QUESTION 1

a) Two power supplies A and B are available in the market. Power supply A has no-
load and full-load voltages of 20V and 18V respectively whereas these values are 30V
and 16V for power supply B. Which one is a better power supply? [5 marks]
(( 𝑉𝑛𝑜 𝑙𝑜𝑎𝑑 – 𝑉𝑓𝑢𝑙𝑙 𝑙𝑜𝑎𝑑 ) / 𝑉𝑓𝑢𝑙𝑙 𝑙𝑜𝑎𝑑 ) x 100
20−18 30−16
a. 𝑥 100 = 11.11 % a. 𝑥 100 = 87.5%
18 16

Supply A is better that supplies B because it have lower % which shows that the
regulated output voltage is closer to the input voltage.

b) Define the following terms as used in power engineering and in each case suggest a
device or component which achieves the function [6 marks]
i. Voltage transformation: Change of voltage from one level to another level. A
transformer converts an alternating (A/C) current of a certain voltage to an
alternating current of different voltage, without change of frequency, by
electromagnetic induction. A 'step up' transformer receives a low voltage and
converts into a higher voltage, and a 'step down' transformer does just the
reverse.
ii. Line Regulation: Line regulation is the ability of the power supply to maintain its
specified output voltage over changes in the input line voltage. It is expressed as
percentage of change in the output voltage relative to the change in the input line
voltage, voltage regulators can be used.

iii. Load Regulation: Load regulation is the ability of the power supply to maintain its
specified output voltage given changes in the load. This does not mean the tolerance
applies when there are sudden changes in load, it means over the permissible load
range the regulation can change by this amount, voltage regulators can be used.

QUESTION 2
Describe with the aid of diagrams the principle of operation of a:
a. Shunt regulator circuit [10 marks]
 • The unregulated input voltage provides current to the circuit.
• Some of the current is pulled away by the control element.
• If the load voltage tries to change due to a change in the load resistance,
the sampling circuit provides a feedback signal to a comparator.
• The resulting difference voltage then provides a control signal to vary the
amount of the current shunted away from the load to maintain the regulated
output voltage across the load.
b. Series regulator circuit. [10 marks]

• Control element in series with load between input and output.

• Output sample circuit senses a change in output voltage.
• Error detector compares sample voltage with reference voltage → causes
control element to compensate in order to maintain a constant output voltage.

QUESTION 3
a) Describe, with the aid of a well labelled diagram the principle of operation of a
switched mode power supply (SMPS). [10 marks]

 . The ac supply is first rectified, and then filtered by the input reservoir
capacitor to produce a rough dc input supply.
 The unregulated dc is fed directly to the central block of the supply, the high
frequency power switching section. Fast switching power semiconductor
 devices such as MOSFETs or Bipolars are driven on and off, and switch the
input voltage across the primary of the power transformer.
 The voltage pulses with suitable magnitude and duty ratio appears on the
transformer secondaries. This voltage pulses is appropriately rectified, and
then smoothed by the output filter, which is either a capacitor or capacitor /
inductor arrangement, depending upon the topology used.
 This transfer of power has to be carried out with the lowest losses possible, to
maintain efficiency.
 Regulation of the output to provide a stabilised dc supply is carried out by the
control / feedback block.
b) Evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of SMPS compared with series and
shunt regulator circuits. [6 marks]
Advantages Disadvantages
In SMPS the transistor operates They are complex circuits while linear
as a switch, and therefore this
regulators are simple and easy to use.
power supply is much more
efficient . A linear power supply
it operates with a voltage
divider that constantly changes
resistance to regulate the
output voltage
high power density (small size)
The linear regulator feedback loop is usually
and lighter compared to linear
internal, so no external compensation is
regulators.
required. Typically, linear regulators have
wider control loop bandwidth and faster
transient response than that of SMPS.
low power dissipation and are
It have higher ripple due to the transistor that
the main reasons for designers to
is switching on and off while Linear regulators
use SMPS instead of linear
have very low output voltage ripple because
regulators
there are no elements switching on and off
frequently.
It have wide output range higher output voltage if failure occurs

Low heat generation in SMSP It can be used only as a step down regulator.
c) Describe any three faults which may occur in a SMPS. [6 marks]
Power switching components damaged, capacitors leaking or damaged , fuse
blowout , soldering of components during repair not well done (might be loose or
attached to other lines of connections) , transformers faults etc.
QUESTION 4
Determine the output voltage for the regulator below. [5 marks]

R2
Vout = (1 + ) × Vref
R3
10
Vout = (1 + ) × 6.7 V
10

Vout = 13.4 V

QUESTION 5

Suppose you want a power supply that should have a + 12 and -12 terminals, what
number of fixed voltage regulator should can be use? [2 marks]

7812 and 7912