Paper Dc Chopper

This Paper Was Compiled To Fulfill The Task Of Power Electronics

Program Study Diploma IV Power Generation Technology
Politechnic State Of Bandung
Created By :

No Name NIM
1 Bayu Arga Nugraha 161724004
2 Deyfan Satria Wibawa 161724005
3 Dian Septa 161724006
4 Gian bakti gumilar 161724010
5 Khanif Wahyuningtyas 161724012
6 Kurnia Ilham Fathoni 161724013
7 M. fachrul Amarullah 161724014
8 Wil Dima Muzi 161724030
9 Zefa Fahriza Adriansyah 161724031

Lecturer :

Dr. Ir Hermagasantos Zein M.Sc

ENERGY CONVERSATION DEPARTMENT

BANDUNG STATE POLITECHNIC
2018
 Abstract
DC to DC converter is very much needed nowadays as many industrial applications are
dependent upon DC voltage source. The performance of these applications will be improved
if we use a variable DC supply. It will help to improve controllability of the equipments also.
Examples of such applications are subway cars, trolley buses, battery operated vehicles etc.
We can control and vary a constant DC voltage with the help of a chopper.
Keywords: DC Chopper, Converter, Buck Conventer, Boost converter, Buck-boost converter

I. INTRODUCTION
A dc chopper is a dc-to-dc voltage converter. It is a static switching electrical
appliance that in one electrical conversion, changes an input fixed dc voltage to an adjustable
dc output voltage without inductive or capacitive intermediate energy storage. The name
chopper is connected with the fact that the output voltage is a ‘chopped up’ quasi-rectangular
version of the input dc voltage. Thyristor devices were used in conjunction with an ac supply
that forces thyristor turn-off at ac supply current reversal. This form of thyristor natural
commutation, is termed line or source commutation. When a dc source is used with a
thyristor circuit, energy source facilitated commutation is clearly not possible. If the load is
an R-C or L-C circuit the load current falls to zero whence the thyristor in series with the dc
supply turns off. Such a natural turn-off process is termed load commutation. If the supply is
dc and the load current has no natural zero current periods, such as with the R-L load, dc
chopper circuit, the load current can only be commutated using a selfcommutating switch,
such as a GTO thyristor, GCT, IGBT or MOSFET. An SCR is not suitable since once
the device is latched on in this dc supply application, it remains on. This single-ended,
grounded-load, dc chopper will be extensively analysed.

Symbol of a Chopper

II. METHOD

1. Classification of Choppers
Depending on the voltage output, choppers are classified as −

 Step Up chopper (boost converter)

 Step Down Chopper(Buck converter)
 Step Up/Down Chopper (Buck-boost converter)

1.1 Step Up Chopper

The average voltage output (Vo) in a step up chopper is greater than the
voltage input (Vs). The figure below shows a configuration of a step up chopper.
Current and Voltage Waveforms

V0 (average voltage output) is positive when chopper is switched ON and negative

when the chopper is OFF as shown in the waveform below.

Where

TON – time interval when chopper is ON

TOFF – time interval when chopper is OFF

VL – Load voltage

Vs – Source voltage

T – Chopping time period = TON + TOFF

Vo is given by −

1 𝑇 𝑂𝑁
𝑉𝑜 = ∫ 𝑉𝑠 𝑑𝑡
𝑇 0
 When the chopper (CH) is switched ON, the load is short circuited and, therefore,
the voltage output for the period TON is zero. In addition, the inductor is charged
during this time. This gives VS = VL

𝑑𝑖 ∆𝑖 𝑉𝑠
𝐿 = 𝑉𝑠, =
𝑑𝑡 𝑇𝑂𝑁 𝐿
𝑉𝑠
Hence, ∆𝑖 = TON
𝐿

Δi = is the inductor peak to peak current. When the chopper (CH) is OFF, discharge
occurs through the inductor L. Therefore, the summation of the Vs and VL is given
as follows −

Vo = VS + VL, VL = Vo−VS

𝑑𝑖
But 𝐿 𝑑𝑡 = Vo - VS

∆𝑖
Thus, 𝐿 𝑇 𝑂𝐹𝐹 = Vo - VS

Vo − VS
This gives, ∆𝑖 = TOFF
𝐿

Equating Δi from ON state to Δi from OFF state gives −

𝑉𝑠 Vo − VS
TON = TOFF , VS (TON + TOFF) = VOTOFF
𝐿 𝐿

𝑇𝑉𝑠 𝑉𝑠
Vo = 𝑇 = (𝑇+𝑇𝑂𝑁 )
𝑂𝐹𝐹
𝑇

This give the average voltage output as,

𝑉𝑠−1
Vo = 𝐷

The above equation shows that Vo can be varied from VS to infinity. It proves that
the output voltage will always be more than the voltage input and hence, it boosts up
or increases the voltage level.

1.2 Step Down Chopper

This is also known as a buck converter. In this chopper, the average voltage
output VO is less than the input voltage VS. When the chopper is ON, VO = VS and
when the chopper is off, VO = 0V

When the chopper is ON −

𝑑𝑖 ∆𝑖
VS = ( VL + VO ), VL = VS – VO, L𝑑𝑡 = VS – VO, L𝑇 = VS + VO
𝑂𝑁

Thus, peak-to-peak current load is given by,

 𝑉𝑠−𝑉𝑜
∆𝑖 = TON
𝐿

Circuit Diagram

Where FD is free-wheel diode.

When the chopper is OFF, polarity reversal and discharging occurs at the inductor.
The current passes through the free-wheel diode and the inductor to the load. This
gives,

𝑑𝑖
L𝑑𝑡 = VO........................................(i)

∆𝑖
Rewritten as −L𝑇 = VO
𝑂𝐹𝐹

𝑇𝑂𝐹𝐹
Δi=VO ...................................(ii)
𝐿

Equating equations (i) and (ii) gives;

𝑉𝑠−𝑉𝑜 𝑉𝑜
TON = TOFF
𝐿 𝐿

𝑉𝑠−𝑉𝑜 𝑇𝑂𝐹𝐹
=
𝑉𝑜 𝑇𝑂𝑁

𝑉𝑠 𝑇𝑂𝑁 −𝑇 𝑂𝐹𝐹
=
𝑉𝑜 𝑇𝑂𝑁

The above equation gives;

𝑇𝑂𝑁
VO = VS = DVS
𝑇

Equation (i) gives −

𝑉𝑆−𝐷𝑉𝑠 𝑇𝑂𝑁
Δi = 𝐿
DT, from D = 𝑇
 𝑉𝑠−( 1−𝐷 )𝐷
= 𝐿𝑓

1
f = = chopping frequency
𝑇

Current and Voltage Waveforms

The current and voltage waveforms are given below −

For a step down chopper the voltage output is always less than the voltage input.
This is shown by the waveform below.

1.3 Step Up/Step Down Chopper

This is also known as a buck-boost converter. It makes it possible to increase
or reduce the voltage input level. The diagram below shows a buck-boost chopper.

When the chopper is switched ON, the inductor L becomes charged by the source
voltage Vs. Therefore, Vs = VL.

𝑑𝑖
L𝑑𝑡 = Vs
𝑉𝑠 𝑉𝑠 𝑇𝑂𝑁 𝐷𝑉𝑠
Δi = TON = T =
𝐿 𝐿 𝑇 𝐿𝑓

Because −
𝑇𝑂𝑁 1
D= and f = 𝑇..............................................(iii)
𝑇
 When the chopper is switched OFF, the inductor’s polarity reverses and this
causes it to discharge through the diode and the load.

Hence,

VO = −VL
𝑑𝑖
L𝑑𝑡 = −Vo

∆𝑖 𝑉𝑜𝐿
L𝑇 = - VO, thus Δi = - 𝑇 ................................(iv)
𝑂𝐹𝐹 𝑂𝐹𝐹

Evaluating equation (iii) and (iv) gives −

𝐷𝑉𝑠 𝑉𝑜
=− TOFF, DVS = −DVS = − VOTOFFf
𝐿𝑓 𝐿

𝑇 − 𝑇𝑂𝑁 𝑇𝑂𝑁 𝐷𝑉𝑠

DVS = −Vo = −VO (1 − ), VO = − 1−𝐷
𝑇 𝑇

𝑇𝑂𝑁 𝑇−𝑇𝑂𝐹𝐹
Because D= =
𝑇 1−𝐷

This gives,

𝐷𝑉𝑠
VO = 1−𝐷

D can be varied from 0 to 1. When, D = 0; VO = 0

When D = 0.5, VO = VS

When, D = 1, VO = ∞.

Hence, in the interval 0 ≤ D ≤ 0.5, output voltage varies in the range 0 ≤ VO < VS
and we get step down or Buck operation. Whereas, in the interval 0.5 ≤ D ≤ 1,
output voltage varies in the range VS ≤ VO ≤ ∞ and we get step up or Boost
operation.

2. Control Method
In a converter, there are two basic methods of control used to vary the output voltage.
These are −

 Time ratio control

 Current limit control

Time Ratio Control

𝑇 𝑂𝑁
In time ratio control, a constant k given by 𝑇

is varied. The constant k is called duty ratio. Time ratio control can be achieved in
two ways –
 Constant Frequency

In this control method, the frequency ( f = 1/TON) is kept constant while the ON time
T is varied. This is referred to as pulse width modulation (PWM).

Variable Frequency

In variable frequency technique, the frequency (f = 1/TON) is varied while the ON

time T is kept constant. This is referred to as the frequency modulation control.

Current Limit Control

In a DC to DC converter, the value of the current varies between the maximum as

well as the minimum level for continuous voltage. In this technique, the chopper
(switch in a DC to DC converter) is switched ON and then OFF to ensure that current
is kept constant between the upper and lower limits. When the current goes beyond
the maximum point, the chopper goes OFF.

While the switch is at its OFF state, current freewheels via the diode and drops in an
exponential manner. The chopper is switched ON when the current reaches the
minimum level. This method can be used either when the ON time T is constant or
when the frequency (f = 1/T).

3. STUDI CASE

3.1 DC to DC Converters Solved Example

A step up chopper has an input voltage of 150V. The voltage output needed is
450V. Given, that the thyristor has a conducting time of 150μseconds. Calculate the
chopping frequency.

Solution –

The chopping frequency (f)

1
f=𝑇

Where T – Chopping time period = TON + TOFF

Given − VS = 150V VO = 450V TON = 150μsec

𝑇
VO = VS 𝑇−𝑇 𝑂𝑁

𝑇
450 = 150𝑇− 150−6T = 225μsec

1
Therfore, f = 225 𝑥 10−6 = 4.44 KHz
 The new voltage output, on condition that the operation is at constant
frequency after the halving the pulse width.

Halving the pulse width gives −

150 𝑥 10−6
TON = = 75μsec
2
The frequency is constant thus,
f = 4.44 KHz
1
T = 𝑓 = 150μsec

The voltage output is given by −

𝑇 150 𝑥 10−6
VO = Vs ( ) = 150× (( ) = 300Volts
𝑇− 𝑇𝑂𝑁 150−75 ) 𝑥 10−6

4. ANALYSIS

4.1 Step Up Chopper

Figure below shows the Circuit Diagram and Waveform of step up chopper.

• Step-up chopper is used to obtain a load voltage higher than the input voltage V.
• The values of L and C are chosen depending upon the requirement of output voltage and
current.
• When the chopper is ON, the inductor L is connected across the supply. The inductor
current ‘I’ rises and the inductor stores energy during the ON time of the chopper, tON.
• When the chopper is off, the inductor current I is forced to flow through the diode D and
load for a period, tOFF.
• The current tends to decrease resulting in reversing the polarity of induced EMF in L.
Therefore voltage across load is given by,

Hence, V0 > V.
 4.2 Step Down Chopper

Step down chopper for R load

Figure below shows the Circuit Diagram and Waveform of resistive load step down chopper.

• The thyristor in the circuit acts as a switch.

• When thyristor is ON, supply voltage appears across the load
• When thyristor is OFF, the voltage across the load will be zero.
The average output voltage is given as,

- Where, D is duty cycle = TON/T.

TON can be varied from 0 to T, so 0 ≤ D ≤ 1.

- nHence output voltage VO can be varied from0 to VS.

- Therefore effective input resistance is given by,

 - So, we can conclude that output voltage is always less than the input voltage and
hence the name step down chopper is justified. The output voltage and current
waveform of step down chopper with resistive load is shown in above figure.

Step down chopper RL load

Figure below shows the Circuit Diagram and Waveform of highly inductive load step
down chopper.

• A buck converter (dc-dc) is shown in above figure.

• a diode (termed as freewheeling) is used to allow the load current to flow through it,
when the switch (i.e., a device) is turned off. The load is inductive (R-L) one.
• Also a diode (termed as freewheeling) is used to allow the load current to flow
through it, when the switch (i.e., a device) is turned off. The load is inductive (R-L)
one
• Due to the load inductance, the load current must be allowed a path, which is
provided by the diode; otherwise, i.e., in the absence of the above diode, the high
induced emf of the inductance, as the load current tends to decrease, may cause
damage to the switching device. If the switching device used is a thyristor, this circuit
 is called as a step-down chopper, as the output voltage is normally lower than the
input voltage.
• When chopper is ON, supply is connected across load. Current flows from supply to
load.
• When chopper is OFF, load current continues to flow in the same direction through
FWD due to energy stored in inductor‘L’.
• Load current can be continuous or discontinuous depending on the values of ‘L’ and
duty cycle ‘d’ For a continuous current operation, load current varies between two
limits Imax and Imin
• When current becomes equal to Imax the chopper is turned-off and it is turned-on
when current reduces to Imin.
Average output Voltage is given by,

5. CONCLUSION
A dc chopper is a dc-to-dc voltage converter. Depending on the voltage
output, choppers are classified as − Step Up chopper (boost converter), Step Down
Chopper(Buck converter), Step Up/Down Chopper (Buck-boost converter)

6. Refference
https://www.tutorialspoint.com/power_electronics/power_electronics_choppers.htm

Rashid, H. Muhammad. 2018. Power Electronics Handbook. Fourth Edition. Oxford:

Elsavier

Hart, W. Daniel. 2011. Power Electronics. New York: McGraw-Hill