Power Electronics

Objectives:
Learn the scope and application of power electronics Become familiar with different types of power semiconductor devices, their characteristics and use Understand the fundamental techniques of power conversion

History of Power Electronic Devices

Power electronics began with the introduction of the mercury arc rectifier in 1900. This was followed by the first electronic revolution which began in 1948 with the invention of the silicon transistor.
The second electronic revolution began in 1958 with the development of the thyristor. This caused the beginning of a new era for power electronics, since many power semiconductor devices and power conversion techniques were introduced using thyristors . Next, was the microelectronics revolution which gave the ability to process a huge amount of data in a very short time. The power electronics revolution which merges power electronics and microelectronics provides the ability to control large amounts of power in a very efficient manner.
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Definition of Power Electronics

Power Electronics may be defined as the application of solid-state electronics for the control and conversion of electric power. Power Electronics is based on the switching of power semiconductor devices whose power handling capabilities and switching speeds have improved tremendously over the years. Power Electronics is presently playing an important role in modern technology and is used in a variety of high power products e.g. Motor controls, heat controls, light controls and power supplies.
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Power Semiconductor Devices

Power semiconductor devices can be broken up into five different groups: Power Diodes Thyristors Power Bipolar Junction Transistors (BJT) Power MOSFETs Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistors (IGBT) and Static Induction Transistors (SITs)
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The features of the most common types of semiconductor power device are

Thyristors can be subdivided into eight groups

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Forced-commutated thyristors Line-commutated thyristors Gate turn off thyristors (GTO) - forced turned-off device. Reverse conducting thyristors (RCT) - can be considered as a thyristor with an inverse parallel diode, used for high speed switching. Static induction thyristors (SITH) - self turned-off device. Gate assisted turn-off thyristors (GATT) - used for high speed switching. Light activated silicon-controlled rectifier (LASCR) MOS-controlled thyristors (MCTs)

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Classification of Power Semiconductor Switching Devices

Uncontrolled turn on and off (Diode) Controlled turn on and uncontrolled turn off (SCR) Controlled turn on and off characteristics (BJT, MOSFET, GTO, SITH, IGBT, SIT, MCT) Continuous gate signal requirement (BJT, MOSFET, IGBT, SIT) Pulse gate requirements (SCR, GTO, MCT) Bipolar voltage-withstanding capability (SCR, GTO) Unipolar voltage-withstanding capability (BJT, MOSFET, GTO, IGBT, MCT) Bidirectional current capability (TRIAC, RCT) Unidirectional current capability (SCR, GTO, BJT, MOSFET, MCT, IGBT, SITH, SIT, Diode)

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Types of Power Electronic Circuits

diode rectifiers ac-dc converters (controlled rectifiers) ac-ac converters (ac voltage controllers) dc-dc converters (dc choppers) dc-ac converters (inverters)

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Diode Rectifiers

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Ac-dc Converters

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Ac-ac Converters

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Dc-dc Converters

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Dc-ac Converters

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Design of Power Electronic Equipment

Power converters operate on the basis of switching power semiconductor devices on and off. This switching action of converters introduce current and voltage harmonics into:
The supply system The output of converters

The problems caused by these harmonics are:

Distortion of the output voltage Distortion of the supply voltage Interference with communication and signaling circuits Reduction of input power factor

The following methods can be used to solve or reduce harmonic problems caused by power converters
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Use of input and output filters on power converters Choice of control strategy used Grounded shielding