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Power electronics is the application of electronics to the control and conversion of electric power. The first high-power electronic devices were made using mercury-arc valves . In modern systems, the conversion is performed with semiconductor switching devices such as diodes , thyristors , and power transistors such as the power MOSFET and IGBT .
A power MOSFET is a specific type of metal–oxide–semiconductor field-effect transistor (MOSFET) designed to handle significant power levels. Compared to the other power semiconductor devices , such as an insulated-gate bipolar transistor (IGBT) or a thyristor , its main advantages are high switching speed and good efficiency at low voltages.
The commutation cell is the basic structure in power electronics.It is composed of two electronic switches (today, a high-power semiconductor, not a mechanical switch).It was traditionally referred to as a chopper, but since switching power supplies became a major form of power conversion, this new term has become more popular.
Its advantages include high scalability, [16] affordability, [17] low power consumption, and high density. [18] It revolutionized the electronics industry, [19] [20] becoming the most widely used electronic device in the world. [21] [22] The MOSFET is the basic element in most modern electronic equipment. [23] [24]
In power electronics applications, since the switching element is either fully on or fully off, its losses are low and the circuit can provide high efficiency. However, the current supplied to the load is discontinuous and may require smoothing or a high switching frequency to avoid undesirable effects.
Power Engineering deals with the generation, transmission, distribution and utilization of electricity as well as the design of a range of related devices. These include transformers, electric generators, electric motors and power electronics. Power engineers may also work on systems that do not connect to the grid.
The power MOSFET is the most common power device in the world, due to its low gate drive power, fast switching speed, and advanced paralleling capability. [16] It has a wide range of power electronic applications, such as portable information appliances , power integrated circuits, cell phones , notebook computers , and the communications ...
An external power supply, AC adapter or power brick, is a power supply located in the load's AC power cord that plugs into a wall outlet; a wall wart is an external supply integrated with the outlet plug itself. These are popular in consumer electronics because of their safety; the hazardous 120 or 240 volt main current is transformed down to a ...