Power electronics uses semiconductor switches and passive components to convert and control electrical power. Rectifiers convert AC to DC. Inverters convert DC to AC. DC-DC or AC-AC converters change voltage, current or frequency. Control circuits regulate the switching pattern to meet the load and source requirements.
A converter must stay within its voltage, current, junction-temperature and isolation limits during normal operation and faults. Design checks include conduction and switching losses, heat removal, magnetic components, filtering, electromagnetic interference, control stability and protection. Higher switching frequency can reduce passive-component size, but it can also increase switching loss and interference.
