Power Electronics

Power Electronics * The control and conversion of electrical power by power semiconductor devices (wherein these devices operate as switches) * To control and convert electrical power from one form to another * Power range: from a few VA/Watts to several MVA / MW * 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.

Interdisciplinary Nature of Power Electronics
Power electronics is currently the most active discipline in electric power engineering.

* Power Electronic Controllers * The control and conversion of electric power is performed with the help of power electronic controllers * Power electronic system consists of controllers * The power electronic controllers are also called as power electronic converters

* Advantages * Fast dynamic response due to static devices * High efficiency of conversion * Compact size and light weight of the controllers * Increased operating life and reduced maintenance * Highly flexible-PEC uses digital or microprocessor based controls * The electromagnetic interference and acoustic noise is reduced.

* Disadvantages * PEC generate harmonics, these affects the performance of other loads * The power factor of some power electronic controllers is very low. Hence power factor correction is necessary to reduce reactive power * Power electronic converters are costly for the simple requirements
The Four Main Forms of Conversion

Example

* Conversion of electric power
Other names for electric power converter:
-Power converter
-Converter
-Switching converter
-Power electronic circuit
-Power electronic converter * The electric energy in one form is given at the input * The power electronic system converts the electric energy in the other form * Example is AC to DC conversion

Power Electronic