Capacitors for Power Electronics Applications
4 Enrollments Level : AdvancedRelevance
Capacitors are essential components in power electronics for energy storage, filtering, and voltage stabilization. They smooth voltage ripple at the output of converters and support transient load changes. Their performance is influenced by parameters like ESR, ESL, and dielectric type. Choosing the right capacitor is critical for efficiency, reliability, and thermal management in power electronic systems. However, the selection process and parasitic components of a capacitor are typically not covered in basic courses on power electronics. This course aims to fill this gap.
Abstract
This course provides an in-depth exploration of capacitors as critical components in power electronic systems. Starting from fundamental principles of energy storage and charge dynamics, the course progresses toward real-world applications in DC-DC converters, inverters, and rectifiers. Students will gain a comprehensive understanding of the electrical behavior of capacitors, including equivalent series resistance (ESR), equivalent series inductance (ESL), and insulation resistance, and how these affect ripple voltage, efficiency, and thermal performance. Special attention is given to different capacitor technologies such as ceramic, aluminum electrolytic, tantalum, and film capacitors, highlighting their advantages, limitations, and typical application domains. Through detailed frequency-domain analysis, students will learn to model capacitors accurately and understand their behavior under switching conditions, including harmonic interaction and EMI effects. The course also covers selection criteria based on voltage rating, ripple current capability, temperature stability, and reliability metrics. Practical design exercises and case studies provide context and relevance. By the end of the course, students will be equipped to specify and integrate capacitors effectively in advanced power electronic designs, optimizing system performance, longevity, and safety.
Learning Outcomes
Understand the parasitic elements in real capacitors and their influence on the circuit level waveforms
Being able to select and calculate an appropriate capacitor for power electronics applications
Prior Knowledge
The student is expected to have a thorough understanding of electrical circuits (being able to solve electrical networks with series and parallel branches and switching elements) and needs to be familiar with the basic power electronic converter topologies (buck, boost, VSI inverter, rectifier, …)
Keywords
- power electronics
- Capacitors