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DEPARTMENT OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING
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QUESTION BANK
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SUBJECT CODE: EE6351

SUBJECT NAME: ELECTRICAL DRIVES AND CONTROL

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UNIT I

INTRODUCTION
1. Define Drive and Electric Drive.
Drive: A combination of prime mover, transmission equipment and mechanical working load is called
a drive.

Electric drive: An Electric Drive can be defined as an electromechanical device for converting electrical
energy to mechanical energy to impart motion to different machines and mechanisms for various kinds of

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process control.

2. List out some examples of prime movers.

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I.C Engines, Steam engine, Turbine or electric motors.

3. List out some advantages of electric drives.

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i. Availability of electric drives over a wide range of power a few watts to mega watts.
ii. Ability to provide a wide range of torques over wide range of speeds.
iii Electric motors are available in a variety of design in order to make them compatible to any type of
load.

4. Give some examples of Electric Drives.

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i. Driving fans, ventilators, compressors and pumps.
ii. Lifting goods by hoists and cranes.
iii. Imparting motion to conveyors in factories, mines and Warehouses
iv. Running excavators & escalators, electric locomotives trains, Cars trolley buses, lifts & drum
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winders etc.

5. What are the types of electric drives?

Group electric drives (Shaft drive),
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Individual Drives,
Multi motor electric drives.
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6. Classify electric drives based on the means of control.

Manual, Semi automatic, Automatic.

7. What is a Group Electric Drive (Shaft Drive)?

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This drive consists of single motor, which drives one or more line shafts supported on bearings.
The line shaft may be fitted with either pulleys & belts or gears, by means of which a group of
machines or mechanisms may be operated.

8. What are the advantages and disadvantages of Group drive(Shaft drive)?

Advantages:
A single large motor can be used instead of a number of small motors.
The rating of the single motor may be appropriately reduced taking into account the diversity factor of
loads.

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Disadvantages:
There is no flexibility, Addition of an extra machine to the main shaft is difficult.
The efficiency of the drive is low, because of the losses occurring in several transmitting mechanisms.
The complete drive system requires shutdown if the motor, requires servicing or repair.
The system is not very safe to operate
The noise level at the work spot is very high.

9. What is an individual electric drive? Give some examples.

In this drive, each individual machine is driven by a separate motor. This motor also imparts motion to

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various other parts of the machine. Single spindle drilling machine, Lathe machines etc.

10. What is a multi motor electric drive? Give some examples.

In this drive, there are several drives, each of which serves to activate on of the working parts of the

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driven mechanisms. Metal cutting machine tools, paper making machines, rolling mills, traction drive,
Traveling cranes etc.,

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11. What are the types Drive systems?
Electric Drives Mechanical Drives Electromechanical Drives Hydraulic drives.

12. Give an expression for the losses occurring in a machine.

Where Wc = Constant losses

Wv = Variable losses at full load
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The losses occurring in a machine is given by W = Wc + x2 Wv

X = load on the motor expressed as a function of rated load.

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13. What are the assumptions made while performing heating & cooling calculation of an electric
motor?
i. The machine is considered to be a homogeneous body having a uniform temperature gradient. All
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the points at which heat generated have the same temperature. All the points at which heat is dissipated are
also at same temperature.
ii. Heat dissipation taking place is proportional to the difference of temperature of the body and
surrounding medium. No heat is radiated.
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iii. The rate of dissipation of heat is constant at all temperatures.

14. Indicate the importance of power rating & heating of electric drives.
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Power rating: Correct selection of power rating of electric motor is of economic interest as it is
associated with capital cost and running cost of drives.
Heating : For proper selection of power rating the most important consideration is the heating effect
of load. In this connection various forms of loading or duty cycles have to be considered.
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15. How heating occurs in motor drives?

The heating of motor due to losses occurring inside the motor while converting the electrical power into
mechanical power and these losses occur in steel core, motor winding & bearing friction.

16. What are the classes of duties?

1. Continuous duty
2. Short time duty operation of motor Main classes of duties
3. Intermittent periodic duty
4. Intermittent periodic duty with starting
5. Intermittent periodic duty with starting & braking

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6. Continuous duty with intermittent periodic loading
7. Continuous duty with starting & braking
8. Continuous duty with periodic load changes

20. How will you classify electric drives based on the method of speed control?
1. Reversible &non reversible in controlled constant speed
2. Reversible and non reversible step speed control
3. Reversible and non reversible smooth speed control
4. Constant predetermined position control

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5. Variable position control
6. Composite control.

21. List out some applications for which continuous duty is required.

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Centrifugal pumps, fans, conveyors & compressors

22. Why the losses at starting is not a factor of consideration in a continuous duty motor?

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While selecting a motor for this type of duty it is not necessary to give importance to the heating caused
by losses at starting even though they are more than the losses at rated load. This is because the motor does not
require frequent starting it is started only once in its duty cycle and the losses during starting do not have much
influence on heating.

23. What is meant by short time rating of motor?

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Any electric motor that is rated for a power rating P for continuous operation can be loaded for a short
time duty (Psh) that is much higher than P, if the temperature rise is the consideration.
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24. What is meant by load equalization?
In the method of load Equalization intentionally the motor inertia is increased by adding a flywheel
on the motor shaft, if the motor is not to be reversed. For effectiveness of the flywheel, the motor should have a
prominent drooping characteristic so that on load there is a considerable speed drop.
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25. How a motor rating is determined in a continuous duty and variable load ?
1. Method of Average losses
2. Method of equivalent power
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3. Method of equivalent current

4. Method of equivalent Torque
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26. Define heating time constant & cooling time constant?

The time required to heat the machine parts to 63.3% of its final temperature rise is called as heating
time constant. The time required to cool the machine parts to 36.6% of its final temperature fall is called as
cooling time constant.
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27. What are the various function performed by an electric drive?

1. Driving fans, ventilators, compressors & pumps etc.,
2. Lifting goods by hoists & cranes
3. Imparting motion to conveyors in factories, mines & warehouses and
4. Running excavators & escalators, electric locomotives, trains, cars, trolley buses and lifts etc.

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UNIT II
DRIVE MOTOR CHARACTERISTICS
1. Why a single phase induction motor does not self start?
When a single phase supply is fed to the single phase induction motor. Its stator winding produces a
flux which only alternates along one space axis. It is not a synchronously revolving field, as in the case of a 2
or 3phase stator winding, fed from 2 or 3 phase supply.

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2. What is meant by plugging?
The plugging operation can be achieved by changing the polarity of the motor there by reversing the
direction of rotation of the motor. This can be achieved in ac motors by changing the phase sequence and in dc

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motors by changing the polarity.

3. Give some applications of DC motor.

Shunt : driving constant speed, lathes, centrifugal pumps, machine tools, blowers and fans,

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reciprocating pumps
Series : electric locomotives, rapid transit systems, trolley cars, cranes and hoists, conveyors
Compound : elevators, air compressors, rolling mills, heavy planners.

4. What are the different types of electric braking?

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Dynamic or Rheostatic braking, Counter current or plugging and Regenerative braking

5. What is the effect of variation of armature voltage on N-T curve and how it can be achieved?
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The N-T curve moves towards the right when the voltage is increased. This can be achieved by means
of additional resistance in the armature circuit or by using thyristor power converter.
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6. Compare electrical and mechanical braking

Brakes require frequent maintenance very little maintenance not smooth can be applied to hold the
system at any position cannot produce holding torque.
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7. When does an induction motor behave to run off as a generator?

When the rotor of an induction motor runs faster than the stator field, the slip becomes negative.
Regenerative braking occurs and the K.E. of the rotating parts is return back to the supply as electrical energy
and thus the machine generates power.
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8. Define slip.
S = Ns Nr
Where, Ns = synchronous speed in rpm.
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Nr = rotor speed in rpm

S = Slip
9. Define synchronous speed.
It is given by Ns = 120f / p rpm. Where Ns = synchronous speed, p = no. of stator poles=supply
frequency in Hz

10. Why a single phase induction motor does not self start?
When a single phase supply is fed to the single phase induction motor. Its stator winding produces a
flux which only alternates along one space axis. It is not a synchronously revolving field, as in the case of a 2
or 3phase stator winding, fed from 2 or 3 phase supply.

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11. What is meant by regenerative braking?
In the regenerative braking operation, the motor operates as a generator, while it is still connected to the
supply here,the motor speed is grater that the synchronous speed. Mechanical energy is converter into electrical
energy, part of which is returned to the supply and rest as heat in the winding and bearing.

12. Give some applications of DC motor.

Shunt: driving constant speed, lathes, centrifugal pumps, machine tools, blowers and fans, reciprocating
pumps

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Series: electric locomotives, rapid transit systems, trolley cars, cranes and hoists, conveyors
Compound: elevators, air compressors, rolling mills, heavy planners.

13. Compare electrical and mechanical braking.

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Brakes require frequent maintenance very little maintenance not smooth can be applied to hold the
system at any position cannot produce holding torque.

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14. Differentiate cumulative and differential compound motors.

Cumulative

Differential
Series flux opposes shunt flux
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The orientation of the series flux aids the shunt flux
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15. What is meant by mechanical characteristics?
A curve drawn between the parameters speed and torque.

16. What is meant by electrical characteristics?

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A curve drawn between the armature current and armature torque.

17. What is meant by performance characteristics?

The graph drawn between the output power Vs speed, efficiency, current and torque.
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18. What do you mean by Rheostatic braking?

In this braking armature is removed and connected across a variable rheostat.
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19. Is Induction motor runs with synchronous speed or not.

Induction motor never runs with synchronous speed. It will stop if it tries to achieve synchronous
speed.
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20. Why the armature core in d.c machines is constructed with laminated steel sheets instead of solid
steel sheets?
Lamination highly reduces the eddy current loss and steel sheets provide low reluctance path to
magnetic field.

21. Why commutator is employed in d.c.machines?

Conduct electricity between rotating armature and fixed brushes, convert alternating emf into
unidirectional emf (mechanical rectifier).

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22. Distinguish between shunt and series field coil construction?
Shunt field coils are wound with wires of small section and have more no of turns. Series field coils are
wound with wires of larger cross section and have less no of turns.

23. How will you change the direction of rotation of d.c. Motor?
Either the field direction or direction of current through armature conductor is reversed.

24. What is back emf in d.c. motor?

As the motor armature rotates, the system of conductor come across alternate north and South pole

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magnetic fields causing an emf induced in the conductors. The direction of the emf induced in the conductor is
in opposite to current. As this emf always opposes the flow of current in motor operation it is called as back
emf.

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UNIT III
STARTING METHODS

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1. Mention the Starters used to start a DC motor.
Two point Starter
Three point Starter
Four point Starter
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2. Mention the Starters used to start an Induction motor.
D.O.L Starter (Direct Online Starter)
Star-Delta Starter
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Auto Transformer Starter
Reactance or Resistance starter
Stator Rotor Starter (Rotor Resistance Starter)
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3. What are the protective devices in a DC/AC motor Starter?

Over load Release (O.L.R) or No volt coil
Hold on Coil
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Thermal Relays
Fuses (Starting /Running)
Over load relay
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4. Is it possible to include/ Exclude external resistance in the rotor of a Squirrel cage induction motor?.
Justify
No it is not possible to include/ Exclude external resistance in the rotor of a Squirrel cage induction
motor because, the rotors bars are permanently short circuited by means of circuiting rings (end rings) at both
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the ends. i.e. no slip rings to do so.

5. Give the prime purpose of a starter for motors.

when induction motor is switched on to the supply, it takes about 5 to 8 times full load current at
starting. This starting current may be of such a magnitude as to cause objectionable voltage drop in the lines.
So Starters are necessary

6. Why motor take heavy current at starting?

When 3 phase supply is given to the stator of an induction motor, magnetic field rotating in space at
synchronous speed is produced. This magnetic field is cut by the rotor conductors, which are short circuited.
This gives to induced current in them. Since rotor of an induction motor behaves as a short circuited secondary

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of a transformer whose primary is stator winding, heavy rotor current will require corresponding heavy stator
balancing currents. Thus motor draws heavy current at starting

7. What are the methods to reduce the magnitude of rotor current (rotor induced current) at starting?

By increasing the resistance in the rotor circuit by reducing the magnitude of rotating magnetic field i.e.
by reducing the applied voltage to the stator windings.

8. What is the objective of rotor resistance starter (stator rotor starter)?

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To include resistance in the rotor circuit there by reducing the induced rotor current at starting. This can
be implemented only on a slip ring induction motor.

9. Why squirrel cage induction motors are not used for loads requiring high starting torque?

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Squirrel cage motors are started only by reduced voltage starting methods which lead to the
development of low starting torque at starting. This is the reason why squirrel cage induction motors are not
used for loads requiring high starting torque.

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10. How reduced voltage starting of Induction motor is achieved?.
D.O.L Starter (Direct Online Starter)
Star-Delta Starter
Auto Transformer Starter
Reactance or Resistance starter
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11. Give the relation between line voltage and phase voltage in a
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(i) Delta connected network (ii) Star connected network
Delta connected network:
Vphase = Vline
Star connected network:
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Vphase = Vline / _3
12. Give some advantages and disadvantages of D.O.L starter.
Advantages:
Highest starting torque
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Low cost
Greatest simplicity
Disadvantages:
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The inrush current of large motors may cause excessive voltage drop in the weak power system The
torque may be limited to protect certain types of loads.

13. What is the function of no-voltage release coil in d.c. motor starter?
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As long as the supply voltage is on healthy condition the current through the NVR coil produce enough
magnetic force of attraction and retain the starter handle in ON position against spring force. When the supply
voltage fails or becomes lower than a prescribed value then electromagnet may not have enough force to retain
so handle will come back to OFF position due to spring force automatically.

14. Enumerate the factors on which speed of a d.c.motor depends?

N= (V-IaRa)/ so speed depends on air gap flux, resistance of armature, voltage applied to armature.

16. Define critical field resistance of dc shunt generator?

Critical field resistance is defined as the resistance of the field circuit which will cause the shunt
generator just to build up its emf at a specified field.

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17. Why is the emf not zero when the field current is reduced to zero in dc
generator?
Even after the field current is reduced to zero, the machine is left out with some flux as residue so emf
is available due to residual flux.

18. On what occasion dc generator may not have residual flux?

The generator may be put for its operation after its construction, in previous operation, the generator
would have been fully demagnetized.

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19. What are the conditions to be fulfilled by for a dc shunt generator to build back emf?
The generator should have residual flux, the field winding should be connected in such a manner that
the flux setup by field in same direction as residual flux, the field resistance should be less than critical field

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resistance, load circuit resistance should be above critical resistance.

20. Name any two starters which can be used with only slip-ring induction motor

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Rotor resistance starter
Solid state rotor resistance starter

UNIT IV ot
CONVENTIONAL AND SOLID STATE SPEED CONTROL OF D.C.DRIVES
1. Give the expression for speed for a DC motor.
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Speed N = k (V-IaRa)j
Where V = Terminal Voltage in volts
Ia = Armature current in Amps
Ra = Armature resistance in ohms
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j= flux per pole.

2. What are the ways of speed control in dc motors?

Field control - by varying the flux per pole. -for above rated speed
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Armature control- by varying the terminal voltage -for below rated speed

3. Give the Limitation of field control

a. Speed lower than the rated speed cannot be obtained.
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b. It can cope with constant kW drives only.

c. This control is not suitable to application needing speed reversal.
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4. What are the 3 ways of field control in DC series motor?

Field diverter control
Armature diverter control
Motor diverter control
Field coil taps control
Series-parallel control

5. What are the main applications of Ward-Leonard system?

It is used for colliery winders.
Electric excavators
In elevators

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Main drives in steel mills and blooming and paper mills.

6. What are the merits and demerits of Rheostatic control method?

Impossible to keep the speed constant on rapidly changing loads.
A large amount of power is wasted in the controller resistance.
Loss of power is directly proportional to the reduction in speed. Hence efficiency is decreased.
Maximum power developed is diminished in the same ratio as speed.
It needs expensive arrangements for dissipation of heat produced in the controller resistance.
It gives speed below normal, not above.

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7. What are the advantages of field control method?
More economical, more efficient and convenient.

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It can give speeds above normal speed.

8. Compare the values of speed and torque in case of motors when ii parallel and in series.
The speed is one fourth the speed of the motor when in parallel.

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The torque is four times that produced by the motor when in parallel.

9. What is the effect of inserting resistance in the field circuit of a dc shunt motor on its speed and
torque? ot
For a constant supply voltage, flux will decrease, speed will increase and
torque will increase.
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10. While controlling the speed of a dc shunt motor what should be done to achieve a constant torque
drive?
Applied voltage should be maintained constant so as to maintain field strength
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11.State the advantages of dc chopper drive.

Dc chopper drive s has the advantages of
High efficiency
Flexibility in control
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Light weight
Small size
Quick response
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12. Why chopper based DC drives give better performance than rectifier controlled drives.
Less harmonic
Low ripple content
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High efficiency

14.Name the solid state controllers used for the speed control of DC shunt motor and series motor,
Phase controlled rectifier fed DC drives
Chopper fed DC drives

15. Give application of Ward-Leonard system of speed control

It is used for elevators, hoist control and for main drive in steel mills where motor of ratings 750KW to
3750KW are required.
16. What is the principle of the field control method of speed control of DC shunt motors?

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The speed of the DC motor can be controlled by varying the field flux. This method of speed control
can be used for increasing the speed of motor above its rated speed, because the speed of the motor is inversely
proportional to the field flux.

17. What is the effect of inserting resistance in the field circuit of of DC shunt motor on its speed and
torque?
Speed increases above base speed.
Torque decreases.

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18. What are the two main methods adopted for speed control of DC motors?
Armature resistance control
Flux control

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19. What are the electrical parameters affecting the speed of the DC motors?
Armature voltage
Field current

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20. State the types of controlled rectifier Dc drives
1. Single phase controlled rectifier DC drives
(a)Half wave controlled rectifier Dc drives
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(b)Half controlled rectifier DC drives
(c)Full controlled rectifier DC drives
2. Thee phase controlled rectifier fed DC drives
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21. How can speed be controlled in a DC shunt motor?
The DC shunt motor speed controlled by
(a) Armature voltage control (below rated speed)
(b)Flux control method (above rated speed)
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22. List the advantages of DC six pulse converter compared with three pulse converter
Current should be continuous
Requires less filter circuits
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It gives two quadrant operation

23.What factors limit the maximum speed of field control Dc motor?
Field flux
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Armature voltage
24. State control strategies of choppers
Time ratio control
Current limit control
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UNIT V
CONVENTIONAL AND SOLID STATE SPEED CONTROL OF A.C. DRIVES
1. What is a controlled rectifier?
A controlled rectifier is a device which is used for converting controlled dc power from a control
voltage ac supply.

2. What is firing angle?

The control of dc voltage is achieved by firing the thyristor at an adjustable angle with respect to the
applied voltage. This angle is known as firing angle.

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3. Give some applications of phase control converters.
Phase control converters are used in the speed control of fractional kW dc motors as well as in large
motors employed in variable speed reversing drives for rolling mills. With motors ratings as large as several
MWs.

4. What is the main purpose of free wheeling diode?

Free wheeling diode is connected across the motor terminal to allow for the dissipation of energy stored
in motor inductance and to provide for continuity of motor current when the thyristors are blocked.

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5. What is a full converter?
A full converter is a tow quadrant converter in which the voltage polarity of the output can reverse, but
the current remains unidirectional because of unidirectional thyristors.

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6. What is natural or line commutation?
The commutation which occurs without any action of external force is called natural or line

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commutation.

7. What is forced commutation?

The commutation process which takes place by the action of an external force is called forced
commutation.

8. What is a chopper?
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A chopper is essentially an electronic switch that turns on the fixed-voltage dc source for a short time
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interval and applies the source potential to motor terminals in series of pulses.

9. What are the two main difficulties of variable frequency system?

Control of Va requires variation of chopper frequency over a wide range. Filter design for variable
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frequency operation is difficult. At low voltage, a large value of toff makes the motor current discontinuous.

11. What is voltage commutation?

A charged capacitor momentarily reverse-bias the conducting thyristor to turn it off. This is known as
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voltage commutation.

12. What is current commutation?

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A current pulse is forced in the reverse direction through the conducting thyristor. As the net current
becomes zero, the thyristor is turned OFF. This is known as current commutation.

13. What is load commutation?

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The load current flowing through the thyristor either becomes zero (as in natural or line commutation
employed in converters) or is transferred to another device from the conducting thyristor. This is known as
load commutation.

14. What are the different means of controlling induction motor?

Stator voltage control.
Frequency control
Pole changing control.
Slip power recovery control.

15. What are the two ways of controlling the RMS value of stator voltage?

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Phase control
Integral cycle control

16. Mention the two slip-power recovery schemes.

Static Scherbius scheme
Static Kramer drive scheme.

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17. Give the basic difference between the two slip-power recovery schemes.
The slip is returned to the supply network in scherbius scheme and in Kramer scheme, it is used to

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drive an auxiliary motor which is mechanically coupled to the induction motor shaft.

18. Write short notes on inverter rectifier.

The dc source could be converted to ac form by an inverter, transformed to a suitable voltage and then

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rectified to dc form. Because of two stage of conversion, the setup is bulky, costly and less efficient.

19. Give the special features of static scherbius scheme.

The scheme has applications in large power fan and pump drives which requires speed control in
narrow range only. ot
If max. Slip is denoted by Smax, then power rating of diode, inverter and transformer can be just
Smax times motor power rating resulting in a low cost drive.
This drive provides a constant torque control.
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20. What are the advantages of static Kramer system,, over static scherbius system?
Since a static Kramer system possesses no line commutated inverter, it causes bless reactive power
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and smaller harmonic contents of current than a static scherbius.

What is electrical power supply system?
The generation, transmission and distribution system of electrical power iscalled electrical power
supply system.
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21. What are the 4 main parts of distribution system?

Feeders,
Distributors and
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Service mains.

22. What are feeders?

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Feeders are conductors which connect the stations (in some cases generating stations) to the areas to be
fed by those stations.

23. What are the advantages of high voltage dc system over high voltage ac system?
It requires only tow conductors for transmission and it is also possible to transmit the power
through only one conductor by using earth as returning conductor, hence much copper is saved.
No inductance, capacitance, phase displacement and surge problem.
There is no skin effect in dc, cross section of line conductor is fully utilized.

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