Power electronics deals with solid-state devices and circuits designed to handle high voltages and currents, converting electrical energy from one form to another. This includes rectifiers, inverters, motor drives, and switch-mode power supplies. Unlike low-power signal electronics which process information, power electronics focuses on efficiency, thermal management, and delivering raw energy.
The new EV drivetrain requires a power electronics module capable of switching 800 volts efficiently.
Related terms
IGBT
A power semiconductor device that combines a simple gate drive with high-current capability.
SMPS
A switched-mode power supply uses high-frequency switching to efficiently convert electrical power.
Power inverter
An electronic device or circuit that changes direct current (DC) into alternating current (AC).
Solid-state
Built entirely from semiconductor materials without moving parts or vacuum gaps.