Modern POWER Electronics Technology

Since the advent of High-Power Semiconductors such as the Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistor (IGBT), it is now possible to build a Switched-Mode Power Supply (SMPS) capable of coping with the High Loads. These Power Electronics Designs are known as Inverter Units. They generally first Rectify the utility AC Power to DC; then they Switch (invert) the DC Power into a Step-Down Transformer to produce the Desired Voltage or Current. The Switching Frequency is typically 10 kHz or Higher. Although the High Switching Frequency requires sophisticated Components and Circuits, it drastically reduces the bulk of the Step-Down Transformer, as the mass of Magnetic Components (Transformers & Inductors) that is required for achieving a given Power Level goes Down Rapidly as the Operating (Switching) Frequency is increased. The Inverter Circuitry can also provide features such as Power Control and Over-Load Protection. The High Frequency Inverter-Based Machines are typically more Efficient and provide better Control of variable functional Parameters than Non-Inverter Machines.

The IGBTs in an Inverter-based Machine are Controlled by a Microcontroller, so the Electrical Characteristics of the Power can be changed by Software in Real Time, even on a Cycle-By-Cycle basis, rather than making Changes Slowly over hundreds if not thousands of Cycles. Typically, the Microcontroller Software will implement features needed for Implementing; all of these features would be prohibitively expensive to Design into a Transformer-based Machine, but require only Program Memory Space in a Software-Controlled Inverter Machine. Similarly, it is possible to add new features to a Software-Controlled Inverter Machine if needed, through a Software Update, rather than through having to buy a more Modern Machines.

Miled Kafrouni

MKafronics Instruments

#Power_Electronics_Controllers

#Inverter_Technology