The document discusses the evolution of power electronics engineering over time. It describes how early power electronic devices from the late 19th century eventually led to modern semiconductors like thyristors, IGBTs, and MOSFETs. It also outlines the diversification of power electronics applications across various sectors like residential, commercial, industrial and transportation. The document concludes by discussing future trends in power electronics including more efficient devices, improved control methods using AI/ML, and reduced system costs.

1. Evolution of Power
Electronics Engineering
Presented By:
Mahesh J. Vadhavaniya
Department of Electrical Engineering
National Institute of Technical Teacher’s Training & Research,
Chandigarh
Email: profmjv@yahoo.com
11/24/2012 Mahesh J. Vadhavaniya 0

2. About…
Power Electronics is the technology associated with the efficient solid-
states conversion, control and conditioning of electrical power.
Power electronics is the field of electronics which deals with
conversion, control and switching of electrical energy for efficient
utilization of power and playing a major role in revolutionizing the
industrial processes.
The fundamental of power electronics are well established and they
do not change rapidly.
11/24/2012 Mahesh J. Vadhavaniya 1

3. About…
However, the device characteristics are continuously being improved
and new devices are added.
With the emergence of the modern power devices, we have achieved
saving in cost, space and energy, reduction in maintenance,
improvement of reliability, high quality performance , complete
controllability with maximum flexibility and clean environment.
Power electronics occupies an indispensable position in the field of
battery charging, UPS, electroplating, electrolysis, galvanization and
welding.
11/24/2012 Mahesh J. Vadhavaniya 2

4. Cronology…
1891 - Ward - Leonard dc motor
1897 - Development of three diode rectifier (Graetz Circuit)
1902 - Mercury Arc Rectifier by Peter Cooper Hewitt (U.S.A)
1904 - Vacuum Diode by J. A. Fleming
1906 - Vacuum Triode by De-Forests
1909 - Steel Tank Mercury Arc Rectifier by B. Schaefer
1914 - Controlled Mercury Arc Rectifier by Langmuir
1926 - Hot Cathode Thyratron
1933 - Invention of Ignitron Rectifier
1948 - Invention of Transistor
11/24/2012 Mahesh J. Vadhavaniya 3

5. Cronology…
1954 - Invention of Germanium Power Diode
1957 - Invention of SCR
1960 - Use of Mercury Arc Converter for HVDC
1971 - Vector Control of AC Motor is Introduced
1975 - Invention of Giant Power - BJT by TOSHIBA
1978 - Invention of Power – MOSFET
1980 - High Power GTO
1983 - IGBT Introduced
1987 - Fuzzy Logic Applied in Power Electronics
1991 - ANN applied to DC Motor Drive
1996 - Forward Blocking IGCT introduced by ABB
11/24/2012 Mahesh J. Vadhavaniya 4

6. Power Electronic System…
11/24/2012 Mahesh J. Vadhavaniya 5

7. Diversified Applications…
Residential Air-conditioning; Cooking; Lighting; Space heating;
Refrigerators; Electric Door Opening; Dryers; Fans;
Personal Computer; Vacuum Cleaners; Washing and
Sewing Machine; Light Dimmers; Food Mixture; Food
Warmer Trays; Electronic Blankets.
Commercial Advertising; Heating; Air-Conditioning; Central
Refrigeration; Computer and Office Equipment; UPS;
Elevator; Light Dimmer and Flashers.
Aerospace Space Shuttle Power Supplier; Satellite Power
Supplies; Air Craft Power System.
11/24/2012 Mahesh J. Vadhavaniya 6

8. Diversified Applications…
Industrial Arc Furnace; Induction Furnace; Blowers and Fans;
Pumps and Compressors; Industrial Lasers;
Transformer Tap Changer; Rolling Mills; Textile Mills;
Cement Mills; Sugar Mills; Coal Mining; Welding;
Excavators.
Transportation Traction Control of Electric Vehicle; Electric
Locomotive and battery Charger; Street Cars,
Trolley Buses, Subways.
Tele-communication Battery Charger; DC Power Supplies; UPS.
Utility System HVDC Transmission; HVAC Transmission;
Excitation Systems; Static Circuit Breaker; Fans and
boiler; Feed Pumps; Supplementary Energy System.
11/24/2012 Mahesh J. Vadhavaniya 7

9. Thyristor – Need of new era…
The three terminal PNPN silicon based semiconductor device called
Silicon Controlled Rectifier (SCR) having characteristics similar to that
of thyratron gas tube and structure wise it visualized as consisting of
the two transistors (a p-n-p and an n-p-n, inter-connected to form a
regenerative feedback pair).
The name THYRISTOR is derived by a combination of the capital
letter from THYRatron and transISTOR.
Thyristor is a general name given to a family of power
semiconductor switching devices, all of which are characterized by a
bistable switching action depending upon the PNPN regenerative
feedback.
11/24/2012 Mahesh J. Vadhavaniya 8

10. Members of Thyristor family…
Diac , Triac
SCS (Silicon Controlled Switch)
LASCS (Light Activated SCS)
LASCR (Light Activated SCR)
PUT (Programmable Unijunction Transistor)
LAPUT (Light Activated PUT)
SUS (Silicon Unilateral Switch)
SBS (Silicon Bilateral Switch)
ASBS (Asymmetrical SBS)
ASCR (Asymmetrical SCR)
LAS (Light Activated Switch)
RCT (Reverse Conducting Thyristor)
11/24/2012 Mahesh J. Vadhavaniya 9

11. Thyristor Categories…
The power electronic circuits which are also known as “Thyristorised
Power Controller” generally classified into the following five broad
categories
1. AC – DC Converter
2. DC – AC Converter
3. DC – DC Converter
4. AC – AC Converter
5. AC Voltage controllers
11/24/2012 Mahesh J. Vadhavaniya 10

12. Application areas of Thyristor…
Categories
Sr.
of Applications
No.
thyristors
1. AC – DC DC drives – rolling mills, , printing mills, textiles, Wire winders, ,
Converter electric traction; energy recovery scheme; power supplies-low
(Rectifiers) power radio and electronic equipment, stabilized and uninterrupted
supply, dc supply ac inverter systems; electrochemical and
electrometallurgical process- electroplating, anodizing, galvanizing,
aluminium reduction, metal refining, chemical gas production; battery
charging; rectifier substation for traction system; HVDC systems;
X-ray & welding equipment; reflectors and theatre dc lightning
systems; adjustable reactive lightning systems; adjustable reactive
load.
2. DC – AC A.C. Drives – motoring and regenerative, electric traction; recovery;
Converter supplies – purpose, uninterruptible emergency; HVDC transmission
(Inverters) and transformers; High frequency melting furnace; surface heat
treatment; Tempering; Dielectric drying; Medium frequency tools;
Electronics of vehicles – shop and aircraft; ultra -centric fuses.
11/24/2012 Mahesh J. Vadhavaniya 11

13. Application areas of Thyristor…
Categories
Sr.
of Applications
No.
thyristors
3. DC – DC D C Drives – Electric traction, battery operated vehicles,
Converter regenerative drive; Slip ring induction motor rotor resistance
(Choppers) control; Regulated dc power supplies; AC welding equipment;
Electrostatic gas purifier; Temperature control in electric furnace;
DC Static switch; Advertising Display and light dimming in theatres.
4. AC – AC AC Drives – Induction and synchronous motor drives, Electric
Converter traction, Gearless rotary kiln; rolling mills, Air craft generators;
(Cyclo- Heating converters for furnaces; propulsion drive for electric
Converters) locomotives.
5. AC AC Drives – Large pump and fans; motor starters and fan regulators;
Controllers Induction and resistance heating and control; static reactive power
compensation; power supplies; Lamp dimmers.
11/24/2012 Mahesh J. Vadhavaniya 12

14. Modern Power Device Ratings…
Maximum Maximum Maximum
Sr. Power Semiconductor
Voltage in Current in Frequency in
No. Devices
(volt) (Amp) (Hz)
1 Diode 3000 3500 1
2 Thyristor 6000 3500 1
3 SITH 4000 2200 20
4 GTO 4000 3000 10
5 Triac 1200 300 0.4
6 BJT 1200 400 10
7 MOSFET 1000 50 100
8 SIT 1200 300 100
9 IGBT 1200 400 20
10 MCT 1000 100 20
11/24/2012 Mahesh J. Vadhavaniya 13

15. Power Device Switching Conditions…
Device Switching Condition
SCR, GTO, SITH, MCT Turn - ON
BJT, Power-MOSFET
Continuous in Turn-ON
IGBT, SIT
SCR, GTO Withstand Bipolar
BJT, Power - MOSFET
Withstand uni-polar
IGBT, MCT
TRIAC, RCT Bi-directional devices
Diode, Power-MOSFET, SCR, GTO
Uni-directional devices
BJT, IGBT, SITH, SIT, MCT
11/24/2012 Mahesh J. Vadhavaniya 14

16. Modern Control of Power Electronics…
The recent advent of microelectronic components and chips has
reduces the size and cost to the controller and has improved the
performance.
1. Microcontroller and Microcomputer Control
2. FPGA and VLSI Control
3. Artificial Intelligence (AI) Control
11/24/2012 Mahesh J. Vadhavaniya 15

17. Future Scope…
Within the next 20 years, power electronics will shape and condition
the electricity somewhere between its generation and all its users.
Power electronics, therefore, should now be considered as a full-fledged
and independent technological discipline, and should be placed with full
dignity in all the university curricula.
The on-going development of interconnection standards and
regulations will present both market opportunities and technology
challenges for the power electronics industries.
Future trends and development efforts will need of focus on
improving efficiency and reliability, communication and interface,
thermal management, reduce parts and points of failure, packaging
and bringing down the cost.
11/24/2012 Mahesh J. Vadhavaniya 16

18. THANK YOU
11/24/2012 Mahesh J. Vadhavaniya