DRE2143

Power Electronics
Chapter 1
Introduction To Power Electronics
 (a) What is Power Electronics?
(b) Why do we need Power Electronics?
(c) Example applications of Power Electronics
(d) Power Computations

Contents (e) Semiconductor Switches

(f) Power Electronics Conversion
Chapter 1: Introduction to Power Electronics (g) Exercises & Example Problems DRE2143 by bbh997_0066 2
 Introduction
Generally, Power Electronics
related to 3 areas;
1. Power System
2. Electronics System
3. Control System

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 Power System

Deals with the static and

rotating power equipment
for the generation,
transmission, and
distribution.

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 Electronics System

Deals with the solid-state

devices and circuits for
signal processing to meet
the desired control
objectives.

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 Control System

Deals with the steady-state

and dynamic
characteristics of closed-
loop systems.

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 (a) What is Power Electronics?

Power electronics can be

defined as the application
of solid-state electronics for
the control and conversion
of electric power.

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 (b) Why do we
need Power
Electronics

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 Why PE is Important

Power Conversion Conversion Concept: Example 1

• Conversion of Power: Power electronics is
needed to convert electrical energy from
one form to another.
• For example, it is used to convert DC
power to AC power, or vice versa, which is
important in many applications such as
renewable energy systems, electric
vehicles, and grid-tied inverters.

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 Why PE is Important

Power Control Conversion Concept: Example 2

• Control of Power: Power electronics is
also used to control the power flow in
electrical systems.
• This is important in applications such
as motor control, where precise
control of the speed and torque of a
motor is required.

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 Why PE is Important
Ex3: Investigate the efficiency of 4
Power Efficiency different power circuits below.
R R
• Efficiency: Power electronics
can improve the efficiency of
electrical systems by Vin
RL Vout Vin
RL Vout
24 Vdc 12 Vdc 24 Vdc 12 Vdc
reducing losses and waste. 6Ω 6Ω
Assume Iz = 10% load current
• For example, it is used in
(a) Voltage Divider (b) Zener Regulator
energy-efficient lighting
systems, where it can + Vce -
increase the efficiency of the switch
system by reducing the Vin Vout Vin Vout
RL RL
amount of energy that is 24 Vdc
control 6Ω 12 Vdc 24 Vdc
6Ω 12 Vdc
wasted as heat.
(c) Linear Regulator (d) PE Switching Regulator

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 Why PE is Important

(a) Voltage Divider

Therefore,
• Since Vin = 24 V, Vo= 12V
and RL = 6 .
• Hence, R = RL = 6 
R

Vin IL Vout
RL
24 Vdc 12 Vdc
6Ω

(a) Voltage Divider

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 Why PE is Important
Since IL = 12V/6 = 2A;
(b) Zener Regulator Assume Iz = 10% x 2A = 0.2a=A
Therefore,
• Since Vin = 24 V, Vo= 12V
and RL = 6 .
• Hence, Zener Voltage
VZ = 12 V
R

Iz IL
Vin Vout
RL
24 Vdc 12 Vdc
6Ω
Assume Iz = 10% load current

(b) Zener Regulator

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 Why PE is Important
Since IL = 2A, Ic = 2A;
(c) Linear Regulator Then Ib = too small and can be neglected.
Therefore,
• Since Vin = 24 V, Vo= 12V
and RL = 6 .
• Hence, Vce = 12V
• Thus, IL = 12V/6 = 2A

+ Vce -

Vin IL Vout
RL
24 Vdc 12 Vdc
control 6Ω

(c) Linear Regulator

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 Why PE is Important
Switch

(d) Switching Regulator Assume ideal switching ON OFF ON OFF

• Since Vin = 24 V, Vo= 12V Since Vo = Vin x D, 0 DT T

t

and RL = 6 . The Duty Cycle, D must

Vout
Vin

• Hence, IL = 12V/6 = 2A be 0.5 in order to get Vo, avg

Vo=12V
t
0 DT T

switch Therefore,
Vin Vout
IL RL
24 Vdc 12 Vdc
6Ω

(d) PE Switching Regulator

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 Why PE is Important

Power Safety
• Safety: Power electronics is also important
for safety reasons.
• It is used in systems such as power
supplies and battery chargers to protect
against overvoltage, overcurrent, and
other types of faults that can damage the
system or create safety hazards.

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 In summary
• Power electronics is a crucial technology
that is needed in many different
applications.
• Power electronics is a key technology that
enables efficient and safe control of
electrical power, and it plays a critical role
in many modern technologies and
applications.

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 Advantages of PE

Efficiency Reliability
• High energy conversion efficiency • Higher Reliability and cost effective
• Instead of directly used 50/60Hz • Less maintenance, longer lifetime,
motor-generator light and small size, fast recovery
time, unlimited range of
conversion

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 Advantages of PE

Clean Quiet
• Environmentally clean and safe • Quiet operation
• Produce no hazardous waste • has no moving parts, suitable for
products residential, hotels etc
• Where burning of fossil fuel emits
gases such as C,0,, CO (oil
burning), S02, NOx (coal burning)
etc. which creates global warming
(green house effect), acid rain and
urban pollution

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 Advantages of PE

Renewable friendly Reduce Pollution

• Reduce dependency on fossil fuel • Special effort is needed to reduce
(coal, natural gas, oil) and nuclear pollution in cities by enforcing the
power resource (uranium) use of electric vehicle.
• Effort to tap renewable energy
resources such as solar, wind, fuel-
cell etc. need to be increased.

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 (c) Example Applications of
the Power Electronics

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 PE in Static Applications

Non-Rotating Applications
• Involves non-rotating or moving
mechanical components such as:
• DC Power supply
• Uninterruptible power supply ((UPS)
• Power generation and transmission
(HVDC)
• Electroplating
• Welding
• Heating
• Cooling
• Electronic ballast

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 DC Power Supply Block Diagram

Static
Applications

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 PE in Drive Applications

Rotating Applications
• Contains moving or rotating
components such as motors such as:
• Electric trains
• Electric vehicles
• Air-conditioning System
• Pumps
• Compressor
• Conveyer Belt (Factory automation)

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 Air- Conditioning System Block Diagram

Rotating
Applications

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 Other
Applications

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 (d) Power Computations

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 Power Computations

Instantaneous Power Energy

• for any device is computed from • is the integral of Instantaneous
the voltage across it and the Power; where
current in it; where 𝑡2
W = ‫𝑡׬‬1 𝑝 𝑡 𝑑𝑡 Joules
P(t)=v(t)i(t) Watts

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 Power Computations

Average Power
• is the time average of p(t) over
one or more periods
1 𝑡0+𝑇
P = ‫𝑡׬‬0 𝑝(𝑡) 𝑑𝑡
𝑇
• sometimes called real power or
active power

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 Power Computations

Effective Value (RMS)

• Effective Value known as Root-Mean-Square (rms) value.
• The effective value of a periodic voltage waveform is based on the average power delivered to a resistor;
where
𝑣 2𝑑𝑐
P= ; for dc voltage across an R,
𝑅
𝑣 2𝑒𝑓𝑓
P= ; for a periodic voltage across an R
𝑅

1 𝑇
computing from equation before: P = ‫׬‬0 𝑝(𝑡) 𝑑𝑡
𝑇

1 𝑇 𝑉2 1 𝑇
P = ‫׬‬0 𝑑𝑡 we should get 𝑉𝑟𝑚𝑠 = ‫ 𝑣 ׬‬2 (𝑡) 𝑑𝑡
𝑇 𝑅 𝑇 0

• The ratings of devices such as transformers etc. are always in rms voltages and currents

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 (e) Semiconductor Switches

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 • 3 Switch categories
• Mechanical Switches

• Electro-mechanical switches

• Semiconductor switches
Types of
Switches
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 Power Semiconductor Devices
(Power Switches)
Can be categorized into 3 groups

Uncontrolled Semi-Controlled Fully-Controlled

Switch Switch Switch
e.g. Diode e.g. Thyristor (SCR) e.g. BJT, MOSFET,
IGBT, GTO, IGCT

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 Powerex
Inc.
Switches
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 Power Electronics Switching

Switching devices can be either

Ideal Switch Practical Switch

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 Ideal Switching Characteristics

• In ON STATE
• No limit on the amount of current in conduction
• Zero on-state voltage drop

• In OFF STATE
• No limit on the amount of voltage in-non conduction
• Zero leakage current

• In STATE changes
• No limit on the operating speed
Ideal • Zero rise time

Switching • Zero fall time

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 Practical Switching Characteristics

• In ON STATE
• Limited power handling capabilities
• The existence of forward voltage drop

• In OFF STATE
• Limited amount of voltage blocking capabilities
• The existence of reverse current flow (leakage)

• In STATE changes
• Limited switching speed

Practical • The switch experience power losses during ON (Conduction

loss) & OFF (Switching loss)

Switching • Limited rise time

• Limited fall time

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 Practical Switching Characteristics

• In ON STATE
• Limited power handling capabilities
• The existence of forward voltage drop

• In OFF STATE
• Limited amount of voltage blocking capabilities
• The existence of reverse current flow (leakage)

• In STATE changes
• Limited switching speed

Practical • The switch experience power losses during ON (Conduction

loss) & OFF (Switching loss)

Switching • Limited rise time

• Limited fall time

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 Practical Devices
- Power Diodes
UNCONTROLLED SWITCH

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 Practical Diodes Characteristics

• In ON STATE
• Diode is forward biased, current flows with a small forward voltage
(Vf) of 0.2- 3 V

• In OFF STATE
• Diode is reverse biased (or in blocking state), a small leakage
current flows (in uA to mA) until the reverse breakdown occurs.
• Diode should not be operated at reverse voltage greater than Vr.

Power
Diodes
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 Practical Diodes (Reverse Recovery)

• In STATE Changes
• When a diode is quickly switched from forward to reverse bias, it
continues to conduct due to minority carriers which remains in the
PN junction.
• The minority carriers require finite time to recombine with
opposite charge and neutralized i.e. Reverse recovery time (trr).
• The reverse recovery time, trr effects are i.e. increase switching
losses, increase voltage rating, and causes over-voltage (spikes) in
inductive loads.

Power
Diodes
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 Types of Power Diodes

Can be categorized into 3 groups

Line-Frequency Fast / Ultra-fast Schottky Diodes

(General Purpose) Recovery Diodes
Diodes

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 Types of Power Diodes

Power
Diodes
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 Types of Power Diodes Comparison

Power
Diodes
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 Practical Devices
- Thyristors
SEMI-CONTROLLED SWITCH

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 Thyristors
• The thyristor is a family of four-layered
semiconductor device with three-
terminals; anode, cathode, and the gate.
• Includes in the family are the;
• Silicon-Controlled Rectifier (SCR)
• Gate Turn-Off Thyristor (GTO)
• Diode for Alternating Current (DIAC)
• Triode AC Switch (TRIAC)
• Uni-Junction Transistor (UJT)
• Programmable Uni-Junction Transistor (PUT)

Thyristors • Silicon-Controlled Switch (SCS)

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 Thyristors Family

Thyristors
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 Silicon-Controlled Rectifier (SCR)
• The SCR can be turned ON either by applying forward blocking voltage, Vf or
the gate current, Ig.
• The forward breakover voltage, VBO is the voltage across anode-cathode
terminal that allows the SCR to turn ON in the absence of gate current.
• The holding current, IH is the minimum forward current for an SCR to stay in ON
state.

SCR
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 Silicon-Controlled Rectifier (SCR)
• To turn ON
• The SCR in forward blocking state (Vak is positive)
or
• A positive gate current (Ig) is applied at the gate
• Once conducting, the anode current is latched
• The SCR cannot be turn OFF by gate control.

SCR
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 How to turn OFF an SCR?
• Thyristor can be turned off by
• Natural Commutation – when the supply goes negative (or
polarity changes in ac)
• Forced commutation – when the anode current goes zero (
by diverting the anode current

SCR
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 Controllable Switches

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 Controllable Switches (Power Transistors)
Controllable means the switches can be turned ON and OFF
by applying control signals to the gate/base.
• These switches operated in
saturation and cutoff modes
only
• Linear region operation will
cause excessive power loss
• Traditional devices: e.g. BJT,
MOSFET, IGBT and GTO
• Emerging (new) devices: e.g.
Gate Controlled Thyristor
(GCT)

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 Practical Devices
- BJTs
FULLY -CONTROLLED SWITCH

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 Bipolar Junction Transistors (BJT)
• Ratings
• Voltage: Vce <1000V; Current: Ic < 400A
• Switching frequency: fsw <5kHz; on-state voltage: Vce(sat) 2-3V

• Disadvantages
• Current-controlled device
• Low current gain, 
• Require high base current, Ib to obtain reasonable output, Ic
• Expensive and complex base-drive circuit
• Not popular in new products

Power
BJTs
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 BJT Conduction

• (a) at Cut-off
• Vce is high R=
• Collector Current, Ic is very low

• (b) at Saturation
• Collector Current, Ic is high
• Vce is very low
• The BJT as a resistor

Power R=0

BJTs
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 Practical Devices
- MOSFETs
FULLY -CONTROLLED SWITCH

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 Metal Oxide Silicon Field Effect Transistors (MOSFET)

• Ratings
• Voltage: Vds <500V; Current: Ids < 300A
• Switching frequency: fsw >100kHz up to MHz range for low power devices

• Advantages
• voltage-controlled device
• Gate-drive circuit is simple (+- 15V VGS)
• Low voltage device <600V with limited current capability
• Popular in new products

Power
MOSFETs
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 MOSFET Conduction

During ON state
• Internal (dynamic) resistance between drain and source during
ON state, Rds(on) limits the power handling capability of mosfet.
• Conduction loss caused by the on resistance of the drain-source
channel, Rds(on)

Power
MOSFETs Switching losses occurs during both switch-
ON and switch-OFF caused by MOSFET’s
parasitic parameters
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 Practical Devices
- IGBTs
FULLY -CONTROLLED SWITCH

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 Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistors (IGBT)
• Ratings
• Voltage: Vce <3.3kV; Current: Ic < 1.2kA; latest 4.5kV/1.2kA
• Switching frequency: fsw <100kHz (typical 20-50kHz); on-state voltage: Vce(sat) 2-3V

• Disadvantages
• Voltage-controlled device
• Good for medium to high power applications
• Simple base-drive circuit
• Very popular in new products

IGBTs
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 R=

IGBT Conduction
R=0

(a) ON-OFF characteristics

• Gate behaviour similar to Mosfet. Easy to turn-ON and turn-OFF.
• It is combination of BJT and Mosfet characteristics.
• Low losses like BJT due to low ON-state Vce (2-3V).
• Requires +ve voltage turn-ON (Normally ~+15V)
• Requires –ve voltage to turn-OFF (Normally ~-15V)

(b) Other charcteristics

• Older IGBT require snubber circuit
while newer mostly snubberless
• Requires IGBT driver to operate

IGBTs
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 Practical Devices
- GTOs
FULLY -CONTROLLED SWITCH

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 Gate Turn-Off Thyristor (GTO)
• Ratings
• Voltage: Vak <5kV; Current: Ia < 5kA
• Switching frequency: fsw <5kHz; on-state voltage: Vce(sat) 2-3V

• Disadvantages
• Behave like scr but can be turned off using gate signal
• Turning off is difficult (requires very large reverse current; 1/5 of Ia)
• Expensive and difficult base-drive circuit
• Limited in very high power applications

GTO
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 Practical Devices
- IGCTs
FULLY -CONTROLLED SWITCH

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 Integrated Gate-Commutated Thyristor (IGCT)

• Ratings
• Voltage: Vak <6.5kV; Current: Ia < 5kA
• Switching frequency: fsw <1kHz; on-state voltage: Vce(sat) 1-2V

• Disadvantages
• Behave like GTO but with higher power ratings and lower fswitching
• Turning off is difficult (requires very large reverse current; >1/5 of Ia)
• Expensive and difficult base-drive circuit
• Limited to very high-power applications

IGCT
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 Switch Applications

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 Semiconductor Switches Comparison
Device Rated Rated Switching On-State
Available Drive Circuit State of Tech Overall Comment
Type Voltage Current Freq Voltage

SCR Early 60s 5kV 4kA NA 2V Simple Mature Cannot turn-off using gate signal

BJT Late 70s 1kV 400A 5kHz 1-2V Difficult Mature Phasing out in new products

Mature/
MOSFET Early 80s 500V 200A 1MHz I*Rds(on) Very Simple Good in high frequency
improving

GTO Mid 80s 5kV 5kA 2kHz 2-3V Very Difficult Mature King in high power

Rapid
IGBT Late 80s 3.3kV 1.2kA 100kHz 2-3V Very Simple Best overall performance
Improve

IGCT Mid 90s 6.5kV 4kA 1kHz 3V Simple Improving Replacing GTO

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 Application areas of power semiconductors

Devices Power Rating

Vs.
Switching frequency

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 Next Generation Power Devices : SiC and GaN

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 (f) Power Electronics
Conversion

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 Four types of the power electronics
converters

PE Basic
Conversions
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 Power Electronics Converters

AC-DC Converter (Rectifier) DC-DC Converter (Chopper)

• AC-DC converters are electrical • DC-DC converter converts one DC
circuits that transform alternating voltage to another. The operating
current (AC) input into direct voltage of different electronic devices
current (DC) output. They are used in such as ICs can vary over a wide
power electronic applications where range, making it necessary to provide
the power input a 50 Hz or 60 Hz sine- a voltage for each device.
wave AC voltage that requires power
conversion for a DC output.

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 Power Electronics Converters

DC-AC Converter (Inverter) AC-AC Converter (Cyclo-Converter

• An inverter is a device or a part of a • A cycloconverter is a one-stage

circuit that changes direct current conversion device that converts ac
(DC) to alternating current (AC). It input power at supply frequency to ac
can be used to reverse the sign of the output power at load frequency. The
current or voltage of a signal or power main feature of a cycloconverter is
source, to run the AC loads through a that it has the facility for continuous
battery, or to control AC loads via AC- and independent control over the
DC conversion. output frequency and the output
voltage.

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 (g) Exercises &
Example Problems

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 Exercises
Page #1 1. Thyristor has been widely used in power electronics
circuit. From the figure below, describe the turn-on and
turn-off characteristics of a thyristor.

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 Exercises
Page #2 2. What is the purpose of free-wheeling diode in half-wave
R-L load rectifier? Draw the output voltage and current for
this rectifier.

3. Why a MOSFET is mostly used in DC-DC converters?

Explain your answer.

4. Power semiconductor devices can be categorized into

three groups according to its switching control
characteristics. State and provide an example for each
group.

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 Exercises
Page #3 5. Why power electronic technology is important in
renewable energy applications? Elaborate the answer with
example.
6. The reverse recovery time is importance in power diode
characteristics. Name and discuss three types of power
diodes based on reverse recovery time characteristic.

7. Explain the differentiation between uncontrolled and

controlled power switching devices on its turn-on
characteristic.

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 Exercises
Page #4 8. State TWO switching devices that usually used in high
power applications.

9. Power diode is one of the switching devices used in

power conversion;
o Name any TWO (2) types of power diode.
o What is a different between power diode and thyristor.
o Which type of diode is suitable for high switching circuit?

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 Exercises
Page #5 10. The use of power switching devices are essential in
power electronics energy conversion circuits. Refer to the
figure below; give an example each for the most suitable
energy conversion application by using Thyristor and
MOSFET. Justify your answer.

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 Application Problems #1

For the following application, choose the best power switches and
justify your answer.

• An inverter for the Light-Rail Train (LRT) locomotive operating

from a DC supply of 750V. The locomotive is rated at 150kW.
The induction motor is to run from standstill up to 200Hz wit
power switches frequency up to 10 kHz.

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 Application Problems #2

For the following application, choose the best power switches and
justify your answer.

• A Switch-Mode Power Supply (SMPS) for remote

telecommunication equipment is to be developed. The input
voltage is obtained from a photovoltaic array that produces a
maximum output voltage of 100V an a minimum current of
200A. The switching frequency should be higher than 100kHz.

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 Application Problems #3

For the following application, choose the best power switches and
justify your answer.

• A HVDC transmission system transmitting power of 300MW

from one ac system to another ac system both operating at
50Hz, 230KVrms line to line and the DC-link voltage operating
at 200kV.

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 Q&A

End of Chapter 1
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