Power Devices

Some basic components of electronic circuits are active components; they can increase the
power of an electrical signal because they are powered by a source of electricity separate
from the electrical signal. Transistors and oscillators are examples of active components.
Other components are passive components; they help give a circuit its electrical
characteristics, but do not require a separate source of electric power for their operation.
Passive components include resistors, inductors, and capacitors. Resistors are important in
controlling the voltage in different parts of a circuit. Capacitors temporarily store electric
charge and help oppose voltage changes in a circuit. Inductors store energy in magnetic fields
and help oppose changes of current.

Active components in turn are divided into two fundamental groups: (1) semiconductor, or
solid-state, devices; and (2) electron tubes. The operation of semiconductor devices depends
on the behavior of electrons in a semiconductor, a material whose ability to conduct
electricity is between that of a conductor and that of an insulator. Most electronic devices in
use today are semiconductor devices. The operation of electron tubes depends on the
behavior of electrons moving through a vacuum or gas inside a closed container.

V. APPLICATIONS
. Because power semiconductors have very wide-ranging
applications, the most desirable type for a given application
comes down to several factors: the amplification, the
switching speed, and the power class. Trends in particular
types can be seen in applications in industry, the consumer
market, and transportation.
A. Industrial Applications
Within industry, the two main uses for power
semiconductors are for motor control and power supplies. For
motor drives, power semiconductors can control all sizes of
motors from those found in large mills to simple machine
tools. The trend in the method of controlling of these motors
has been toward IGBTs. Likewise, due to their versatility, the
use of the IGBT has become the trend in constructing power
supplies for such applications as battery charging, welding,
and induction heating.
B. Consumer Applications
In the consumer market, power semiconductors can be found
in audio amplifiers, heat controls, light dimmers, and again in
motor controls. Because of the low cost and high
amplification of MOSFETs, they have become the preference
in audio amplifier construction. On the other hand, the IGBT
is dominating in heat controls, dimmers, and motor drives.
An example consumer application of the IGBT can be seen
in Figure 4. Here, and IGBT modules is used to control an
induction coil that is used to heat a pan for cooking. In this
particular case, the IGBT acts as a switch; when voltage is
applied to the gate, the current will flow through the induction
coil, otherwise no current will flow. Because the IGBT can handle high currents, there is
little concern that the
semiconductor will overheat and/or be destroyed with the high
currents that are necessary for induction heating.
C. Transportation Applications
Within transportation, motor control with the IGBT is again
most prevalent. IGBTs are utilized in drives for electric cars
and trains. However, BJTs can be found in simpler
applications such as electronic ignition and vehicle voltage
regulation.
NEED for power devices
1. Out put stages of most of the Amplifier normally
consist of Power stage.
2. Many complex applications require power
conversion (say DC-DC
conversion).
3. The need for long stand alone operating times
and low power
consumption when charging the battery, both
require the use of efficient
power converters.
Small signal devices can’t handle high Power.
Only increasing a size of device is not the final
solution (less efficient).
Structure should be modified so that it can
handle high power efficiently.
Basic Power Devices :
1) Diode.
2) Bipolar Junction Transistor.
3) Metal Oxide Semiconductor Field
Effect Transistor.

Why n type?
Electrons have more mobility than holes.