Power Electronics

UNIT-1: Power Semi-Conductor Devices

1. Define the term pinch off voltage of MOSFET.
2. List the advantages of GTO over SCR.
3. Examine how is di/dt and dv/dt protection provided in SCR?

4. Name the limitation of high frequency operation of a power

Electronic device.
5. Mention the advantages of ‘RC’ triggering over ‘R’ triggering.
6. Tabulate the various forced commutation techniques used to turn off SCR.

7. Distinguish between SCR and TRIAC.

8. Predict the secondary breakdown in BJT
9. Discuss reverse recovery time in diodes.
10. Summarize the conditions under which a transistor operates as a switch.

11. List any two advantages of TRIAC over SCR.

12. Illustrate the need of snubber circuit.
13. Classify the types of diodes.
14. Compare the merits and demerits of IGBT and MOSFET
15. What is meant by commutation of SCR and list its types.
16. Mention the merits and demerits of GTO.
17. Define the term holding current and latching current.
18. Why are IGBT becoming popular in power electronics-basedapplications?

19. Draw TRIAC characteristics.

20. Why TRIAC is not popular as compared to SCR? Justify
21. Examine the structure and different modes of operation of TRIAC with its
characteristics.
22. Explain the working of current commutation technique.
23. Describe with circuit IGBT static I-V, transfer and turn –on and turn–off
characteristics.
24. Describe the UJT triggering circuit with neat sketch.
25. i) Discuss the different modes of operation of thyristor with the help of its static
V-I characteristics.
ii) Discuss why TRIAC is rarely operated in first quadrant with –ve gate current
and in third quadrant with +ve gate current.
26. i) Design 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.
ii) Discuss the turn off characteristics of SCR and explain the mechanism of
turn OFF.
27. Summarize the various types of commutation circuits for SCR
28. Compare BJT, MOSFET and IGBT.
29. Examine the basic structure, working and the turn ON and turn
OFF processes of IGBT with its equivalent circuit.
30. Draw and explain the steady state and switching characteristics of SCR.
With a neat diagram explain how the snubber circuit protects the MOSFET.
31. Explain the steady state and switching characteristics ofMOSFET.
32. Analyze the various types of power diodes.
33. Design a suitable snubber circuit for BJT which is used as a switching device
in AC to DC conversion circuit.
 UNIT-2: Phase-Controlled Converters
1. Define overlap angle.
2. Show the power factor of semi converter is better than fullconverter.
3. Examine the effect of source impedance on the performance ofconverter.
4. Express the displacement factor for two pulse converters.
5. Predict the circuits turn –off time for single phase fullconverter.
6. Illustrate the PIV of a thyristor.
7. Classify the various modes of operation of single phase fullycontrolled bridge
converter.
8. Distinguish between symmetric and asymmetric semi converter configuration.
9. Why power factor of semi converter is better than fullconverter?
10. Predict by what power factor the DC output voltage of 6-pulse converter is
reduced due to the effect of source inductance.
11. List the firing Scheme of Controllers.
12. What is meant by phase control?
13. List some of the application of converters.
14. Examine is the cause of circulating current in dual converters.
15. A two-pulse converter is fed with a 230V, 50 Hz supply.
The load on the converter is a pure resistance of R=10 Ω. Obtain the
average output voltage for a firing angle of α
=135°
16. Examine the harmonic factor for converter.
17. Examine the term voltage ripple factor.
18. Explain the inversion mode of converter.
19. Summarize the roles of freewheeling diode in a Fullconverter.
20. A single-phase full converter feeds power to RLE load withR= 6Ω, E=60V.The
full load inductance value is very large so as to maintain the load current
continuous and ripple free. The ac source voltage is 230V and 50Hz. Find the
average value of the output voltage for a firing angle delay of 50°.
21. Describe the operation of three phase semi converter with R load and also draw
the output voltage waveforms for 30° and 90°.
22. Explain the operation of a single-phase full converter with RLE load using relevant
waveforms. Obtain the expressions for its average output voltage and RMS value
of output voltage.
23. Analyze the effect of source inductance in the operationof single phase fully
controlled converter with relevant diagram and analysis.
24. Discuss the effect of series inductance on the performance of the single-phase full
converter indicating clearly the conduction of various thyristors during one cycle.
25. A 230 V, 50 Hz supply is connected to load resistance of 12Ω through half wave-
controlled rectifier. If the firing angle is 60 degrees, Calculate
(i) Average output voltage.
(ii) RMS output voltage.
(iii) Ratio of rectification and
Transformer utilization factor.
26. Explain the operation of a three phase, fully controlledbridge converter with
associated waveforms.
 27. Summarize the operation of single phase two pulse midpoint converter with
relevant voltage and current waveforms.
28. a) Explain the operating principle of single-phase dual converter.

b) A single-phase full converter is connected with R-load. The source voltage is 230
V 50 Hz. The average load current is 10A For R=20 Ω find the firing angle.
29. Explain in detail about applications of converters.
30. Discuss the operation of dual converter with complete circuit diagram and
waveform.
31. Describe the operation of single-phase dual convertor with aid of relevant
waveforms. Obtain the expression of its instantaneous circulating current.
32. (i) A single-phase bridge converter is utilized to produce regulated DC output
voltage. The input voltage is 230 V and the load current is 8A for a firing angle of
30 degree.
(a) Calculate the dc output voltage.
(b) Calculate the dc output voltage and current if a freewheeling diode is used at
the output for the same firing angle.
(ii) Examine the single-phase half wave rectifier circuit with RL load and
freewheeling diode.
33. A three-phase full converter charges a battery from a three –phase supply of 230 V,
50Hz. The battery is 200 V and its internal resistance is 0.5 Ω. On account of
inductance connected in series with the battery, charging current is constant at 20
A. Compute firing angle delay and supply power factor.
Explain briefly the working of dual converter with a neat circuit diagram.
34. A single-phase half wave rectifier with an AC voltage of 150V has a pure resistive
load of 9 Ω. The firing angle ofthe thyristor is π/2. Determine the (i) Rectification
Efficiency (ii) Form Factor (iii) Transformer derating factor (iv) Peak inverse
voltage of the SCR (v) Ripple factor of the SCR. Assume the transformer ratio
is 2:1.

UNIT-3: Dc to Dc Converters
1 Define Duty cycle.
2 Define DC Chopper and write down its applications.
3 Name any two applications of SMPS.
4 What is constant frequency control of chopper?
5 What is time control in DC-to-DC converter?
6 What is meant by ‘current limit control’ of a chopper?
7 What is the effect of load inductance on the load currentwaveform in the case of DC
chopper?
8 Write down the control strategies for chopper circuit.
9 Show the circuit diagram of a boost converter.
10 What is resonant converter? States its advantages.
11 A step-up chopper is operated with a duty ratio of 0.6 for a dc input of 100 V. Determine the
output voltage for a load resistance RL of 5 ohms.
12 Classify the switched mode regulators and write itsadvantages.
13 Briefly state the working of four quadrant DC chopper.
14 Explain load commutated chopper.
15 Differentiate voltage and current commutated choppers.
16 Why forced commutation is used in DC chopper?
17 What are the disadvantages of frequency modulationchopper?
18 Compare ZVS and ZCS.
19 Design the circuit of a step-down chopper.
20 Generalize the purpose of commutation circuit in achopper.
21 With neat diagrams, describe the construction and working of step-down and step-up chopper
and its steady state analysis. Also give its application.
22 Explain the control strategies of chopper.
23 Explain the working of buck converter with neat waveform and also derive the expression for
peak-to-peak voltage across the capacitor.
24 With a neat power circuit diagram, explain the operation of boost converter. Draw the load
voltage and load current waveforms and derive the expression for the output voltage.

25 Discuss L Type and M type zero current switching resonant converters.

26 Draw the power circuit diagram of a buck-boost regulator and explain its operation with
equivalent circuit fordifferent modes and its waveforms.
27 What is resonant switching? Explain its concept withrelevant circuit diagram.
28 A step-down DC Chopper has input voltage of a 230V with
10 Ohms load resistor connected; voltage drop acrosschopper is 2V when it is ON.
For duty cycle of 0.5.
Calculate
i) Average and RMS value of output voltage. ii) Power delivered to load.
29 a) A type – ‘A’ chopper has supply voltage Vs of 200V andduty cycle of 0.4 and 0.6 for these
duty cycles, calculate
(i) Average and rms values of output voltage.
(ii) Output power for R load of 10 Ohm.
(iii) Ripple factor.
b) Explain the operation of step-up chopper and derive anexpression for its output voltage.

30 Draw the diagram of voltage commutated chopper and explain its operation with different
mode diagrams and relevant waveforms.
31 Explain in detail the different modes of operation of load commutated and current
commutated choppers with relevant circuit diagram.
32 Explain the different classes of chopper with neat sketch.
33 Draw and explain the block schematic of SMPS and mention its advantages over linear
power supply.
34 A battery-operated electric car is controlled by a voltage commutated chopper. The battery
voltage is 100V, starting current is 100A, thyristor turn off time is 20µsec, chopper frequency
is 400Hz. Design the value of commutating capacitor C and commutating inductor L.

UNIT-4: AC to AC Converters
1. Write the principle of operation of cyclo - converter.
2. List the merits and demerits of AC voltage controller.
3. Why half wave AC voltage regulator not used.
4. What is a matrix converter?
5. What is the principle of ON-OFF control of AC controller?
6. What is meant by negative group in cyclo – converter.
7. Give the expression for RMS and average output voltage of single phase half wave ac
voltage controller.
8. Explain the term sequence control of ac voltage controller.
9. Give the advantage of sequence control of ac voltageregulators.
10 List the applications of AC voltage controller.
11 Examine the types of cyclo - converters and explain.
12 Enumerate some of the industrial applications of a cyclo -converter.
13 What type of gating signal is used in single phase acvoltage controller with RL load?
14 Explain the application of SMPS
15 Differentiate phase control and sequence control of voltagecontroller.
16 Explain the necessity of FACTS Devices in the power
system and write its classification
17 What is meant by SMPS? List the types of SMPS
18 Compare integral cycle control and phase control in AC voltage controller.
19 Generalize a positive converter group in cyclo - converter.
20 Mention the advantages of matrix converter overconventional converter.
21. Draw and describe the circuit diagram of single-phase AC voltage controller with RL load.
Explain the circuit operation with necessary waveforms.
22. Describe the operation of two stage sequence control of Ac voltage controller.
23. Describe the operating principle of single phase to single phase cyclo - converter with
continuous and discontinuous load current with circuit and waveform.
24. Write a short note on the following
(i) Integral cycle control.
Step-up cyclo – converter
25. Discuss the operation of three phase to three phase cyclo -converter with neat diagram
and waveforms.
26. What is the importance of power factor control in aconverter? Explain it in details.
Write a short note on Matrix converter.
27 A single-phase full wave AC voltage controller has aninput voltage of 230V 50Hz and it
is feeding a resistive load of 10 Ohms. If the firing angle of thyristor is 110 degrees.
Calculate the output RMS voltage, input powerfactor and average current of thyristor.
28 A single-phase voltage controller has input voltage of 230V 50Hz and a load of R=15 Ohm.
For 6 cycles ON and 4 cycles OFF. Calculate
i)RMS output voltage.
ii) Input power factor.
iii) Average and rms thyristor currents.
29 A resistive load of 5 Ohm is fed through a single-phase fullwave AC voltage controller from
230V 50 Hz source. If the firing angle of thyristor is 120 degrees. Calculate the
(i) Output RMS voltage.
(ii) Input power factor.
(iii)Average current of thyristor.
30 (i) Explain about the construction and working principles of HVDC Systems and also
explain about its types
ii) Explain about the working of Welding and its effects
31 With the aid of circuit diagram and waveform explain the operation of power factor
control in Ac voltage regulator.
 32 Explain with circuit diagram and waveform the principle ofoperation of three phase AC
voltage controller with neat diagram.
33 Explain the working principle of SMPS and discuss about its industrial applications
34 Design a converter circuit for FACTS Devices and explainthe operation with a neat
diagram.

UNIT-5: Inverters
1. List the various advantages of using PWM control of
2. What is the advantage of 120 ᵒ mode of inverter operation
3. Define space vector modulation.
4. Tell why diodes should be connected in antiparallel
5. What is harmonic elimination by PWM?
6. What is meant by voltage source inverter?
7. Express the applications of a CSI.
8. Discuss PWM control and types of PW techniques.
9. What is a current source inverter?
10 What are the advantages of PWM control in inverter?
11 What is the function of feedback diodes in bridge inverter?
12 Show the methods of reduction of harmonic content.
13 What are the main differences between voltage-source andcurrent source inverters?
14 Compare SPWM and SVM
15 Differentiate CSI and VSI.
16 List the application of Inverters
17 What is meant by space vector modulation
18 Evaluate the disadvantages of the harmonics present in the
inverter system?
19 Why thyristors are not preferred for Inverter?
20 State the necessity of return current diodes in inverter.
21. Describe the operation of 3 phase bridge inverter for 120-degree mode of operation with
aid of relevant phase and line voltage waveforms.
22. Describe the principle of operation of 3 phase voltage source inverter with 180˚conduction
mode with necessary waveforms and circuits. Also obtain the expression for line-to-line
voltage.
23. State the different methods of voltage control of inverters. Also describe about PWM
control.
24. Describe in detail, the various types of PWM methodsavailable for voltage control
employed in an inverter.
25. Explain the SPWM and modified SPWM techniques for inverter switching.
26. Describe the operation of 3 phase bridge inverter for 180-degree mode of operation with
aid of relevant phase and line voltage waveforms.
27. Explain the Principle of operation of 3-phase auto sequentially commutated CSI with
power circuit. Draw the equivalent circuits and relevant waveforms.
28. Examine the operation of single-phase capacitor
commutated CSI with R load.
29. Demonstrate the working of a single-phase full bridge inverter supplying R, RL loads with
 relevant circuit and waveforms.
30 Explain Multiple PWM.
Explain Sinusoidal PWM.
31 Explain the different methods of voltage control adopted inan inverter with suitable
waveforms.
32 With neat diagram explain the need for space vector modulations employed in inverters
also explain the advantage SPVWM over other technique employed in inverters.
33 Explain in detail the different types of harmonic control ofinverters.
34 Design a circuit diagram and explain the operation of modified MacMurray half bridge
Inverter with different mode of operation.