ENERGY EFFICIENCY OF ELECTRICAL CIRCUITS CARRYING SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES
The paper discusses the theory of energy processes in electrical circuits carrying semiconductor converters, which are widely used in a variety of industries. Analysis of the known energy efficiency and electromagnetic compatibility improvement solutions applicable to converters is what defines the goals hereof. The energy conservation law and spectral analysis of non-sinusoidal voltage and current are the methodological fundamentals of this research into energy efficiency of semiconductor-carrying circuits. The article cites papers by the founders of fundamental electrical engineering to devise new energy-related characteristics of semiconductor converters. The research proves that the non-conducting state of semiconductor converters affects the duration of the irreversible electricity conversion into a different kind of energy; it thus substantiates the need to account for the spectrum of non-sinusoidal voltage and current harmonics. To reduce the current consumption from the grid, the paper proposes using converters to regulate power by means of value adjustment and to ‘activate’ their input resistance. Mathematical modeling shows that the energy performance of an electric drive can be improved by using a semiconductor variable-voltage transformer instead of a controlled rectifier. The devised energy characteristics of semiconductor-based power controllers determine the promising future converter improvements; they also help address the methodological contradictions pertaining to teaching electrical engineers.