Power Electronics - Past Questions

Q1
A single-phase controlled full-wave bridge rectifier with an R-L load is operated with a delay
or firing angle < . The rectifier has supply voltage v V t
S m
sin . Sketch the circuit and
perform the following:
(i) With the aid of sketches of the waveforms for load voltage, vO(t) , and load
current, iO(t), analyze the circuit assuming discontinuous conduction mode
and show that
( ) ( )
( )
( )
R
L
R
L
L R Z
t
e t
Z
V
t i
t
m
O

,
`

.
|
+

]
]
]

and tan ,
for
sin sin ) (
1 2 2
where is the extinction angle. Hence, deduce the condition on for the
current to remain discontinuous.
[8 marks]
(ii) Repeat the analysis (include sketches of the waveforms for load voltage, vO(t) ,
and load current, iO(t) ) assuming continuous conduction mode. Show that
the average value of vO(t) is given by V
V
O
m

cos .
[8 Marks]
(iii) Given that the source is 220 V rms at 50 Hz and the load is R = 10 , L = 100
mH, determine whether the load current is continuous or discontinuous if =
60. Estimate the average load voltage.
[4 Marks]
Q2
A three-phase half-wave controlled rectifier is operated from a three-phase Y-connected
220-V (line-to-line), 60Hz supply. If the SCRs are fired at a delay angle of 120 deg and
given that the load is highly inductive with resistance R = 10 in series with a battery E
= -100 V, draw the rectifier circuit and calculate:
(i) the average and rms output voltages and currents,
(ii) the average and rms thyristor currents,
(iii) the output power,
(iv) sketch the waveforms of the output voltage, the output current, the thyristor
current, the source current of phase a, and the voltage across the thyristor
connected to phase a.
[16 Marks]
Q3
A bipolar junction transistor (BJT) is being used in a converter to switch, periodically, a
large inductive load that can be approximated as a constant current source. The BJT has
current fall- and rise-times (tf and tr respectively), as shown in Fig 3.
Sketch the waveform of the instantaneous power in the BJT and estimate
(i) the energy loss per cycle in the BJT during conduction
(ii) the energy loss per cycle in the BJT during both turn-off and turn-on
(iii) the average power loss in the BJT. [10
Marks]
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v
Q
i
Q
t
s
t
r
t
s
t
I
L
V
S
v
Q(SAT)
t
f
t
0
t
1
t
2
t
3
Figure 3
Q4
Draw the load current waveform of a full-wave uncontrolled rectifier with a resistive load
current and. Hence,
(i) Express the load current as a Fourier series.
(ii) Calculate the ripple factor (RF) of the current using the expression in (i).
[6 Marks]
Q5
A three-phase half-wave controlled rectifier is operated from a three-phase Wye-connected
220 V, 60 Hz supply. If it is required to obtain an average output voltage of 50% of the
maximum possible output voltage for a resistive load of 10 , Sketch the converter circuit
and perform the following:
(i) derive expressions for the average and the rms output voltages,
(ii) calculate the delay angel ,
(iii) determine the input power factor of the converter,
(iv) sketch waveforms for io, vo, iT and vT. [10
Marks]
Q6
A half-wave controlled rectifier with a free-wheeling diode is supplied from a 120 V voltage
source. The load consists of R = 4 and L = 9 mH. If the thyristor T is fired at = 30

during each cycle, draw the circuit and perform the following:
(i) Sketch approximately to scale, the time variations of vi, ii, iL, iD, vo and vAK,
where the symbols have the usual meaning.
(ii) Obtain time dependent expressions for i and iD.
(iii) Calculate the average and rms values of iL, iD and vo. [10
Marks]
Q7
Figure 7 shows a step-down dc-dc converter. The switch is closed for a time DT and open
for (1 D)T where T is the switching period and D is the duty cycle.
It is assumed that all the components are ideal and that periodic steady-state conditions
have been established. If the capacitor is large enough for the output voltage to be
considered almost ripple-free,
(i) analyse the converter assuming continuous current mode and show that the
output voltage is given by D V V
S O
.
(ii) derive expressions for the average, maximum and minimum values of the
inductor current. Hence show that the minimum value of inductance required to ensure
continuous inductor current is
( )
f
R D
L
2
1
min

, where f is the switching frequency in Hz.

(iii) Also, show that the fractional peak-to-peak ripple present in the output voltage
can be estimated by
2
8
1
LCf
D
V
V
O
O

.
2 / 8
(iv) The buck converter in Fig 5 is required to deliver 25W output power with VS =
30V, f = 50kHz, and VO = 20V. Choose a value of inductance to ensure continuous
inductor current and a value of capacitance to ensure peak-to-peak ripple less than 1%.
[14 marks]
Q8
The current drawn by a converter is represented by the waveform shown in Figure 8. Use
Fourier analysis to determine an expression for obtaining the rms values of the
fundamental and the harmonics of the load current. Hence, express the rms value of the
fundamental as well as the first few harmonics of the waveform.
[6 marks]
Fig. 8 Input current waveform of a single phase converter.
Q9
A sinusoidal voltage of t sin 240 V is applied to a single-phase converter, the input current
of which is represented by the waveform of Figure 8. Assume that the zero crossing of the
current waveform is 30 behind that of the input voltage waveform. If the peak value of the
current waveform is 10 A, calculate:
(i) the average power drawn by the converter,
(ii) the input displacement factor,
(iii) the input distortion factor,
(iv) the total harmonic distortion (THD%) of the input current and
(v) the input power factor of the converter. [10
marks]
Q10
A single-phase full-bridge full-wave uncontrolled bridge rectifier supplies a very high
inductive load (dc motor). The turns ratio of the transformer is unity. If the load is such
that the motor draws a constant armature current of Ia, perform the following:
(i) Sketch the converter circuit and the waveforms for the supply and load
currents,
3 / 8
F
i
g
.

7
L
R
D
V
S
i
L
i
C
i
D
V
O
C
v
L
v
D
i
R
i
S
(ii) Determine the %THD of the input current and the input power factor of the
rectifier.
[10 Marks]
Q11
A three phase bridge rectifier supplies a load at a dc voltage of 300 V and current of 30 A
from a 415 V three phase supply via a delta-star transformer. Sketch the circuit and
determine the required diode and transformer specifications. Assume all diode forward
drops to be 0.7 V and that the load draws a continuous, ripple-free current.
[10 Marks]
Q12
A single-phase full-bridge controlled rectifier is connected to a 120V, 60Hz supply. The
average load current is continuous with negligible ripple content (highly inductive load).
The transformer turns ratio is unity. The load has resistance R = 5 and E = 12 V. If the
delay angle is = 60, sketch the circuit and hence perform the following:
(i) Calculate the average output voltage Vdc and current Idc.
(ii) Express the input current in a Fourier series and use it to determine
The THD of the input current.
The displacement factor DF.
The input power factor PF.
The PIV of the thyristors.
(iii) Sketch the waveforms of the load voltage vo, the load current io, the input
current is and the voltage across one of the thyristors.
[15 Marks]
Q13
A buck converter delivers 5V into a 1 load when supplied from a 12 V battery source. The
switching period is 24 s and voltage ripple in the converter output is assumed to be
negligible.
(a) Draw the converter circuit showing the supply voltage, all converter components,
and the load. `
[3 Marks]
(b) Considering ideal components, and a continuous mode of operation, find the
chopper duty-cycle.
[2 Marks]
(c) Find the converter inductance for a 20% current ripple, assuming ideal components.

[5 Marks]
(d) If it is later determined that the converter inductance has a winding resistance of
0.2 and that the battery can be modelled as an ideal 12 V source with source
resistance of 0.4 ,
1(i) What value of the chopper duty cycle will maintain the output at 5 V?
2(ii) Calculate the power drawn from the ideal 12 V source of the battery.
(iii) What is the power dissipated in the battery?
(iv) Determine the power delivered by the converter to the load. [10
Marks]
(Sketch waveforms to illustrate your working where necessary)
Q14
Figure 14 shows a battery charging circuit. The battery voltage is E = 12 V and its capacity
is 100 Wh. The average charging current should be Idc = 5 A. The primary input voltage is
Vp = 120 V rms, 60 Hz and the transformer turns ratio n = 2:1. Sketch the waveforms of
4 / 8
the input (secondary) voltage vs, the charging current io, and the diode voltage vd, and
calculate:
(iv) the conduction angle of the diode,
(v) the current-limiting resistance R,
(vi) the power rating PR of R,
(vii) the charging time in hours,
(viii) the PIV of the diode. [12
Marks]
Figure 14 A battery charging circuit.
Q15
A single-phase centre-tapped diode rectifier supplies a purely resistive load of R = 10 .
The primary input voltage is Vp = 120 V rms, 60 Hz and the transformer turns ratio n = 2:1.
Sketch the converter circuit and perform the following:
(i) determine the average load current Io,dc,
(ii) determine the rms value of the load voltage Vo,rms,
(iii) sketch the waveforms of the load current, the load voltage, and the voltage
across one of the diodes.
[8 Marks]
Q16
A three-phase full-wave controlled rectifier is operated from a three-phase Y-connected
220-V (line-to-line voltage), 60Hz supply. The load is highly inductive with a resistance R =
5 in series with a battery E = 20 V. If the delay angle = 75, sketch the circuit and
calculate
(i) The average output voltage.
(ii) The rms and average output currents.
(iii) The average and rms thyristor currents.
(iv) The output power.
(v) Sketch the waveforms of the output voltage, the output current, the thyristor current, and
the voltage across one of the thyristors. [14 marks]
Q17
A single-phase half-wave phase-controlled rectifier with a free-wheeling diode D is
supplied from a 120 V rms, 60Hz voltage source. The load consists of R = 4 and L = 9
mH. If the thyristor T is fired at = 30

during each cycle, draw the circuit and perform

the following:
(i) Sketch the time variations of vs, iT, iD, io, vo and vAK, where the symbols have
their usual meaning.
(ii) Obtain time dependent expressions for iT and iD and verify that the load
current is discontinuous.
(iii) If the extinction angle is numerically computed to be 4.2 radians, calculate
the average and rms values of io and vo.
[12 Marks]
Q18
A three-phase half-wave phase-controlled thyristor rectifier is operated from a three-phase
Wye-connected 220 V rms, 60 Hz supply. If it is required to obtain an average output
5 / 8
voltage of 50% of the maximum possible output voltage for a resistive load of 10 , sketch
the converter circuit and perform the following:
(i) derive expressions for the average (Vo,dc) and the rms (Vo,rms) output
voltages,
(ii) calculate the delay angle ,
(iii) calculate the input power factor of the converter,
(iv) sketch waveforms for io, vo, iT and vT, where the symbols have their usual
meaning.
[10 Marks]
Q19
A step-down dc-dc converter is operated by closing a switch for a time DT and opening it
for (1 D)T, where T is the switching period and D is the duty cycle. Assuming ideal devices
and components and periodic steady-state conditions, draw a well labeled circuit diagram
of the buck converter and:
(i) Analyze the converter assuming continuous conduction mode and show that
the output voltage is given by D V V
s o
, where Vs and Vo are the supply and
output voltages respectively. Assume the capacitor is large enough for the
output voltage to be considered almost ripple-free.
(ii)Derive expressions for the average, maximum and minimum values of the
inductor current and hence obtain an expression for the minimum value of
inductance required to ensure continuous inductor current.
(iii) Obtain an expression that can be used to estimate the fractional peak-to-
peak ripple present in the output voltage.
[12 marks]
The buck converter above is required to deliver 20W output power with VS = 30 V, f =
60 kHz, and VO = 20 V. Choose a value of inductance to ensure continuous inductor
current and a value of capacitance to ensure peak-to-peak ripple less than 2%.
[4 marks]
Q20
The speed of a separately excited d.c. motor is controlled by a single-phase full-wave
thyristor rectifier. The field circuit is also controlled by a similar full-wave converter. The
input voltage to both the armature and field converters is single-phase 440V rms, 60Hz.
(v) Draw a well labelled circuit of the separately-excited d.c. motor drive.
(vi) The armature resistance Ra = 0.25 , the field circuit resistance Rf = 175
, and the motor voltage constant is Kv = 1.4 V/A-rad/s. The armature
current corresponding to the load demand is Ia = 45 A. If the inductances
of the armature and field circuits are sufficient to make the armature and
field currents continuous and ripple-free, and given that the delay angle
of the armature converter is a = 60, determine:
[1] the torque developed by the motor, Td,
[2] the motor speed, ,
[3] the input power factor of the drive.
(Neglect viscous friction and no-load losses) [10
Marks]
Q21
Highlight the main factors on the basis of which a power switching device for a given
application may be chosen.
[4 Marks]
Q22
Explain the reverse recovery characteristic of a power diode. [4 marks]
Q23
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Define and give expressions for the following parameters of a power converter:
(i) Form factor
(ii) Ripple factor
(iii) Total harmonic distortion. [6 marks]
Q24
Draw labelled sketches of the real as well as idealized i-v characteristics of the following
power semiconductor devises. Briefly explain the characteristics.
(i) power BJT,
(ii) thyistor,
(iii) power diode. [4
marks]
Q25
Draw the I-V characteristics of an SCR (thyristor) and explain its operation in a simple
resistive load circuit supplied by an a.c voltage source. [6 marks]
Q26
Explain the base/gate drive requirements for the following power switching devices:
(i) BJT
(ii) GTO
(iii) MOSFET [6 marks]
Q27
With the aid of circuit diagrams and waveforms, discuss the operation of two different
types of single-phase uncontrolled full-wave rectifiers and compare the PIV of the diodes
for each case. [8 Marks]
Q28
List the main factors that decide the choice of power switching device for a given
application.
[2 Marks]
Q29
With the aid of waveforms, explain the turn-on and turn-off characteristics of a practical
switching device. Give an expression for the power dissipation of the switching device.
[6 marks]
Q30
State and explain at least four important specifications of semiconductor switching devices
to be found in manufacturers data sheets.
[8 marks]
Q31
What is a snubber circuit? Explain the reason for using a snubber circuit in series or across
a power switching device.
[3 marks]
Q32
State the preferred switching device for the following applications:
(i) Line frequency high power applications.
(ii) Forced commutated high power applications.
(iii) Low and medium power applications. [3 marks]
Q33
With the aid of a block diagram, illustrate the generalized structure of a power converter.
[2 marks]
Q34
State five indicators of the power processing quality of a power converter and explain
briefly how these may be evaluated.
[6 marks]
Q35
7 / 8
With the aid of sketches of their characteristics, differentiate between a thyristor and a
Triac.
[5 marks]
Q36
State and explain at least four important specifications of semiconductor switching devices
provided in manufacturers data sheets.
[6 marks]
Q37
Briefly explain what is meant by a d.c. chopper. [4 marks]
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