Power Electronics

Introduction to Power Electronic

Systems

Dr. Firas Obeidat

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 Table of contents

1 • What is Power Electronics ?

2 • Goal of power electronic systems

• Advantages and disadvantages of Power

3 Electronic Systems

4 • Converter Classification

5 • Interdisciplinary Nature of Power Electronics

6 • Applications of Power Electronics

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Dr. Firas Obeidat Faculty of Engineering Philadelphia University
 Introduction
What is Power Electronics ?
A field of Electrical Engineering that deals with the application of power
semiconductor devices for the control and conversion of electric power.

sensors
Input
Source Power Electronics Load
- AC Converters
- DC Output
- unregulated - AC
- DC

Reference Controller

Power Electronic Converters – the heart of power electronics system

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Dr. Firas Obeidat Faculty of Engineering Philadelphia University
 Introduction
Power electronics relates to the control and flow of electrical
energy.

Control is done using electronic switches, capacitors,

magnetics, and control systems.

Scope of power electronics: milliWatts ⇒ gigaWatts.

Power electronics is a growing field due to the improvement in

switching technologies and the need for more and more
efficient switching circuits.

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Dr. Firas Obeidat Faculty of Engineering Philadelphia University
 Introduction
Goal of power electronic systems

To convert electrical energy from one

form to another, i.e. from the source to
load with:
highest efficiency
highest availability
highest reliability
lowest cost,
smallest size
least weight.

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Dr. Firas Obeidat Faculty of Engineering Philadelphia University
 Introduction

Advantages of Power Disadvantages of Power

Electronics System Electronics System

High efficiency due to low loss in power Circuits in power electronics system have
semiconductor devices. a tendency to generate harmonics in the
supply system as well as the load circuit.
High reliability of power electronic
converter system.
AC to DC and AC to AC converter
Long life and less maintenance due to operate at low input power factor under
absence of any moving parts. certain operating condition.

Flexibility in operation Regeneration of power is difficult in

power electronic converter system.
Fast dynamic response compared to
electromechanical converter system.
Power Electronic controllers have low
Small size and less weight, thus low overhead capacity
installation cost.

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Dr. Firas Obeidat Faculty of Engineering Philadelphia University
 Introduction
Power electronics systems can operate in the range from few watts up to GW,
with frequency range from some 100 Hz up to some 100 kHz, depending on the
power handled.

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Dr. Firas Obeidat Faculty of Engineering Philadelphia University
 Converter Classification
The objective of a power electronics circuit is to match the
voltage and current requirements of the load to those of the
source. Power electronics circuits convert one type or level
of a voltage or current waveform to another and are hence
called converters.

Converters are classified by the relationship between input

and output:

AC/DC
Rectifier

AC/AC DC/DC
Converter Converter

DC/AC
Inverter

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Dr. Firas Obeidat Faculty of Engineering Philadelphia University
 Converter Classification
1- AC input/DC output
• The AC-DC converter produces a DC output from an AC input. Average
power is transferred from an ac source to a DC load. The AC-DC
converter is specifically classified as a rectifier.
2- DC input/AC output
• The DC-AC converter is specifically classified as an inverter. In the
inverter, average power flows from the DC side to the AC side.
3- DC input/DC output
• The DC-DC converter is useful when a load requires a specified (often
regulated) dc voltage or current but the source is at a different or
unregulated DC value.
4- AC input/AC output
• The AC-AC converter may be used to change the level and/or frequency
of an AC signal.
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Dr. Firas Obeidat Faculty of Engineering Philadelphia University
Interdisciplinary Nature of Power Electronics
The advent of microelectronics and computer control made
it possible to apply modern control theory to power
electronic (PE) and at same the time made possible very
complex circuit functions. Therefore, the area of PE,
became interdisciplinary.

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Dr. Firas Obeidat Faculty of Engineering Philadelphia University
 Applications of Power Electronics
Power electronics is a key technology for transmission, distribution,
storage, renewable energy sources and users sub-systems, and has
spread in many applications such as:
Residential Refrigeration and freezers, Space heating, Air conditioning, Cooking,
Lighting, Electronics (personal computers, other entertainment equipment).

Commercial Heating, ventilating, and air, conditioning, Central refrigeration, Lighting,

Computers and office equipment, Uninterruptible power supplies (UPSS),
Elevators.
Industrial Pumps, Compressors, Machine tools (robots), Arc furnaces, induction
furnaces, Lighting, Industrial lasers, Induction heating, Welding.

Transportation Traction control of electric vehicles, Battery chargers for electric vehicles,
Electric locomotives, Street cars, trolley buses, Subways, Automotive
electronics including engine controls.
Utility systems High-voltage dc transmission (HVDC), Static VAR compensation (SVC),
Supplemental energy sources (wind, photovoltaic), fuel cells, Energy storage
systems, Induced-draft fans and boiler, feed water pumps.
Aerospace Space shuttle power supply systems, Satellite power systems, Aircraft power
systems.

Telecommunications Battery chargers, Power supplies (DC and UPS).

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Dr. Firas Obeidat Faculty of Engineering Philadelphia University
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