University of the West of England

Power Electronics (UFMFDE-15-3)

EEE - T124

Element Description : Coursework Report

Student Name : HPRS Siriwardana
Academic Supervisor : mr Sisira Perera
• What is meant by phase-controlled rectifier? Mention some of the
applications of controlled rectifier?

A phase-controlled rectifier is a type of rectifier circuit that converts alternating

current (AC) into direct current (DC) using semiconductor devices such as thyristors
or silicon-controlled rectifiers (SCRs). Unlike uncontrolled rectifiers, which conduct
for the entire half-cycle of the input AC waveform, phase-controlled rectifiers allow
control over the portion of the input waveform during which conduction occurs. This
control is achieved by triggering the semiconductor devices at specific points in the
AC cycle, thus controlling the output voltage.

Some applications of controlled rectifiers include:

➢ DC Power Supplies
Phase-controlled rectifiers are commonly used in DC power supplies for
various applications, including industrial equipment, telecommunications,
and consumer electronics.
➢ Motor Drives
Controlled rectifiers are used in motor drives to control the speed and torque
of electric motors, allowing for variable-speed operation and improved
efficiency.
➢ Voltage Regulators
They can be employed in voltage regulator circuits to maintain a stable DC
output voltage, which is crucial in many electronic systems.

➢ AC Voltage Controllers
Controlled rectifiers can regulate the output voltage of AC systems by
controlling the firing angle of the thyristors, thereby controlling the power
delivered to the load.

➢ Heating Applications
They are utilized in electric heating systems for temperature control in
applications such as industrial furnaces, ovens, and electric stoves.

➢ Battery Chargers
Controlled rectifiers are used in battery charging systems to regulate the
charging current and voltage, ensuring safe and efficient charging of batteries
in various applications, including automotive and renewable energy systems.
• What is meant by step-up and step-down chopper?

A step-up chopper is a type of DC-DC converter that increases the output voltage
above the input voltage. It achieves this by swiftly switching the input voltage across
an inductor, storing energy during the on-time of the switch, and releasing it during
the off-time. By adjusting the duty cycle of the chopper switch, the output voltage
can be precisely controlled, making step-up choppers suitable for applications such
as electric vehicle motor drives and specific power supplies where voltage
amplification is essential.

On the other hand, a step-down chopper is designed to lower the output voltage
compared to the input voltage. Like its step-up counterpart, it operates by chopping
the input voltage with a controlled duty cycle, storing and releasing energy to the
load through an inductor. By varying the duty cycle, step-down choppers efficiently
regulate the output voltage, making them indispensable in applications like battery
charging systems, LED drivers, and voltage regulators where voltage reduction is
crucial for optimal performance.

• Why circuit turn off time should be greater than the thyristor turn-off time?

Ensuring that the circuit turn-off time is greater than the thyristor turn-off time is
essential for reliable operation and preventing unwanted conduction states.
Thyristors have a finite turn-off time during which they continue to conduct current
after the turn-off signal is applied. If the circuit turn-off time is shorter than the
thyristor turn-off time, there's a risk of premature triggering of other semiconductor
devices before the thyristor has fully turned off. This can lead to issues like reverse
recovery or false triggering, compromising the reliability and efficiency of the
system. By maintaining a longer circuit turn-off time, designers ensure proper
commutation, prevent unintended conduction states, and enhance the overall
performance and reliability of the circuit.
• SCR the gate cathode characteristics is given by a straight line with a gradient
of 16volts per amp passing through the origin, the maximum turn – on time is
4μs and the maximum gate current required to obtain this quick turn-on is
500 mA. If the gate source voltage is 15V.
a) Calculate the resistance to be connected in series with the SCR gate.
b) Compute the gate power dissipation, given that the pulse width is equal to the
turn – on time and that the average gate power dissipation is 0.3W. also compute
the maximum triggering frequency that will be possible when pulse firing is used.
Given data:-
• Gradient of gate-cathode characteristics = 16 V/A
• Maximum turn-on time (t_on) = 4 μs
• Maximum gate current (I_g) = 500 mA = 0.5 A
• Gate-source voltage (V_gs) = 15 V
• Average gate power dissipation (P_avg) = 0.3 W

Using ohms law

𝑣𝑔𝑠 − 𝑣𝑔
𝑅=
𝐼𝑔
a)
15𝑣
𝑅= = 30Ω
0.5𝐴
b) gate power dissipation

𝑃𝑔=𝑉𝑔𝑠×𝐼𝑔 × 𝑡on
Pg=15𝑉 × 0.5𝐴 × 4 × 10−6 𝑠=30×10−6 W=30μW
maximum triggering frequency

Pavg=Pg×fmax
0.3𝑤
fmax = 30×10−6 𝑤 = 10𝑘𝐻z
1. Design a buck converter to produce an output voltage of 18V across a 10Ω load resistor.
In your design, the output voltage ripple must not exceed 0.5 percent. The DC supply is 48
V. Design for continuous inductor current. Specify the duty ratio, the switching frequency,
the values of the inductor and capacitor, the peak voltage rating of each device, and the rms
current in the inductor and capacitor. Assume the behavior of ideal components. State any
other assumptions that you make.

𝑣𝑜 18𝑣
• Duty ratio = = = 𝟎. 𝟑𝟕𝟓
𝑣𝑠 48𝑣
• Minimum inductor value at 30kHz
(1−𝐷)(𝑅) (1−0.375)(10)
𝐿𝑚𝑖𝑛 = = =104 µH
2𝑓 2(30000)

• Let the inductor be 25% larger than the minimum to ensure that inductor
current is continuous
L=1.25Lmin=1.25×104µH=130µH

𝑣𝑜 18
• Average inductor current 𝐼𝐿 = = =1.8A
𝑅 10

𝑣𝑠 −𝑣𝑜 (48−18)0.375 1
∆𝑖𝐿 =( )𝐷𝑇 = (30000) = 𝟐. 𝟖𝟖𝑨
𝐿 130×10−6

• Maximum and minimum inductor current

∆𝑖𝐿
𝐼𝑚𝑎𝑥 = 𝐼𝐿 + =1.8+1.44=3.24A
2

∆𝑖𝐿
𝐼𝑚𝑖𝑛 = 𝐼𝐿 − =1.8−1.44=0.36A
2
 • Inductor rms current

∆𝑖𝑙
1.44 2
𝐼𝐿 𝑟𝑚𝑠 = √𝐼𝐿2 + ( 2
)2 =√(1.8)2 + ( ) = 1.98A
√3 √3

• Capacitor value

1−D 1−0.375
C= ∆𝑣 = =133µF
8𝐿( 𝑜 )𝑓 2 8(97.5)(0.005)(30000)2
𝑣𝑜

2..Design a boost converter that will have an output of 30V from a 12V source. Design for
continuous inductor current and an output ripple voltage of less than one percent. The load is
a resistance of 50Ω. Assume ideal components for this design. State any other assumptions
that you make.

• Duty ratio
𝑣𝑠 12
D=1 − =1- =0.6
𝑣0 30

• Minimum inductance value for continuous current at 25kHz

𝐷(1−𝐷)2 0.6×(1−0.6)2 ×50
𝐿𝑚𝑖𝑛 = = = 96µH
2𝐹 2×25×103

𝑣𝑠 12
𝐼𝐿 = = = 1.5A
(1−𝐷)2 ×𝑅 (1−0.6)2 ×50

∆𝑖𝐿 𝑣𝑠 𝐷𝑇 12×0.6
= = =1.2A
2 2𝐿 2×120×10−6 ×25×103
• Maximum and minimum current
𝐼𝑚𝑎𝑥 = 1.5 + 1.2 = 𝟐. 𝟕𝑨
𝐼𝑚𝑖𝑛 = 1.5 − 1.2 = 𝟎. 𝟑𝑨

• Capacitor value

𝐷 0.6
C≥ ∆𝑣 = = 48µF
𝑅( 0)𝑓 50×0.01×25×103
𝑣0