12/4/2010

DC – DC CONVERTER
(DC – CHOPPER)

ASNIL
ELEKTRO FT UNP

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BLOCK DIAGRAM OF DC‐DC CONVERTERS

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A chopper is a static device which is used to obtain a 
variable dc voltage from a constant dc voltage source A
variable dc voltage from a constant dc voltage source. A 
chopper is also known as dc‐to‐dc converter. The 
thyristor converter offers greater efficiency, faster 
response, lower maintenance, smaller size and smooth 
control Choppers are widely used in trolley cars
control. Choppers are widely used in trolley cars, 
battery operated vehicles, traction motor control, 
control of large number of dc motors, etc….. They are 
also used in regenerative braking of dc motors to return 
energy back to supply and also as dc voltage regulators
energy back to supply and also as dc voltage regulators.

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Choppers are of two types:
Step‐down choppers
Step‐up choppers

In step‐down choppers, the output voltage will be less than the

input voltage whereas in step‐up choppers output voltage will be
more than the input voltage.

PRINCIPLE OF STEP‐DOWN
PRINCIPLE OF STEP DOWN CHOPPER
CHOPPER
Chopper
i0
+

V R V0

−
Fig. 2.1:  Step‐down Chopper with Resistive Load

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Figure 2.1 shows a step‐down chopper with resistive load.

The thyristor in the circuit acts as a switch. When thyristor is ON,
supply voltage appears across the load and when thyristor is OFF,
the voltage across the load will be zero. The output voltage and
current waveforms are as shown in figure 2.2.
v0
V

Vdc

t
tON tOFF
i0

V/R
Idc
d

t
T

Fig. 2.2: Step-down choppers — output voltage and current waveforms

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STEP‐DOWN CHOPPER WITH R‐L LOAD

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CLASSIFICATION OF CHOPPERS
Choppers are classified as follows
‐ Class A Chopper
‐ Class B Chopper
pp
‐ Class C Chopper
‐ Class D Chopper
‐ Class E Chopper

CLASS A CHOPPER

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CLASS B CHOPPER

Fig. 2.16:  Class B Chopper

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CLASS C CHOPPER

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CLASS D CHOPPER

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CLASS E CHOPPER

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Exercise
A Chopper circuit is operating on TRC at a
frequency of 2 kHz on a 460 V supply. If the load
voltage is 350 volts, calculate the conduction
period of the thyristor in each cycle.
cycle

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