Today’s consumers demand more electrical products that last longer and are more energy-efficient.
To meet these needs, designers are incorporating advanced power electronics design to extend the life of the product and reduce the amount of electricity it uses.
Engineers, architects, and manufacturers need support from outside resources to develop new ways to incorporate power electronics in design.
Power electronics design services can help you save time and money by combining a wide range of services under one roof.
Integra sources offer a complete set of services for your next project in this area ranging from electronic design and embedded software development to robotics development. Read on to discover more about power electronic design.
What Is Power Electronics?
Power electronics is the design and use of electrical machines (e.g., semiconductor switches, control systems, and high-voltage converters) that convert electrical power (from a source such as a power grid, a battery, or a solar panel) to electrical power of another form.
Electronic devices, such as power semiconductors and magnetics, are combined with circuitry to form power electronic systems.
These systems are used wherever electricity is needed to drive electromechanical equipment such as motors, pumps, fans, refrigeration compressors, etc.
Power electronics is used in all aspects of electrical systems, including generation, transmission, distribution, control, and utilization.
Why Use Power Electronics Design Services?
As discussed earlier, many types of products use power electronics. This means that the number of engineering projects using power electronics is increasing, creating a need for more power electronics design services.
Electrical contractors and electrical engineers can complete a power electronics design project in-house. Still, it may be more cost-effective to consider hiring a design services company that offers power electronics design services.
They will help you find the best way to communicate and manage your project and maintain quality control by providing the project team members with the needed support and tools, regardless of where they are located.
When you outsource project phases to a design services company, you can focus on your core competencies while the design services providers offer the expertise needed in other areas. This can help you save time and money while improving the project outcome.
3 Steps To Success With Power Electronics Design
Let’s look at the three steps involved in a successful power electronics design project.
Awareness – To begin with, designers need to recognize the need for power electronics design services.
This may come as a result of increased electrical loads, the need for additions to existing electrical systems, the desire to save money, or a combination of these factors.
Choosing the right power electronic design services provider – who needs to understand the project requirements and offer the necessary engineering expertise. Designers also need to consider the project budget, schedule, and risk factors when selecting contractors for design services.
Communication – Designers should communicate project requirements and design choices with the design services contractor, ensuring that the contractor understands and accepts them.
Designers also need to communicate with the project team members at all project stages and locations.
It’s important to understand the project team members’ roles and responsibilities, their communication preferences, and their motivation.
Electronic Prototyping And Development
When designers have a functional schematic diagram, they can begin the design process with an electronics development phase.
During this phase, designers prepare a bill of materials (BOM) and detailed drawings so that engineers can build a prototype.
At this stage, designers often focus on functionality, not aesthetics, when choosing components for the prototype.
Designers may want to consider using a printed circuit board (PCB) layout diagram to lay out the components on the prototype.
This diagram shows the placement and connections of components on a printed circuit board, as well as any interconnecting wires.
These components and any additional components used only in the prototype are not included in the final design.
Electronic Schematic Review And Analysis
Once the prototype has been built, designers can review and analyze the schematic diagram. They should look for instances of over-design, such as additional components that are not needed in the final design, and under-design, such as a design that does not meet the project specifications.
Designers also check for errors and omissions in the schematic diagram. At this stage, designers can also select components that meet project requirements and are available from suppliers.
Electronics engineers review the schematic diagram and provide feedback that may include schematic diagram errors, required changes, suggestions for improving the design, or a combination of these items.
PCB Layout Review And Analysis
The next phase of the design process involves a review and analysis of the PCB layout diagram, also referred to as the printed circuit board layout diagram.
During this phase, designers select electronic components and determine the placement of these components on the PCB diagram.
Designers should ensure that the PCB diagram meets the project requirements and is suitable for the prototype, considering the locations of the power source and load.
Designers can also use the PCB layout diagram to begin calculating costs associated with the prototype and the final project.
Electronic Manufacturing Review
The electronic manufacturing review phase is the last phase of the design process. During this phase, designers ensure that the final design and PCB layout diagram are suitable for manufacturing.
Designers can use the design software program to calculate the prototype and the final project cost.
Designers should also review the PCB layout diagram to ensure that it meets project requirements and is suitable for manufacturing.
Electronics engineers review the PCB layout diagram and provide feedback that may include PCB layout diagram errors, required changes, suggestions for improving the design, or a combination of these items.
Electronics engineers may also check for compliance with international and national industry standards for safety and environmental protection.
Conclusion
Power electronics design services are essential for extending the life of electrical products, reducing electrical energy use, and increasing the functionality of electrical systems.
Designers can complete these projects more quickly and efficiently with the help of design services contractors.
When hiring design services contractors, you should take into consideration the contractors’ experience, engineering expertise, and reputation.
You should also communicate project requirements and design choices with the design services contractors, making sure that the contractors understand and accept them.