Power electronics equipment are complex assemblies. Most of the components we use are off-the-shelf, standard parts: transistors, diodes, integrated circuits, capacitors, resistors, and connectors. For low-volume production power converters or more specialized devices like gate drive or current-sensing transformers, magnetic devices are often standard products. For high-volume production or for higher power levels, magnetics are generally cus-tom-designed. Heatsinks can be standard products or customized, such as an extrusion cut to length and with secondary machining, such as drilling and tapping holes. Product enclosures or cases are generally custom products.
Not typically thought of as a component, the printed circuit board (PCB) is a fully custom component. I know that power electronics modules often use substrates of ceramic or insulated metal, but this column is about standard PCBs made by laminating layers of dielectric material and copper foil.
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