Power Electronics

Dr. Abdul Majid

M.Sc Electronics: University of Peshawar
MS System on Chip Linkoping University Sweden
PhD Mid Sweden University Sweden
Professional titles
Chartered Engineer (CEng) Engineering Council UK
Professional Engineer (P.E) Pakistan Engineering Council

What is power electronics?

Definition
Power Electronics: is the electronics applied to conversion and control of
electric power.
Power Electronics is used to change the characteristics (voltage and current
magnitude and/or frequency) of electrical power to suit a particular
application.

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.
Range of power scale :

milliwatts(mW)

Megawatts(MW)

Gigawatts(GW)

Power electronics versus Linear Electronics

Linear Electronics
Power semiconductor
devices are operated in linear
region
Line frequency transformers
are used
Each linear regulator has an
average energy efficiency of
3550%
Power Electronics
Power semiconductor devices
are operated in active or cut-off
region
High frequency transformers
are used
Power loss is minimum hence
higher energy efficiency can be

Linear versus Switch Mode Power

Supply (SMPS)

Role of Power Electronics

Process and control the flow of electric energy

Source

Power output

Power input
Vi

ii

Electric utility
battery
other electric energy source
power converter

Power
Converter

io

Vo

Load

Electric Motor
light
Measurements
heating
Controller
other electric equipment
Reference power converter

Power Unit
Power semiconductor devices
Magnetics, capacitors
Control Unit
Linear Ics, Digital signal Processors
Load
Linear Ics, Digital signal Processors

Desirable features of Power

Conversion Process
Reduced Power loss
High energy efficiency
Lowers the operating cost
of converter

Reduced heat sink

requirement
Reduction of size, weight
and cost
Low Electromagnetic
emissions

Generic structure of a power electronic

system
Control is invariably required. Power converter along with its
controller including the corresponding measurement and interface
circuits, is also called power electronic system.

Power
input

Feedforward
( measurements
of input signals )

Power
Converter
Control input
Controller
Reference

Power
output

Feedback
(measurements
of output signals )

A typical power electronic system

Source

Power output

Power input
Vi

ii

Electric utility
battery
other electric energy source
power converter

Power
Converter

io

Measurements
Controller
Reference

Vo

Load

Electric Motor
light
heating
other electric equipment
power converter

Modern SMPS requirements

Compact and light weight
High energy density and energy
efficiency
Low Electromagnetic Interference
Fig. 1

Challenges

Power Transformer
Line Filter

Selection of suitable converter topology

Influence of parasitic elements and PCB layout
Proportional relationship between switching
frequency and switching loss in semiconductor
devices

Fig. 2
9

Interdisciplinary nature of Power Electronics

Circuit Ct
theory

Electric
machines
Power
systems

Systems&
Control theory

Signal
processing

Control

theory Power
electronics
electr

oni

cs
Electromagnetics
electr

Simulation &
computing
electronics
Solid state
physics

History of power semiconductor

devices
Power diodes (or rectifiers)
Bipolar transistor 1948
Power BJT (bipolar junction transistor) - 1960

Thyristor or SCR (Silicon controlled rectifier) 1957

Power MOSFETs (Metal oxide semiconductor
field effect transistor) - 1970
IR 400V 25A power MOSFET 1978

IGBT (insulated gate bipolar transistor) 1990

a hybrid between a MOSFET and a BJT

Applications of Power Electronics

Transportation
Electric/ Hybrid Electric
Vehicles
Electric Locomotives
Electric Trucks, Buses,
Construction
Aircraft power systems
Ship power systems

Applications of Power Electronics

Industrial/ Commercial
Motor drive systems
Electric machinery and
tools
Pumps/ compressors
Process control
Factory automation

Applications of Power Electronics

Consumer Products
Air conditioners/ Heat
pumps
Computers
Lighting
Telecommunications
Uninterruptible power
supplies
Battery chargers

Applications of Power Electronics

Utilities
Generating systems
Grid interface for alternative
energy resources (solar, wind,
fuel cells, etc.)
HVDC
Solid state transformer
Solid state fault current limiter
Solid state circuit breaker

Project Design Flow Chart

Theoretical &
feasibility
study(Conceptualization)
Simulation
Model
Circuit
Implementatio
n

Optimization
Unsatisfactory
results

Optimization
Unsatisfactory
results

Final prototype
16