Chapter 1
Introduction
Outline
I. What is power electronics?
II. The history
III. Applications
IV. A simple example
V. About this course
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I. What is power electronics?
1) Definition
2) Relation with information electronics
3) The interdisciplinary nature
4) Position and significance in the human society
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1) Definition
Power Electronics:
is the electronics applied to conversion and control of
electric power.
Range of power scale :
milliwatts(mW) megawatts(MW) gigawatts(GW)
A more exact explanation:
The primary task of power electronics is to process and
control the flow of electric energy by supplying voltages
and currents in a form that is optimally suited for user
loads.
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Conversion of electric power
Electric Other names for electric
Power Power Power
input output
power converter:
Converter -Power converter
-Converter
Control -Switching converter
input -Power electronic circuit
-Power electronic converter
Changeable properties in
Two types of electric power
conversion
DC(Direct Current) Magnitude
Frequency, magnitude,
AC (Alternating Current)
number of phases
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Classification of power converters
Power
output
Power DC AC
input
AC to AC converter
AC AC to DC converter ( Fixed frequency : AC controller
(Rectifier) Variable frequency: Cycloconverter
or frequency converter)
DC DC to DC converter DC to AC converter
(Chopper) (Inverter)
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Power electronic system
Generic structure of a power electronic system
Power Power Power
input output
Converter
Control input
Feedforward/Feedback Feedback/Feedforward
Controller
( measurements of input signals ) ( measurements of output signals )
Reference
(commanding)
Control is invariably required.
Power converter along with its controller including the
corresponding measurement and interface circuits, is
also called power electronic system.
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Typical power sources and loads for a
power electronic system
Power input Power Power output
Source Load
Vi ii Converter io Vo
-Electric utility -Electric Motor
Feedback/
-battery -light
-other electric energy source Feed forward
-heating
-power converter Controller -power converter
Reference -other electric or
electronic equipment
The task of power electronics has been recently
extended to also ensuring the currents and power
consumed by power converters and loads to meet
the requirement of electric energy sources.
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2) Relation with information electronics
A Classification of electronics by processing object
Information electronics: to process information
Electronics
Power electronics: to process electric power
Other classifications of electronics
Vacuum electronics: using vacuum devices,
e.g, vacuum tubes devices
Electronics
Solid (Solid state) electronics: using solid state devices,
e.g, semiconductor devices
Physical electronics: physics,material,fabrication,
and manufacturing of electronic
Electronics
devices
Applied electronics: application of electronic
devices to various areas
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3) The interdisciplinary nature
William E. Newell’s description
Electronics Power
Power
Electronics
Continuous,
discrete
Control
Power electronics is the interface between
electronics and power.
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Relation with multiple disciplines
Systems & Signal
Control theory processing
Circuit
Simulation &
theory
computing
Electric Power
machines Electronics
electronics
Power Solid state
systems physics
Electromagnetics
Power electronics is currently the most active
discipline in electric power engineering worldwide.
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4) Position and significance
in the human society
Electric power is used in almost every aspect and
everywhere of modern human society.
Electric power is the major form of energy source used in
modern human society.
The objective of power electronics is exactly about how to
use electric power, and how to use it effectively and
efficiently, and how to improve the quality and utilization
of electric power.
Power electronics and information electronics make two
poles of modern technology and human society——
information electronics is the brain,and power electronics
is the muscle.
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II. The history
Application of
fast-switching
Invention of fully-controlled
Thyristor semiconductor
devices GTO
GTR IGBT
Mercury arc rectifier Power diode Power MOSFET Power MOSFET
Vacuum-tube rectifier Thyristor Thyristor Thyristor
Thyratron (microprocessor) (DSP)
1900 1957 mid 1970s late 1980s
Pre-history 1st phase 2nd phase 3rd phase
The thread of the power electronics history precisely follows and
matches the break-through and evolution of power electronic
devices
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III. Applications
Industrial
Transportation
Utility systems
Power supplies for all kinds of electronic equipment
Residential and home appliances
Space technology
Other applications
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Industrial applications
Motor drives
Electrolysis
Electroplating
Induction heating
Welding
Arc furnaces and ovens
Lighting
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Transportation applications
Trains & locomotives
Subways
Trolley buses
Magnetic levitation
Electric vehicles
Automotive electronics
Ship power systems
Aircraft power systems
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Utility systems applications
High-voltage dc
transmission(HVDC)
Flexible ac transmission(FACTS)
Static var compensation &
harmonics suppression: TCR, TSC,
SVG, APF
Custom power & power quality
control
Supplemental energy sources :
wind, photovoltaic, fuel cells
Energy storage systems
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Power supplies for electronic equipment
Telecommunications
Computers
computer
server
Office equipment
Electronic
instruments
Portable or mobile
electronics Telecommunication
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Residential and home appliances
Lighting
Heating
Air conditioning
Refrigeration & freezers
Cooking
Cleaning
Entertaining
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Applications in space technology
Spaceship power systems
Satellite power systems
Space vehicle power
systems
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Other applications
Nuclear reactor
control
Power systems for
particle accelerators
Environmental
engineering
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Trends
It is estimated that in developed countries now 60%
of the electric energy goes through some kind of
power electronics converters before it is finally used.
Power electronics has been making major
contributions to:
--better performance of power supplies and better control of
electric equipment
--energy saving
--environment protection
reduction of energy consumption leads to less pollution
reduction of pollution produced by power converters
direct applications to environment protection technology
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Major issues in power electronics
How to meet the requirement of the load or gain
better control of the load
How to improve the efficiency
--for reliable operation of power semiconductor
devices
--for energy saving
How to realize power conversion with less volume, less
weight, and less cost
How to reduce negative influence to other equipment
in the electric power system and to the
electromagnetic environment
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