Introduction to Power Electronics

(Lecture-1)

R S Ananda Murthy

Associate Professor and Head

Dept. of Electrical & Electronics Engineering,
Sri Jayachamarajendra College of Engineering,
Mysore 570 006

R S Ananda Murthy Introduction to Power Electronics

Fuel Shares of Primary Energy Supply

2.3 % 5.8 %
10.2 % Hydro Nuclear Biofuels 24.5 %
*Other 0.3 %
Biofuels
*Other 0.8 % Natural Gas Hydro 1.4 %
20.8 % Nuclear 0.7 %
Natural Gas
7.2 %

Coal Coal
27.2 % 42.3 %
Oil 23.6 %
Oil 32.8 %

Source: International Energy Agency (IEA)

R S Ananda Murthy Introduction to Power Electronics

Graph of Depletion Function of Fuels
18
x 10
1.2

Coal
1.0
Depletion Function:
Energy Production in Joules

0.8
, , are constants
for a particular type of fuel.
0.6

0.4

0.2
Oil
Natural Gas
Uranium
0
1900 1950 2000 2050 2100 2150 2200 2250 2300
Years

R S Ananda Murthy Introduction to Power Electronics

Hazards Caused by Burning of Fossil Fuels

Ozone layer Acid rain Photochemical

depletion oxidants (Visibility)

Volatile Organic
Compounds
Fine Inorganic
Particles

Combustion
Global warming of fossil fuels Health effects

We need to reduce consumption of fossil fuels because it

causes environmental pollution and health hazards.
Therefore we have to harness energy needed for
development from other sustainable sources like solar and
wind.

R S Ananda Murthy Introduction to Power Electronics

Higher Energy Efficiency Saves Fuels
Efficiency Power Power
100 % Loss Left
Steam Turbine % %

65 35

Generator G

2.5 34.1
Step-up
Voltage to Overall efficiency:
Transmission
Level
1.2 33.7
Step-down
Voltage to
Sub-transmission
Level
1.6 33.2
Step-down
Voltage to This shows that every kW
Distribution of output power saved
Level
results in a saving of 6 kW
2.5 32.4
of fuel power at the
Switchgear
generating site.
2.0 31.7

Induction Motor IM

12.0 27.9

Pump
40.0 16.7

R S Ananda Murthy Introduction to Power Electronics

What is Power Electronics?

Power electronics is the technology associated with

efficient conversion and control of electric power by using
power semiconductor devices.
Power electronics encompasses the use of electronic
components, the application of circuit theory and design
techniques, and the development of analytical tools toward
efficient electronic conversion, control, and conditioning of
electric power. Definition given by IEEE Power
Electronics Society.

R S Ananda Murthy Introduction to Power Electronics

Goal of Power Electronics

Efficient conversion, conditioning, or processing and

control of electric power using solid-state semiconductor
devices in order to supply high quality power to the load
causing minimum pollution of environment and the utility
supply circuit.

R S Ananda Murthy Introduction to Power Electronics

Block Diagram of a Power Processor

Output
Raw Electrical
Electrical Converter Power
Power in the Form
Required by
Control Load
Signals
Feedforward
Control Circuit
or
Reference Triggering Circuit Feedback

Converter has power switching semiconductor devices and

energy storing elements like inductors and capacitors.
Resistive elements are avoided in converters because they
cause power loss and reduce efficiency.
Controller switches on/off the switching devices present in
the converter.

R S Ananda Murthy Introduction to Power Electronics

Example of a Power Processor

Power processor

+
A.C. A.C.
A.C.
Converter 1 D.C. C Converter 2
motor

A.C. supply A.C. supply
fixed voltage variable voltage
at 50 Hz
Controller Controller and frequency
or 60 Hz

A power processor may have more than one stage of

power conversion.

R S Ananda Murthy Introduction to Power Electronics

Types of Converters

Converter Type Input Output Symbol

A.C. at
D.C. at
Rectifier constant voltage
variable voltage
and frequency

A.C. at
D.C. at
Inverter desired voltage
constant voltage
and frequency

D.C. at D.C. at
Chopper
constant voltage desired voltage

A.C. at A.C. at
Cycloconverter constant voltage desired voltage
and frequency and frequency

A.C. at A.C. at
A.C. Voltage
constant voltage desired voltage
Controller
and frequency and input frequency
ACVC

R S Ananda Murthy Introduction to Power Electronics

Power Electronics Vs Signal Processing

In Power Electronics
The focus is on power conversion at the highest possible
efficiency using very small control signals.
Semiconductor devices work as switches.
Power handled may range from a few watts to several
mega-watts.
In Signal Processing
Semiconductor devices generally work as controlled
sources in the linear region of their characteristics.
The focus is on information processing with minimum loss
of information.
Power handled will be of the order of few milli-watts or few
watts.

R S Ananda Murthy Introduction to Power Electronics

Multidisciplinary Nature of Power Electronics

Solid State Simulation and

Physics Computing Signal
Circuit Processing
Theory
Analog
Electronics
Power
Power
Systems
Electronics Digital
Electronics
Electrical
Machines
Microcontrollers
Systems and
Control Theory Electromagnetics

R S Ananda Murthy Introduction to Power Electronics

Course Outline

1 Introduction to Power Electronics

2 Applications of Power Electronics
3 Power Semiconductor Devices
4 A.C. Voltage Controllers
5 Controlled Rectifiers
6 D.C.-to-D.C. Converters (Choppers)
7 Inverters

R S Ananda Murthy Introduction to Power Electronics

Suggested Books

M. H. Rashid, Power Electronics: Circuits, Devices and

Applications, 3 Edition, Pearson, 2003.
Ned Mohan, Tore M. Undeland, and Willium P. Robbins,
Power Electronics: Converters, Applications, and Design,
John Wiley, 3rd Edition.
Cyril W. Lander,Power Electronics : Principles and
Applications, Thomson Vikas Publications.
B. K. Bose, Modern Power Electronics and A.C. Drives,
Pearson Education, 2002.

R S Ananda Murthy Introduction to Power Electronics

Next Lecture...

In the next lecture we will describe some applications of power

electronics. This will help in recognizing the importance of
power electronics in real life and give motivation for studying
power electronics.

Thank You.

R S Ananda Murthy Introduction to Power Electronics