Power electronics [Its Impact on Modem Electrical Engineering]

The development of power semiconducter switching devices near the turn of the last half century opened new avenues in electrical engineering. The potential impact of t h i s addition to technology attracted a certain attention in its initial phases. Lasting effects that would be of significance to t h e electric technology as a whole, were developing only slowly and were sparse in number. The electrical power engineers who tried to use these new devices would soon be faced with often perplexing problems, which all but discouraged further work.