Power Electronics
Unit-1
Lecture -1
Introduction
Power Electronics is a field which combines Power
(electric power), Electronics, Control systems and
many more.
It controls and converts the electrical power from one form
to another form by power semiconductor devices wherein
these devices operate as switches.
It deals with the processing of high voltages and
currents to deliver power that supports a variety of
needs. From household electronics to equipment in
space applications, these areas all need stable and
reliable electric power with the desired
specifications.
Applications of Power Electronics
1. Industries: In chemical processing equipment, welding, lighting, electroplating, pumps, and
compressors, induction heating, boiler, conveyors, cranes, electromagnets, electric vehicles and
furnaces, etc.
2. Home Appliances: Refrigerators, vacuum cleaners, washing machines, sewing machines, dryers,
mixers and grinders, air conditioning, etc.
3. Commercial: Computers, electric fans, vending machines, audio amplifiers, battery charges,
photocopiers, etc.
4. Medical: Medical instruments and machines, fitness and test machines, etc.
5. Automotive and Security systems: Electric vehicles, regulators, Radar/Sonar, Alarms, etc.
6. Aerospace: Satellite systems, aircraft and space vehicles, spaceship power systems, etc.
7. Transportation: Motor drives, trains, trollies and subways, locomotives, streetcars, elevators, magnetic
levitation, etc.
8. Telecommunication: DC power supply, UPS, wireless communication, transmitters, and receivers, etc.
9. Power systems: Static circuit breakers, thyristor controlled reactors, energy storage systems,
harmonics suppression, etc.
Power Electronics Systems-
Block Diagram
Advantages of Power Electronics Converters
• Highly reliable
• Less loss of power
• Efficient
• Fast response
• Long life
• Small size and less in weight
Disadvantages of Power Electronics Converters
The disadvantages are listed below:
• Low overload capacity
• Harmonics are generated
• Expensive
Power Semiconductor Devices
Power Diodes – General Purpose Diode, High Speed Diode, Schottky Diode
Power Transistors: BJT, FET, MOSFET , IGBT
Thyristors :
SCR ( Silicon Controlled Rectifier)
LASCR(Light Activated Silicon Controlled Rectifier)
ASCR/RCT (Asymmetrical SCR) / RCT Reverse Conducting Thyristors
GTO (gate turn-off thyristor )
SITH (Static Induction Thyristor)
MCT (MOS-controlled Thyristor)
MTO (MOS turn-off thyristor)
ETO (Emitter Turn Off Thyristor)
IGCT (Integrated gate-commutated thyristor)
TRIAC (Triode for Alternating Current)
DIAC (diode for alternating current)
Types of Power Electronics Converters
Rectifiers (AC to DC converters): These converters convert constant
ac voltage to variable dc output voltage.
Choppers (DC to DC converters): Dc chopper converts fixed dc
voltage to a controllable dc output voltage.
Inverters (DC to AC converters): An inverter converts fixed dc voltage
to a variable ac output voltage.
AC voltage controllers: These converters converts fixed ac voltage to
a variable ac output voltage at same frequency.
Cycloconverters: These circuits convert input power at one frequency
to output power at a different frequency through one stage conversion.
Query
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