power Electronics

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Methods of Turning OFF the thyristor

• Diverting the anode current to an alternate path;

• Shorting the SCR from anode to cathode;

• Applying a reverse voltage (by making the cathode

positive with respect to the anode) across the thyristor;

• Forcing the anode current to zero for a brief period;

• Opening the external path from its anode supply voltage;

• Momentarily reducing supply voltage to zero.

Introduction to Power Electronics

 Alexandria University

Classification of P.E. devices

Uncontrolled device: diode
has only two terminals and can not be controlled by control signal.
The on and off states of the device are determined by the power
circuit.

Half-controlled device: thyristor

is turned-on by a control signal and turned-off by the power circuit

Fully-controlled device: Power MOSFET,

IGBT,GTO.
The on and off states of the device are controlled by control signals.

Introduction to Power Electronics