LAB SHEET

COURSE NAME: POWER ELECTRONICS LAB

COURSE CODE: EEE 482/EEE 472
FACULTY OF E&T, EASTERN UNIVERSITY

PREPARED BY
FARZANA RAHMAT ZAKI, ASSISTANT PROFESSOR, EEE

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 CONTENTS

Exp. Name of Experiments Page

No. No.
1 Study of switching characteristics of SCR and determination 3
of holding current and latching current.

2 Use of Commercial ICs for Timing, SMPS and Inverter 7

Control and Waveform Generation

3 Study of Light Dimmer Circuit using DIAC and TRIAC. 13

4 Study of IGBT Characteristics Curve. 16

5 Study of IGBT Motor-speed Control. 20

6 Study of UJT Oscillator Circuit 23

2
 Eastern University
Department of Electrical & Electronic Engineering
Course No.: EEE 472/482 Course Title: Industrial Power Electronic Laboratory

Experiment No.:1

Name of the experiment: Study of switching characteristics of SCR and

determination of holding current and latching current.

Aim:

1) To study I-V characteristics of SCR

2) To determine holding current and latching current of SCR

Apparatus required:

Trainer board, chords, SCR (2P4M), LED, Resistors (100Ω, 330Ω and1KΩ), wires.

Experimental Setup:

R1= 330
A
R2= 1 k
(3-18) V

LED

SCR
R3= 100

2P4M SCR specifications:

Average on-state current: 2A at
77°C, with rated voltage od 600V
Fig. 1: Set up for measuring holding and latching currents of SCR

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Theory:

A thyristor is a solid state devices with 4-layers of pnpn structure with 3pn junctions-
anode, cathode and gate. Structure and symbol of SCR are shown in Fig. 2.

Fig. 2: SCR structure and symbol

SCRs are mainly used in devices where the control of high power, possibly coupled with
high voltage, is demanded. Their operation (it can switch large current on and off) makes
them suitable for use in medium to high-voltage AC power control applications, such as
lamp dimming, regulators and motor control.

Fig. 3: I-V characteristics of SCR

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The SCR blocks voltage in both the forward and reverse directions; so that is a symmetric
blocking. In the SCR characteristic curve or SCR volt-ampere characteristic or SCR static
characteristic (figure 3), the SCR blocking voltage are: (i) forward break over voltage
(VBO), (ii) reverse break down voltage (VBD).

A several techniques can be used to turn-on SCR. Here, normal method to turn-on SCR is
used. If the anode (A) is positive, the SCR can be triggered into conduction by a short
positive gate current pulse. But once SCR is conducting, the gate loses its control to turn
off the device. The i-v characteristics of SCR indicate that at gate current IG = 0, if
forward voltage is applied on the device (mean that the anode is positive respect to the
cathode), there will be a leakage current due to blocking of the middle junction.

If the voltage exceeds its critical limit or equal to forward breakover voltage, VBO), then
SCR is ON-STATE. By increasing IG, VBO is reduced, and if IG = IG3, SCR behaves like a
diode with the entire forward blocking region removed. SCR will turn on successfully if a
minimum current, called a latching current (IL), is maintained. During ON-STATE, if
the IG =0 and the anode current (IA) falls below a critical limit, called the holding current
(IH), SCR reach its forward blocking state. With reverse voltage, the end P-N junctions of
the device become reverse-biased and the i-v curve becomes similar to diode.

In summary, SCR is turn-on by the positive gate current, and turn of naturally when the
anode voltage drop to zero. And, each SCR has its own i-v characteristics. So, in practice
we must consider the datasheet of SCR to get the important parameters of this device.

Holding Current: Holding current may be defined as the minimum value of anode
current in which the device stops conduction and return to its OFF state. The value of this
current is very small in mA.

Latching Current: Latching current of a device is defined as the minimum ON state

current required to keep the device in the ON state after the triggering pulse has been
removed. Generally, latching current is two or three times larger than the holding current.

Procedures:
1. Connect the circuit as shown in figure 1. Press the push button and observe the
condition of the LED. Then release the button and again observe the condition of the
LED.

2. Press the push button. Increase the variable dc power supply gradually from 3Vand
monitor when LED turns on. Take the current reading. This current is called latching
current of SCR.

3. Release the push button and again observe the condition of the LED.

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4. Slowly decrease the DC power supply and monitor the decrease in current through
SCR. At a particular value of current, LED will turn off indicating the off-state of SCR.
Record that current. This current is called holding current of SCR.

Report:
1. Record latching current and holding current of SCR.
2. Draw the I-V characteristics of SCR and describe its different modes of operation.
3. Differentiate between latching current and holding current.
4. Write down some advantages and disadvantages of SCR.
5. Write down some applications of SCR.

Eastern University
Department of Electrical & Electronic Engineering
Course No.: EEE 472/482 Course Title: Industrial Power Electronic Laboratory

Experiment No.:2

Name of the experiment: Use of Commercial ICs for Timing, SMPS and
Inverter Control and Waveform Generation
In this experiment IC555 and IC566 will be used as timer IC. Timer 566 is a voltage
controlled waveform generator and it can be used for pulse width modulation of a sine
wave. IC SG3425 is a switch mode power supply control IC. It can also be used as
control IC for single phase inverters and DC chopper circuits. This IC has a feedback
voltage control facility for pulse width modulation as necessary for the voltage control of
an SMPS or an inverter. Constant voltage output regulation is used in present power
supplies for microcomputers, TVs, VCRs and other electronic equipment.

(Control circuits constructed for SMPS and inverter are to be preserved

for the next experiments on the operation of SMPS and basic Inverter
Circuits. Students are required to purchase three breadboard per group

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for these experiments so that they can keep their circuits for the next
experiments. PE laboratory will not provide bread boards for their
experiments in this laboratory. The laboratory will provide components
for this experiment, which can be issued out so that students can build
their circuits at home/hostels and come to the laboratory with their
circuits ready for the experiment. After this and the next three
experiments are over, students are required to return the components in
good working condition. If the students do not return the components in
due time they will be fined TK. 1000/- per person and this fine will be
imposed to every body of the defaulting group. If any of the components
are destroyed during the experiment due to negligence, students will
have to get the replacements by themselves from the market. )

IC 8038 is a function generator IC which can generate square, triangular and sine wave of
fixed and variable frequency. For variable frequency operation the IC will be operated as
a voltage controlled oscillator ( VCO ).

The data sheet and the application notes of SG3425 will be provided to
students, one copy per group. After the experiment, students are
required to return the data sheets and the application notes. For future
reference students may photo-copy the data sheet and the application
notes at their own expense. The data sheet and the application notes of
IC555, 566 and ICL8038 are available in text books. Students may
consult the book Electronic devices and circuits by Boylestad for this
purpose.

1. Use of the SG3425

The SG3425 is an SMPS power supply controller chip and the chip can also be used for
square wave inverter control. The control circuit can be used for the control of choppers
as well.

a. Construct the control circuit and observe the waveforms of pin 9 and 10 with the
variation of the potentiometer knob. Keep this circuit intact on the breadboard for the

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 next experiment.
vcc

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1 vref=5V
15
2
R6
3 14
R7 6.8k
4 SG3524 13
6.8k
5 12

6 11

7 10

8 9
150k
RT
CT

0.1uF

0 0

0
R1 C2
4.7k .1uF
0

R3
10k
R4
1k R2
0 4.7k
0
b. Construct the square wave inverter control circuit and observe the waveforms of pin 9
and 10. Keep this circuit on the breadboard for experiment on basic inverter circuits.

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 vcc

16
1 vref=5V
15
2
R6
3 14
R7 6.8k
4 SG3524 13
6.8k
5 12

6 11

7 10

8 9
150k
RT
CT

0.1uF

0 0

0
R1 C2
4.7k .1uF
0

R3
10k
R4
1k R2
0 4.7k
0

2. Use of IC555 Timer

a. IC555 is timer IC used for square wave generation having,

b. Construct the circuit shown and observe the waves Vo and Vc. Measure the frequency
of the output voltage Vo and compare with the value obtained by above equation.
1 1.44
f  
T ( RA  2 RB )C

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.

Without reducing RA = 0.0, the astable multivibrator circuit can be used to prduce a
square wave output by connecting a diode across resistor R B. The capacitor charges
through RA and diode D to approximately 2/3VCC and discharges throuigh R B and
terminal 7 ( transistor Q1 of timer ) until capacitor equals approximately 1/3 VCC, then the
cycle repeats. To obtain a square output ( 50 percent duty cycle ), R A must be a
combination of a fixed resistor and potentiometer so that the potentiometer can be
adjusted for the exact square wave.

3. Use of IC566 as a Voltage Controlled Oscillator.

The block diagram of the 566 IC’s functional operation is shown in the diagram.

Construct the following circuit and observe the wave shapes as indicated.

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 2(V  Vc )
fo 
R1C1 (V )

For ¾VVc+V and 2KR120K

Frequency of oscillation of 566 depends on R1C1 and Vc ( at point 5 )

The same IC can be used as a modulator of a sinusoidal input signal. Use the following
circuit for the operation of the IC566 VCO as a modulator and observe the output
waveform at pin 3 of the IC with sinusoidal input at pin 5 through a coupling capacitor.

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4. Use of IC ICL8038 as a Waveform Generator

IC 8038 waveform generator is a monolithic integrated circuit capable of producing sine,

square, triangular and saw-tooth waveform with very few external components. The
frequency can be selected externally from 0.001 Hz. to more than 300KHz. Using either
RC or by frequency modulation using external sweep voltage making it a VCO (
reference pp.586-594 OP-AMPs and Linear Integrated Circuits by Ramakanth
Gaykawad, Prentice Hall, India ).

For fixed frequency waveforms, following circuit or its modification can be used. Fifty
percent duty cycle of the square wave can be obtained when R A =RB. When RA=RB=R,
then the frequency of oscillation is given by,
0 .3
f 
RC
For experimentation chose RA = RB = 10K and RL=10K and C = such that f = 1KHz.,
then observe the waveforms at pins 2,3 and 9

Construct the following circuit with ICL8038 for a VCO. The frequency of the waveform
generator is a direct function of the dc voltage at terminal 8 ( measured from V+ ). By
altering this voltage by the potentiometer the frequency of the waveforms observed can
be changed.

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 Eastern University
Department of Electrical & Electronic Engineering
Course No.: EEE 472/482 Course Title: Industrial Power Electronic Laboratory

Experiment No.:3

Name of the experiment: Study of light dimmer circuit using DIAC and
TRIAC.

Aim:

To observe how a light dimmer circuit works using DIAC and TRIAC.

Apparatus required:
Power Supply unit, Module KI-53007, Oscilloscope, Jumper and wires.

Experimental Setup:

Figure 1: Light dimmer circuit

Theory:

Figure 1 shows the construction of the light dimmer circuit with the triac. The circuit is
designed such that only a portion of the 50Hz 110V ac sine wave passes through the light

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bulb. To accomplish this, a bilateral diac is used to control the current flow to the triac.
Initially the capacitor is discharged, and during each half cycle of the input from the
supply, the capacitor is charged to its breakover voltage. When this occurs the diac begins
to conduct and discharges the capacitor through the triac gate. This point in time is
known as firing and it allows the supply voltage to be applied to the light bulb.

The intensity of the light is controlled by varying the firing angle for the circuit. This is
accomplished by controlling the rate at which the capacitor charges, and is determined by
the RC time constant of the series potentiometer and capacitor. In Figure 1, the time
constant can be seen as the 10kΩ resistor plus the value of the potentiometer times the
0.1uF capacitance. Thus, to control the intensity of the light, one simply controls the
value of the resistance on the potentiometer, which determines the rate at which the
capacitor reaches the breakover voltage. The smaller the RC time constant, the quicker
the capacitor reaches the breakover voltage, and thus the more of the 50Hz sine wave that
is applied over the light bulb. The greatest intensity of the light can be seen when the
resistance of the potentiometer is set to zero, and the greatest potion of the sine wave is
applied over the bulb.

(b)
(a)

(c)

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Figure 2: Waveforms across TRIAC: (a) Rvar = lowest (b) Rvar = medium (c) Rvar =
highest

To determine the firing angle in degrees, it has to be first measured in milliseconds using
the oscilloscope along with the period of the wave. Then, using equation 1, the firing
angle in degrees can be found. In this equation ton is the firing angle in milliseconds and α
is the firing angle in degrees.

ton
  360 ----------------- (1)
Tperiod

Procedures:
1. Connect 110V ac power supply from Power Supply Unit KL-51001, KL-58002 to
module KL-53007.

2. Keep the Rvar to its minimum value. Insert connector plugs in position 1, 4, 6 and 11 to
complete the circuit as shown in Fig-1.

3. Vary Rvar and see the effect of the variation on the brightness of the bulb for lowest,
medium and highest positions of the Rvar.

4. Observe the wave shape on the oscilloscope across the triac. Record the change in the
waveforms qualitatively with the variation of the resistance and hence determine the
firing angles for the mentioned three conditions.

Report:
1. Complete the data table and calculate firing angle for each case.
2. Describe the working principle of the light dimming circuit.
3. Why the brightness of the bulb varies with the variation of the resistance?
4. Design a half-wave ac power control circuit using SCR. Also describe its operation.

15
 Eastern University
Department of Electrical & Electronic Engineering
Course No.: EEE 472/482 Course Title: Industrial Power Electronic Laboratory

Experiment No.:4

Name of the experiment: Study of IGBT characteristics curve.

Aim:

To study the characteristic curves of IGBT.

Apparatus required:
Power Supply unit, Module KI-53001, 58002, 53016, digital multimeter (DMM), Jumper
and wires.

Experimental Setup:

Figure 2: Circuit for IGBT characteristic measurement

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Theory:
The insulated-gate bipolar transistor (IGBT) is a three-terminal power semiconductor
device primarily used as an electronic switch and in newer devices is noted for combining
high efficiency and fast switching. It switches electric power in many modern appliances:
variable-frequency drives (VFDs), electric cars, trains, variable speed refrigerators, air-
conditioners and even stereo systems with switching amplifiers.

The IGBT combines the simple gate-drive characteristics of the MOSFETs with the high-
current and low-saturation-voltage capability of bipolar transistors. The IGBT combines
an isolated gate FET for the control input, and a bipolar power transistor as a switch, in a
single device. The IGBT is used in medium- to high-power applications like switched-
mode power supplies, traction motor control and induction heating. Large IGBT modules
typically consist of many devices in parallel and can have very high current handling
capabilities in the order of hundreds of amperes with blocking voltages of 6000 V,
equating to hundreds of kilowatts.

Figure-1 illustrates the circuit for IGBT characteristic measurements. 12-V ac supply
input voltage is full-wave rectified by bridge rectifier (BR1) and capacitor-filtered by
capacitors C1 and C2 to obtain about ±17-V dc voltages IGBT biasing. Zener diodes ZD1
and ZD2 regulate the voltages of ±6.1-V dc for supplying deferent gate voltages to the
IGBT. The potentiometer VR2 is used to control the gate voltage.

When the connect plugs are inserted in positions 1, 4, 5 and 6, IGBT is configured as
common emitter with negative voltage applied to the gate terminal. When the connect
plugs are inserted in positions 2, 4, 5 and 6, IGBT is configured as common emitter with
positive voltage applied to the gate terminal. Different IC can be measured at different
VGE values controlled by VR2 and hence characteristic curves can be plotted.

Procedures:
1. Connect 110V ac power supply from Power Supply Unit KL-51001, KL-58002 to
module
KL-53016.

2. Turn the VR1 fully CW and the VR2 fully CCW. Construct the IGBT as common
emitter
configuration and provide a negative voltage to the gate terminal. To do so, insert the
connect plugs in positions 1, 4, 5 and 6.

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3. Two DMMs are required in the following procedure. Set the range selectors of DMMs
to
DCV 20 setting. Two DMMs are used as DVMs (digital voltmeters) for measuring
IGBT’s
VGE and IC .

4. Turn on the power of module KL-51001.

5. Connect a DVM across IGBT G-E terminals for measuring the VGE values, and a
DVM
across R3. Adjust VR1 and set VCE to 10V. Adjusting the VR2 for each of the listed
VGE
values, measure the record VR3 in the table-1 below. Calculate IC = VR3/1kΩ.

Table-1: When negative voltage is applied to gate terminal of IGBT

VGE(V) 0 -0.5 -1 -1.5 -2 -2.5 -3 -3.5 -4 -4.5 -5 -5.5 -6

VR3 (V)
IC (mA)

6. Remove the connect plug from position 1 to position 2. Now, IGBT is configured as
common emitter and a positive voltage is provided to gate terminal.

7. Turn the VR1 fully CW and the VR2 fully CCW. Repeat steps 5,6 and complete table-
2.

Table-2: When positive voltage is applied to gate terminal of IGBT

VGE(V) 0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5 4 4.5 5 5.5 6

VR3 (V)
IC (mA)

8. Insert a connect plug in position 2. Adjust VR2 and V GE value to 4V. Adjust VR1 for
each
of the VCE values as shown in table-3 and complete the table-3.

Table-3: VGE = 4V

VCE(V) 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
VR3 (V)
IC (mA)

9. Repeat step 8 for VGE value of 4.5V and 5V and complete table 4 and 5.

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 Table-4: VGE = 4.5V

VCE(V) 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
VR3 (V)
IC (mA)

Table-5: VGE = 5V

VCE(V) 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
VR3 (V)
IC (mA)

Report:
1. Plot the IC-VGE curve using table 1 and 2. Describe the transfer curve.
2. Plot the IC-VCE curve using table 3, 4, 5 at different VGE values. Describe the transfer
curve.

19
 Eastern University
Department of Electrical & Electronic Engineering
Course No.: EEE 472/482 Course Title: Industrial Power Electronic Laboratory

Experiment No.:5

Name of the experiment: Study of IGBT Motor-speed Control

Aim:

To study the IGBT motor-speed control.

Apparatus required:
Power Supply unit, Module KI-53001, 58002, 53016, digital multimeter (DMM), Jumper
and wires.

Experimental Setup:

Figure 3: Circuit for IGBT motor-speed control circuit.

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Theory:
The insulated-gate bipolar transistor (IGBT) is a three-terminal power semiconductor
device primarily used as an electronic switch and in newer devices is noted for combining
high efficiency and fast switching. It switches electric power in many modern appliances:
variable-frequency drives (VFDs), electric cars, trains, variable speed refrigerators, air-
conditioners and even stereo systems with switching amplifiers.

The IGBT combines the simple gate-drive characteristics of the MOSFETs with the high-
current and low-saturation-voltage capability of bipolar transistors. The IGBT combines
an isolated gate FET for the control input, and a bipolar power transistor as a switch, in a
single device. The IGBT is used in medium- to high-power applications like switched-
mode power supplies, traction motor control and induction heating. Large IGBT modules
typically consist of many devices in parallel and can have very high current handling
capabilities in the order of hundreds of amperes with blocking voltages of 6000 V,
equating to hundreds of kilowatts.

Figure-1 illustrates the circuit for IGBT motor-speed control. The 36-V ac supply input
voltage is full-wave rectified by bridge rectifier (BR1) and capacitor-filtered by
capacitors C1 to obtain about 50-V dc voltages for supplying the universal motor and
IGBT device. An additional 12-V DC supply provides the working voltage to the
OPAMP U1.

The combination of the U1 operational amplifier and IGBT acts as the feedback speed
controller which can be adjusted to provide the predetermined motor speed. The
reference voltage is provided by the Zener diode ZD1 and the diode D1 connected in
series (temperature-compensated configuration) and is adjusted by the speed control
potentiometer VR1.

The feedback voltage which is directly related to the speed is fed from the voltage drop
across the resistor R2. The difference or error between the feedback voltage (proportional
to the motor speed) and the reference voltage can then be used to detect the system
whether it should increase the speed or reduce it, in order to bring it back as close as
possible to the reference value.

Procedures:
1. Connect 110V ac power supply from Power Supply Unit KL-51001, KL-58002.

2. Connect 36V-0 AC supply and 12 V DC supply from Module KL-51001 to Module

KL-
53016. Also, connect the universal motor from Module KL-58001 to Module KL-

21
 53016.

3. Two DMMs are required in the following procedure. Set the range selectors of DMMs
to
DCV 20 setting. Two DMMs are used as DVMs (digital voltmeters) for measuring
output voltage across U1 and VR2.

4. Turn on the power of module KL-51001.

5. Slowly adjust the speed control potentiometer VR1 until the motor runs. Observe and
record the motor speed. Measure and record the voltage on U1 pin1 and voltage drop
across the R2, in the table below.

Test Point Result

U1 Pin1
VR2 (Volt)
Motor Speed

6. Slowly adjust VR1 to increase motor speed. Observe and record the change in motor
speed. Measure and record the voltage on U1 pin1 and voltage drop across the R2, in the
table below.

Test Point Result

U1 Pin1
VR2 (Volt)
Motor Speed

7. Turn VR1 to its maximum value. Observe and record the change in motor speed.
Measure and record the voltage on U1 pin1 and voltage drop across the R2, in the table
below.

Test Point Result

U1 Pin1
VR2 (Volt)
Motor Speed

Report:
1. Complete the data table.

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 Eastern University
Department of Electrical & Electronic Engineering
Course No.: EEE 472/482 Course Title: Industrial Power Electronic Laboratory

Experiment No.:6

Name of the experiment: Study of UJT Oscillator Circuit.

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