EE 4520 : Electrical Machines and

Power Electronic Drives

Kiran Kumar Challa,
Electrical and Computer Engineering (EcpE),
Iowa Sate University.
 Power Electronics: Introduction

Source of Electric Power Power Electric Power Electric

Electric Power Input Output Variable Voltage
Processor Load
AC, 1-Φ, 60 Hz Variable frequency
AC, 3-Φ, 60 Hz AC-DC
DC
Reference Input Feedback signals
Controller
Power Electronics deals with the conversion of power

Performance Metrices for the design of power processor:

Efficiency, Low Cost, Small Size, Power quality ……..

EE 452 by Kiran Challa

 Power Electronics: Introduction

Source of Electric Power Power Electric Power Electric

Electric Power Input Output Variable Voltage
Processor Load
AC, 1-Φ, 60 Hz Variable frequency
AC, 3-Φ, 60 Hz AC-DC
DC
Reference Input Feedback signals
Controller

1. Why do we use inductors and capacitors in power electronics conversion process?

2. Fundamental concepts to evaluate the performance of conversion process
EE 452 by Kiran Challa
 Power Electronics: Fundamental Concepts
Let us consider a buck converter to understand the importance of inductors and capacitors,

Basic Converter Circuit

Switch ON and OFF states

Voltage and current responses
EE 452 by Kiran Challa
 Power Electronics: Fundamental Concepts
Inductors are used in power electronics circuits for the following reasons:

• Energy Storage: Inductors store energy in their magnetic field when

current flows through them.
Basic Converter Circuit
• Current Smoothing: Inductors smooth out current ripples in power
supply circuits, ensuring a steady current flow.
• Filters: Inductors are used in combination with capacitors to form LC
filters. These filters suppress high-frequency noise in power supplies.
• Transient Response Improvement: Inductors help in reducing transient
overshoots and provide a stable response during sudden changes in load or
input conditions.

Voltage and current responses

EE 452 by Kiran Challa

 Power Electronics: Fundamental Concepts
Capacitors are used in power electronics circuits for the following reasons:

• Energy Storage: Capacitors store energy in their electric field, providing a

reservoir of charge for instantaneous power needs.
Basic Converter Circuit
• Voltage Stabilization: They stabilize voltage in power supplies, reducing
fluctuations caused by load variations.
• Filters: Capacitors filter out voltage ripples by bypassing AC components
to ground while allowing DC to pass, ensuring smooth DC output.

By leveraging the complementary roles of inductors and capacitors, power

electronics achieve high efficiency, stability, and functionality in applications
like power supplies, motor drives, and renewable energy systems. Voltage and current responses

EE 452 by Kiran Challa

 Average and RMS values

For a given periodic function 𝑓 𝑡 with time period T

Average value is
1 𝑇
𝑓 𝑡 𝑎𝑣𝑔 = ‫׬‬0 𝑓 𝑡 𝑑𝑡 (2.1)
𝑇

Root mean square (RMS) values is

1 𝑇 2 𝑑𝑡
𝑓 𝑡 𝑟𝑚𝑠 = ‫׬‬ 𝑓 𝑡 (2.2)
𝑇 0

EE 452 by Kiran Challa

 Inductor
Voltage across an inductor
𝑑𝑖
𝑣𝐿 𝑡 = 𝐿 𝑑𝑡 (2.3)
Current through the inductor
1 𝑡
𝑖𝐿 𝑡 = ‫𝑣 ׬‬ 𝑡 𝑑𝑡 + 𝑖(𝑡0 ) (2.4)
𝐿 𝑡0 𝐿
Power absorbed by the inductor
𝑃 𝑡 = 𝑣𝐿 𝑡 . 𝑖𝐿 (𝑡) (2.5)
Energy stored by inductor
1
𝑊 𝑡 = 2 𝐿 𝑖2 (2.6)
For the case of periodic currents
𝑖𝐿 𝑡 + 𝑇 = 𝑖𝐿 𝑡 (2.7)

EE 452 by Kiran Challa

 Inductor
For the case of periodic currents
𝑖𝐿 𝑡0 + 𝑇 = 𝑖𝐿 𝑡0 (2.8)
1 𝑡 +𝑇
𝑣𝐿 𝑡 𝑎𝑣𝑔 = 𝐿 ‫ 𝑡׬‬0 𝑣𝐿 𝑡 . 𝑑𝑡 (2.9)
0

From the case of initial current expression (2.4)

1 𝑡0 +𝑇
𝑖𝐿 𝑡0 + 𝑇 = න 𝑣𝐿 𝑡 𝑑𝑡 + 𝑖(𝑡0 )
𝐿 𝑡0
1 𝑡0 +𝑇
𝑖𝐿 𝑡0 + 𝑇 − 𝑖(𝑡0 ) = න 𝑣𝐿 𝑡 𝑑𝑡
𝐿 𝑡0
From equation (2.8), we can write 𝑖𝐿 𝑡0 + 𝑇 − 𝑖(𝑡0 ) = 0, substituting
this in above eqn
1 𝑡0 +𝑇
0= න 𝑣𝐿 𝑡 𝑑𝑡
𝐿 𝑡0
1 1 𝑡0 +𝑇
× න 𝑣𝐿 𝑡 𝑑𝑡 = 0
𝐿 𝑇 𝑡0
1 𝑡0 +𝑇
‫׬‬ 𝑣𝐿 𝑡 𝑑𝑡 = 0 is the average value of an inductor voltage
𝑇 𝑡0
Average voltage across an inductor is zero
EE 452 by Kiran Challa
 Inductor
Let us calculate the power
𝑃𝐿 𝑡 = 𝑣𝐿 𝑡 𝑖𝐿 𝑡

1 𝑡0+𝑇
𝑃𝐿 𝑡 𝑎𝑣𝑔 = න 𝑣𝐿 𝑡 𝑖𝐿 𝑡 . 𝑑𝑡
𝑇 𝑡0
1 𝑡 +𝑇 𝑑𝑖
= ‫ 𝑡׬‬0 𝐿 𝑖 𝑡 . 𝑑𝑡
𝑇 0 𝑑𝑡 𝐿

𝐿 𝑡 +𝑇
= ‫ 𝑡׬‬0 𝑖𝐿 𝑡 . 𝑑𝑖
𝑇 0

𝑡 +𝑇
𝐿 𝑖2 0
=
𝑇 2 𝑡0
=0

Average power absorbed by an inductor is zero

EE 452 by Kiran Challa

 Capacitor
Current through the capacitor
𝑑𝑣𝐶
𝑖𝐶 𝑡 = 𝐶 (2.10)
𝑑𝑡
Voltage across the capacitor
1 𝑡
𝑣𝐶 𝑡 = ‫𝑖 ׬‬ 𝑡 𝑑𝑡 + 𝑣𝐶 𝑡0 (2.11)
𝐶 𝑡0 𝐶
Power absorbed by the capacitor
𝑃 𝑡 = 𝑣𝐶 𝑡 . 𝑖𝐶 (𝑡) (2.12)
Energy stored by capacitor
1
𝑊 𝑡 = 2 𝐶 𝑣2 (2.13)
For the case of periodic voltages
𝑣𝐶 𝑡 + 𝑇 = 𝑣𝐶 𝑡 (2.14)

EE 452 by Kiran Challa

 Capacitor
For the case of periodic voltages
𝑣𝐶 𝑡0 + 𝑇 = 𝑣𝐶 𝑡0 (2.15)
1 𝑡 +𝑇
𝑖𝐶 𝑡 𝑎𝑣𝑔 = 𝐿 ‫ 𝑡׬‬0 𝑣𝐿 𝑡 . 𝑑𝑡 (2.16)
0

From the case of initial voltage expression (2.4)

1 𝑡0+𝑇
𝑣𝐶 𝑡0 + 𝑇 = න 𝑖𝐶 𝑡 𝑑𝑡 + 𝑣𝐶 𝑡0
𝐶 𝑡0
1 𝑡0+𝑇
𝑣𝐶 𝑡0 + 𝑇 − 𝑣𝐶 (𝑡0 ) = න 𝑖𝐶 𝑡 𝑑𝑡
𝐶 𝑡0
From equation (2.15), we can write𝑣𝐶 𝑡0 + 𝑇 − 𝑣𝐶 (𝑡0 ) = 0, substituting
this in above eqn
1 𝑡0+𝑇
0= න 𝑖𝐶 𝑡 𝑑𝑡
𝐶 𝑡0
1 1 𝑡0 +𝑇
× න 𝑖𝐶 𝑡 𝑑𝑡 = 0
𝐶 𝑇 𝑡0
1 𝑡0 +𝑇
‫׬‬ 𝑖𝐶 𝑡 𝑑𝑡 = 0 is the average value of a capacitor current
𝑇 𝑡0
Average through a capacitor is zero
EE 452 by Kiran Challa
 Capacitor
Let us calculate the power
𝑃𝐶 𝑡 = 𝑣𝐶 𝑡 𝑖𝐶 𝑡

1 𝑡0+𝑇
𝑃𝐶 𝑡 𝑎𝑣𝑔 = න 𝑣𝐶 𝑡 𝑖𝐶 𝑡 . 𝑑𝑡
𝑇 𝑡0
1 𝑡 +𝑇 𝑑𝑣𝐶
= ‫ 𝑡׬‬0 𝑣𝐶 𝑡 𝐶 . 𝑑𝑡
𝑇 0 𝑑𝑡

𝐶 𝑡 +𝑇
= ‫ 𝑡׬‬0 𝑣𝐶 𝑡 . 𝑑𝑣𝐶
𝑇 0

𝑡 +𝑇
𝐶 𝑣2 0
=
𝑇 2 𝑡0
=0

Average power absorbed by an capacitor is zero

EE 452 by Kiran Challa

 EE 4520 Lab: Announcements

• Please self sign up for the laboratory group

• Please sign and upload the safety instructions.

EE 452 by Kiran Challa

 Single Phase Rectifiers: Half-wave

Single-phase half-wave rectifier with resistive load.

Voltage and current waveforms of the single-

phase half-wave rectifier.

Ref: Muhammad H. Rashid,” Chapter 6 - Diode Rectifiers-Power Electronics Handbook (Fifth Edition),” Butterworth-Heinemann, 2024.
EE 452 by Kiran Challa
 Single Phase Rectifiers: Full-wave

Single-phase full-wave rectifier with resistive load.

Voltage and current waveforms of the single-

phase full-wave rectifier.
Ref: Muhammad H. Rashid,” Chapter 6 - Diode Rectifiers-Power Electronics Handbook (Fifth Edition),” Butterworth-Heinemann, 2024.
EE 452 by Kiran Challa
 Single Phase Rectifiers: Full-wave with filters

Single-phase full-wave rectifier with basic dc-filters.

Current waveforms of the single-phase full-

wave rectifier with L filter.
Ref: Muhammad H. Rashid,” Chapter 6 - Diode Rectifiers-Power Electronics Handbook (Fifth Edition),” Butterworth-Heinemann, 2024.
EE 452 by Kiran Challa
 Fourier Series
Describes non-sinusoidal periodic waveforms in terms of
a series of sinusoids
Fourier series of a periodic function f(t)
∞

𝑓 𝑡 = 𝑎0 + ෍ 𝑎𝑛 cos 𝑛𝜔0 𝑡 + 𝑏𝑛 sin(𝑛𝜔0 𝑡)

𝑛=1
where
1 𝑡0+𝑇
𝑎0 = න 𝑓(𝑡) 𝑑𝑡
𝑇 𝑡0
2 𝑡0 +𝑇
𝑎𝑛 = න 𝑓 𝑡 . cos(𝑛𝜔0 𝑡) 𝑑𝑡
𝑇 𝑡0
2 𝑡0 +𝑇
𝑏𝑛 = න 𝑓 𝑡 . 𝑠𝑖𝑛(𝑛𝜔0 𝑡) 𝑑𝑡
𝑇 𝑡0

EE 452 by Kiran Challa

 Fourier Series
Alternate representation of flourier series
Fourier series of a periodic function f(t)
∞

𝑓 𝑡 = 𝑎0 + ෍ 𝑐𝑛 cos 𝑛𝜔0 𝑡 + 𝜃𝑛
𝑛=1
where
𝑐𝑛 = 𝑎𝑛2 + 𝑏𝑛2
𝑛 indicates the number of harmonics
𝜔0 indicates the fundamental angular frequency
𝑐1 is amplitude of the term at 𝜔0
𝑐2 , 𝑐3 , … . are amplitudes of the term at 2𝜔0 , 3𝜔0 , … .

It is important to know the RMS value of f(t) as the output of power conversion process can be expressed in terms of FS
EE 452 by Kiran Challa
 Fourier Series
RMS value of a function using Fourier series
For a periodic function f(t)
1 𝑇 2 𝑑𝑡
𝑓 𝑡 𝑟𝑚𝑠 = න 𝑓 𝑡
𝑇 0

What is the RMS value of a Fourier Series form??

For a Fourier series form

𝑐𝑛 2
𝑓 𝑡 𝑟𝑚𝑠 = 𝑎02 + ∞
σ𝑛=1
2
How??

EE 452 by Kiran Challa

 Fourier Series
RMS value of a function using Fourier series

Consider a periodic waveform 𝑣 𝑡 as a sum of two periodic function 𝑣1 𝑡 and 𝑣2 𝑡

𝑣 𝑡 = 𝑣1 𝑡 + 𝑣2 𝑡

2 = 1 𝑇 1 𝑇 2
𝑉𝑟𝑚𝑠 ‫𝑣 ׬‬ 𝑡 2 . 𝑑𝑡 = 𝑇 ‫׬‬0 𝑣1 𝑡 + 𝑣2 𝑡 . 𝑑𝑡
𝑇 0

1 𝑇 2 2
= 𝑇 ‫׬‬0 𝑣1 𝑡 + 𝑣2 𝑡 + 2𝑣1 𝑡 𝑣2 𝑡 . 𝑑𝑡

1 𝑇 2
1 𝑇 2
1 𝑇
= න 𝑣1 𝑡 . 𝑑𝑡 + න 𝑣2 𝑡 . 𝑑𝑡 + න 2𝑣1 𝑡 𝑣2 𝑡 . 𝑑𝑡
𝑇 0 𝑇 0 𝑇 0

EE 452 by Kiran Challa

 Fourier Series
RMS value of a function using Fourier series
The product of two orthogonal sinusoidal functions 𝑣1 𝑡 and 𝑣2 𝑡

1 𝑇
‫ ׬‬2𝑣1
𝑇 0
𝑡 𝑣2 𝑡 . 𝑑𝑡 indicates the average values of the product, which will be zero

EE 452 by Kiran Challa

 Fourier Series
RMS value of a function using Fourier series

Consider a periodic waveform 𝑣 𝑡 as a sum of two periodic function 𝑣1 𝑡 and 𝑣2 𝑡

𝑣 𝑡 = 𝑣1 𝑡 + 𝑣2 𝑡

2 =
𝑉𝑟𝑚𝑠
1 𝑇
𝑣 𝑡 2 . 𝑑𝑡 = 1 𝑇 𝑣 𝑡 + 𝑣 𝑡 2 . 𝑑𝑡
‫׬‬
𝑇 0
‫ ׬‬1
𝑇 0 2
1 𝑇
= 𝑇 ‫׬‬0 𝑣1 𝑡 2 + 𝑣2 𝑡 2 + 2𝑣1 𝑡 𝑣2 𝑡 . 𝑑𝑡
1 𝑇 1 𝑇
= න 𝑣1 𝑡 . 𝑑𝑡 + න 𝑣2 𝑡 2 . 𝑑𝑡 + 0
2
𝑇 0 𝑇 0
= 𝑉12𝑟𝑚𝑠 + 𝑉22𝑟𝑚𝑠 + 0

2 = 𝑉2 2
𝑉𝑟𝑚𝑠 1𝑟𝑚𝑠 + 𝑉2𝑟𝑚𝑠

EE 452 by Kiran Challa

 Fourier Series
RMS value of a function using Fourier series
2 = 𝑉2
𝑉𝑟𝑚𝑠 2
1𝑟𝑚𝑠 + 𝑉2𝑟𝑚𝑠

𝑉𝑟𝑚𝑠 = 𝑉12𝑟𝑚𝑠 + 𝑉22𝑟𝑚𝑠

For more than two periodic functions

𝑁

𝑉𝑟𝑚𝑠 = 𝑉12𝑟𝑚𝑠 + 𝑉22𝑟𝑚𝑠 + 𝑉32𝑟𝑚𝑠 + ⋯ + 𝑉𝑁2𝑟𝑚𝑠 = ෍ 𝑉𝑛2𝑟𝑚𝑠

𝑛=1

→Fourier series form

∞ 2
𝑐𝑛
𝑓 𝑡 𝑟𝑚𝑠 = 𝑎02 + ෍
𝑛=1
2

EE 452 by Kiran Challa

Example Problem

Expression for a voltage waveform is given by

𝑣 𝑡 = 10 + 15 sin 𝜔1 𝑡 + 25° + 25 sin(𝜔2 𝑡 + 30° ) .
Find the RMS value of 𝑣 𝑡 for 𝜔1 = 𝜔2 and 𝜔1 ≠ 𝜔2

EE 452 by Kiran Challa

Example Problem
Expression for a voltage waveform is given by
𝑣 𝑡 = 10 + 15 sin 𝜔1 𝑡 + 25° + 25 sin(𝜔2 𝑡 + 30° ) .
Find the RMS value of 𝑣 𝑡 for 𝜔1 ≠ 𝜔2
When 𝜔1 ≠ 𝜔2
𝑉𝑟𝑚𝑠 = 𝑉12𝑟𝑚𝑠 + 𝑉22𝑟𝑚𝑠 + 𝑉32𝑟𝑚𝑠
2 2
15 25
= 102 + +
2 2

1 𝑇 2 1
RMS value of a DC waveform → ‫𝑡𝑑 𝐾 ׬‬ = × 𝐾2 × 𝑇 = 𝐾2 = 𝐾
𝑇 0 𝑇
For the above problem K=10

EE 452 by Kiran Challa

Example Problem
Expression for a voltage waveform is given by
𝑣 𝑡 = 10 + 15 sin 𝜔1 𝑡 + 25° + 25 sin(𝜔2 𝑡 + 30° ) .
Find the RMS value of 𝑣 𝑡 for 𝜔1 = 𝜔2
When 𝜔1 = 𝜔2
𝑣 𝑡 = 10 + 15 sin 𝜔1 𝑡 + 25° + 25 sin(𝜔2 𝑡 + 30° ) .
Phasor representation of 15 sin 𝜔1 𝑡 + 25° + 25 sin(𝜔2 𝑡 + 30° ) is 15∠25° + 25∠30°

15∠25° + 25∠30° =39.96∠28.125 °

→ 𝑣 𝑡 = 10 + 39.96 sin 𝜔1 𝑡 + 28.125 °

39.96 2
→ 𝑉𝑟𝑚𝑠 = 102 + 2

EE 452 by Kiran Challa

 Fourier Series
Power calculations using Fourier series
Let us consider v t and 𝑖 𝑡 are periodic voltage and current waveforms,
Instantaneous power can be expressed as,
𝑃𝑖𝑛𝑠𝑡 = 𝑣 𝑡 𝑖(𝑡)
If we express v t and 𝑖 𝑡 in terms of a Fourier series
∞

𝑣 𝑡 = 𝑉0𝐷𝐶 + ෍ 𝑉𝑛𝑚𝑎𝑥 cos 𝑛𝜔0 𝑡 + 𝜃𝑛

𝑛=1

𝑖 𝑡 = 𝐼0𝐷𝐶 + ෍ 𝐼𝑛𝑚𝑎𝑥 cos 𝑛𝜔0 𝑡 + 𝜑𝑛

𝑛=1

If the DC components 𝑉0𝐷𝐶 = 𝐼0𝐷𝐶 =0, n=1 and other harmonic terms are
neglected in the case of fundamental components→ Only AC component exist.
EE 452 by Kiran Challa
 Fourier Series
Power calculations using Fourier series
If we express v t and 𝑖 𝑡 in terms of a Fourier series
𝑣 𝑡 = 𝑉1𝑚𝑎𝑥 cos 𝜔0 𝑡 + 𝜃𝑛
Voltage, Current and Power in R circuit
𝑖 𝑡 = 𝐼1𝑚𝑎𝑥 cos 𝜔0 𝑡 + 𝜑𝑛
Instantaneous power can be expressed as,
𝑃𝑖𝑛𝑠𝑡 = 𝑣 𝑡 𝑖(𝑡)
1 𝑇
𝑃𝑎𝑣𝑔 = න 𝑣 𝑡 𝑖(𝑡) 𝑑𝑡
𝑇 0
𝑉1 𝐼1
= 𝑚𝑎𝑥 𝑚𝑎𝑥 cos(𝜃1 − 𝜑1 )
2 2
= 𝑉1𝑟𝑚𝑠 𝐼1𝑟𝑚𝑠 cos(𝜃1 − 𝜑1 )
Voltage, Current and Power in RL circuit

EE 452 by Kiran Challa

 Fourier Series
Power calculations using Fourier series
If we express v t and 𝑖 𝑡 in terms of a Fourier series
∞

𝑣 𝑡 = 𝑉0𝐷𝐶 + ෍ 𝑉𝑛𝑚𝑎𝑥 cos 𝑛𝜔0 𝑡 + 𝜃𝑛

𝑛=1
∞

𝑖 𝑡 = 𝐼0𝐷𝐶 + ෍ 𝐼𝑛𝑚𝑎𝑥 cos 𝑛𝜔0 𝑡 + 𝜑𝑛

𝑛=1
Average power can be expressed as,
1 𝑇
𝑃𝑎𝑣𝑔 = න 𝑣 𝑡 𝑖(𝑡) 𝑑𝑡
𝑇 0
∞ ∞
1 𝑇
= න 𝑉0𝐷𝐶 + ෍ 𝑉𝑛𝑚𝑎𝑥 cos 𝑛𝜔0 𝑡 + 𝜃𝑛 𝐼0𝐷𝐶 + ෍ 𝐼𝑛𝑚𝑎𝑥 cos 𝑛𝜔0 𝑡 + 𝜑𝑛 𝑑𝑡
𝑇 0
𝑛=1 𝑛=1

EE 452 by Kiran Challa

 Fourier Series
Power calculations using Fourier series
∞ ∞
1 𝑇
𝑃𝑎𝑣𝑔 = න 𝑉0𝐷𝐶 + ෍ 𝑉𝑛𝑚𝑎𝑥 cos 𝑛𝜔0 𝑡 + 𝜃𝑛 𝐼0𝐷𝐶 + ෍ 𝐼𝑛𝑚𝑎𝑥 cos 𝑛𝜔0 𝑡 + 𝜑𝑛 𝑑𝑡
𝑇 0
𝑛=1 𝑛=1

The product of two orthogonal sinusoidal functions 𝑣1 𝑡 and 𝑣2 𝑡

1 𝑇
‫ ׬‬2𝑣1
𝑇 0
𝑡 𝑣2 𝑡 . 𝑑𝑡 indicates the average values of the product, which will be zero

The product terms of same frequency will only be considered

EE 452 by Kiran Challa

 Fourier Series
Power calculations using Fourier series
∞ ∞
1 𝑇
𝑃𝑎𝑣𝑔 = න 𝑉0𝐷𝐶 + ෍ 𝑉𝑛𝑚𝑎𝑥 cos 𝑛𝜔0 𝑡 + 𝜃𝑛 𝐼0𝐷𝐶 + ෍ 𝐼𝑛𝑚𝑎𝑥 cos 𝑛𝜔0 𝑡 + 𝜑𝑛 𝑑𝑡
𝑇 0
𝑛=1 𝑛=1
∞

= 𝑉0𝐷𝐶 𝐼0𝐷𝐶 + ෍ 𝑉𝑛𝑟𝑚𝑠 𝐼𝑛𝑟𝑚𝑠 cos 𝜃𝑛 − 𝜑𝑛 The product terms of same

𝑛=1 frequency will only be considered

Example: 𝑣 𝑡 = 10 + 20 cos 𝜔0 𝑡 − 25° + 30 cos 2𝜔0 𝑡 + 20°

𝑖 𝑡 = 2 + 2.65 cos 𝜔0 𝑡 − 73.5° + 2.43 cos 2𝜔0 𝑡 − 46.2°

20 2.65 30 2.43
𝑃𝑎𝑣𝑔 = 10 × 20 + × cos −25 + 73.5 + × cos 20 + 46.2
2 2 2 2
= 20 + 17.4 + 14.8 = 52.2 𝑊

EE 452 by Kiran Challa