ELECTRO-MECHANICAL

SYSTEMS (EEEB413)
Basics of Power Electronics
Dr.Mohamed Ansari M.Nainar
Sr.Lecturer, ME
BN-1-026, COE
UNITEN, Malaysia
Tel Ext: 2213
Email: ansari@uniten.edu.my

Book Reference
Theodore Wildi, Electrical Machines, Drives, and Power Systems, IE,
6th Edition, Prentice Hall

Basics of Power Electronics

Electronic systems Power technology
Solid-state electronic device for control and
conversion of electric power or Semiconducting switching devices (eg: Diodes,
Thyristors and Transistors)
Advances in Power electronics: GTOs, BPT,
MOSFETs, IGBTs.
Conversion of AC power to DC power and
vice-versa (eg.rectifiers, inverters, converters)
3

Potential Level Example1

Potential level w.r.t
reference potential,
T1(0V)
Potential level of T2
is 80V w.r.t T1
Potential level of T3
w.r.t T1 and T2 based
on time factor, t1tn.

Battery

AC source

Potential level of terminals 1,2 and 3

4

Potential Level Example 2

Potential level w.r.t
reference potential,
T3(0V)
Potential level of T1
is w.r.t T3
Potential level of T2
w.r.t based on time
factor, t1tn.

Battery

AC source

Potential level of terminals 1,2 and 3

5

Voltage across some circuit elements

Potential at Source
Potential across a
switch (E1 = E2)
Potential across a
Resistor E3 = E4 = IR
Potential across a coil
or Inductance
E=L(dI/dt)
Potential across a
Capacitor,E=const; I=0

Switch

Resistor

Inductor

Capacitor

Potential level of some circuit elements

6

Basic electronic components

DIODE
THYRISTOR
GTO Thyristor

TRANSISTOR
BPT
MOSFET
IGBT

The Diode and Diode Circuits

A diode is an electronic
device possessing two
terminals, A and K
Rules:R1 R4

Diode

R1 : E= 0, then Open switch (OS)

R2 : Inv.Voltage (E2) - OS
R3 : For.Voltage (E1>0.7V) Closed switch
(CS)
R4 : If I=0 for 10sec, - OS

A perfect diode is a normally open

switch when A becomes +ve, then
it behaves as a CS and when I
drops to 0 then it behaves as an
OS again.

Basic rules governing diode behaviour

8

Main characteristics of a diode

Peak Inverse Voltage
Maximum inverse voltage before the diode breaks down.
The peak inverse voltage (PIV) ranges from 50V to 4000V, depending on the
construction.
If the rated PIV is exceeded, the diode begins to conduct in reverse and in many
cases, is immediately destroyed.

Maximum Average Current

Average current limit for a diode to carry.
Max. current ranges from few 100 mA to over 4000 A.
Nominal current rating depends upon the temperature of the diode, which depends
upon the mountings and cooling systems.

Maximum Temperature

Voltage across a diode X current it carries = Power loss (Heat)

The temp. of diode must not exceed the permissible limit.
Si diodes : -50 0C to +200 0C.
Heat sink, fans, oil or deionized water (For cooling of diodes)

Thyristors
A thyristor is an electronic switch
similar to a diode, but wherein the
instant of conduction can be
controlled.
Like diode, a thyristor possesses an
anode and a cathode, in addition a
third contact terminal called a gate
is present.
If the gate is connected to the
cathode, the thyristor will not
conduct, even if the anode is
positive. (Blocked)
Conditions: a. The anode must be positive
b. A current I must flow into the gate for
at least a few microseconds.

Thyristor

Thyristor Conditions
10

GTO Thyristor
A GTO thyristor is similar to a thyristor , both can be controlled
by the gate current and voltage.
To initiate conduction, anode voltage must be positive
w.r.t.cathode. Under this condition, thyristor may be turn-on by
any of the following techniques:
Gate Triggering
High Voltage
Thermals
Light
dV/dt
GTO Thyristor
GTO Thyristor Properties

11

Transistors
FET Field Effect Transistor
BPT Bipolar Junction Transistor
MOSFET Metal oxide
semiconductor Field Effect Transistor

A transistor is a semiconductor device

used to amplify and switch electronic
signals.
It is made of a solid piece of
semiconductor material, with at least
three terminals for connection to an
external circuit. A voltage or current
applied to one pair of the transistor's
terminals changes the current flowing
through another pair of terminals.
Because the controlled power can be
much more than the controlling (input)
power, the transistor provides
amplification of a signal.

12

Transistors

BPT Bipolar Junction Transistor

High switching speed as compared with thyristors.

Extensively employed in dc-dc and dc-ac converters.
Have certain limitations and are restricted to some applications
(e.g. High voltage, high current).
Characteristics and ratings of each type should be carefully
examined to suit a particular application.

13

Transistors

MOSFET Metal oxide

semiconductor Field Effect Transistor

A power MOSFET is a voltage-controlled device only a very

small gate current is required
Very high switching speed (the switching times are of the order
of nanoseconds)
Applications in low power high-frequency converters.
Problems of electrostatic discharge and require special care in
handling.

MOSFET Properties

MOSFET

14

Transistors

IGBT-Insulated Gate Bi-polar Jn Transistor

Combines the advantages of BPTs and MOSFETs

High input impedance, like MOSFETs
Low on-state conduction losses, like BPTs
A voltage-controlled device similar to a power MOSFET
Lower switching and conduction losses
Ease of gate drive, peak current capability and ruggedness
Inherently faster than a BPT
The current rating can be up to 400A, 1200V
Medium-power applications such as d.c. and a.c. motor drives and
power supplies.

IGBT
IGBT Properties

15

Basic electronic circuits

RECTIFIER (AC- DC)
Single-Phase Bridge Rectifier
Three-Phase 3Pulse Rectifier
Three-Phase 6Pulse Rectifier

INVERTER (DC-AC)
PWM Inverter

CONVERTER (DC-DC)
DC Choppers

16

Rectifiers
(a) Single-phase bridge rectifiers
(b) Three-phase, 3 pulse rectifier
(c) Three-phase, 6 pulse rectifier

A rectifier is an electrical device that converts

alternating current (AC) to direct current (DC),
a process known as rectification.
Rectifiers have many uses including as
components of power supplies and as detectors
of radio signals.
Rectifiers may be made of solid state diodes,
vacuum tube diodes, mercury arc valves, and
other components.

17

(b)

(c)

Rectifiers

(a) Single Phase Bridge Rectifier

Ed = 0.90 E ..(1)
Where, Ed = DC voltage of the Rectifier
E = Supply AC line voltage (V)
0.9 = constant (22 )/
Id = Ed /R..(2)
Where, Id = Rectified current

18

Rectifiers

(i) Rectifier with Inductive Filter

(ii) Rectifier with Capacitive Filter

Ed = 0.90 E ...(1)
Id = Ed /R..(2)

The peak-to-peak ripple,

Ripple = 5.5 P/f.WL(3)
Where, WL is the energy stored in the
Inductor,
P is the dc power drawn by the load [W],
f is the frequency of the 3ph, 6-pulse
source [Hz]
5.5 is the coefficient factor of units

19

Rectifiers

(b) Three-Phase, 3 Pulse (Bridge)Rectifier

Ed = 0.675 E ..(1)
Where, Ed = DC voltage of the 3
Pulse Rectifier
E = Supply AC line voltage (V)
0.675= constant [3/(2 )]
Id = Ed /R..(2)
Where, Id = Rectified current

20

Rectifiers

(c) Three Phase, 6 Pulse Rectifier

Ed = 1.35 E ..(1)
Where, Ed = DC voltage of the 6Pulse Rectifier
E = Supply AC line voltage (V)
1.35 = constant (32 )/
Id = Ed /R..(2)
Where, Id = Rectified current

The peak-to-peak ripple,

R = [0.17 P]/f.WL..(3)
Where, WL is the energy stored in
the Inductor,
P is the dc power drawn by the
load [W],
F is the frequency of the 3ph, 6pulse source [Hz]

21

PROBLEMS

1. An AC source has an effective voltage of 240 V, 60Hz. The

load draws a DC current of 30A.
Calculate: (a) The DC voltage across the load.
(b) The average DC current in each diode.
2. We need to build a DC power supply of 110V,10A using a
single-phase bridge rectifier and an inductive filter. The P2P
current ripple should be about 15%. If a 50Hz AC source is
available, calculate the following values:
(a) The effective AC supply (Source)
(b) The energy stored in the inductor
(c) The inductance of the inductor
(d) The P2P current ripple
22

PROBLEMS

3. A 3-phase bridge rectifier has to supply power to a 360kW, 240

V DC load. If a 600V, 3-phase, 60 Hz feeder is available,
calculate the following:
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.

Voltage rating of the 3-ph transformer

DC current per diode
PIV across each diode
P2P ripple in the o/p voltage and its frequency.
Calculate the inductance of the choke required, if the P2P ripple is 5 %.
Does the presence of the choke modify the P2P ripple in the o/p
voltage EKA?

23

Rectifier (Power circuits) with Thyristers

1. Controlled Rectifier supplying a
passive load

2. Controlled Rectifier supplying a

active load

24

Inverter (Power circuits) with Thyristers

3. Line-Commutated inverter

4. AC Static Switch

25

Converter(Power circuits) with Thyristers

5. Cycloconverter

26

Converter(Power circuits) with Thyristers

6. 3-phase, 6 pulse controllable converter

27

Converter(Power circuits) with Thyristers

6. 3-phase, 6 pulse controllable converter

28

Converter (DC-DC)

DC Choppers

DC to DC converters
Based on I/O voltage levels (Buck convertor or Boost Converter)
Based on output voltage and current (Class A, Class B, Class C and Class D)
Based on circuit operation (One quadrant, Two quadrant or Three quadrant)
Based on commutation (Natural or Forced)

Duty Cycle (D) = Ta/T

T is the period of one cycle
Ta is the on time of the switch

29

Converter
DC Choppers

EA = D EH
Switching Losses:
EB = (1-D) EH
ELL = EA - EB
= DEH - (1-D) EH
ELL = EH (2D 1)
30

PROBLEMS

4. The switch opens and closes at a frequency of 20Hz and

remains closed for 3ms per cycle. A DC ammeter is connected
in series with load Eo indicates a current of 70 A.
a.
b.

If ammeter is connected in series with the source, what current will it

indicate?
What is the average current per pulse?

31

Inverter
PWM Pulse Width Modulated
Inverter

An inverter is an electrical device that

converts DC) to AC; the converted AC
can be at any required voltage and
frequency with the use of appropriate
transformers, switching, and control
circuits.

Types of Inverters:
- 2 quadrant
- 4 quadrant

32

PROBLEMS

5. We wish to generate a 3-phase, 245V, 60Hz source using the

converter of Fig.21.93. The DC supply voltage EH is 500V and
the carrier frequency fc is 540Hz: Determine the following
a.
b.

c.
d.
e.

f.

The peak value of the fundamental voltage between terminal L and

floating neutral N of the load.
The period T of the triangle wave and the corresponding angular
interval, in degrees
The PWM program
The waves shapes of the PWM voltage between terminals A and Y
during one cycle.
The waveshapes of the PWM voltage between terminals A-Y, B-Y,
and C-Y.
The waveshapes of the PWM voltages between terminals A-B, B-C,
and C-A.
33

SUMMARY
We have studied the following sub-topics:

1. Introduction to Power Electronics and their devices

2. Electronic components such as Diode, Thyristor
and Transistor
3. Power electronic circuits such as Rectifier circuit,
Convertors and Inverters.

34