Chapter 1

Chapter1
Chapter 1 Power Electronic Devices
Outline
An introductory overview of power electronic devices

1. Uncontrolled devicepower diode

2. Half- controlled devicethyristor

3. Typical fully- controlled devices-------BJT

 An introductory overview of power electronic devices

The concept and features

Power electronic devices: are the electronic devices that can be directly
used in the power processing circuits to convert or control electric
power.
Vacuum devices: Mercury arc

rectifier thyratron, etc. . seldom

In broad sense
in use today
Power electronic devices
Semiconductor devices:

major power electronic devices

Very often: Power electronic devices= Power semiconductor devices

Major material used in power semiconductor devicesSilicon
Features of power electronic devices
a) The electric power that power electronic device deals with is usually
much larger than that the information electronic device does.
b) Usually working in switching states to reduce power losses
On-state Voltage across the device is 0 p=vi=0

V=0

Off-state Current through the device is 0 p=vi=0

i=0
c)Need to be controlled by information electronic circuits.
d)Very often, drive circuits are necessary to interface between
information circuits and power circuits.
e)Dissipated power loss usually larger than information electronic
devices special packaging and heat sink are necessary.
Power loss in PD
Objectives
Identify the difference between the forward characteristic of a power
diode and a signal level diode and explain it.
Draw the Turn On and Turn Off characteristics of a power diode.
Define Forward recovery voltage, Reverse recovery current
Reverse Recovery charge as applicable to a power diode.
Power diodes
Similar to normal PN diode except the ability to carry large
currents. These power devices, however, are required to carry
up to several KA of current under forward bias condition and
block up to several KV under reverse biased condition.
Three types of power diodes exists

1. General purpose diodes

2. Fast recovery diodes
3. Schottky diodes
4. Silicon carbide diode(ultra low power loss, Ultra fast
switching behavior, highly reliable but they are expesive)
Constructional difference
Power diode
Diode characteristics