INTRODUCTION

Chapter 1. INTRODUCTION

1.1. DEFINITION OF ELECTRONIC POWER

Power electronics includes control, protection and power supply circuit. There is an
increasing need for power to be switched / transferred, controlled or converted. So that
power electronics is a link between the resources and electric load.

Fig. 1-1. Block diagram of the power electronics

Description: Power Electronics is divided into two parts:

I. Power circuit
II. Control circuit

Both of these circuits use semi conductor equipment.

• Power circuit consists of diode, thyristor, triac and transistor power.
• Control circuit comprising of diode, transistor and Integrated Circuit (IC).

1.2. HISTORY OF ELECTRONIC POWER

The oldest electronic equipment that have conditioned the nature of the electrical current is
thermionic valve (1907). The other type is the metal rectifiers (junction of copper / copper
oxidation).
 Fig. 1-2. Thermionic Valve[1].

Around 1950, the diodes made of semiconductor materials, such as Germanium and Silicon
(suitable for larger power).

Beginning in 1960 found that so-called silicon controlled rectifier (SCR). Since this is a
massive development occurred in the production and application of semi-conductor, power
semiconductor, such as silicon diodes, thyristors, power transistors.

1.3. TYPES OF CONVERTER SYSTEM

In electrical engineering, power engineering and the electric power industry, power
conversion is converting electric energy from one form to another, converting between AC
and DC, or just changing the voltage or frequency, or some combination of these. A power
converter is an electrical or electro-mechanical device for converting electrical energy. This
could be as simple as a transformer to change the voltage of AC power, but also includes far
more complex systems. The term can also refer to a class of electrical machinery that is used
to convert one frequency of alternating current into another frequency. These systems can be
classified according to the functions performed and commutation method used. The main
types are;

• Rectifier
• Inverter
• DC to DC converter (DC Chopper)
• AC to AC converter.

Rectifier (AC / DC)

A rectifier is an electrical device that converts alternating current (AC), which periodically
reverses direction, to direct current (DC), which flows in only one direction. The process is
known as rectification. Physically, rectifiers take a number of forms, including vacuum tube
diodes, mercury-arc valves, copper and selenium oxide rectifiers, semiconductor diodes,
silicon-controlled rectifiers and other silicon-based semiconductor switches. Historically,
even synchronous electro mechanical switches and motors have been used.
Rectifiers have many uses, but are often found serving as components of DC power supplies
and high-voltage direct current power transmission systems. Rectification may serve in roles
other than to generate direct current for use as a source of power. As noted, detectors of radio
signals serve as rectifiers.

Fig. 1-3. Rectifier[2].

Inverter (DC to AC)

A power inverter, or inverter, is an electronic device or circuitry that changes direct current
(DC) to alternating current (AC).

The input voltage, output voltage and frequency, and overall power handling depend on the
design of the specific device or circuitry. The inverter does not produce any power; the power
is provided by the DC source.

A power inverter can be entirely electronic or may be a combination of mechanical effects

(such as a rotary apparatus) and electronic circuitry. Static inverters do not use moving parts
in the conversion process.

The role of the inverter includes:

1. Stand-by power supply.
2. Uninterrupted power suppy to the computer.
3. Control of speed variable for ac motor.
4. Aircraft power supply.
5. Induction heating.
6. Output of DC transmission line.
 Fig. 1-4. Inverter and Solar Cell[3].
DC to DC converter (DC Chopper)

A DC-to-DC converter is an electronic circuit or electromechanical device that converts a

source of direct current (DC) from one voltage level to another. It is a type of electric power
converter. Power levels range from very low (small batteries) to very high (high-voltage
power transmission).

Fig. 1-5. DC to DC Converter[4].

AC to AC Converter

A solid-state AC-AC converter converts an AC waveform to another AC waveform, where

the output voltage and frequency can be set arbitrarily.

Fig. 1-6. AC to AC Converter[5].

The application of ac voltage controller includes:

1. Induction Heating.
2. Light Control.
3. Prime transformer control for electro-chemical processes.
4. Control of speed of an induction motor for pump and fan.