physical phenomena in vacuum, gases/ vapours and semiconductors.

Power electronics is a subject that concerns the application of electronicprinciples into the situations that are rated at power level rather than signal level. It
may also be defined as subject that deals with the apparatus and equipment working
on the principle of electronics but rated at power level rather than signal level. For
example, semiconductor power switches such as thyristors, GTOs etc. work on the
principle of electronics, but have the name power attached to them only as a
description of their power ratings. Similarly, diodes, mercury-arc rectifiers and
thyratrons, high power level devices, from a part of the subject power electronics,
because their working is based on the physical phenomena in gases and vapours, an
electronic process. As the insulation of all such power rated electronic equipment
would be a voluminous task, the present book is devoted to the study of semiconductor-based power electronic components and system only. It should be
understand that the techniques used in the design of high-efficiency and high energy
level power electronic circuits are quite different from those employed in the design
of low efficiency electronic circuits at signal levels.
1.2 APPLICATIONS OF POWER ELECTRONICS:
The era of modern power electronics began with the invention of silicon
controlled rectifier by bell laboratories in 1956.its prototype was introduced by GEC
in 1957 and subsequently, GEC introduced Scr based systems commercially in
1958.since then, there have been emergence of many new power semiconductor
devices. Power electronics systems today incorporate power semiconductor devices as
well as microelectronic integrated circuits.
The term converter system in general is used to denote a static device that
converts ac to dc, dc to ac, or ac to ac, dc to dc. Conventional power controllers based
on thyratrons, mercury arc rectifiers, magnetic amplifiers, rheostatic controllers etc.
Have been replaced by power electronic controllers using semiconductors devices in
all most all applications. The development of new power semiconductor devices, new
circuit topologies with their improved performance and their fall in prices have
opened up wide field for the new applications of power electronics converters.
For controlling the power flow to load, all power semiconductor devices, used
in a power electronic converter, are either fully on or fully off. In other words all
semiconductor devices power electronic converter operates as switches. When the
1

switch is fully on, the semiconductor devices handle large current (divides by the load
impendence) and negligible voltage drop across it. When the switch is off the devices
handle negligible current with the full voltage across it.

1.3 ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF POWER ELECTRONIC

CONVERTERS:
The advantage possessed by power electronic systems is as under:
(i)
(ii)
(iii)
(iv)

High efficiency due to low loss in power semi conductor devices.

High reliability of power electronic converter systems.
Long life and less maintenance due to the absence of any moving parts.
Fast dynamic response of the power electronic systems as compared to

(v)

electromechanical converter systems.

Small size and less weight in less floor space and therefore lower

(vi)

installation cost.
Mass production of power semiconductor devices has resulted in lower
cost of the converter equipment.

Systems based on power electronics, however suffer from the following

disadvantages:
(a) Power electronic converter circuits have a tendency to generate harmonics in
the supply system as well as in the load circuit.
In the load circuit, the performance of the load is influenced, for example, a high
harmonic content in the load circuit causes commutation problems in dc machines,
increased motor heating and more acoustical noise in both dc and ac machines. So
steps must be taken to filter these out from the output side of a converter.
In the supply stems, the harmonics distort the voltage waveform and seriously
influence the performance of other equipment connected to the same supply line. In
addition, the harmonics in the supply line can also cause interference in audio and
video equipment .its is, therefore necessary to insert filters on the input side of a
converter.
(b) Ac to dc and ac to ac converters operate at a low input factor under certain
operating conditions. In order to avoid a low pf, some special measures have
to be adopted.

(c) Power electronic controllers have low overload capacity. These converters
must, therefore be rated for taking momentary overloads. As such, cost of
power electronic controller may increase.

(d) Regeneration of power is difficult in power electronic converter systems.

The advantages possessed by power electronic converters far outweigh their
disadvantages mentioned above. As a consequence, semiconductor based
converters are being extensively employed in systems where power flow is to
be regulated. As already stated, conventional power controllers used in many
installations have already replaced by semiconductor based power electronic
controllers.
1.4 POWER ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS:
The major components of a power electronic system are shown in the form of a
block diagram. Main power source may be an ac supply system or a dc supply system.
The output from the power electronic circuit may be variable dc, or ac voltage, or
it may be a variable voltage and frequency. In general, the output of a power
electronic converter circuit depends upon the requirements of the load. For example,
if the load is a dc motor, the converter output must be adjustable direct voltage. In
case the load is a 3-phase induction motor, the converter may have adjustable voltage
and frequency at its output terminals.
The feedback component measures a parameter of the load, says speed
in case of a rotating machine, and compares it with command. The difference of the
two, through the digital circuit components, Controls the instant of turn on
semiconductor devices forming the solid state power converter system. In the manner,
behavior of the load circuit can be controlled, as desired, over a wide range with the
adjustment of the command.
Main power source
Command
CONTROL UNIT

POWER ELECTRONIC CIRCUIT

DIGITAL CIRCUIT

FEEDBACK SIGNAL

LOAD

Fig: 1.1 Block diagram of a typical power electronic system

1.5 POWER SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES:
Silicon controlled rectifier was first introduced in 1957 as a power
semiconductor device. Since then, several other power semiconductor devices have
developed. Most of these semiconductor devices are listed below along with their
circuit, or device, symbol and present maximum ratings.
In the below table, the various abbreviations are; SCR(silicon controlled
rectifier), LASCR(light activated SCR), ASCR(asymmetrical SCR), RCT(reverse
conducting thyristors), GTO(gate turn off thyristor), SITH(static induction thyristor),
MCT(MOS controlled thyristor), BJT(bipolar junction transistor), MOSFET(metal
oxide semiconductor field effect transistor), SIT(static induction transistor) and
IGBT(insulated gate bipolar transistor)

Device

Circuit symbol

Voltage/curre

Upper

nt ratings

operating
frequency(kH

5000V/5000A

z)
1.0

(a) SCR

7000V/5000A

1.0

(b) LASCR

6000V/3000A

1.0

(c) GTO

5000V/3000A

2.0

Diode

THYRISTORS

(d) Triac

1200V/1000A

0.50

1400V/400A

10.0

1000V/50A

100.0

1200V/500A

50.0

TRANSISTORS
(a) BJT

(b) MOSFET
(n-channel)
(c) IGBT

Fig: 1.2 major power semiconductor devices

Based on (i) turn on and turn off characteristics, (ii) gate signal requirements
and (iii) degree of controllability, the power semiconductor devices can be classified
as under:
(a) Diodes: these are uncontrolled rectifying devices. Their on and off states are
controlled by power supply.
(b) Thyristors: these have controlled turn on and turn off by a gate signal. After
thyristors are on, they remain latched in on-state due to internal regenerative
action gate loses control, these can be turned-off by the power circuit.
(c) Controlled switches: these devices are turned-on and turned-off by the
applications of control signals. These devices which behave as controllable
switches are BJT, MOSFET, and GTO, SITH, IGBT, SIT, and MCT.
(d) Triac and RCT possess bi-directional current capabilities whereas all other
remaining devices (diode, SCR, GTO, BJT, MOSFET, IGBT, SIT, SITH and
MCT) are unidirectional current devices.
1.6 TYPES OF POWER ELECTRONIC CONVERTERS:
A power electronic system consists of one or more power electronic
converters. A power electronic converter is made up of some power semiconductor
devices controlled by integrated circuits. The switching characteristics of power
5

semiconductor devices permit a power electronic converter to shape the input power
of one form to output power of some other form. Static power converters perform
these functions of power conversion very efficiently. Broadly speaking, power
electronic converters can be classified into six types as under:
1. AC TO DC CONVERTERS (Phase controlled rectifiers):
These convert constant ac voltage to variable dc output voltage. These
rectifiers use line voltage for their commutation; as such these are also called
line commutated or naturally commutated ac to dc converters. Phase
controlled converters may be fed from 1-phase or 3-phase source. These are
used in dc drives, metallurgical and chemical industries, excitation systems for
synchronous machines etc.
2. DC TO DC CONVERTERS (Dc choppers):
A dc chopper converters fixed dc input voltage to a controllable dc
output voltage. The chopper circuits required forced commutation or load
commutation to turn off the thyristors. For lower power circuits require,
thyristors are replaced by power transistors. Classification of chopper circuits
is dependent upon the type of commutation and also on the direction of power
flow. Choppers find wide applications in dc drives, subways cars, trolley
trucks, battery-driven vehicles etc.
3. DC TO AC CONVERTERS (inverters):
An inverter converters fixed dc voltage to a variable ac voltage. The
output may be a variable voltage and variable frequency. These converters use
line, load or forced commutation for turning off the thyristors. Inverters find
wide use in induction motors and synchronous motor drives, induction
heating, UPS, HVDC transmission etc. At present, conventional thyristors are
also being replaced by GTOs in high power applications and by power
transistors in low power applications.
4. AC TO AC CONVERTERS:
These convert fixed ac input voltage into variable ac voltage. These are
of two types as under:
(a) AC voltage controllers: these converter circuits convert fixed ac voltage
directly to a variable ac voltage at the same frequency AC voltage
controller employ two thyristors in anti parallel or a Triac. Turn off of both
the devices is obtained by the line commutation. Output voltage is
controlled by varying the firing angle delay.AC voltage controllers are
widely used for the lighting control, speed control of fans, pumps etc.
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(b) Cyclo-converters: These circuits convert input power at one frequency to

output power at a different frequency through one stage conversion. Line
commutation is more common in these converters, through forced and load
commutation cyclo-converters are also employed. These are primarily used
for slow speed large ac drives like rotary kiln etc.