Electric power conversion

In electrical engineering, power conversion has a more specific meaning, namely converting electric power from one form to another. This could be as simple as a transformer to change the voltage of AC power, but also includes far more complex systems. The term can also refer to a class of electrical machinery that is used to convert one frequency of electrical power into another frequency.

Power conversion systems often incorporate redundancy and voltage regulation.

One way of classifying power conversion systems is according to whether the input and output are alternating current (AC) or direct current (DC), thus:

* DC to DC
** DC to DC converter
** Voltage stabiliser
** Linear regulator
* AC to DC
** Rectifier
** Mains power supply unit (PSU)
** Switched-mode power supply
* DC to AC
** Inverter
* AC to AC
** Transformer/autotransformer
** Voltage regulator
** Cycloconverter

There are also devices and methods to convert between power systems designed for single and three-phase operation.

The standard power in the U.S. is usually 60 hertz (Hz), but in much of Europe, and other parts of the world, the standard is 50 Hz, and thus factories that want to manufacture products in one region for export to the other need a frequency converter that converts one frequency to the other.

Another application is in the aerospace and airline industries. Often airplanes use 400 Hz power so 50 Hz or 60 Hz to 400 Hz frequency conversion is needed for use in the ground power unit used to power the airplane while it is on the ground.

Certain specialized circuits, such as the flyback transformer for a CRT, can also be considered power converters.

See also

* Cascade converter
* Motor-generator
* 3 phase loads

References

* Abraham I. Pressman (1997). "Switching Power Supply Design". McGraw-Hill. ISBN 0-07-052236-7.
* Ned Mohan, Tore M. Undeland, William P. Robbins (2002). "Power Electronics : Converters, Applications, and Design". Wiley. ISBN 0-471-22693-9.
* Fang Lin Luo, Hong Ye, Muhammad H. Rashid (2005). "Power Digital Power Electronics and Applications". Elsevier. ISBN 0-12-088757-6.
* Fang Lin Luo, Hong Ye (2004). "Advanced DC/DC Converters". CRC Press. ISBN 0-8493-1956-0.
* Mingliang Liu (2006). "Demystifying Switched-Capacitor Circuits". Elsevier. ISBN 0-7506-7907-7.

External links

* [http://www.powerdesigners.com/InfoWeb/design_center/articles/DC-DC/converter.shtm] . A general description of DC-DC converters.
* [http://www.smps.com/index.xml Switching Power Supplies Design, PSpice Simulation]
* [http://www.hzfrequencyconverter.com U.S. based 50 Hz, 60 Hz and 400 Hz frequency converter manufacturer]