Power electronics is a part of electrical engineering that deals with the conversion of electrical energy using switching components. Typical applications are frequency converters or inverters for electric drives, switching regulators or switching power supplies.

In terms of production, power electronics differs significantly from microelectronics. Due to the high temperature development, materials with very good thermal conductivity are used. This applies to the circuit carriers, for example. Ceramic circuit carriers are usually used in power electronics, whereas FR4-based PCBs are used in microelectronics.

The joining techniques also differ significantly. In power electronics, flux-free soldering with formic acid and contact heat is usually used, whereas in microelectronics, conventional solder paste is processed in convection ovens.