AN INTRODUCTION

TO
TELECOMMUNICATIONS POWER SUPPLY
SYSTEM

1 MAINS STAND BY
SUPPLY POWER SUPPLY

2
Mains distribution switchboards
2 or mains switch panels

33 UPS
UPS System
Rectifiers Rectifiers System

Batteries
Batteries
Compensator

Battery Inverters Inverters

switching
panels &
control
panels

Portable or
mobile
rectifiers

4
Inverters DC/DC Rectifiers Rectifiers
converters

COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM

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Fig 1. Block Diagram of telecommunications power supply system.
Telecommunications Power Supply System is a fail safe dc power supply
system.
The system can be divided into four levels:
(1). Mains supply and standby power supply system.
(2). Mains distribution switchboards.
(3). Central power supply.
(4). A decentralized power supply.
There are four basic types of power converters used for telecommunications power
supply systems in conversion or control of electrical power.
1). Rectifiers, 2)D.C./D.C converters, 3) Inverters (D.C./A.C. converters)
4. AC/AC Converters

Elements of Power Converters

Energy Source

Uncontrolled energy flow

Power converter

Protective and Power Closed and

monitoring section open loop
devices control system

Controlled energy flow

Load

Fig.2.Elements of power converters

From Energy source the unregulated flow reaches the power section, there the energy
is converted by means of power transistors or thyristors. Controlled energy flow is
then passed on to the load (Communications systems). The control system performs
the comparator function and modifies the trigger pulses to the power section . The
protective and the monitoring devices are provided for internal protection of the
device as well as of the load, e.g:
 mains monitoring
 mains overvoltage protectors
 undervoltage monitoring
 overvoltage cut off devices
 current limiting devices
 overcurrent/short circuit cut off devices
 ripple contents monitoring
 fuses
 circuit breakers

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 frequency monitoring
1. RECTIFIERS
The rectifiers in a central power supply system feed the communications system,
inverters, batteries, and d.c./d.c. Converters. These rectifiers are : Thyristor-controlled
Rectifiers, Transistor-controlled Rectifiers or switch mode power supply or switch
mode rectifiers. These rectifiers convert alternating current of mains supply or
standby power supply system into direct current. The rectifiers together with batteries
and standby power supply system, if present, must be capable of providing an
uninterruptible supply of direct current for the communications system (fail-safe d.c.
power supply system).
The most important modes of operation for rectifiers are:
 Rectifier mode (without battery).In the event of power failure, the
communications system dose not receive any power.
 Standby parallel mode(with battery).Rectifiers, battery and communications
system constantly connected in parallel.If the rectifier fails,the battery takes over
the further supply of communications system until the rectifier,e.g. on return of
the mains , starts operating again. The rectifier then supplies the communications
system again and also charges the battery.
 Changeover mode (with battery).In the event of power failure the supply is
switched from mains to battery operation without interruption.
In normal operating state of changeover mode, one rectifier supplies the
communications systems and second one supplies the battery. The battery is only
connected with communications system in the event of power failure or first rectifier
failure.
Normal ratings for DC output voltage provided by the rectifiers are 48 V. Thyristers or
transistors, as the final control element, together with their associated control circuits,
ensure that changes in power consumption of the load or fluctuations in the mains
voltage or frequency result in d.c. Output voltage from the rectifiers varying only
within a permissible tolerance.
The essential components of rectifiers are:
- mains transformer,
- thyrister set or transistor bridge circuit,
- filter,
- closed-loop and open loop control,
- protective and monitoring devices and
- alarms or signalling system.

Advantages of standby parallel mode:

 longer battery life due to continuous trickle charging (2.23 V/cell)
 full capacity of battery and calculated reserve time are available if the event of
power failure or system outage (blackouts), as it is always fully charged in normal
operation.
 uninterrupted supply of communications system with no additional switching
devices.
 load surges are to a certain extent compensated for by the battery

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 INTRODUCTION TO SWITCH MODE POWER SUPPLY (SMPS)

1. INTRODUCTION:

Most of the electronic devices and circuits cannot work without a power supply of
some kind. Virtually every electronic system /equipment in the world today is
powered by a DC sources Dry cell batteries are one form of DC source. They have the
advantage of being ripple free. However their voltages are low, they need frequent
replacement and are expensive as compared to conventional DC Power Supplies.
Since the most convenient and economical source of power is the domestic AC
Supply, it is advantageous to convert this alternating voltage (usually 220 V rms.) to
dc voltage of required value using a process so called rectification and is
accomplished with the help of a 1) step up or down transformer 2) rectifier 3) filter 4)
voltage regulator circuit. These elements put together constitute a dc power supply.

AC Mains IN
Regulated DC OUT
Transformer Rectifier Filter Voltage
Regulator

Fig 1.Typical dc power supply.

The basic dc power supply consists of a transformer, a rectifier (It is a circuit which
uses one or more diodes to convert ac voltage into pulsating dc voltage), a filter
(smoothing reservoir capacitors), and a linear control circuit (voltage regulator) for
adjusting the output voltage to the desired value. This basic power supply has number
of important disadvantages. For relatively high powers, the mains transformer is often
bulky and expensive, and same goes to smoothing capacitors. Moreover the product
of voltage drop across the regulator and current consumption of the loads forms
dissipated (P=VXI), and therefore wasted power, which results a very low overall
efficiency. Therefore in the rapidly expanding world of electronics, there arose a
growing need for a high efficiency Power supply. This need was met by the power
supply known as Switch Mode Power Supply (SMPS), in which the output power is
not regulated continuously but switched (pulsed) at a relatively high frequency, hence
the name “Switch-mode” Power Supply. An output filter is included for smoothing the
supply voltage. The filter component can be kept small thanks to the high frequency,
and the same goes for the transformer.

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2. CLASSIFICATION OF POWER SUPPLY
Based on the regulation concept, the power supplies are basically classified as either
 Linear (Dissipative) or
 Switch Mode Power Supply,( non-dissipative)

POWER SUPPLIES

LINEAR POWER SWITCH MODE POWER

SUPPLIES (dissipative) SUPPLIES (Non-dissipative)

SERIES SHUNT SQUARE WAVE SINE WAVE

REGULATOR REGULATOR PWM Switch mode RESONANT Switch mode

BUCK BOOST BUCK -BOOST

(Step down) (Step up) (Inverting)

Fig.2 Block diagram of Power supply classification.

LINEAR POWER SUPPLY (RECTIFIERS WITH LINEAR REGULATOR):

Conventional AC to DC power supplies comprising a transformer, a rectifier, a filter
and a regulator constitute a linear Power supply. In a linear power supply, the
active device, usually a bipolar transistor that provides regulation is always
operated (works) in the active or linear region of its characteristics. Any change
in the output voltage due to change in the input voltage or the load currents
results in a change in the voltage drop across regulator transistor (in case of series
regulator) or change in current through regulator transistor in case of Shunt
Regulator so as to maintain a constant output voltage across the load. The power
dissipation varies as a function of input voltage and load fluctuations hence the
results in a poor efficiency. Its efficiency is 50% or less. It is always ON and
dissipates power. Therefore, it is also called Dissipative Power Supply.

VOUT=VL =VZ -VBE

V BE =VZ-VBE

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 Series Transistor
+V in A1 +V out

Zener
Diode

A1

Fig 3. Basic transistor series voltage regulator

VL+VBE -VZ =0

It is also called emitter follower regulator because the voltage at the emitter follows
the base voltage. In this setup transistor behaves like a variable resistor whose
resistance is determined by the base current.
It is also called pass transistor because total current to be regulated passes through it.
When current demand is increased by decreasing RL say from 10 ohms to 8 ohms Vout
tends to decrease. As seen from the above equation, it will increase VBE because VZD is
fixed. This will increase forward bias of transistor thereby increasing its level of
conduction. Thus, in turn, will lead to decrease in the collector-emitter resistance of
the transistor which will slightly increase the input current in order to compensate for
decrease in RL so that VL=ILXRL will remain at a constant value. R is used for limiting
current passing through the zener diode.

+V in +V out

Zener
Diode

LOAD

Fig.4. Transistor Shunt Regulator (The regulating element is Transistor)

6
 R
+V in +V out

R LOAD
Zener
Diode

Fig.5: Zener diode shunt regulator (The regulating element is zener diode )

SWITCH-MODE POWER SUPPLY (SWITCH MODE RECTIFIERS) :

The switch mode power supply works on the principle that the active device (also
switching device like BJT, MOSFETS, IGBT,) that provides regulation is always
operated in a switch mode, i.e. it is either in cut-off or in saturation. For example, that
an ideal switch does not dissipate power. It is completely ON or completely OFF,
there is no intermediate state to dissipate power like in rheostat as in linear power
supply. A switch is better than the rheostat i.e. variable resistor. Control or regulation
of power is achieved by varying the duty cycle = Width of Pulse/Period (ON+OFF
time) or repetition rate of the switch rather than its resistance. The clock frequency is
often 20 kHz or higher. Human ear is insensitive to this frequency. As a result, the
overall efficiency of SMPS is higher than that of linear Power Supply. Therefore,
SMPS is also called non-dissipative power supply.
In SMPS a.c. mains is rectified and filtered without using an input transformer and
d.c. voltage so obtained is chopped or pulsed at a high frequency (usually 10-100
kHz) using an active device and converter transformer (usually a ferrites). This
transformed chopped waveform is rectified and filtered to get required output voltage.
The sample of output voltage is used as a feedback signal for the drive circuit to the
switching transistor to achieve regulation.

Mains IN Input Output

Rectification Switching Converter Rectification DC
& Filter Device Transformer & Filter

PWM Isolation Error

amplifier

7
Vref
 Oscillator

Fig.6: Functional Block Diagram of SMPS.

In a systems operating from battery packs and requiring higher DC voltage for their
operation ( high voltage megger, earth resistance testers) the SMPS is the only option.
We cannot use a linear power supply for e.g. to change an unregulated DC say, 9V or
12V into a regulated DC output of 1000V DC.
All DC to DC converters and DC to AC inverters belong to the category of switch
mode power supply.
In SMPS the switching frequency is generally between 10 kHz to 100 kHz. This
limitation is due to switching loss in transistor, the transistor switching loss increases
with increasing frequency, and as a result efficiency decreases

Types of SMPS
Almost all switching mode Power Supplies belong to one of the following three basic
categories or configurations:
 Buck Converter (step down)
 Boost Converter(step up)
 Buck-Boost Converter(inverting)
BUCK CONVERTER:
This converter is also called step down converter, because output voltage is always
less than input, can be anywhere between 10% and 90% of the input voltage. This
means that this regulator can be used as a dc step down transformer with highest
efficiency.
When the switch is closed, a charging current flows through the inductor creating a
magnetic field. This same current flows into filter capacitor and load as well. When
the switch opens the magnetic field of inductor is weakened (decays) or collapses via
a flyback (freewheeling) diode through the load. Thus stored energy in the inductor is
transferred to the load.

L
+V in +V out

Q D C LOAD

8
 Fig 7.Basic Buck converter.

The output voltage is compared with a stable reference voltage (V ref) and amplified
error signal is used to generate a PWM signal, which controls the switch ON/OFF
periods, i.e. duty-cycle(mark-space ratio) of the switch. The switch is usually an
active device (i.e. transistors, MOSFETS, IGBTs). When switch is turned ON
(closed), current flows through L and into capacitor C and R L. The difference voltage
between Vin and Vout is developed across L. When Vout exceeds Vref ,switch is turned
off. At this moment the stored energy in the L reverses its polarity, and takes the path
through RL and D while voltage is maintained by C. When all energy stored in L is
used up, C discharges and V out decreases, then switch S is turned ON again and
process continues such that Vout remains constant.VOUT = VIN x TON / T
Where, TON / T is the duty cycle of the switch and T is the total period = TON + TOFF.
TON

BOOST CONVERTER:

L D

+V in
+V out

LOAD
S C

Fig.8 Basic boost converter

Boost converter is also called step-up converter because output voltage is always
greater than input voltage. When S is closed, the magnetic field of L is stored and
cannot pass to load. When S is OFF (open) this energy supply to load via D, but
stored energy changes its polarity such that it adds to the input voltage. Thus voltage
across inductor L and input voltage Vin are in series and together charge the capacitor
C, to a voltage higher than input. As seen output voltage is inversely related to duty
cycle. Vout = Vin X T/Ton
It may be noted that, shorter the ON time of the switching transistor, greater the
inductor voltage, and hence greater the output because greater voltage across L(V L)
adds to input voltage Vin . On the other hand, the longer the ON time smaller the V L
lesser the Vout because less VL adds to Vin.
When Vout tries to decrease(either increasing load or decreasing Vin), transistor ON
time decreases thereby offsetting attempted decrease in Vout. When Vout tries to
increase , ON time increased and attempted increase in Vout. is offset.

BUCK-BOOST CONVERTER (Inverting Regulator)

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The buck-boost voltage regulator is also called inverting or fly back converter.
When switch is closed a charging current flows through the inductor, creating a
magnetic field. When switch opens, the inductor L, functions as an energy source and
voltage across inductor reversed but the current continues to flow through it in the
same direction as charging current through diode, thereby charging a capacitor with
negative voltage i.e. polarity of output voltage is reversed with respect to input.
Energy is stored during ON time and transferred to load during OFF time of switch.
The capacitor supplies the load current during ON time of switch after first switch
ON.
This converter provides an output voltage which may be less than or greater than the
input voltage hence the name "buck-boost".

+V in -V out
S

L C LOAD

Fig 9. Basic buck -boost converter.

Characteristics of Switch Mode Power Supply

Some important features of SMPS are:
1. Higher efficiency : > 90% can be achieved as compared to linear power supply
which is low i.e. usually 50% or less.
2. Thanks to high frequency operation:
 They are (SMPS) small in size i.e. low volume: more compact packaging, hence
more portable
 They are light in weight
 Quiet (silent) in operation i.e. low noise due to high frequency operation (20 kHz
and above) which is beyond the human audible range.
 Power density is 2.5 watt/sq.in. as compared to 0.5 w/sq.in. of linear type.
3. No heat removal problem, i.e. lower operating temperature. ( They are either ON or
OFF, there is no intermediate state like rheostat to dissipate power). Therefore, needs
less heat sink area as compared to linear power supply.
4. Good line regulation characteristics:
 Wide range input frequency (40-60Hz) as compared to 48-52Hz in linear type.

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 Wider range of input voltage: SMPS can operate with wide range of input voltage
variation for e.g. 170V AC to 270 V AC continuous without variation in output
voltage.
5. Wider range of regulated output voltage/current adjustment: for e.g. from 0 V to 60
V and 0 to 100 A as specification of equipment. (No need of multi tapping from
transformer as in linear supplies for voltage adjustment).
6. It is more versatile power supply system because it is easy to change for e.g.
9V/12V unregulated DC into 1000V regulated DC (earth tester, megger). Most of the
equipment power supply system uses SMPS.
Some disadvantages:
 SMPS uses Power MOSFETs: they are supposed to damage due to ESD, great
care should be taken in handling /servicing /storing the equipment even if they
are not in use.
 More difficult due to compact and complicated circuit from maintenance point of
view.
 Less MTBF as compared to linear. They are very sensitive to switching surges.

Main components of SMPS

1. Input RFI/EMI filter

2. Input rectification and smoothing filters.
3. Input inrush (switch on ) current limiter: initially as C is not charged, a very large
current flows through switch, only limited by equivalent series resistor (ESR) of
capacitor. This large current can damage switch itself, diode etc.
4. Boost converter
5. Chopper DC-DC converter
4. Output Rectification & Filters.
5. Feedback loop control (PWM)
6. Indicators and alarms
7. Protection circuits to protect from damage:
 undervoltage/overvoltage protection
 load current limit
 overcurrent/short circuit protecton
 soft start
 overtemperature protection
There are wide variety of integrated circuits nowadays available for controlling the
SMPS .
1. RFI/EMI suppression filter: High frequency operation makes/produce strong
harmonics ,which can go through mains. The EMI filter reduces the amount of
high frequency noise coupled from the switching converter to the mains supply.
2. Switch ON current limiting through input protective circuit ensures that the
current increases slowly. When the unit is switched on, IGBT protects the sharp
rise in current due to overvoltage.
3. The function of Boost converter is to draw a sinusoidal current from the mains
with low conducted EMI. The semiconductor circuit is activated in such a way

11
 that the charging current drawn by the input capacitor becomes sinusoidal. This
means that there is no appreciable interaction of the converter with the mains.
This converter operates at a high frequency (Between 10 - 100KHz) making this
part of the circuit high efficiency and makes it possible to transform the rectified
a.c. voltage into a link d.c. voltage that can be variable over a large range. This dc
voltage is used for the DC/DC converter.
4. DC/DC converter converts the d.c. link voltage produced by boost converter into
the lower output d.c. voltage .At the same time ,the mains side is separated
electrically from the output side. A control circuit controls the switches(usually
MOSFETs) in the fully controlled bridge circuit.These are switched at high
frequency(10-100 KHz ) so that a regulated rectangular a.c.voltage is produced
at the secondary side of the transformer. This a.c. voltage is converted into d.c.
voltage in bridge rectifier in the output filter.

Rectifier and Earthing System in NTC

GROUP A (2 X 20)
1. The rectifiers are used to change
a) d.c. to a.c.
b) a.c. to d.c.
c) d.c. to d.c.
d) a.c to a.c.

2. The forward voltage drop across the silicon diode is

a) 0.2 V
b) 0.1 V
c) 0.7 V
d) 0.4V

3. The main function of the filter circuit in the dc power supply is to

a) maximize the ripple content
b) minimize the ripple content
c) regulate the output voltage,
d) none of above

4. The voltage rating of the capacitor used in filter circuit should be

a) less than the secondary voltage of the transformer
b) equal to the rms value of secondary voltage of the transformer
c) greater than the secondary voltage of the transformer
d) both a) and b)

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5. The main function of the voltage regulator is to stabilize the output voltage
a) with change in load current only
b) with change in supply voltage only
c) irrespective of load current and supply voltage variations.
d) with change in supply frequency only

6. In a basic transistor series voltage regulator, the transistor behaves like a

a) variable resistor for variable voltage drop
b) fixed resistor for fixed voltage drop
c) switch for no voltage drop
d) variable resistor for no voltage drop

7. In a linear voltage regulator to achieve good regulation, the input voltage should be
a) smaller than the output voltage
b) greater than the output voltage
c) equal to the output voltage
d) all of above

8. The active device (transistor), used in linear power supply , operates in the
a) cut off region of its characteristics only
b) active region of its characteristics only
c) saturation region of its characteristics only
d) both a) and b)

9. The active device used in SMPS operates in the

a) active region of its characteristics only
b) cut off region of its characteristics only
c) both cut off and saturation region of its characteristics
d) none of above

10. The efficiency of linear power supply is

a) <50%
b) >90%
c) =100%
d) none of above

11. In SMPS , the regulation is achieved by varying the

a) duty cycle of the pulse
b) OFF time of the pulse
c) ON time of the pulse
d) all of above

12. Nominal DC output voltage provided by rectifiers for telephone exchanges is

a) 48 V

13
b) 24 V
c) 60 V
d) 12V

13. Fail safe dc power supply for telecommunications system is obtained in

a) standby parallel mode
b) rectifier mode
c) change over mode
d) all of above

14. In SMPS, the switching device operates in the frequency range between
a) 10 Hz - 100 Hz
b) 10 kHz - 100 kHz
c) 10 MHz - 100 MHz
d) 1 GHz - 10 GHz

15. The linear type power supply can be used to change

a) 12 V d.c. to 220 Vd.c.
b) 220 V d.c. to 12 V d.c.
c) 220 Vd.c to 12 V a.c.
d) 220V/50Hz to 12V/50KHz
16.The smps power supply can be used to change
a) 48Vd.c. to 220Vd.c.
b) 220Va.c. to 48Vd.c.
c) 220V/50Hz to 48V/50KHz
d) all of above

17. The earthing means connecting together

a) all current carrying conductor to the ground
b) all non current carrying conductor to the ground
c) all non current carrying insulator to the ground
d) all current carrying insulator to the ground

18. The value of earth resistance for telecommunications equipment should normally
be
a) <10 
b) >10 
c) 10  - 10K
d) >10K

19. Duty cycle is the ratio of

a) Ton and Toff
b) Ton and T
c) T and Ton
d) T and Toff

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20. The value of duty cycle is always
a) >1
b) =1
c) <1
d) none of above
GROUP B
1. Which power supply is better SMPS or linear type ? Why? - 15
2. Describe Telecommunications power supply system in NTC - 15

22. Write short notes on any four: (4 X 7.5)

a) earthing
b) boost converter
c) buck converter
d) RFI/EMI filter (line input filter)
e) dc / dc converter
f) UPS
Alternators, Batteries and Power Supply Systems

1. What is the basic principle of operation of alternators? Write down the names of

prime movers commonly used for alternators in NTC.

2. In Naxal Exchange, the max. exchange load current is 120 amps at 48 volt dc.

Calculate the minimum required capacity of the battery for the back up time of 6

hours.

3. Draw the single line block diagram for NTC power supply system (including

Generator , mains supply, rectifiers, battery, air-conditions etc).

15
1.

16