Chapter 5 Introduction to Solar Photovoltaic Components and Systems

5.5 DC-DC Converters

DC-DC converters (DDC) are the devices used to derive DC voltage of higher or
lower magnitude from the fixed input DC voltage. DDC are generally used to power
electronic devices that operate from the voltage other than the system voltage of solar
PV. For example, a radio/cassette player requiring 6V DC is to be operated from 12
V storage battery of the solar PV system. The radio will be damaged instantly if
connected directly to the 12 V batteries. The only option would be first to down
convert the 12 V DC to 6 V DC and then operate the radio. Similarly, a 24 V DC
operated ink-jet printer can be operated from 12 V batteries by the use of appropriate
DDC.

Basic Principles of DC-DC Conversion

There could be two versions of DC-DC conversion: from lower DC to higher DC (e.g.
from 12 V to 24 V) or from higher DC to lower DC (e.g. from 12 V to 6 V). The first
type of DDC is also called up-converter where as the second type is referred to as
down- converter.

The simplest form down-converter type DDC can be implemented using a resistor in
series between the source and load (fig. 5.5.1).

6V

Rs
12 V DC in 6V Rl (Load)

Fig. 5.5.1 Simple down converter type DDC

In the above figure, the 12 V DC input is converted into 6 V output by dropping extra
6 V in a series resistor Rs. This arrangement is simple but its efficiency is very low as
the power is dissipated in series resistor as heat. Down-converter types DDC are
easily available as integrated circuit (IC) package. The output voltage of these IC can
be adjusted from fixed low voltage to voltage nearly equal to the input DC voltage by
use of an external potentiometer.

The up-converter type DDC is more complex in design. The input DC is first
converted into the AC by switching on and off in pre-determined interval and then this
switched AC is up-converted by voltage booster. Finally, the higher magnitude AC is
rectified to get required DC level (fig. 5.5.2). The feed-back from the output is
provided to the switch control circuit to maintain the constant output DC level
irrespective of the load (of course in the given limit of change in load resistance). The
magnitude of the output voltage can be varied by varying the ratio between on and off
times of the switch. The switch and output level control circuit is available as IC
package.

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Feed-back
Switch
control

Low
DC In

High
Switching circuit Voltage magnitude Rectifier DC Out
booster

Fig. 5.5.2 Functional diagram of up-converter type DDC

Solid state DDC is also available in the market in the form of a slab. In this type of
DDC, the input and output voltage levels are fixed.

Basic parameters of DDC

The basic parameters of a DDC are:

 Input voltage range- It is the range of input DC voltage within which the DDC
produces steady output voltage
 Output voltage regulation – It is the range of swing of output voltage when the
output load current changes from zero to maximum permissible value
 Efficiency – It is the ratio of output power delivered to the load and the input
power drawn from the source
 Rated output current – It is maximum current that the DDC can deliver to the
load.
 Radio Frequency Interference (RFI) level – This parameter indicates the level
of interference made to other electronic devices from the operation of DDC.

Other parameters may include operating environmental conditions, safety measures,

alarms etc.

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Review Questions

1. The specific gravity of a lead acid battery with 50% state of charge (SOC) is
around

a. 1.320
b. 1.250
c. 1.110
d. 1.190

2. The condition of a flooded lead acid battery in which the specific gravity
decreases from top to the bottom of the cell is called

a. sulfation
b. formation
c. stratification
d. corrosion

3. A 100 Ah capacity fully charged battery is discharged at 5 A rate for 8 hours.

The depth of discharge of the battery after this period is

a. 40%
b. 5%
c. 60%
d. 8%

4. One of the followings is not the essential parameter of a charge regulator

a. High Voltage Reconnect

b. Total Harmonic Distortion
c. Radio Frequency Interference
d. Reverse Leakage Current

5. The magnitude of reverse leakage current in the charge regulator should be

a. few Amperes
b. few milli-Amperes
c. negligible
d. few milli-Volts

6. The minimum level illuminance required for comfortable reading is

a. 50 Lux
b. 10 Lux
c. 200 Lux
d. 2000 Lux

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7. Typical efficiency of a good inverter should be over

a. 50%
b. 80%
c. 60%
d. 75%

8. An electronic device that converts DC voltage of one magnitude to the DC

voltage of another magnitude is called

a. Inverter
b. Converter
c. Charge Regulator
d. Ballast

9. A 20 Watt Tube light operated from 12 V DC supply is turned on for 5 hours.

Calculate the energy consumed (in Ah) by the light.

10. Select the appropriate inverter (i.e. the VA rating, input voltage, output
voltage, output frequency) to operate a 29" color television and a laptop
computer that requires 200V AC supply at 50 Hz.

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