CHOPPER c) T/Ton

d) Toff x Ton
This set of Power Electronics Multiple Choice Answer: b
Questions & Answers (MCQs) focuses on Explanation: It is the time during which the chopper
“Choppers-1″. is on (Ton) relative to the whole period (T =
1. In the ___________ type of chopper, two stage Ton+Toff).
conversions takes place.
a) AC-DC 7. The load voltage of a chopper can be controlled
b) AC link by varying the
c) DC link a) duty cycle
d) None of the mentioned b) firing angle
Answer: In AC link chopper, DC is converter to AC c) reactor position
than stepped up/down than again AC to DC d) extinction angle
conversation takes place. Answer: a
Explanation: The output voltage can be changed by
2. Choppers converter changing the duty cycle (Ton/T).
a) AC to DC
b) DC to AC 8. The values of duty cycle (α) lies between
c) DC to DC a) 0<α<1
d) AC to AC b) 0>α>-1
Answer: c c) 0<=α<=1
Explanation: Choppers are used to step up or step d) 1<α<100
down DC voltage/current levels. Hence, they are Answer: c
DC to DC converters. Explanation: The duty cycle is between 0 and 1. It
can be 0 if the chopper switch is never on and it can
3. A chopper may be thought as a be 1 when the chopper switch is always on
a) Inverter with DC input
b) DC equivalent of an AC transformer 9. If T is the time period for a chopper circuit and α
c) Diode rectifier is its duty cycle, then the chopping frequency is
d) DC equivalent of an induction motor a) Ton/α
Answer: b b) Toff/α
Explanation: It is a DC equivalent of an AC c) α/Toff
transformer because it behaves in the similar d) α/Ton
manner i.e. converting fixed DC to variable DC. Answer: d
Explanation: α = Ton/T
4. Which device can be used in a chopper circuit? T = Ton/ α
a) BJT f = 1/T = α/Ton.
b) MOSFET
c) GTO 10. Find the output voltage expression for a step
d) All of the mentioned down chopper with Vs as the input voltage and α as
Answer: d the duty cycle.
Explanation: All of the devices which can be used a) Vo = Vs/α
as a switch can be used in a chopper. b) Vo = Vs x α
c) Vo = Vs2/α
5. A chopper is a d) Vo = 2Vs/απ
a) Time ratio controller Answer: b
b) AC to DC converter Explanation: The chopper output voltage is Duty
c) DC transformer cycle x the input voltage (ideal condition).
d) High speed semiconductor switch -------------------------------
Answer: d
Explanation: It is a high speed on/off semiconductor 1. The below given figure is that of a _________
switch. Note that it behaves like a DC transformer, (IGBT is used as a chopper switch)
does not mean it is a DC transformer. There is no
DC transformer.

6. What is the duty cycle of a chopper ?

a) Ton/Toff
b) Ton/T
 Explanation: When the switch is off, the current
freewheels through L-R-FD-L and voltage is zero
because the FD short circuits the load.

4. In a step down chopper, if Vs = 100 V and the

chopper is operated at a duty cycle of 75 %. Find
the output voltage.
a) 100 V
b) 75 V
a) step-up/step-down chopper
c) 25 V
b) step-down chopper
d) none of the mentioned
c) step-up chopper
Answer: b
d) none of the mentioned
Explanation: Vo = Duty cycle x Vs = 0.75 x 100 = 75
Answer: b
V.
Explanation: When the switch is closed current
flows through the load and also charges the
5. If Vo is the output voltage and Vs is the input DC
inductor L, when the switch is off, the current
voltage, then for the below given circuit.
freewheels through L-R-FD-L and voltage is zero
because the FD short circuits the load.

2. In the below given circuit, when switch (SW) is on

a) Vo = Vs
b) Vo < Vs
c) Vo > Vs
d) Insufficient information
Answer: c
Explanation: The given circuit is that of a step-up
chopper. For a step up chopper the output voltage
a) voltage is non-zero and current is rising is always (even if duty cycle is very very small)
b) voltage is non-zero and current is decaying greater than the input voltage.
c) voltage is zero and current is rising
d) voltage is zero and current is decaying 6. In the below given circuit, when switch (SW) is on
Answer: a
Explanation: When the switch is closed current
flows through the load and also charges the
inductor L, hence voltage is Vo and current is rising.

3. In the below given circuit, when switch (SW) is off

a) voltage is non-zero and current is rising

b) voltage is zero and current is decaying
c) voltage and current both are non-zero
d) voltage and current both are zero
Answer: c
Explanation: When the switch is on, the current
a) voltage is non-zero and current is rising flows from Vs-L-SW-Vs and charges the inductor
b) voltage is non-zero and current is decaying (L), hence voltage and current both are zero.
c) voltage is zero and current is rising
d) voltage is zero and current is decaying 7. In the below given circuit, when switch (SW) is
Answer: d first switched closed and then opened the
 Wout = (Vo – Vs) x Toff x (I1+I2)/2
Considering ideal condition,
Win = Wout
Vo = Vs x (T/Toff)
α = Ton/T
Vo = T/T-Ton = Vs/1-α.

10. Find the output voltage for a step-up chopper

when it is operated at a duty cycle of 50 % and Vs =
a) voltage is non-zero and current is rising 240 V.
b) voltage is zero and current is decaying a) 240 V
c) voltage is non-zero and current is decaying b) 480 V
d) voltage is zero and current is rising c) 560 V
Answer: c d) 120 V
Explanation: When the switch is off, the inductor is Answer: b
has stored energy from the earlier chopper on Explanation: Vo = Vs/1-α.
operation. The current starts to flow from ------------------------------------------------------
Vs-L-D-Load-Vs, hence current is decaying as the
inductor is discharging and the voltage is Vs + Vl
(inductor voltage) (apply KVL). 1. If a step up chopper’s switch is always kept off
then (ideally)
8. What is the voltage across the load when the SW a) Vo = 0
is first closed and then opened? b) Vo = ∞
c) Vo = Vs
d) Vo > Vs
Answer: c
Explanation; If it is said the a chopper is always
kept off, that means the switch is always open. As
such, Ton = 0
Duty cycle = 0
Vo = Vs/1-duty cycle . . . (for a step-up chopper).

a) Vs 2. If a step up chopper’s switch is always kept open

b) duty cycle x Vs then (ideally)
c) Vs + L (di/dt) a) Vo = 0
d) zero b) Vo = ∞
Answer: c c) Vo = Vs
Explanation: When the switch is off, the inductor is d) Vo > Vs
has stored energy from the earlier chopper on Answer: b
operation. The current starts to flow from Explanation: If it is always in then, Ton = T. Duty
Vs-L-D-Load-Vs, hence current is decaying as the cycle = 1.
inductor is discharging and the load voltage is Vs + Vo = Vs/1-duty cycle = Vs/0
Vl (inductor voltage) Therefore, Vo = ∞.
Vl = L(di/dt)
Vo = Vs + L(di/dt). 3. Find the average value of output voltage of a
basic step-down chopper, with duty cycle = α and
9. Find the expression for output voltage for a load = R Ω.
step-up chopper, assume linear variation of load
current and α as the duty cycle.
a) Vs
b) Vs/α
c) Vs/(1-α)
d) Vs/√2
Answer: c
Explanation: During Ton, the energy stored in the
inductor is
Win = Vs x Ton x (I1+I2)/2 a) I = Vs x α
During Toff, the energy released by the inductor is b) I = (Vs x α)/R
c) I = 0
d) I = Vs/R c) 0
Answer: b d) R/α
Explanation: Vo = Vs x α Answer: d
I = Vo/R. Explanation: Effective input resistance of the
chopper circuit = (dc source voltage)/(average
source current) = (Vs.R)/(Vs.α) = R/α.

4. For the below given circuit, find the output current 8. A step-up chopper has input voltage of 220 V and
at the instant of commutation. output voltage of 660 V. If the conducting time of
the IGBT based chopper is 100 μs, compute Toff
width of the output voltage pulse.
a) 100 μs
b) 150 μs
c) 50 μs
d) Insufficient data
Answer: c
Explanation: 660 = 220/1-α
α = 2/3 = Ton/T
a) Vo/R
Ton = 2T/3 = 100μs. This gives chopping period T =
b) Vs/R
100 x 3/2 = 150 μs
c) 0
Toff = T – Ton = 150 – 100 = 50 μs.
d) α/2
Answer: b
9. For a step-up chopper, when the duty cycle is
Explanation: The circuit is that of a step-down
increased the average value of the output voltage
chopper. The output current is commutated by the
a) increases
switch(IGBT) at the instant t = Ton. Therefore,
b) decreases
output current at the instant of commutation is Vs/R.
c) remains the same
d) none of the mentioned
5. For a step-down chopper, find the rms value of
Answer: a
output voltage. Let α be the duty cycle and Vs be
Explanation: Vo = Vs/1-duty cycle
the input voltage.
Hence, as duty cycle increases the output voltage
a) α x Vs
increases.
b) Vs/α
c) √α x Vs
10. For a step-down chopper, when the duty cycle
d) Vs/2
is increased the average value of the output voltage
Answer: c
a) increases
Explanation: [(Ton/T).Vs2]1/2 = √α x Vs.
b) decreases
c) remains the same
6. A step down chopper is operated at 240V at duty
d) none of the mentioned
cycle of 75%. Find the value of RMS switch
Answer: a
(IGBT/MOSFET) current. Take R = 10 Ω.
Explanation; Vo = Duty cycle x Vs. Hence, output
a) 2.07 A
voltage is directly proportional to the duty cycle.
b) 200 mA
------------------------------------------------------
c) 1.58 A
d) 2.4 A
1. For a step-down chopper shown in the figure
Answer: a
below, dc source voltage = 230 V and the voltage
Explanation: The switch could be anything, a IGBT,
drop across the chopper = 2 V. Find the value of
a SCR, a GTO etc. The current through the switch
average output voltage for a duty cycle of 0.4.
is the same as the current through the load for a
step down chopper.
Vo = Vs/1-α
α = 0.75
I = √α x Vs/R.

7. Find the expression for effective input resistance

of a step down chopper. With R load and duty cycle
= α.
a) R x α a) 230 V
b) R/2 b) 92 V
c) 90 V
d) 91.2 V
Answer: d
Explanation: The voltage drop across the switch
occurs only when it is on.
Vo = (Vs – 2) x Duty cycle = 91.2 V.

2. For the step-down chopper shown in the figure

below, dc source voltage = 230 V and the voltage
a) 2300 W
drop across the chopper = 2 V. Find the value of
b) 2097 W
rms output voltage for a duty cycle of 0.4.
c) 2560 W
d) 5290 W
Answer: b
Explanation: Power input to the chopper is Vs . Io
Vs = 230 V
Vo = (Vs – 2) x Duty cycle = 91.2 V
Io = Vo/R = 91.2/10
Pi = Vs.Io = 2097.6 W.

a) 91.2 V 5. The below given chopper circuit is that of a

b) 230 V
c) 144.2 V
d) 145 V
Answer: c
Explanation: The voltage drop across the switch will
occurs only when it is on.
Vo (rms) = √0.4 x (230 – 2) = 144.2 V.

3. For the step-down chopper shown in the figure a) step-up chopper

below, dc source voltage = 230 V. Find the power b) step-down chopper
delivered to the load of R = 10 Ω. Duty cycle = 40 c) step-up/step-down chopper
%. Take voltage drop at the switch to be 2 V. d) none of the mentioned
Answer: c
Explanation: It is a step-up/step-down chopper. By
controlling the duty cycle it can be made to behave
like a step-up or a step down chopper.

6. The expression for a step-up/step-down chopper

with α as the duty cycle and Vs as the dc input
voltage is
a) 1 kW a) Vs/1 – α
b) 2.08 kW b) α x Vs
c) 569 W c) Vs (α/1-α)
d) 207 W d) Vs (α/1+α)
Answer: b Answer: c
Explanation: Explanation: A step-up, step-down chopper can
Vo (rms) = √0.4 x (230 – 2) = 144.2 V behave as a step up chopper for α > 0.5 and step
P = 144.22/10 = 2079.3 W = 2.08 kW. –down chopper for α < 0.5.

4. For the step-down chopper shown in the figure 7. For a step-up/step-down chopper, if the duty
below, dc source voltage = 230 V. Find the power cycle > 0.5 then
input to the chopper If load of R = 10 Ω is a) Vo = Vs
connected. Duty cycle = 40 %. b) Vo < Vs
c) Vo > Vs
d) None of the mentioned
Answer: c
Explanation: Vo = Vs (α/1-α)
For α is greater than 0.5, the chopper behaves as a c) protect the chopper switch (SW)
step-up chopper. Hence, Vo > Vs d) maintain the load current constant
Answer: a
8. A step down chopper has Vs = 230 V and R = 10 Explanation: It is a step-up/step-down chopper, the
Ω. For a duty cycle of 0.4, the power taken by the C maintains the load voltage constant.
chopper is 2097 Watts. Find the chopper efficiency.
Take the voltage drop across the chopper switch as 2. In the below shown step-up/step-down chopper
2 V. circuit, when the switch (SW) is on
a) 98 % q4.png”>
b) 89.96 %
c) 99.14 %
d) 96.54 %
Answer: c
Explanation: Vo (rms) = √0.4 x (230 – 2) = 144.2 V
Po = 144.22/10 = 2079.3 Watts
Pi = 2097 Watts
η = Po/Pi = 99.14 %.
a) current through inductor rises and the load
9. A step down chopper has input dc voltage of 220 voltage is zero
V and R = 10 Ω in series with L = 65 mH. If the load b) current through inductor rises and the load
current varies linearly between 11 A and 17 A, then voltage is Vs
find the duty cycle α. c) current through inductor decays and the load
a) 1 voltage is zero
b) 0.4 d) current through inductor decays and the load
c) 0.6 voltage is Vs
d) 0.7 Answer: b
Answer: d Explanation: During Ton, current flows from
Explanation: Average load current = 11+17 / 2 = Vs-CH-L-Vs. Current through L rises from I1 to I2
14A and Vs appears across the inductor and load as
Average load voltage = IxR = 14×10 = 140V they are in parallel. Voltage drop at the diode has to
But, Vo = α x Vs be considered as zero.
Therefore, α x 220 = 140, α = 0.7.
3. For a step-up/step-down chopper, if α (duty
10. For a step-up/step-down chopper, if α (duty cycle) < 0.5 then
cycle) = 0.5 then a) Vo = Vs
a) Vo = Vs b) Vo < Vs
b) Vo < Vs c) Vo > Vs
c) Vo > Vs d) none of the mentioned
d) none of the mentioned Answer: b
Answer: a Explanation: Vo = Vs (α/1-α)
Explanation: For duty cycle is less than 0.5, the circuit behaves
Vo = Vs (α/1-α) like a step down chopper. Hence, Vo < Vs.
For α = 0.5
Vo = Vs x (0.5/0.5). 4. In the below shown step-up/step-down chopper
------------------------------------------------------ circuit, when the chopper switch (SW) if first on and
then off, then the current flows from path
1. In the figure shown below, the capacitor C is q4.png”>
used to

a) Vs-CH-L-Vs
a) maintain the load voltage constant b) L-Load-D-L
b) protect the load c) L-D-Load-L
d) no current flows
Answer: b
Explanation: When the chopper switch is off,
polarity of emf induced in the inductor L gets
reversed biased. Emf induced in L forward biases
the diode D and L starts to discharge from
inductor-load-diode-inductor.

5. For a step-up/step-down chopper, if current

increases from I1 to I2 linearly during Ton, then find a) during Toff, Vo = (E + Ldi/dt) and D is conducting
the energy stored in the inductor during Ton b) during Toff, Vo = (E + Ldi/dt) and D is
a) zero not-conducting
b) Vs x (I1 + I2) c) during Toff, Vo = 0
c) Vs x [ (I1 + I2)/2 ] x Ton d) during Toff, Vo = Vs
d) Vs x [ (I1 + I2)/2 ] x T Answer: a
Answer: c Explanation: When switch Is off, Vo = E + Ldi/dt
Explanation: Iavg = [ (I1 + I2)/2 ] Energy stored = exceeds source voltage Vs and D (diode) is forward
Win = Vs x [ (I1 + I2)/2 ] x Ton. biased and begins to conduct.

6. A step-down chopper is also called as a 9. The below given chopper is that of a

a) first-quadrant chopper
b) second-quadrant chopper
c) third-quadrant chopper
d) fourth-quadrant chopper
Answer: a
Explanation: It is called as a first quadrant chopper
as the current always flows from source to load and
the current and voltage both are always positive.

7. For the type-B chopper shown below

a) step-up chopper
b) step-down chopper
c) step-up/step-down chopper
d) depends on the duty cycle
Answer: a
Explanation: The load voltage Vo = E + L(di/dt) is
greater than Vs, hence it is a step-up chopper.

10. The type-C chopper or two quadrant type-A

chopper has
a) during Ton, Vo = 0 and L stores energy a) type-A and type-B choppers in series
b) during Ton, Vo is not 0 and L stores energy b) type-A and type-B choppers in parallel
c) during Ton, Vo = 0 and L releases energy c) two type-A choppers in series
d) during Ton, Vo is not 0 and L releases energy d) two type-A choppers in parallel
Answer: a Answer: b
Explanation: During Ton, SW is on and vo = 0 as Explanation: The type-C chopper is a two quadrant
the switch S.C’s the load. E drives current through L chopper, it operates in the 1st and the 2nd
and charges it. quadrant. It has type-A and type-B choppers
8. For the type-B chopper shown below connected in parallel.