Power Electronics
What is Thermal Resistance? Thermal resistance, represented by the symbol Rθ, defines the temperature difference per unit of heat flow rate across a structure or device. It quantifies the heat transfer capability of materials and interfaces. The units of thermal resistance are degrees Celsius per watt (°C/W). The basic calculation for thermal resistance is: Rθ…
What is a Voltage Regulator and Why Do You Need One? A voltage regulator is an electronic component that maintains a consistent voltage level. The purpose of a voltage regulator is to deliver a stable power supply voltage, preventing electronic devices from damage due to irregular spikes or drops in voltage. All electrical and electronic…
What is Voltage Stability and Why It Matters Voltage stability refers to the ability of a power system to maintain steady and acceptable voltage levels at all buses under normal operating conditions and after being subjected to a disturbance. A system has good voltage stability when the voltages across all nodes in the system are…
Understanding Polarity and Its Importance Polarity refers to the positive and negative terminals or connections in an electrical circuit or component. Proper polarity is extremely important when working with electronic devices and power supplies. Connecting a power supply incorrectly can damage components, cause shorts, or even electrical fires. Power supplies have specific positive and negative…
Defining Regulated and Unregulated Power Supplies A regulated power supply is a power supply that has automatic voltage regulation to provide a steady voltage output regardless of changes in load current or input voltage fluctuations. It uses a voltage regulator circuit consisting of transistors, op amps and other components to actively stabilize the output voltage….
