Power conversion

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Power conversion is the process of converting power from one form into another. This could include electromechanical or electrochemical processes.

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. Power conversion systems often incorporate redundancy and voltage regulation.

Typical types of conversion include:

DC to DC
AC to DC (power supply)
- Rectifier
- Switched-mode power supply
DC to AC (inverter)
AC to AC
- Transformer/autotransformer
- Voltage regulator
Voltage to current (current source)

The term can also refer to a class of electrical machinery that was used to convert one frequency (Hertz) of electrical power into another frequency. A typical use is for running non-US machinery which requires 50Hz power where utility power was supplied as 60Hz current.

Simalarly there are devices and methods to convert between power systems designed for single and three Phase operation.

The standard power in the U.S. is usually 60Hz, but in much of Europe, and other parts of the world, the standard is 50Hz, thus factories which want to manufacture products in the U.S. for export to an country which has the standard of 50Hz will need a frequency converter that converts 60Hz power to 50Hz power. This is also true for factories in countries which have a standard of 50Hz manufacturing products which need to be tested for use in the U.S. at 60Hz.

Another application is in the Aerospace and Airline industries. Often Airplanes use 400Hz power so 50Hz or 60Hz to 400Hz Frequency converter 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.

[edit] See also

[edit] 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.