September 2016 – Power Assembly Applications

Published on: 06/09/2016

Discover the most popular power assembly applications today

GD Rectifiers provide a wide variety of classic power assemblies which has developed the design and usage of larger integrated power systems. Our engineers are experts in designing high quality and high reliability power assemblies for applications where optimised performance is required.

Solid state semiconductor technology used in power assemblies provide our customers with standard and custom design solutions for most industrial power applications.

What are the most common Power Assembly Applications?

Power Assemblies are used in a wide range of applications; the most common applications are listed below:

• Resistance welding – is a widley used welding technology which joins metal sheets and componenets together. The weld is made by conducting a strong current which melts the metals at localised points which happen to be predetermined by the design of the power assembly.
• Plating – silver oxide is easily broken down by contact pressure and forms less readily at elevated temperatures. Tin and nickel platings are sometimes used on copper and aluminum connectors to prevent the formation of oxides. However, when wet, these plated     metals can cause galvanic corrosion.
• Induction heating – power assemblies are used widely in industrial heating applications, they provide a regulated temperature for the process.
• Lighting– power assemblies are often used indoor and outdoor emergency lighting.
• Cathodic protection – is used to control the corrosion of a metal surface by making the cathode of an electrochemical cell. Cathodic protection systems protect structures in various environments, applications include: water heaters, oil wells and wind farms.
• Magnetic supplies – magnetic supplies can introduce phase-shifted AC voltages, applications nclude: magnetic photo frame clips, hooks, power buttons etc.
• Pulse power – pulse transformers are used in high power applications, they require a high voltage and high current.
• Variable speed drives – are used to control the speed of machinery and consist of an electric motor and controller that is used to adjust the operating speed of the machine.
• Choppers – an electric traction control process which eliminates the need for power resistors by causing the voltage to the traction motors to be switched on and off (chopped) very rapidly during acceleration. It is achieved with the use of thyristors and will give up   to 20% improvement in efficiency over conventional resistance control.
• Inverters – low frequency transformers are used in renewable energy applications.
• Railway traction drives and auxiliary equipment – a DC (direct current) electric motor is the preferred form of motor for railway applications
• Industrial motor drives – are used to help control the speed and current of large industrial machinery.
• Marine propulsion – is the system used to generate thrust to move a boat, electric motors that use electric battery storage are commonly used for propulsion on submarines and boats
• Power transmission and distribution – this provides controlled application of power; the most common use is in motor vehicles where the transmission adapts the output of the internal combustion engine to the drive wheels.
• Renewable energy sources – power assemblies are used in renewable energy applications, including: wind power, solar power and tidal power. Photovoltaic diodes are designed to block diodes on strings of photovoltaic panels.

From the traditional fields such as high powered high voltage rectifiers for charging, resistance welding, plating, heating, lighting, cathodic protection, magnetic supplies, pulse power, through frequency control, variable speed drives, choppers, inverters, to modern day green energy saving applications such as, wind, solar, and tidal energy. GD Rectifiers have solutions covering all popular configurations in the most extensive of power ranges. We stock a range of power assemblies’ devices from some of the world’s best manufacturers, including IXYS, IXYS UK Westcode and SEMIKRON.

GD Rectifiers is the UK’s leading distributor for power assemblies. Find out more about the latest GD Rectifiers product range here.

For further information on all power assembly products click here or alternatively call our friendly sales team for a quote today on: 01444 243452.