EE6503 – POWER ELECTRONICS

2 Marks and 16 Marks- Question Bank

Unit 1- INTRODUCTION
Two marks
1. What is power electronics?
Power electronics is a subject that concerns the applications electronics principles into
situations that are rated at power level rather than signal level. It may be defined as a subject deals
with the apparatus and equipment working on the principle of electronics but at rated power level.
2. Give the applications of power electronics.
 Aerospace
 Commercial
 Industrial
 Telecommunications
3. Classify power semiconductor devices give examples.
 Diodes: power diodes
 Thyristors: SCR
 Control switches: BJT, MOSFET and IGBT
4. Define latching current of SCR. [Nov/Dec 2012] May/June 2014
The latching current is defined as the minimum value of anode current which it must attain
during turn on process to maintain conduction when gate signal is removed.
5. What are the factors that influence the turn-off time of thyristor? [Nov/Dec 2010]
1. Recovery Process 2. Recombination Process
6. What are the parameters involved in switching loss of power device? [April/May 2011]
 Forward conduction loss
 Loss due to leakage current during forward and reverse blocking
 Switching losses at turn-on and turn-off.
 Gate triggering loss.
7. What are the advantages of MOSFET?
 Lower switching losses.
 No Secondary breakdown.
 Switching frequency high.
 It has positive temperature coefficient for resistance.
 8. Define the term pinch off voltage of MOSFET. [May/June 2012]
If the gate source voltage is made negative enough, the channel will be completely
depleted, offering a high value of drain to source resistance and there will be no current flow
from drain to source. The value of gate source voltage is called pinch off voltage.

9. In TRIAC which of the modes the sensitivity of gate is high.

The more sensitive of the triac is greatest in the first quadrant when turned on with positive
gate current and also in the third quadrant when turned on with negative gate current.
10. What are the types of power transistors?
 Bipolar Junction Transistor (BJT)
 Metal Oxide Semiconductor Field Effect Transistor (MOSFET)
 Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistor (IGBT)
11. Why are IGBT becoming popular in their application to controlled converters?
May/June2012
 Lower hate requirements
 Lower switching losses
 Smaller snubber circuit requirements
12. Power BJT is a current controlled device. Why?
Because the output (collector) current can be controlled by base current.
13. What are the different types of power MOSFET?
i)N-channel MOSFET ii)P-channel MOSFET
14. How can a thyristor turned off?
A thyristor can be turned off by making the current flowing through it to a level below the
holding current.
15. Define holding current.
The holding current is defined as the minimum value of anode current below which it must
fall to for turning off the thyristor.
16. What is the use of snubber circuit? [May/June 2013]
It consists of a series combination of a resistor and a capacitor in parallel with the thyristors.
It is mainly used for dv / dt protection.
17. What losses occur in a thyristor during working conditions?
 Forward conduction losses
 Loss due to leakage current during forward and reverse blocking.
 Switching losses at turn-on and turn-off.
  Gate triggering loss.
18. Define circuit turn off time of SCR. [Nov/Dec 2011]
It is defined as the time during which a reverse voltage is applied across the thyristor during
its commutation process.
19. Why circuit turn off time should be greater than the thyristor turn-off time?
Circuit turn off time should be greater than the thyristor turn-off time for reliable turn-off,
otherwise the device may turn-on at an undesired instant, a process called commutation failure.
20. What is meant by commutation? (Nov/Dec 2014)
It is the process of changing the direction of current flow in a particular path of the circuit.
This process is used in thyristors for turning it off.
21. What are the types of commutation?
a. Natural commutation
b. Forced commutation
22. What is the turn-off time for converter grade SCRs and inverter grade SCRs?
Turn-off time for converter grade SCRs is 50 – 100 ms turn-off time for converter grade
SCRs and inverter grade SCRs and for inverter grade SCRs is 3 – 50 ms.
23. Define hard-driving or over-driving.
When gate current is several times higher than the minimum gate current required, a
thyristors is said to be hard-fired or over-driven. Hard-firing of a thyristor reduces its turn-on time
and enhances its di/dt capability.
24. Write down the applications of IGBT?
 AC and DC motor drives
 UPS systems
 Power supplies
 Relays and Contactors
25. What are the advantages of GTO over SCR?
a. Elimination of commutation of commutating components in forced commutation,
resulting in reduction in cost, weight and volume.
b. Reduction in acoustic noise and electromagnetic noise due to elimination of commutation
chokes.
c. Faster turn-off, permitting high switching frequencies.
d. Improved efficiency of the converters

26. What are the draw backs of GTO? [Nov/Dec 2012]

 1. Magnitude of latching and holding currents is more.
2. On state voltage drop and the associated loss is more
3. Due to multi cathode structure of GTO, triggering gate current is higher than the required
for a conventional thyristor.
27. What are the different methods to turn on the thyristor? [April/May 2011]
Forward voltage triggering, Gate triggering, dv/dt triggering, temperature triggering & light
triggering
28. Define forward break over voltage.
When anode is positive w.r.to cathode with gate current open, the junction J1 & J3 are
forward biased but J2 is reverse biased. When the forward voltage is increased junction J2 will have
an avalanche breakdown at a voltage. This voltage is called forward break over voltage.
29. Define reverse break over voltage.
When cathode is positive w.r.to anode with gate current open, the junction J1 & J3 are
reverse biased but J2 is forward biased. When the reverse voltage is increased junctions J1 & J3
will have an avalanche breakdown at a voltage. This voltage is called as critical breakdown voltage
Vbr.
30. IGBT is a voltage controlled device. Why?
IGBT is a voltage controlled device because the controlling parameter is gate emitter
voltage VGE
31. Power MOSFET is a voltage controlled device. Why?
Power MOSFET is a voltage controlled device because the output current can controlled by
gate source voltage VGS.
32. What is meant by over drive factor?
It is defined as the ratio of IB & IBS ODF = IB / IBS
33. Draw the turn on characteristics of TRIAC and mark the td, tr and ton. [Nov/Dec 2010]
[April/May 2015]
34. What is the limitation of high frequency operation of a power electronic device? May/June
2013
1. Higher Switching losses
35. Draw Switching Time characteristics of BJT? [April/May 2015]

36. Didtinguish between SCR and TRIAC? (Nov/Dec 2014)

SCR is unidirectional device, gate current is positive, one VI characteristics
Triac is bidirectional device; gate current is positive or negative, two VI characteristics
37. Compare MOSFET and BJT? May/June 2014
MOSFET Voltage controlled device, unipolar device
BJT current controlled device, bipolar device

Unit 1
Sixteen marks
1. Describe the various types of commutation circuit for SCR. May/June 2013 Nov/Dec 2011
Nov/Dec 2012
2. Describe the current commutation technique to turn off the SCR with neat sketch and
waveforms. Nov/Dec 2011
3. Snubber circuit for an SCR should primarily consist of capacitor only. But in practice a
resistor is used in series with the capacitor. Why?-Discuss May/June 2013
4. With neat sketch explain the turn on and turn off characteristic of SCR. May/June 2013
Nov/Dec 2011 ,Nov/Dec 2014, May/June 2014
5. Explain the operation of IGBT with the help of neat structural diagram and suitable wave
forms. Nov/Dec 2010
 6. Draw the turn-off characteristics of an SCR and explain the mechanism of turn-off.
Nov/Dec 2010
7. What are the different methods for turning off an SCR? Explain all methods in detail.
Nov/Dec 2010
8. Explain the switching characteristics of power IGBT with neat circuit diagram and
waveforms. May/June 2011, (April/May 2015) Nov/Dec 2012
9. Compare and contrast the performance characteristics of SCR and MOSFET. Nov/Dec
2012, Nov/Dec 2014
10. Write short notes on : May/June 2011
a. Snubber circuit for BJT (8)
b. Commutation circuit of SCR.
11. Discuss in detail the static and switching characteristic of power IGBT. Nov/Dec 2012
12. Explain the switching performance of BJT with relevant waveforms indicating clearly the
turn-on, turn-off times and their components
13. (i) Explain the switching characteristics of power MOSFET.April/May 2015,May/June
2014
(ii) Draw the basic structure of an IGBT and explain its operation.

14. Explain the operation of two transistor analogy May/June 2014

2 Marks and 16 Marks- Question Bank

Unit 2 – PHASE CONTRLLED CONVERTERS
Two marks
1. What is meant by phase controlled rectifier? (Nov/Dec 2014)
It converts fixed ac voltage into variable dc voltage.
2. Mention some of the applications of controlled rectifier.
 Steel rolling mills, printing press, textile mills and paper mills employing dc motor
drives.
  DC traction
 chemical and electro-metallurgical process
 Portable hand tool drives
 Magnet power supplies
 HVDC
3. What is meant continuous current operation of thyristor converter?
When a freewheeling diode is connected across the output, load current continuous
flow through the load. Whenever the load voltage tends to go to negative, freewheeling
diode starts conduct. As a result load current is transferred from SCR to freewheeling diode.
This is called continuous current operation of thyristor converter.
4. Give any two differences single phase full and semi converter? [Nov/Dec 2011]
May/June 2014
Sl.No Full Converter Half controlled converter
1. Thyristors only Mixture of diodes and
thyristors
2. Two Quadrant Converter One Quadrant converter
3. Power factor is less power factor is more

5. Define the term voltage ripple factor and current ripple factor. [Nov/Dec 2010]
It is the ratio of the net harmonic content of the output voltage to the average
output voltage.
6. What is dual converter? [April/May 2011] May/June 2014
It consists of two similar single phase or three phase fully controlled converter
which are connected in parallel at the input side and are connected inverse parallel at the
output side.

7. Write any four parameters of phase controlled converter?

 Input displacement factor.
 Input power factor.
 Input harmonic factor.
 Current ripple factor
8. Define Total Harmonics distortion. [April/May 2012]
It is defined as the ratio of the total harmonic content to the fundamental
component.
9. What is the function of freewheeling diodes in controlled rectifier?
 It prevents the output voltage from becoming negative.
 The load current is transferred from the main thyristors to the freewheeling
diode, thereby allowing all of its thyristors to regain their blocking states.
10. What are the advantages of freewheeling diodes in a controlled rectifier?
 Input power factor is improved.
 Load current waveform is improved and thus the load performance is better.
11. What is meant by delay angle?
The delay angle is defined as the angle between the zero crossing of the input
voltage and the instant the thyristor is fired.
12. What are the advantages of single phase bridge converter over single phase mid-
point converter?
SCRs are subjected to a peak-inverse voltage of 2Vm in a fully controlled bridge
rectifier. Hence for same voltage and current ratings of SCrs, power handled by mid-point
configuration is about In mid-point converter, each secondary winding should be able to
supply the load power. As such, the transformer rating in mid-point converter is double
the load rating.
13. What is commutation angle or overlap angle?
The commutation period when outgoing and incoming thyristors are conducting is
known as overlap period. The angular period, when both devices share conduction is
known as the commutation angle or overlap angle.
14. What are the different methods of firing circuits for line commutated converter?
 UJT firing circuit.
 The cosine wave crossing pulse timing control.
 Digital firing schemes.

15. Give an expression for average voltage of single-phase semi converters.

Average output voltage Vdc = (Vm / π) (1 + cos α).
16. What is meant by input power factor in controlled rectifier?
The input power factor is defined as the ratio of the total mean input power to the
total RMS input volt-amperes. PF = ( V1 I1 cos φ1 ) / ( Vrms Irms) where V1 = phase
voltage, I1 = fundamental component of the supply current, φ1 = input displacement angle,
Irms = supply rms current.
17. What are the advantages of six-pulse converter?
  Commutation is made simple.
 Distortion on the ac side is reduced due to the reduction in lower order
harmonics.
 Inductance reduced in series is considerably reduced.
18. Define Displacement Factor.
The input displacement factor is defined as the cosine of the input displacement
angle.
19. Define voltage ripple factor.
It is defined as the ratio of the net harmonic content of the output voltage to the
average output voltage.
20. What is mean by full converter?
A fully controlled converter uses thyristors only and there is a wider control over the
level of dc output voltage. It is also known as two quadrant converter.
21. What are the performance factors of line commutated converters?
Input displacement angle, input power factor, DC voltage ratio, Input harmonic
factor, Voltage & current ripple factor.
22. What are the two configuration of single phase 2 pulse controlled rectifier?
 Midpoint converter
 Bridge Converter
23. What is meant by 2 pulse converter?
Two pulse converters is defined as two triggering pulses or two sets of triggering
pulses are to be generated during every cycle of the supply to trigger the various SCRs.
24. What is meant by rectification mode in single phase fully controlled converter?
In single phase full converter ∝ < 90 the voltage at the dc terminal is positive.
Therefore, power flows from source to load & the converter operates as a rectifier. Source
voltage is Vs & Current is positive. This is known as rectification mode.
25. What is meant by inversion mode? [April/May 2012,Nov/Dec 2012]
In single phase full converter ∝ > 90 the voltage at the dc terminal is negative.
Therefore, power flows from load to source & the converter operates as line commutated
inverter. Source voltage Vs is negative & Current is positive. This is known as inversion
mode or synchronous mode.
26. What is the difference between half controlled & fully controlled bridge rectifier?
Half Controlled Bridge Rectifier
 Power circuit consists of mixture of diodes & SCRs
  It is one quadrant Converter
 The Dc output voltage has limited control level.
 Input power factor is more.
Full Controlled Bridge Rectifier
 Power circuit consists of SCRs only
 It is 2 quadrant Converter
 The Dc output voltage has wider control level.
 Input power factor is less.
27. Draw the circuit diagram of single phase dual converter. [Nov/Dec 2010]
[April/May 2015]

28. What is displacement factor for two pulse converter? [May/June 2013]
The input displacement factor is defined as the cosine of the input displacement
angle.
29. What is turn off time for two pulse converter? [May/June 2013]
50-100 micro second
30. Why is power factor of semi converter better than full converter? [Nov/Dec 2012]
(Nov/Dec 2014)
For supplying given load, the semi converter receives less reactive power due to
freewheeling action when compared with full converter. Therefore, the power factor is
better in semi converter.
31. What is the effect of source impedance on the performance converter?
[April/May 2015]
The input ac power sources supplying an ac to dc power converter have been
assumed to be ideal with no source impedance. Although this assumption simplifies the
analysis of the converters, in most practical situations, they are not fully justified. Most ac
dc converters are supplied from transformers. The series impedance of the transformer
cannot always be neglected. Even if no transformer is used, the impedance of the feeder
line comes in series with the source. In most cases this impedance is predominantly
inductive with negligible resistive component. The presence of source inductance does
 have significant effect on the performance of the converter. With source inductance
present the output voltage of a converter does not remain constant for a given firing angle.
Instead it drops gradually with load current. The converter output voltage and input
current waveforms also change significantly. In this lesson a quantitative analysis of these
effects will be taken up in some detail.

Unit 2
Sixteen marks
1. Describe the effect of source inductance on the performance of a single phase full converter
indicating clearly the conduction of various thyristors during one cycle. Derive the
expression for its output voltage. May/June 2013 & May/June 2011, May/June 2014
2. Explain the principle of operation of single phase dual converter with neat power circuit
diagram. May/June 2013& May/June 2011, (April/May 2015) (Nov/Dec 2014)
May/June 2014
3. Explain the working of a three phase full converter with ‘R’ load for the firing angles of 60°,
90° and 150°. Nov/Dec 2011
4. Explain the operation of a single phase full bridge converter with RL load for continuous
and discontinuous load currents. (10) Nov/Dec 2011, (April/May 2015)
5. A single phase full bridge converter is connected to ‘R’ load. The source voltage is of 230
V, 50 Hz. The average load current is of 10 A. For R = 20  find the firing angle. (6)
Nov/Dec 2011
6. Describe the operation of a single phase two pulse bridge converter using 4 SCR'S with
relevant waveforms. (10) Nov/Dec 2010
7. Discuss the working of above converter in the converter mode with RLE load. (6) Nov/Dec
2010
8. A single phase semi converter is operated from 120 V 50 Hz ac supply. The load current
with an average value Idc is continuous and ripple free firing angle α =π/ 6 . Determine.
Nov/Dec 2010
i. Displacement factor
ii. Harmonic factor of input current
iii. Input power factor.
b. Write a note on battery charger. (6)
9. Explain the operation of single phase half controlled rectifier with inductive load. Also
derive an expression for the average output voltage.
10. Explain the operation of 3 phase half controlled converter with neat waveforms. also derive
an expression for the average output voltage Nov/Dec 2012
11.A two pulse single phase bridge converter is connected to RLE load. Source voltage is 230
V, 50 HZ. Average load current .of 10 Amps is continuous over the working range. For R =0.4
 and L =2 mH compute.
(i)Firing angle delay for E =120 V.
(ii)Firing angle delay for E = -120 V.
Indicate which source is delivering power to load in parts (i) and (ii).
12. A 220v, 1kw R load is supplied by 220v,50Hz source through 1ф fully controlled converter.
Determine the following for 800w output. A) average output voltage b) rms value of i/p current
c) fundamental component of input current d) displacement factor. Nov/Dec 2012
13 A half controlled 3 phase bridge rectifier is supplied at 220v from a source of reactance
0.24/phase. Neglecting resistance and device volt drops determine mean load voltage for level
load current of 40A at a firing delay angle of 45º and 90º.
14. A 230v,50hz supply is connected to load resistance of 12ohm through half controlled
rectifier.if the firing angle is 60 degree ,determine,
(i) Average output voltage
(ii) Rms output volage
(iii) Ratio of rectification
(iv) TUF Nov/Dec 2014
 2 Marks And 16 Marks- Question Bank
Unit 3 – DC – DC CHOPPERS
Two marks
1. What is meant by dc chopper? [May/June 2012]
A dc chopper is a high speed static switch used to obtain variable dc voltage from a
constant dc voltage.
2. What are the applications of dc chopper? (Nov/Dec 2014)
 Battery operated vehicles
 Traction motor control in electric traction
 Trolley cars
 Marine hoists
 Mine haulers
 Electric braking.
3. What are the advantages of dc chopper?
 Chopper provides
 High efficiency
 Smooth acceleration
 Fast dynamic response
 Regeneration
4. What is meant by step-up and step-down chopper?
 In a step- down chopper or Buck converter, the average output voltage is less than
the input voltage. In a step- up chopper or Boost converter, the average output voltage is
more than the input voltage.
5. What is meant by duty-cycle? [May/June 2012]
Duty cycle is defined as the ratio of the on time of the chopper to the total time
period of the chopper. It is denoted by α.
6. What are the two types of control strategies? [May/June 2013]
 Time Ratio Control (TRC)
 Current Limit Control method (CLC)
7. What is meant by TRC? (April/May 2015)
In TRC, the value of Ton / T is varied in order to change the average output voltage.

8. What are the two types of TRC?

 Constant frequency control
 Variable frequency control
9. What is meant by FM control in a dc chopper?
In frequency modulation control, the chopping frequency f (or the chopping period
T) is varied. Here two controls are possible.
On-time Ton is kept constant
Off period Toff is kept constant.
10. What is meant by PWM control in dc chopper?
In this control method, the on time Ton is varied but chopping frequency is kept
constant. The width of the pulse is varied and hence this type of control is known as Pulse
Width Modulation (PWM).
11. Write down the expression for the average output voltage for step down and step up
chopper.
Average output voltage for step down chopper is VO = α VS. Average output
voltage for step up chopper is VO = α VS x [1/ ( 1- α )].
12. What are the different types of chopper with respect to commutation process?
Voltage commutated chopper.
Current commutated chopper.
. Load commutated chopper.
13. What is meant by voltage commutation?
In this process, a charged capacitor momentarily reverse biases the conducting
thyristor and turn it off.
14. What is meant by current commutation?
In this process, a current pulse is made to flow in the reverse direction through the
conducting thyristor and when the net thyristor current becomes zero, it is turned off
15. What is meant by load commutation?
In this process, the load current flowing through the thyristor either becomes zero or
is transferred to another device from the conducting thyristor.
16. What are the advantages of load commutated chopper?
 Commutating inductor is not required.
 It is capable of commutating any amount of load current.
 It can work at high frequencies in the order of kHz.
 Filtering requirements are minimal.
18. What are the disadvantages of load commutated chopper?
a) For high power applications, efficiency becomes very low because of high
switching losses at high operating frequencies.
b) Freewheeling diode is subjected to twice the supply voltage.
c) Peak load voltage is equal to twice the supply voltage.
d) The commutating capacitor has to carry full load current at a frequency of half
chopping frequency.
19. How is the inverter circuit classified based on commutation circuitry?
 Line commutated inverters.
 Load commutated inverters.
 Self commutated inverters.
 Forced commutated inverters.
20. What are the disadvantages of FM control?
 The chopping frequency has to be varied over a wide range for the control of
output voltage
 It generate harmonics at unpredictable frequencies
22. Differentiate between constant frequency & variable frequency control [Nov 2012]
Strategies of varying the duty cycle of DC chopper.
Constant frequency control – Frequency of the chopper remains constant , but ON period is
changed to vary the output.
 Variable frequency control - Either Ton or Toff is kept constant & frequency is varied to
change the output.
23. What are the advantages of SMPS over phase controlled rectifiers? [Nov/Dec 2011]
 Its smaller size, lighter weight, high efficiency and same power rating.
 Less sensitive to input voltage regulation.
24. What are the advantages of ZVS when compared to ZCS? [Nov/Dec 2010]
Sl.No ZVS ZCS
1. Turn on and off at zero voltage at zero current
2. Constant load application Variable load application
3. preferred for high switching Medium
frequency
4. Operates with constant off time Constant on time control
control

25. What are the disadvantages of frequency modulation control strategy? [Nov/Dec 2010]
 Filter design is very difficult for wide range of frequency variation.
 Its generate harmonics at unpredictable frequency.
26. What is two quadrant chopper?
A DC chopper can be operate in the I and II quadrant as well as I and IV quadrant.
27. What is dc chopper?
It is a high speed static switch used to obtain variable dc voltage from fixed dc
Voltage. Like a transformer it can be used to step up and step down a dc voltage source.
28. What is meant by buck regulator?
It is also called as step down chopper. It means, the average output voltage is less than the
input voltage.
29. What is SMPS and mention its two disadvantages? [Apr/May 2011]
Disadvantages:
 It has higher output ripple and its regulation poor.
 It’s more complex circuit.
30. What is current limit control? [April/May 2011]
The chopper is switched ON and OFF so that the current in the load is maintained between
two limits minimum and maximum.
31. What is the need for resonant converter? [May/June 2013]
  Switching losses are less
 Less electromagnetic interference
 Operating switching frequency is high
 Efficiency is high
32. Give the uses of resonant switching. [Nov/Dec 2011]
 Switching losses are less
 Less electromagnetic interference
 Operating switching frequency is high
 Efficiency is high
33. Brief up the working of four quadrant Dc chopper.[ Nov/Dec 2012]
Output voltage and current either positive and negative so this four quadrant operation of the
chopper.
34. Define current limit control in DC–DC converter? (April/May 2015)
In this method, current is allowed to fluctuate or change only between 2 values i.e. maximum
current (I max) and minimum current (I min). When the current is at minimum value, the chopper is
switched ON. After this instance, the current starts increasing, and when it reaches up to maximum
value, the chopper is switched off allowing the current to fall back to minimum value. This cycle
continues again and again.
35. Distinguish between time ratio control and current limit control? (Nov/Dec 2014)
In TRC, the time period is kept constant, but the ‘On Time’ or the ‘OFF Time’ is varied.
Using this, the duty cycle ratio can be varied. Since the ON time or the ‘pulse width’ is getting
changed in this method, so it is popularly known as Pulse width modulation.
In TRC, the ‘Time Period’ is varied while keeping either of ‘On Time’ or ‘OFF time’ as
constant. In this method, since the time period gets changed, so the frequency also changes
accordingly, so this method is known as frequency modulation control.
In CLC, current is allowed to fluctuate or change only between 2 values i.e. maximum
current (I max) and minimum current (I min). When the current is at minimum value, the
chopper is switched ON. After this instance, the current starts increasing, and when it reaches
up to maximum value, the chopper is switched off allowing the current to fall back to minimum
value. This cycle continues again and again.
36. What are the advantage and disadvantage of CUK converter? May/June 2014
1. Continuous input current
2. Continuous output current
3. Output voltage either greater than or lesser than input voltage
 4. Peak to peak ripples are less
37. What is the circuit configurations used for SMPS? May/June 2014

Unit 3
Sixteen marks

1. A step-up chopper has input voltage of 220 V and output voltage of 660 V. If the non-
conducting time of thyristor chopper is 100 µs, compute the pulse width of output voltage.
Incase pulse width is halved for constant frequency operation, find the new output
voltage.(16) May/June 2011
2. Explain the various modes of operation of Boost DC-DC converter with necessary
waveforms. (16) May/June 2011& Nov/Dec 2012
3. Explain the working of Buck–Boost converter with sketch and waveforms and also drive the
expression for IS Nov/Dec 2011, (April/May 2015)
4. Discuss the principle of operation of DC-DC step up chopper with suitable waveform.
Derive an expression for its average DC output voltage. (8) May/June 2013, (April/May
2015) (Nov/Dec 2014)
5. With a neat sketch and output voltage waveforms, explain the working of full bridge SMPS.
May/June 2013 & Nov/Dec 2011
6. Discuss the principle of operation of DC-DC step down chopper with suitable waveform.
Derive an expression for its average DC output voltage. (8) Nov/Dec 2010.
7. A step-down dc chopper has a resistive load of R = 15 and input voltage Edc = 200 V.
When the chopper remains ON, its voltage drop is 2.5 for a duty cycle of 0.5. Calculate :
Nov/Dec 2010
(1) Average and r.m.s value of output voltage
(2) Power delivered to the load. (8)
8. Draw the circuit of CUK regulator and explain its working principle with necessary
waveform in detail. Nov/Dec 2010 May/June 2014
9. Classify the basic topologies of switching regulators and explain the operation of buck
regulators with continuous load current using suitable waveforms
10. Draw the circuit of buck regulator and explain its working principle with necessary
waveforms. Derive the expression for peak to peak ripple voltage of the capacitor that is
present across the load. (16) May/June 2013
11. Write short notes on switch mode power supply(Nov/Dec 2014)
 12. A dc chopper input voltage of 200v and resistive load of R = 8 resistance. Voltage drop
across thyristor is 2v and chopping frequency 800 Hz the duty cycle is 0.5. Calculate :
Nov/Dec 2010
(1) Average and r.m.s value of output voltage
(2) Chopper efficiency and input resistance by the source.
13 Explain the operation of Class C and Class D types of two quadrant chopper May/June 2014.

2 Marks And 16 Marks- Question Bank

Unit 4 – INVERTERS
Two marks
1. What is meant by commutation?
It is the process of changing the direction of current flow in a particular path of the circuit.
This process is used in thyristors for turning it off.
2. What are the types of commutation?
 Natural commutation
 Forced commutation
3. What is meant by natural commutation?
Here the current flowing through the thyristors goes through a natural zero and enable the
thyristors to turn off.
4. What is meant by forced commutation?
In this commutation, the current flowing through the thyristors is forced to become zero by
external circuitry.
5. What is meant by inverter?
A device that converts dc power into ac power at desired output voltage and frequency is
called an inverter.
6. What are the applications of an inverter?
 Adjustable speed drives
 Induction heating
 Stand-by aircraft power supplies
  UPS
 HVDC transmission
7. What is the main classification of inverter?
 Voltage Source Inverter
 Current Source Inverter
8. Why thyristors are not preferred for inverters?
Thyristors require extra commutation circuits for turn off which results in decreased
complexity of the circuit. For these reasons thyristors are not preferred for inverters.
9. How output frequency is varied in case of a thyristor?
The output frequency is varied by varying the turn off time of the thyristors in the inverter
circuit, i.e. the delay angle of the thyristors is varied.
13. What are the merits and demerits of CSI? [Apr/May 2011]
Merits:
 CSI does not require any feedback diodes.
 Commutation circuit is simple as it involves only thyristors.
Demerits:
 The amplitude of output current does not depend on the load
 The magnitude of the output voltage and its waveform depends upon nature of the
load impedance.
11. What is the main drawback of a single phase half bridge inverter?
It requires a 3-wire dc supply.
12. Why diodes should be connected in ant parallel with the thyristors in inverter circuits?
For RL loads, load current will not be in phase with load voltage and the diodes connected
in ant parallel will allow the current to flow when the main thyristors are turned off. These diodes
are called feedback diodes.
13. What types of inverters require feedback diodes?
VSI with RL load.
14. What is meant a series inverter?
An inverter in which the commutating elements are connected in series with the load is
called a series inverter.
15. Define the term inverter gain. [May/June 2012]
It is defined as the ratio of the AC output voltage to DC input voltage.
16. What is meant a parallel inverter?
 An inverter in which the commutating elements are connected in parallel with the load is
called a parallel inverter.
17. What are the applications of a series inverter?
The thyristorised series inverter produces an approximately sinusoidal waveform at a high
output frequency, ranging from 200 Hz to 100kHz. It is commonly used for fixed output
applications such as
o Ultrasonic generator.
o Induction heating.
o Sonar Transmitter
o Fluorescent lighting.

18. How is the inverter circuit classified based on commutation circuitry?

 Line commutated inverters.
 Load commutated inverters.
 Self commutated inverters.
 Forced commutated inverters.
19. What is meant by McMurray inverter?
It is an impulse-commutated inverter, which relies on LC circuit and an auxiliary thyristor
for commutation in the load circuit.
20. What are the applications of a CSI?
 Induction heating
 Lagging VAR compensation
 Speed control of ac motors
 Synchronous motor starting.
21. What is meant by PWM control?
In this method, a fixed dc input voltage is given to the inverter and a controlled ac output
voltage is obtained by adjusting the on and off periods of the inverter components. This is the most
popular method of controlling the output voltage and this method is termed as PWM control.
22. What are the advantages of PWM control? [Nov/Dec 2012] May/June 2014
The output voltage can be obtained without any additional components. Lower order
harmonics can be eliminated or minimized along with its output voltage control. As the higher order
harmonics can be filtered easily, the filtering requirements are minimized.
23. What are the disadvantages of the harmonics present in the inverter system?
  Harmonic currents will lead to excessive heating in the induction motors. This will
reduce the load carrying capacity of the motor.
 If the control and the regulating circuits are not properly shielded, harmonics from
power ride can affect their operation and malfunctioning can result.
 Harmonic currents cause losses in the ac system and can even some time produce
resonance in the system. Under resonant conditions, the instrumentation and metering
can be affected.
 On critical loads, torque pulsation produced by the harmonic current can be useful.

24. What are the methods of reduction of harmonic content?

 Transformer connections
 Sinusoidal PWM
 Multiple commutation in each cycle
 Stepped wave inverters
25. What are the disadvantages of PWM control?
SCRs are expensive as they must possess low turn-on and turn-off times.
26. What is meant by VSI? (Nov/Dec 2014)
A VSI is one which the dc source has small or negligible impedance. In other words aVSI
has stiff dc voltage source at its input terminals.
27. What is mean by CSI? [Nov/Dec2011 &2012]
A current fed inverter or CSI is fed with adjustable current from a dc source of high
impedance is from a stiff dc current source.
28. What are the different methods of forced commutation employed in inverter circuits?
i) Auxillary commutation ii) complementary commutation
29. Differentiate VSI and CSI. [Nov/Dec 2010] May/June 2014
Sl.No VSI CSI
1. Input voltage maintained constant Current
2. Output voltage is not depend on Current
the load
3. Requires feed back diodes Not required
4. Commutation circuit is complex Simple
30. Define modulation index.
Its defined as the ratio of the AC output voltage to DC input voltage.
31. What is meant by feedback diodes or return current diodes?
For RL loads current io will not be in phase with voltage & diodes connected in anti parallel
with SCR will allow the current to flow when the main SCRs are turned off. These diodes are called
feedback diodes.
32. What are the different types of PWM methods for voltage control within inverter?
April/May 2011
 Single pulse width modulation
 Multiple pulse width modulation
 Sinusoidal pulse width modulation
33. How the thyristor inverters are classified?
According to the method of commutation
 Line commutated inveter
 Forced commutated inverter
According to the connection
 series inveter
 parallel inverter
 Bridge inverter
34. Why is series inverter called so? [Nov/Dec 2011]
The resonating components and switching devices are placed in series with load to form an
under damped circuit. This circuit is called as series inverter.
35. What is space vector? [May/June 2013]
SVPWM is the most successful method to develop three phase sine wave voltage source
inverter, in addition to control AC drives using vector control. SVM is becoming popular form of
pulse width modulation for voltage fed converter drives because of its superior harmonic quality
and extended linear range of operation.
37. Draw the circuit diagram of single phase current source inverter?(April/May 2015)
38. What is harmonic elimination by PWM? (April/May 2015)
39. Write the advantage of resonant converters? (Nov/Dec 2014)
a. highest efficiencies
b. the impedance between the input and output of the circuit is at its minimum
c. Zero Voltage Switching (ZVS)

Unit 4
Sixteen marks
1. With a neat sketch and output voltage waveforms, explain the working of three phase bridge
inverter in 180 degree mode of operation. (16) Nov/Dec 2011, (April/May 2015) (Nov/Dec
2014)
2. Discuss the different modes of operation of series resonant inverter with unidirectional
switch with neat circuit diagram and waveforms. (16) Nov/Dec 2011 May/June 2014
 3. Describe the working of a 1-φ pull bridge inverter with relevant circuit and waveforms. (8)
Nov/Dec 2010
4. What is PWM? List the various PWM techniques and explain any one of them. (8) Nov/Dec
2010,Nov/Dec 2014
5. Explain the Harmonic reduction by transformer corner lines and stepped wave inverters.
Nov/Dec 2010
6. Describe the operation of single phase auto sequential commutated current source inverter
with power circuit and waveforms. (16) May/June 2011
7. Describe the operation of three phase voltage source inverter with 120° mode of operation.
(16) May/June 2013 ,Nov/Dec 2012& May/June 2011 May/June 2014
8. Explain the following PWM techniques used in inverter. May/June 2013 & Nov/Dec 2012
a. Sinusoidal PWM (8)
b. Multiple PWM. (8) (April/May 2015) May/June 2014
9. Discuss the working of a single phase series resonant inverter with appropriate circuit and
waveforms. (8)
10. (ii) With a neat circuit and relevant waveforms discuss the operation of an ideal single phase
CSI. (8)

2 Marks And 16 Marks- Question Bank

Unit 5 – AC TO AC CONVERTERS
Two marks
1. What is Integral cycle or ON-OFF control? [Nov/Dec 2011 & May/June 2012] (Nov/Dec
2014)
 ON-OFF control: In this method, the thyristors are employed as switches to connect the load
circuit to the source for a few cycles of the load voltage and disconnect it for another few cycles.
2. What is the advantage of ON-OFF control?
Due to zero-voltage and zero current switching of thyristors, the harmonics generated by the
switching action are reduced.
3. What is the disadvantage of ON-OFF control?
This type of control is applicable in systems that have high mechanical inertia and high
thermal time constant.
4. What is the duty cycle in ON-OFF control method? (April/May 2015)
Duty cycle K = n/ (n + m), where n = no. of ON cycles, m = no. of OFF cycles.
5. What is meant by unidirectional or half-wave ac voltage controller?
Here the power flow is controlled only during the positive half-cycle of the input voltage.
6. What are the types of ac voltage controller? [May/June 2013]
o 1ф Uni directional or half wave ac voltage controller
o 1ф Bidirectional or full wave ac voltage controller
o 3ф half wave ac voltage controller
o 3ф full wave ac voltage controller
7. What is meant by bidirectional or half-wave ac voltage controller?
Here the power flow is controlled during both cycles of the input voltage.
8. What is the control range of firing angle in ac voltage controller with RL load?
May/June 2014
The control range is F < a <180°, where F = load power factor angle.
9. Write the output rms voltage for 1ф ac voltage controller with R load? [Nov/Dec 2010]

10. What are the disadvantages of continuous gating signal?

a. More heating of the SCR gate.
b. Increases the size of pulse transformer.
11. What is meant by high frequency carrier gating?
Thyristor is turned on by using a train of pulses from a to p. This type of signal is called as
high frequency carrier gating.
12. What is meant by sequence control of ac voltage regulators?
It means that the stages of voltage controllers in parallel triggered in a proper sequence one
after the other so as to obtain a variable output with low harmonic content.
13. What are the advantages of sequence control of ac voltage regulators?
a. System power factor is improved.
b. Harmonics are reduced in the source current and the load voltage.
14. What is meant by cyclo-converter? [Nov/Dec 2010, Nov/Dec 2012& May/June
2012](Nov/Dec 2014)
It converts input power at one frequency to output power at another frequency with one-
stage conversion. Cycloconverter is also known as frequency changer.
15. What are the two types of cyclo-converters? [May/June 2011]
a. Step-up cyclo-converters
b. Step-down cyclo-converters
16. What is meant by step-up cyclo-converters?
In these converters, the output frequency is less than the supply frequency.
17. What is meant by step-down cyclo-converters?
In these converters, the output frequency is more than the supply frequency.
18. What are the applications of cyclo-converter? [Nov/Dec 2011]
a. Induction heating
b. Speed control of high power ac drives
c. Static VAR generation
d. Power supply in aircraft or ship boards
19. What is meant by positive converter group in a cyclo converter?
The part of the cycloconverter circuit that permits the flow of current during Positive half
cycle of output current is called positive converter group.
20. What is meant by negative converter group in a cyclo converter?
The part of the cyclo converter circuit that permits the flow of current during negative half
cycle of output current is called negative converter group.
21. What does ac voltage controller mean?
It is device, which converts fixed alternating voltage into a variable voltage without change
in frequency.

22. What are the applications of phase controlled converter or ac voltage controllers?
[Nov/Dec 2012 & 2010]
  Domestic and industrial heating
 Lighting control
 Speed control of single phase and three phase ac motors
 Transformer tap changing
24. What are the advantages of ac voltage controllers?
 High efficiency
 Flexibility in control
 Less maintenance
25. What are the disadvantages of ac voltage controllers?
The main draw back is the introduction of harmonics in the supply current and the load
voltage waveforms particularly at low output voltages.
26. What are the two methods of control in ac voltage controllers?
 ON-OFF control
 Phase control
27. What is Matrix converter? [May/June 2011 &2013] May/June 2014
It is a capable of direct conversion from AC to AC by using bidirectional fully controlled
switches.
28. Draw matrix converter circuit? (April/May 2015)
Unit 5
Sixteen marks
1. Explain the principle of integral cycle. May/June 2013
2. Explain the operation of multistage control of AC voltage controllers with neat diagram.
May/June 2013& May/June 2011
3. .Explain the operation of 1- φ AC voltage controller with RL load. (April/May 2015)
4. Explain the 2 stage sequence control of AC voltage controller. Nov/Dec 2011
5. Explain the operation of 1ф to 1ф step down cyclo converter with power circuit and waveforms.
May/June 2011, (April/May 2015)
6. A 1- φ sinusoidal AC voltage controller has input voltage 230v, 50Hz and a load of R=15Ώ. For
6 cycles ON and 4 cycles OFF determine. i) rms output voltage ii) input PF iii) avg & rms thyristor
currents. May/June 2013
7. Describe the operation of single phase ac voltage controller with the help of voltage and current
waveform. Also derive the expression for average value of the output voltage. Nov/Dec 2010
8. Describe 3ф to 3ф cycloconverter with relevant circuit arrangement using 18 thyristors. (8)
Nov/Dec 2010 & Nov/Dec 2011
9. Show that the fundamentals RMS value of per phase output voltage of low frequency for an m
pulse cycloconverter is given by Eor= Epn(m/n) sin(n/п). (8) Nov/Dec 2010
10. Explain the operation of 3ф to 1ф cycloconverter with power circuit and waveforms. Nov/Dec
2012. (Nov/Dec 2014) May/June 2014
11. A resistive load of 5Ώ is fed through a 1ф full wave AC voltage controller from 230v, 50Hz
source. If firing angle of thyristor is 120 degree. Find the rms output voltage, input power factor and
average current of thyristor. Nov/Dec 2012.
12. A 1- φ sinusoidal AC voltage controller has input voltage 230v, 50Hz and its feeding resistive
load of 10ohms .if firing angle of thyristor is 110 degree. Find i) rms output voltage ii) input PF iii)
avg & rms thyristor currents. (Nov/Dec 2014)
13. Write short notes on matrix converter. (Nov/Dec 2014)
14. With the aid of crcuit diagaram and waveform explain the operation of power factor control and
single phase full wave ac voltage controller May/June 2014