Name: Yotsathorn Napawan Student ID: 5575990

Laboratory Group: 1704 11.30 14.30 even week

University of Wollongong

School of Electrical, Computer and

Telecommunications Engineering

ECTE324/8324 Power Engineering 1

Laboratory Workbook
Last Updated March, 2020

Autumn Session 2020

Experiment 5 Autumn Session 2020

Exercise 2
Experiment 65
The Buck Chopper

EXERCISE OBJECTIVE

! To learn the operation of a buck chopper. traditional transformer

f are bulky
DISCUSSION
Voltage step down
The buck chopper
boots Shopper Step up
Transformers are of great importance in electric circuits because they allow voltage
and current levels to be converted. However, transformers operate only with ac
power. When dc voltage and current levels must be converted, choppers can be
used. For example, a step-down transformer is normally used to convert an
ac voltage into a lower ac voltage. With dc power, a similar conversion can be
performed using a buck chopper.

Choppers uses very fast electronic switches to convert dc voltages and currents from
higher to lower levels and vice versa. The electronic switches can be designed with
bipolar transistors, Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistor IGBT, metal-oxide
semiconductor field-effect transistors (MOSFETs), diodes, thyristors, etc. Figure 2-1
shows a buck chopper built with an electronic switch (Q) and a diode (D), and some
waveforms related to this circuit.

When electronic switch Q switches on, the dc power supply voltage (VI) is applied
to the load, diode D automatically switches off, and the current flowing in the load (IO)
starts to increase. When electronic switch Q switches off, the dc power supply
voltage is no longer applied to the load, diode D automatically switches on, and the
current continues flowing in the load through diode D, but it starts to decrease.
Diode D is usually referred to as a free-wheeling diode since it provides an
alternative path for the load current, which continues to flow when electronic
switch Q is off.

The dc voltage at the buck chopper output (VO) is proportional to the dc voltage at
the buck chopper input (VI) and the time electronic switch Q is on during each cycle.
This time, which is referred to as the on-time (ton), is in turn proportional to the duty
cycle ! (ton/T) of the switching control signal applied to the gate of electronic
switch Q. The equation relating voltages VO and VI is given by the expression:

VO = VI × ! to DC signal angle

1
input

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 ECTE324/8324 Power Engineering 1 Experiment 5

The Buck Chopper if pulse

on
off
require 1
5V
f
IGBT d Buck chopper
1.9 can
1
be Oe
100
g changing
duty cycle
s

change

D
about
u
c

o
free wheeling diode

Figure 2-1. Operation of a buck chopper.

Thus, voltage VO can be varied by varying the duty cycle !. Since the duty cycle !
can vary between 0 and 1, voltage VO cannot exceed voltage VI. Varying the
frequency of the switching control signal while maintaining the duty cycle ! constant
does not vary the voltage VO and the dc current at the buck chopper output (IO).
However, the ripple on the current IO decreases as the frequency of the switching
control signal increases.

The power which the buck chopper delivers at its output (PO) is equal to the power
it receives at its input (PI) minus the power dissipated in the semiconductor switch.
The power dissipated in the semiconductor switch is usually small compared to the
power PO. The power efficiency of buck choppers, thus, often exceeds 90% and can

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The Buck Chopper

even approach 100%. Notice that the power efficiency is the ratio of the output power
on the input power times 100%, as stated in the following equation:

Power Efficiency = (PO ÷ PI) × 100%

Procedure summary

In the first part of this exercise, you will set up in the Mobile Workstation the
equipment required to carry out this exercise.

In the second part of this exercise, you will use the circuit shown in Figure 2-2 to
observe the operation of a buck chopper. In this circuit, the output of the buck
chopper is connected to a current-type load consisting of resistor R1 and inductor L2.
A voltage isolator and a current isolator will allow you to observe the waveforms of
the voltage and current at the buck chopper output.

You will vary the duty cycle of the switching control signal while observing the dc
voltage and current at the buck chopper output. This will allow you to verify the
relationship between the duty cycle and the value of the dc voltages at the buck
chopper input and output, and to determine the direction of power flow.

In the third part of this exercise, you will vary the frequency of the switching control
signal while observing the dc voltage and current, as well as the current waveform,
at the buck chopper output. This will allow you to observe the effect of frequency on
these parameters.

In the fourth part of this exercise, you will add a dc ammeter at the input of the buck
chopper, as shown in Figure 2-5. This circuit will allow you to determine the power
at the input and output of the buck chopper, the voltage of the variable dc power
supply being known. You will then compare the output power to the input power and
determine the power efficiency of the chopper.

EQUIPMENT REQUIRED

Refer to the Equipment Utilization Chart, in Appendix C of this manual, to obtain the
list of the equipment required to carry out this exercise.

PROCEDURE

CAUTION!

High voltages are present in this laboratory exercise! Do not make

or modify any banana jack connections with the power on unless
otherwise specified!

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 ECTE324/8324 Power Engineering 1 Experiment 5

The Buck Chopper

Setting up the equipment

G 1. Install the Power Supply, the Enclosure / Power Supply, the Chopper /
Inverter, the Smoothing Inductors, the DC Voltmeter/Ammeter, and the
Resistive Load modules in the Mobile Workstation.

G 2. Install the Chopper / Inverter Control Unit and the Current/Voltage Isolators
in the Enclosure / Power Supply.

G 3. Make sure that the main power switch of the Power Supply is set to the
O (OFF) position. Connect the Power Supply to a three-phase wall
receptacle.

G 4. Plug the Enclosure / Power Supply line cord into a wall receptacle. Set the
rocker switch of the Enclosure / Power Supply to the I (ON) position.

G 5. On the Power Supply, set the 24-V ac power switch to the I (ON) position.

G 6. Make sure that the toggle switches on the Resistive Load module are all set
to the correct
O (open) position.
position (see table in Figure 2-2).

Operation of the buck chopper

G 7. Connect the modules as shown in Figure 2-2.

Note: Diode D4 is the power diode connected in parallel with

electronic switch Q4. Diode D1, which is connected in parallel with
switch Q1, and electronic switch Q4 are not shown in Figure 2-2
because they are not used in this circuit. Switch Q4 is forced to
the off state by connecting SWITCHING CONTROL INPUT 4 of
the Chopper / Inverter module to the common point.

G 8. Make the following settings:

On the Power Supply

Voltage Selector . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-N

On the Chopper / Inverter Control Unit

DC SOURCE 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . MINimum charge duty

DC SOURCE 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . mid position
cyd
MODE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . CHOP. PWM change frequency

On the Chopper / Inverter module

Interconnection
Dump Switch S1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . O
Switch

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On the Oscilloscope

Channel-1 Sensitivity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 V/DIV. (DC coupled)

Channel-2 Sensitivity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 V/DIV. (DC coupled)
Vertical Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . CHOPped
Time Base . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 ms/DIV.
Trigger Source . . . . . . . Qe . . . . . . . .ground
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . EXTernal
Trigger Slope . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . positive (+)
Trigger Coupling . . . . . . . 4
terminal
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . open
circuit
. . . . . . . . . AC

0.8 It

I 343
ripple free

0.8 It

24 V AC Supply

Figure 2-2. Circuit used to observe the operation of the buck chopper.

G 9. On the Power Supply, make sure that the voltage control knob is set to the
0 position then set the main power switch to the I (ON) position.

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 ECTE324/8324 Power Engineering 1 Experiment 5

The Buck Chopper

Slowly set the voltage control knob of the Power Supply to the 80 position
(adjustoftothe
(80% about 200 V DC).
ac network line voltage). This supplies dc power to the buck
chopper.

On the oscilloscope, make the appropriate settings to position the traces of

channels 1 and 2 in the upper and lower halves of the screen, respectively.
The trace of channel 1 represents the waveform of the voltage across the
load connected to the buck chopper output. The trace of channel 2
represents the switching control signal applied to switch Q1.

On the Chopper / Inverter Control Unit, set the DC SOURCE 2 control knob
so that two complete cycles of the switching control signal coincides as
closely as possible with the full width of the oscilloscope screen (usually ten
1-cm divisions). This Sets the period of the switching control signal to
approximately 5 ms. Consequently, the operating frequency of the buck
chopper is approximately 200 Hz.

Sketch the waveforms displayed on the oscilloscope screen in Figure 2-3.

MIHITHI on

Arthur

Figure 2-3. The switching control signal applied to electronic switch Q1 and the waveform of the
voltage across the load connected to the buck chopper output.

From the waveforms sketched in Figure 2-3, explain why a low dc voltage
appears across the load, as indicated by the DC Voltmeter/Ammeter.

DC Volte meter 107 V output can be calculated

ht intresorting the outp
APPffewdtffsec.joeoois so

G 10. On the Chopper / Inverter Control Unit, slowly set the DC SOURCE 1
control knob to the MAX. position while observing the voltage indicated by
the DC Voltmeter/Ammeter and the waveforms on the oscilloscope screen.

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The Buck Chopper

Describe how the dc voltage at the buck chopper output varies when the
duty cycle of the switching control signal is increased.

The de voltage increase as the duty cycle

increased
input 200 161 V at the maximum duty cycle

Explain why this circuit is referred to as a buck chopper, knowing that the
duty cycle of the switching control signal is now set to maximum.

The voltage is stepdown input 200

even when the duty cycle output 162
is at maximum

0
G 11. On the Chopper / Inverter Control Unit, set the DC SOURCE 1 control knob
back to the MIN. position, then slowly set this control knob to the
MAX. position while observing the current indicated by the DC
Voltmeter/Ammeter.

Does the polarity of the dc current flowing in the load change as the duty
cycle of the switching control signal varies?

G Yes G No

In which direction does the power flow?

Power will always flow from the source

to the load resulting in positive polarity

G 12. On the Chopper / Inverter Control Unit, set the DC SOURCE 1 control knob
so that the duty cycle of the switching control signal is equal to 50%.

Measure and record the output voltage of the variable-voltage dc power

supply (VI). It is indicated by the meter on the Power Supply.

VI = 225 V dc

Calculate the dc voltage which should appear at the output of the buck
chopper using the following equation:

VO = ! × V I 9 50 i o 5 225

VO = 112.5V dc
On the DC Voltmeter/Ammeter, measure and record the output voltage of
the buck chopper.

VO (measured) = 112 V dc

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 ECTE324/8324 Power Engineering 1 Experiment 5

The Buck Chopper

Does the measured output voltage correspond to the calculated output

voltage?

G Yes G No

G 13. On the voltage isolator, disconnect the cable connected to the OUTPUT,
then connect it to the OUTPUT of the current isolator, making sure you
connect the black lead of the cable to the common terminal.

On the oscilloscope, set the sensitivity of channel 1 to 0.5 V/DIV.

Observe the waveforms. on the oscilloscope screen. These waveforms

represent the current flowing in the load connected to the buck chopper
output (channel 1) and the switching control signal applied to electronic
switch Q1 (channel 2). Sketch these waveforms in Figure 2-4.

WWV Iin

KN'T'T'T'T Iout

Figure 2-4. The switching control signal applied to switch Q1 and the waveform of the current
flowing in the load connected to the buck chopper output.

Explain why current still flows in the load when the switching control signal
is at 0 V (electronic switch switched off).

Due to the free wheeling diode allow

the current from inductor to flows through
the load
Observing the effect of the switching control signal frequency

G 14. On the Chopper / Inverter Control Unit, slowly turn the DC SOURCE 2
control knob in both directions to vary the frequency of the switching control
signal, while observing the voltage and current indicated by the DC
Voltmeter/Ammeter.

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The Buck Chopper

Does the frequency of the switching control signal have a significant effect
on the dc voltage and current the buck chopper provides? If so, describe
this effect.

The ripple of the output currents decrease

because of the inductor
The frequency has on effect on the Amplitude of
output voltage
G 15. On the Chopper / Inverter Control Unit, slowly turn the DC SOURCE 2
control knob in both directions to vary the frequency of the switching control
signal, while observing the waveform of the current on the oscilloscope
screen.

Does the frequency of the switching control signal have a significant effect
on the ripple on the current flowing in the load? If so, describe this effect.

The ripple of the output currents decrease as the freer

because of the inductor The period is
Too low comparing to time constant
increaL
Output power versus input power

G 16. On the Power Supply, set the voltage control knob to the 0 position then set
the main power switch to the O position.

Connect the second dc ammeter of the DC Voltmeter/Ammeter in series

with inductor L1, as shown in Figure 2-5.

Make the following settings:

On the Chopper / Inverter Control Unit

DC SOURCE 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . MINimum
DC SOURCE 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . MAXimum

G 17. On the Power Supply, set the main power switch to the I (ON) position, then
slowly set the voltage control knob of the Power Supply to the 80% position.

On the Chopper / Inverter Control Unit, set the DC SOURCE 1 control knob
so that the variable-voltage dc power supply provides the following current
approximately:

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 ECTE324/8324 Power Engineering 1 Experiment 5

The Buck Chopper

LINE
I2dc
VOLTAGE

V ac mA

120 400 Vouti

261 zoo
220 200

240 200

Table 2-1. Current provided by the variable-voltage dc power supply.

24 V AC Supply

Figure 2-5. Circuit used to measure the power at the input and output of the buck chopper.

G 18. On the Power Supply and the DC Voltmeter/Ammeter, measure and note
the dc voltage and current which the variable-voltage dc power supply

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Experiment 5 Autumn Session 2020

226 x 0.2 A
input
The Buck Chopper

supplies to the buck chopper. Use these results to calculate the power
which is supplied to the buck chopper (PI). Record the resulting power in the
space below.

PI = 45 2W 226 02

On the DC Voltmeter/Ammeter, measure and note the dc voltage and

current which the buck chopper supplies to the load. Use these results to
calculate the power which is supplied to the load (PO). Record the resulting
power in the space below.

PO = 42.84W 12670.34
Calculate the power efficiency of the buck chopper using the following
equation:
the current is to smell
Power Efficiency = (PO ÷ PI) × 100% the multimeter can't
Power Efficiency = 94.7% egos measure
Is the power at the output of the buck chopper nearly equal to the power at
its input?

G Yes G No

G 19. On the Power Supply, set the voltage control knob to the 0 position then set
the main power switch and the 24-V ac power switch to the O position. Set
the rocker switch on the Enclosure / Power Supply to the O position.
Remove all leads, cables, and probes.

CONCLUSION

In this exercise, you observed the relationship between the switching control signal
and the waveforms of the voltage and current at the output of the buck chopper. You
verified that the dc voltage at the buck chopper output is proportional to the duty
cycle of the switching control signal. You found that the maximum dc voltage that can
be obtained at the buck chopper output is slightly lower than the dc voltage at its
input. You saw that power always flows in the same direction in a buck chopper. You
observed that the frequency of the switching control signal has no effect on the
dc voltage and current provided by the buck chopper. Nevertheless, you saw that as
the frequency of the switching control signal increases, the ripple on the output
current of the buck chopper decreases. You verified that the power at the buck
chopper output is approximately equal to the power at its input.

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 ECTE324/8324 Power Engineering 1 Experiment 5

The Buck Chopper

REVIEW QUESTIONS

1. A buck chopper is powered by a 300-V dc power supply. What is the output

voltage range of this chopper if the duty cycle can vary between 5 and 95%?

Min 0.05 300 15 range a 15 285 V

Max 0.95 300 285

2. Briefly describe the operation of the buck chopper. what how to control uh
The Buck chopper can reduce the output the
voltage corresponding to the duty cycle of Cowen
The input voltage The loads voltages always be is not
positive because of the freewheeling voltage in
C
posit
3. Explain why a diode is connected across the output terminals of a buck chopper.

Due to the free whetting condition the Diode

has been added to prevent the c current

4. Describe the effects the switching control signal frequency has on the output
voltage and current of a buck chopper. Explain.

Doesn't effect the voltage but the current

ripple reduced as the frequency increases

5. Name the component operating with ac power which best compares to the buck
chopper.

Step Down transformer

Buck chopper can be used in AC DC

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Experiment 5 Autumn Session 2020

Exercise 3
The Boost Chopper

EXERCISE OBJECTIVE

! To learn the operation of a boost chopper.

DISCUSSION

The boost chopper

As discussed in the previous exercise of this manual, transformers allow ac voltage

and current levels to be converted. For example, a step-up transformer is normally
used to convert an ac voltage into a higher ac voltage. With dc power, a similar
conversion can be performed using a boost chopper.

Figure 3-1 shows a boost chopper built with an electronic switch (Q) and a diode (D),
and some waveforms related to this circuit. When electronic switch Q switches on,
the voltage across its terminals becomes virtually null, the dc power supply
voltage (VI) is applied to the inductor (L), and the current flowing in inductor L (IL)
starts to increase. Simultaneously, diode D switches off since it becomes reverse
biased. At this moment, capacitor C starts to discharge into the load and both the
output current (IO) and voltage (VO) start to decrease. When electronic switch Q
switches off, the voltage across its terminals increases very rapidly until it reaches
approximately VO + 0.7 V (due to inductor L). This applies a forward-bias voltage of
approximately 0.7 V to diode D, which therefore switches on. At this moment, a
current equal to IL ! IO starts to charge up capacitor C, and both VO and IO start to
increase.

The dc voltage at the boost chopper output (VO) is proportional to the dc voltage at
the boost chopper input (VI) and the time the electronic switch is on during each
cycle. This time, which is referred to as the on-time (ton), is in turn proportional to the
duty cycle ! (ton/T) of the switching control signal applied to the gate of electronic
switch Q. The equation relating voltages VO and VI is given by the expression:

VO = VI ÷ (1 ! !)

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 ECTE324/8324 Power Engineering 1 Experiment 5

The Boost Chopper

J.to

Figure 3-1. Operation of a boost chopper.

Thus, voltage VO can be varied by varying the duty cycle !. This equation indicates
that voltage VO can range between voltage VI and an infinite voltage when the duty
cycle ! varies between 0 and 1. In practice, however, the duty cycle ! only
approaches 0 and 1. Therefore, voltage VO can vary between a voltage a little higher
than voltage VI and many times voltage VI. In certain circuits, however, the maximum

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Experiment 5 Autumn Session 2020

The Boost Chopper

value of the duty cycle ! must be limited to limit the maximum voltage the boost
chopper can produce.

Varying the frequency of the switching control signal while maintaining the duty
cycle ! constant does not vary the dc voltage and current at the boost chopper out-
put (VO and IO). However, the ripple on the output voltage decreases as the
frequency of the switching control signal increases.

The power which the boost chopper delivers at its output (PO) is equal to the power
it receives at its input (PI) minus the power dissipated in the semiconductor switch
and the inductor. The power dissipated in the semiconductor switch and the inductor
is usually small compared to the power PO. The power efficiency of boost choppers,
thus, often exceeds 80%. Notice that the power efficiency is the ratio of the output
power on the input power times 100%, as stated in the following equation:

Power Efficiency = (PO ÷ PI) × 100%

Procedure summary

In the first part of this exercise, you will set up in the Mobile Workstation the
equipment required to carry out this exercise.

In the second part of this exercise, you will use the circuit shown in Figures 3-2 and
3-4 to observe the operation of a boost chopper. The only difference in these figures
is the location of the dc voltmeter. In this circuit, the boost chopper output is
connected to a resistive load consisting of resistors R1 and R2 connected in series.
A voltage isolator and a current isolator will allow you to observe the waveform of the
voltage at the boost chopper output and the waveform of the current at the boost
chopper input.

You will vary the duty cycle of the switching control signal while observing the
dc voltage and current at the boost chopper output. This will allow you to verify the
relationship between the duty cycle and the dc voltage at the boost chopper input
and output, and to determine the direction of power flow.

In the third part of this exercise, you will vary the frequency of the switching control
signal while observing the dc voltage and current, as well as the voltage waveform,
at the boost chopper output. This will allow you to verify the effect of frequency on
these parameters.

In the fourth part of this exercise, you will determine the power at the input and
output of the boost chopper. You will then compare the output power to the input
power and determine the power efficiency of the chopper.

EQUIPMENT REQUIRED

Refer to the Equipment Utilization Chart, in Appendix C of this manual, to obtain the
list of the equipment required to carry out this exercise.

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The Boost Chopper

PROCEDURE

CAUTION!

High voltages are present in this laboratory exercise! Do not make

or modify any banana jack connections with the power on unless
otherwise specified!

Setting up the equipment

G 1. Install the Power Supply, the Enclosure / Power Supply, the Chopper /
Inverter, the Smoothing Inductors, the DC Voltmeter/Ammeter, and the
Resistive Load modules in the Mobile Workstation.

G 2. Install the Chopper / Inverter Control Unit and the Current/Voltage Isolators
in the Enclosure / Power Supply.

G 3. Make sure that the main power switch of the Power Supply is set to the
O (OFF) position. Connect the Power Supply to a three-phase wall
receptacle.

G 4. Plug the Enclosure / Power Supply line cord into a wall receptacle. Set the
rocker switch of the Enclosure / Power Supply to the I (ON) position.

G 5. On the Power Supply, set the 24-V ac power switch to the I (ON) position.

G 6. Make sure that the toggle switches on the Resistive Load module are all set
to the O (open)position
correct position.
(see table in Figure 3-2).

Operation of the boost chopper

G 7. Connect the modules as shown in Figure 3-2.

Note: Diode D1 is the power diode connected in parallel with

electronic switch Q1. Diode D4, which is connected in parallel with
electronic switch Q4, and electronic switch Q1 are not shown in
Figure 3-2 because they are not used in this circuit. Electronic
switch Q1 is forced to the off state by connecting SWITCHING
CONTROL INPUT 1 of the Chopper / Inverter module to the
common point.

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The Boost Chopper

24 V AC Supply

Figure 3-2. Circuit used to observe the operation of the boost chopper.

G 8. Make the following settings:

On the Power Supply

Voltage Selector . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-N

On the Chopper / Inverter Control Unit

DC SOURCE 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . MAXimum
DC SOURCE 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . mid position
MODE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . CHOP. PWM

On the Chopper / Inverter module

Interconnection
DumpSwitch S1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . O
Switch

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 ECTE324/8324 Power Engineering 1 Experiment 5

The Boost Chopper

On the Oscilloscope

Channel-1 Sensitivity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 V/DIV. (DC coupled)

Channel-2 Sensitivity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 V/DIV. (DC coupled)
Vertical Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . CHOPped
Time Base . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 ms/DIV.
Trigger Source . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . EXTernal
Trigger Slope . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . positive (+)
Trigger Coupling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . AC

G 9. On the Power Supply, make sure that the voltage control knob is set to the
0 position then set the main power switch to the I (ON) position.

Slowly set the voltage control knob of the Power Supply to obtain 40 V.
(about 20% of the ac line voltage). This supplies dc power to the boost
chopper.

On the oscilloscope, make the appropriate settings to position the traces of

channels 1 and 2 in the upper and lower halves of the screen, respectively.
The traces of channels 1 and 2 represent the waveform of the current
flowing in inductor L1 and the switching control signal applied to electronic
switch Q4, respectively.

On the Chopper / Inverter Control Unit, set the DC SOURCE 2 control knob
so that two complete cycles of the switching control signal coincides as
closely as possible with the full width of the oscilloscope screen (usually ten
1-cm divisions). This Set the period of the switching control signal to
approximately 5 ms. Consequently, the operating frequency of the boost
chopper is approximately 200 Hz.

G 10. On the Chopper / Inverter Control Unit, slowly set the DC SOURCE 1
control knob so that the duty cycle of the switching control signal is equal to
approximately 80% while observing the voltage indicated by the DC
Voltmeter/Ammeter.

Describe how the dc voltage at the boost chopper output varies when the
duty cycle of the switching control signal is increased.

Voltage and current are increasing

when the duty cycle is increased

G 11. Sketch the waveforms displayed on the oscilloscope screen in Figure 3-3.

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The Boost Chopper

TINTIN v

n e
O

Figure 3-3. The switching control signal applied to electronic switch Q4 and the waveform of the
current in inductor L1.
4ov input
Using the waveforms sketched in Figure 3-3, briefly explain why the boost
chopper can produce output voltages which are much higher than the
voltage applied at its input.

output voltage will be increase because

of the capacitor stored charges and supply
The load when supply Q is 0

G 12. On the Chopper / Inverter Control Unit, set the DC SOURCE 1 control knob
back to the MAX. position to set the duty cycle of the switching control signal
to minimum.

On the DC Voltmeter/Ammeter, measure and note the dc voltage at the

output of the boost chopper.

On the Power Supply, measure and note the dc voltage provided to the
boost chopper by the variable voltage dc power supply.

Explain why this circuit is referred to as a boost chopper, knowing that the
duty cycle of the switching control signal is set to minimum.

Duty signal is off but input source and

capacitor still connect to the load
results in voltage in the voltage in the load

G 13. On the Chopper / Inverter Control Unit, slowly set the DC SOURCE 1
control knob so that the duty cycle of the switching control signal is equal to
approximately 80%, while observing the current indicated by the centre
meter (I2dc) on the DC Voltmeter/Ammeter.

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Does the polarity of the dc current flowing in the load change as the duty
cycle of the switching control signal varies?

G Yes G No

In which direction does the power flow?

The power will flow from the supply

to the load

G 14. On the Power Supply, set the voltage control knob to the 0 position then set
the main power switch to the O position.

Modify the connections so that the modules are connected as shown in

Figure 3-4. In this figure, the voltmeter of the DC Voltmeter/Ammeter is
connected at the input of the boost chopper instead of being connected to
its output, and channel 1 of the oscilloscope is connected to the voltage
isolator OUTPUT instead of being connected to the current isolator
OUTPUT.

G 15. Make the following settings on the oscilloscope:

Channel-1 Sensitivity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 V/DIV. (DC coupled)

Time Base . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0.2 ms/DIV.

On the Chopper / Inverter Control Unit, set the DC SOURCE 2 control knob
so that a complete cycle of the switching control signal coincides as closely
as possible with the full width of the oscilloscope screen (usually ten 1-cm
divisions). This Set the period of the switching control signal to
approximately 2 ms. Consequently, the operating frequency of the boost
chopper is approximately 500 Hz.

On the Chopper / Inverter Control Unit, set the DC SOURCE 1 control knob
so that the duty cycle of the switching control signal is equal to 80%.
O
G 16. On the Power Supply, set the main power switch to the I (ON) position, then
slowly set the voltage control knob of the Power Supply to obtain 40 V.

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24 V AC Supply

Figure 3-4. Modification of the circuit used to observe the operation of the boost chopper.

0 0.8 input 41 Dc
Measure and record the dc voltage at the boost chopper input (VI). It is
indicated by the DC Voltmeter/Ammeter.
output
VI = 41 V dc

Calculate the dc voltage which should appear at the output of the boost
chopper using the following equation:

VO = VI ÷ (1!!) 41 1 0.8
VO = 205 V dc

Determine the dc voltage at the boost chopper output using the output
signal of the voltage isolator which is displayed on the oscilloscope screen.

VO (measured) = 192 V dc

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The Boost Chopper

Does the measured output voltage correspond to the calculated out-

put voltage?

G Yes G No

Observing the effect of the switching control signal frequency

G 17. Make the following settings on the oscilloscope:

Time Base . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 ms/DIV.

On the Resistive Load module, modify the setting of the toggle switches so
that resistors R1 and R2 have the following resistance value:

LINE
R1 R2
VOLTAGE

V ac ! !

120 171 171

220 629 629

240 686 686

Table 3-1. New value for resistors R1 and R2.

On the Chopper / Inverter Control Unit, slowly turn the DC SOURCE 2

control knob in both directions to vary the frequency of the switching control
signal, while observing the dc voltage and current at the boost chopper
output on the oscilloscope screen and on the DC Voltmeter/Ammeter,
respectively.

Does the frequency of the switching control signal have a significant effect
on the dc voltage and current the boost chopper provides? If so, describe
this effect.

The frequency of the duty signal doesn't effector the voltage

The ripple current decrease as the frequency increased

G 18. On the Chopper / Inverter Control Unit, slowly turn the DC SOURCE 2
control knob in both directions to vary the frequency of the switching control
signal, while observing the waveform of the voltage at the boost chopper
output on the oscilloscope screen.

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Does the frequency of the switching control signal have a significant effect
on the ripple on the voltage at the boost chopper output? If so, describe this
effect.

Yes the ripple decrease because the period

is lower than the time constant of the inductor
results in not enough time for inductor to
store the energy
Output power versus input power

G 19. On the Chopper / Inverter Control Unit, set the DC SOURCE 2 control knob
to the MAX. position.

On the voltmeter of the Power Supply, measure and note the dc voltage
which the variable-voltage dc power supply supplies to the boost chopper.

On DC Voltmeter/Ammeter, measure and note the dc current which the

variable-voltage dc power supply supplies to the boost chopper.

Use these results to calculate the power which is supplied to the buck
chopper (PI). Record the resulting power in the space below.
I 20kHz
PI = 15.2 W
40 0 38 f Duty 807

G 20. On the DC Voltmeter/Ammeter, measure and note the dc current which the
buck chopper supplies to the load.

Determine the dc voltage which the boost chopper supplies to the load using
the voltage waveform displayed on the oscilloscope screen.

Use these results to calculate the power which is supplied to the load (PO).
Record the resulting power in the space below.
Vo to
PO = 14.56W 208 0.07
Calculate the power efficiency of the boost chopper using the following
equation:

Power Efficiency = (PO ÷ PI) × 100%

Power Efficiency = 95.7 %

Is the power at the output of the boost chopper nearly equal to the power at
its input?

G Yes G No

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G 21. On the Power Supply, set the voltage control knob to the 0 position then set
the main power switch and the 24-V ac power switch to the O position. Set
the rocker switch on the Enclosure / Power Supply to the O position.
Remove all leads, cables, and probes.

CONCLUSION

You verified that the dc voltage at the boost chopper output increases as the duty
cycle of the switching control signal increases. You found that the minimum dc
voltage that can be obtained at the boost chopper output is slightly higher than the
dc voltage at its input. You saw that power always flows in the same direction in a
boost chopper. You observed that the frequency of the switching control signal has
no effect on the dc voltage and current provided by the boost chopper. Nevertheless,
you saw that as the frequency of the switching control signal increases, the ripple on
the output voltage of the boost chopper decreases. You verified that the power at the
boost chopper output is nearly equal to the power at its input. You observed that
fairly high voltages can be produced with a boost chopper.

REVIEW QUESTIONS

1. Describe the effect the switching control signal frequency has on the output
voltage and current of a boost chopper. Explain.

The frequency has no effect with the output

Voltage but the current ripple willbodecreased
as the frequency increase because of the
inductors

2. A boost chopper is powered by a 12-V dc power supply. What is the output

voltage range of this chopper if the duty cycle can vary between 20 and 95%?

Min 12 11 O Zo 15
Max 12 1 0.95 240
3. Briefly describe the operation of the boost chopper.

The load is connect to the source

and the capacitor results in supplying
voltage for the loud all the time

4. Explain why the maximum value of the duty cycle must be limited in certain
boost choppers.

boost choppers can generate high output voltage

with smell input voltage
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The Boost Chopper

5. Name the component operating with ac power which best compares to the boost
chopper.

Step up transformer The Boost choppears

size is much Sneller and lighter then
the transformer Even the material
resources used in Boost choppers is lower

ab Repout
Bulk chopper Shoots choppers

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 Channel-1 Sensitivity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 V/DIV. (DC coupled)
ECTE324/8324 Power Engineering Channel-2
1 Experiment 5
Sensitivity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 V/DIV. (DC coupled)
Vertical
1. You are required to wire up the circuit given Mode
by Figure. . . 1.
. . .Figure
. . . . . 2. .(on
. . . the
. . . following
. . . . . . . .page)
. . . . represents
CHOPpedthe modules
Time Base . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
you have used in today’s experiment. In Figure 2, as neatly as possible, indicate the connections . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 ms/DIV.
you are required
Trigger Source . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
to make in order to wire up the circuit in Figure 1. DO NOT include connections for the control . . . . . . . . . . . . . EXTernal
signals, voltage
and current isolators or 24 V supply. Trigger Slope . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . positive (+)
Trigger Coupling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . AC
NOTE: Untidy or illegible drawings will receive a grade of zero.

I 3

24 V AC Supply 2 2

Figure 1: Experimental Circuit

Figure 2-2. Circuit used to observe the operation of the buck chopper.

G 9. On the Power Supply, make sure that the voltage control knob is set to the
0 position then set the main power switch to the I (ON) position.

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Experiment 5 Autumn Session 2020

Figure 2: Lab-Volt Workstation Model

NOTE: Untidy or illegible drawings will receive a grade of zero.

146