About the IEEE Power Electronics Society

The IEEE Power Electronics Society (PELS) helps in the development and effective application of power electronics technology.  PELS publishes the IEEE Transactions on Power Electronics and a Newsletter for its members. PELS chapters throughout the world help members stay with the latest developments. We are a non-profit organization of volunteers dedicated to scientific and educational aspects of this important engineering discipline. Activities within PELS include conferences and workshops to provide a forum for the latest advances in power electronics research. PELS also publishes the Transactions on Power Electronics and the PELS Newsletter for its members.

Benefits of PELS membership

What is power electronics?

Power electronics is the application of electronic circuits to energy conversion. 

You may have more interaction with power electronics than you think. If you drive a car, use a computer, cook with a microwave, talk on any type of telephone, listen to a stereo, or make holes with a cordless drill, then you come in contact with power electronics. Thanks to power electronics, the electricity needed to run the things you use everyday is processed, filtered, and delivered with maximum efficiency, smallest size and minimal weight. In formal terms,

"This technology encompasses the use of electronic components, the application of circuit theory and design techniques, and the development of analytical tools toward efficient electronic conversion, control, and conditioning of electric power."

Power electronics is everywhere you look. For example, power electronics is used in

• computers
• automobiles
• telecommunications
• space systems and satellites
• motors
• lighting
• alternative energy (like solar and wind).

So, what does a power electronics engineer do?

The main areas of power electronics research include:

• Electronic devices (like diodes and transistors)
• Control and regulation
• Power converter circuit design and work with various topologies for converter circuits
• Magnetic components (such as transformers and inductors)
• Electronic circuit packaging and manufacturing
• Control of electrical motors

Getting answers

If you have questions about the nature of power electronics or any of the information linked through this page, you are welcome to contact our "answer folks."  This team of volunteers will try to help give you the additional information you need.  Send e-mail to answers@pels.org.

Contents copyright (c) 1996-2002, IEEE.  All rights reserved.