Power Electronics I

Contact me
Dr. Wesam Rohouma
E-mail: wrzu@zu.edu.ly

( Massage ): 0925376441

Assessment
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...
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How we learn best

Course outlines
Table of Contents Power Electronics:

Chapter 1: Introduction

Chapter 2: Power Switches

Chapter 3: Diode Rectifiers

Chapter 4: Controlled Rectifiers

Chapter 5: DC-DC Converters

Chapter 6: DC-AC Converters

Chapter 7: AC-AC Converters

Chapter 8: Control in Power Electronics

Introduction
Power Electronics?
The task of Power Electronics (PE) is to control the flow of
electric energy by supplying voltages and currents in a form that

is optimally suited for user loads.

V1, I1
V2, I2

Introduction
Power Electronics?
Task of Power Electronics (PE) is to control the flow of electric
energy by supplying voltages and currents in a form that is

optimally suited for user loads.

Power
Converter

Interdisciplinary nature of power electronics

The study of power electronics encompasses many fields within
electrical engineering
Circuit
theory
Electric
machines

Electroma
gnetic

Simulation

Power
Electronics
Control

Signal
processing

Power
system

Types of Power Converter systems

Rectifiers: (uncontrolled) Fixed voltage AC to fixed voltage DC.

Rectifiers: (controlled) Fixed voltage AC to variable voltage DC.

DC/DC converters Fixed voltage DC to variable DC (Choppers):
Reduction: Buck Converter
Increase: Boost Converter
Reduce/inc.: Buck-Boost Converter

Inverters DC to AC
AC AC Converter. ( Matrix converter ).

Application of Power Electronics

Application of Power Electronics

Power Semiconductor Devices

The most important power converter switches are:
Power Diode.
Power Metal Oxide Field Effect Transistor.
Isolated gate bipolar Transistor ( IGBT).
Silicon Controlled Junction Transistor.
Silicon Controlled Rectifier (SCR).
Gate Turn off Thyristor (GTO).
MOS Controlled Thyristor (MCT).

Power Semiconductor Devices

They are devices used as switches in power
electronic circuits

Power Semiconductor Devices

Ideal switch:
- Can handle unlimited current.
- Can block unlimited voltage.
- The voltage drop across the switch is zero.
- The switch is turned ON and OFF with no rise
and fall times.
V
i

Power Semiconductor Devices

In real life ideal switch does not exist. During
operation there will be losses.
It has specific rating.
It has internal resistance, voltage drop.
It has rise and fall times.

Power Semiconductor Devices

Power Semiconductor Devices

Power Semiconductor Devices

Power Semiconductor Devices

Power Semiconductor Devices

1. Thyristors:
Most important type of power semiconductor device. Have the
highest power handling capability. they have a rating of 1200V

/1500A with switching frequencies ranging from 1KHz to 20KHz.

slow switching device compared to BJT or MOSFET.

Power Semiconductor Devices

Types of Thyristors
Silicon Controlled Rectifier (SCR).
TRIAC.
DIAC.
Gate Turn-Off Thyristor (GTO).

Power Semiconductor Devices

Power Semiconductor Devices

Power Semiconductor Devices

Latching Current IL: This is the minimum anode current
required to maintain the thyristor in the on-state immediately
after a thyristor has been turned on and the gate signal has
been removed.
Holding Current IH: This is the minimum anode current
required to maintain the thyristor in the on-state.

Power Semiconductor Devices

Forward Breakover Voltage VBO: If the forward voltage VAK is
increased beyond VBO, the thyristor can be turned on. But
such a turn-on could be destructive.

Once the thyristor is turned on by a gate signal and its anode

current is greater than the holding current, the device

continues to conduct due to positive feedback even if the gate

signal is removed.

Power Semiconductor Devices

Power Semiconductor Devices

Power Semiconductor Devices

Power Semiconductor Devices

Methods of Thyristor Turn-on
Thermal Turn-on.
Light.
High Voltage.
Gate Current.
dv/dt.

Power Semiconductor Devices

Power Semiconductor Devices

Electric traction
HV.DC

Motor control
UPS

Power (W)

Robot, Welding machine

100M

10M

Thyristor
Auto

1M

GTO
100K

Refrigerator

10K

IGBTs

MOSFET
Modules

1K

Switching
Power supply

TRIAC
100

Washing
machine

Air conditioner

Microwave

10
10

100

1K

10K

Switching frequency (Hz)

HVIC &
PIC
MOSFET
100K

VCR/DVD Power
supply for audio

1M

Power switches gate drive

DRIVER CIRCUIT:
Interface between control (low power
electronics) and (high power) switch
amplifies control signal to a level required to
drive power switch
provides electrical isolation between power
switch and logic level

Power switches gate drive

Isolation is required to prevent damages on the high
power switch to propagate back to low power
electronics. Normally opto-coupler (shown below) are
used