Power electronics is a field of electrical engineering that focuses on the design, analysis and control of devices and systems for efficient power conversion and power management. It involves the study of power semiconductor devices, converters, inverters, and control systems that regulate electrical energy for various applications such as renewable energy, electric vehicles (EVs), industrial automation, consumer electronics and aerospace & defense. In this news, everything PE has listed some interesting articles that were trending on the website in 2024.
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Different Types of Transformers
A transformer is a static device that works on the principle of electromagnetic induction. It transfers electrical power from one circuit to another with the desired change in voltage and current and without any change in frequency. Transformers are used in different stages of electrical networks such as power generation, transmission, distribution, and utilization. Read more.
Voltage Source Inverter (VSI)
Voltage Source Inverter (VSI) is a type of converter that converts DC voltage to AC voltage. It is also known as a voltage-fed inverter (VFI). A VSI consists of a DC power source, transistors (thyristors, IGBT, MOSFET, etc.) for switching, and a DC link capacitor (to provide filtering and minimize fluctuations). An ideal VSI keeps the voltage constant throughout the process. Read more.
Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor
A Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor (PMSM) is an AC electric motor that uses magnetic interaction to convert electrical energy to mechanical energy. It comprises an excitation system consisting of permanent magnets. The rotation speed of a PMSM is synchronized with the electric frequency of the alternating current. This motor rotates at constant speed irrespective of the load acting on it. The constant speed characteristics are achieved by interaction between a rotating magnetic field and a constant magnetic field. PMSMs are highly efficient and are mainly used by automotive manufacturers for electric and hybrid vehicles. Read more.
Lithium-Ion Battery
A lithium-ion battery is a type of rechargeable battery that uses lithium ions as the primary component of its electrolyte. During the discharge cycle, lithium atoms in the anode are ionized and separated from their electrons. The lithium ions move from the anode and pass through the electrolyte until they reach the cathode, where they recombine with their electrons and electrically neutralize. Read more.
Freewheeling Diode
A freewheeling diode or flyback diode is a diode that is connected across an inductor to eliminate the flyback. Flyback is the sudden voltage spike that occurs across an inductive load due to interruption of supply current or sudden reduction. This voltage spike will damage the switches present in the circuits. Read more.
Bipolar Junction Transistor
A bipolar junction transistor (BJT) is a current-controlled three-terminal semiconductor device that consists of two p-n junctions formed by sandwiching either p-type or n-type semiconductor material between a pair of opposite-type semiconductors. Both electrons and holes, participate in the current-conduction process, hence the name bipolar. The BJT has a very low input resistance and is ideal to be used in amplifiers, oscillators, electronic switches, power converters, temperature sensors, clipping circuits, digital circuits, etc. Read more.
Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistor
IGBT or Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistor is a voltage-controlled power electronic switching device that combines the best characteristics of both BJTs and MOSFETs. It is a voltage-controlled device that can be turned on/off by regulating the voltage applied across the gate and emitter terminals. To turn it on, a voltage greater than the threshold voltage needs to be applied between the gate and the emitter. To turn it off, a negative voltage is applied between the gate and emitter terminals. Read more.
Transconductance of a MOSFET
Transconductance (gm) is defined as the ratio between the change in output current and the corresponding change in the input voltage of a MOSFET. The SI unit of transconductance is Siemens (S). The transconductance value indicates the sensitivity of MOSFET to input voltage change. It determines MOSFET's amplification capabilities in small-signal applications. A higher transconductance value enables greater amplification and improved linearity, making MOSFETs suitable for applications such as audio amplifiers and RF circuits. Read more.
Electric Vehicle Traction Motor
A traction motor is a type of electric motor that is specifically designed to provide propulsion in vehicles such as trains, electric vehicles (EVs), and hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs). It delivers torque to drive the wheels or axles of the vehicle, providing the necessary traction to power the vehicle's movement. A traction motor is typically designed to operate at high efficiency and with high power density, making it an important component in the powertrain of modern vehicles. Read more.
Silicon Diode
Silicon diode is a type of power diode that is constructed using silicon semiconducting material. These diodes are ideal for use in motor control and drives, air conditioning PFC, general-purpose drives (GPD), industrial SMPS, AC/DC converters, boost diode in PFC stages, general-purpose inverters, freewheeling function, polarity protection, ultrasonic systems, welding, back-off-diodes, and emergency generator. Read more.
Current Source Inverter
A Current Source Inverter (CSI) is a type of DC-AC Inverter that converts DC input current into AC current at a given frequency. The frequency of the output AC current depends on the frequency of the switching devices such as thyristors, transistors, etc. It is also known as a current-fed inverter (CFI) and the input current of this inverter remains constant. In an ideal CSI, the output current is independent of the load. Read more.
Gate Threshold Voltage of a MOSFET
Gate Threshold Voltage (VGS(th)) is defined as the minimum voltage applied across the gate terminal of a MOSFET to deliver current flow between source and drain terminals. It determines the voltage level at which the transistor transitions from the cutoff region to the active region. When the gate voltage is below VGS(th), the transistor remains in the cutoff region, resulting in no current flow. Once the gate voltage exceeds VGS(th), the MOSFET enters the active region, facilitating the conduction of current. In the active region, MOSFET can be used for amplifying and switching applications. Read more.
Ripple Current Rating of a Capacitor
The ripple current rating of a capacitor is defined as the maximum alternating current (AC) current that the capacitor can handle while operating within specified temperature limits and without exceeding its intended performance parameters. determines the ability of a capacitor to handle the continuous flow of ripple current without excessive heat generation or failure. Exceeding the ripple current rating can lead to increased internal heating, reduced reliability, shortened lifespan, and even catastrophic failure of the capacitor. Read more.
Difference between Li-ion Batteries and Solid-State Batteries
Solid-state batteries are a type of rechargeable battery that uses solid electrolytes instead of liquid electrolytes, which are used by lithium-ion batteries. Solid-state batteries have several advantages over lithium-ion batteries, such as improved safety, higher energy density, and longer cycle life. Solid-state batteries have a lower risk of leakage, thermal runaway, and fires due to the absence of a liquid electrolyte. They are also more resistant to physical damage, making them more durable and reliable. Read more.
Leakage Current of a Capacitor
The leakage current of a capacitor refers to the small current that flows through the dielectric material of the capacitor when a voltage is applied across its terminals. It is usually very low and is often measured in microamperes (µA) or nanoamperes (nA). Even high-quality dielectric materials can have microscopic imperfections, such as voids, impurities, or grain boundaries. These imperfections can create conductive paths, allowing current to flow through the dielectric. Read more.
GaN Transistor
Gallium nitride (GaN) transistor is high electron mobility (HEMT) semiconductor device that consists of three terminals – gate, source, and drain. High electron mobility means that the GaN transistor has higher electric-field strength compared to silicon-based transistors. The GaN transistor offers benefits such as low on-state resistance, lower conduction losses, lower switching losses, high-frequency switching, high efficiency, small form factor, higher power density, and can withstand high temperatures. Read more.
Drain Source Voltage of Power Transistor
Drain source voltage represents the maximum voltage that can be applied across the drain and source terminals of a power transistor under turn-off conditions. When the applied voltage across the drain and source terminals exceeds the limit, it causes the power transistor to enter the breakdown region. In the breakdown region, the power transistor has a high drain current due to the avalanche multiplication of electrons. Read more.
Zero Crossing Detector
A Zero Crossing Detector is a circuit that detects the transition of a signal waveform from positive to negative when it crosses zero voltage. It is essentially a voltage comparator whose output changes when the input signal crosses the zero of the reference voltage level. The zero-crossing detectors can be designed using various components such as op-amps, transistors, or optocoupler ICs. They are ideal for power control circuit applications such as time marker generators, phase meters, and frequency counters. Read more.
SEPIC Converter
SEPIC or single-ended primary inductor converter is a type of Buck/Boost DC-DC Converter that provides a DC output greater than, less than, or equal to its DC input. It consists of two inductors, one is at the input and another one is connected to the ground and these two inductors are connected by a coupling capacitor. The major advantage of a SEPIC converter is that its output voltage has the same polarity as that of the input voltage. This is called no-polarity inversion. Read more.
Sawtooth Wave Generator
A sawtooth waveform is a type of linear non-sinusoidal waveform with a triangular shape in which rise time and fall time are different. Sawtooth wave generators produce a sawtooth waveform, typically used in applications such as thyristor switching, sampling, timebase generators for oscilloscopes and television systems, modulation, etc. Read more.
SoH of an EV Battery
State of Health (SoH) refers to the current health or condition of an EV battery compared to its initial state when it was brand new. It provides information about the capacity, efficiency, and overall performance of the battery over its lifecycle. SoH is an essential parameter to monitor, as it directly impacts the range, performance, and safety of electric vehicles. Read more.
Note: This list has been compiled based on user activity on everything PE.
