Power electronics essentially applies solid-state electronics for control and conversion of electric power. Engineers have to deal with the design, control, computation and integration of nonlinear, time-varying energy-processing electronic systems with fast dynamics. Power electronic devices may be used as switches, or as amplifiers. An ideal switch is either open or closed and so dissipates no power; it withstands an applied voltage and passes no current, or passes any amount of current with no voltage drop.
Importance in industry
The rising importance Power electronics devices such as MOSFETs, BJTs in modern technology has led it to become a core of power and energy control. Almost all the new electrical and electromechanical equipment contain power circuits. Applications of power electronics range from a simple switched mode power supply (SMPS) in an AC adapter, battery chargers, to variable frequency drives and DC motor drives used to operate pumps, fans of manufacturing machinery. Power electronic systems are found in virtually every electronic device, for example, converters(AC/AC, AC/DC, DC/AC), ac Inverters, AC and DC Motor drives.
Power Electronics course for students
The goal of this course is to introduce students and working engineers involved in power and energy conversion to the basics of this discipline. The emphasis is on day-to-day electronic products. The course covers the features and functions of rectifiers, invertersAC, and dc converters. It provides a wealth of technical information and contributes to learning the design of circuits and equipment based on electronic components. A thorough understanding of power electronics can only be attained through an ability to apply fundamental concepts learned in several disciplines such as semiconductor physics, analog and digital electronics, circuit theory, signals and systems, analog and digital systems, signal processing, electromagnetics, electrical machines and power systems. Hence, students should equip themselves with a solid background of the prerequisites prior to embarking on the road to master power electronics
