KENYA TECHNICAL TRAINERS COLLEGE

DEPARTMENT OF ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING

TRADE PROJECT REPORT

PROJECT TITLE
D.C TO A.C POWER INVERTER
COURSE
DIPLOMA IN ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING
AUTHOR:
STUDENT NUMBER: 2015EE31895
SUPERVISOR:
YEAR OF PRESENTATION: 2021

1
 DECLARATION
I hereby declare that this trade project is my original
work and has never been submitted for the same award
to the department of electrical engineering or elsewhere.
Name:

Signature:

Date:
Supervisor’s name:
Signature:
Date:

2
 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
I thank God for taking me for this in my endeavors .I am grateful
to all who played a part in making this project and course
successful, especially my project supervisors. MR Kinyanjui for
his guidance on how to carry out the project, all Kenya Technical
trainers lectures and My spouse sister Esther for her moral
support and patience during the course.

3
Table of Contents
DECLARATION ii
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT ii
PREFACE ii
CHAPTER ONE 2
INTRODUCTION 2
RESEARCH METHODS 2
AIM AND OBJECTIVES 2
SCOPE OF THE PROJECT 2
LIMITATIONS OF THE PROJECT 2
SPECIFICATIONS OF THE PROJECT 2
BLOCK DIAGRAM OF POWER INVERTER 2
I. POWER SUPPLY(12V D.C) 2
II. ASTABLE OSCILLATOR (50HZ) 2
III. POWER AMPLIFIER (PUSH PULL) 2
IV. A.C LOAD 2
LITERATURE REVIEW 2
POWER SUPPLY 2
A STABLE OSCILLATOR (MULTIVIBRATOR) 2
DISCRETE COMPONENTS ASTABLE OSCILLATOR 2
CIRCULT OPERATION 2
SWITCHING TIMES 2
ADVANTAGES OF DISCREATE OSCILLATOR 2
DISADVANTAGES OF DISCREATE OSCILLATOR 2
INTEGRATED CIRCULT OSCILLATOR (555 TIMES) 2
CIRCULT OPERATION 2
POWER AMPLIFIER 2
SINGLE-PHASE THYRISTOR INVERTER 2
OPERATION OF THE CIRCUIT 2
ADVANTAGES OF THYRISTOR INVERTER 2
DISADVANTAGES OF THYRISTOR INVERTER 2
SINGLE PHASE TRANSISTOR INVERTER 2

4
 BRIDGE CONNECTED TRANSISTOR INVERTER 2
2
Fig 7 Bridge transistor inverter 2
CIRCUIT OPERATION 2
PUSH PULL CENTRE TAPPED TRANSISTOR INVERTER 2
CURRENT GAIN FOR DACLINTON PAIR 2
Fig 9 output waveform of inductive load 2
CIRCUIT OPERATION 2
POWER AND EFFICIENCY OF PUSH PULL TRANSISTOR INVERTER 2
ADVANTAGES OF PUSH PULL TRANSISTOR OVER BRIDGE INVERTER 2
DISADVANTAGES OF PUSH PULL TRANSISTOR INVERTER 2
ADVANTAGES OF BIPOLAR TRANSISTOR INVERVER OVER THYRISTOR INVERTERS 2
DISADVANTAGES OF BIPOLAR TRANSISTOR INVERTERS OVER THYRISTOR INVERTERS 2
OUTPUT TRANSFORMER 2
TYPES OF TRANSFORMERS 2
A.C LOAD 2
CHAPTER TWO 2
DESIGN AND ANALYSIS 2
POWER SUPPLY 2
ASTABLE OSCILLATOR 2
POWER AMPLIFIER 2
OUTPUT TRANSFORMER 2
AC LOAD 2
complete circuit diagram of DC to AC power inverter 2
Error! Bookmark not defined.
2
WORKING OF THE WHOLE PROJECT 2
2
Layout of the project fabricated heat sink (pointed black) 2
List of the components 2
CHAPTER THREE 2
TEST RESULTS 2
CONCLUSION 2

5
RECOMMENDATION 2
COST OF COMPONENTS 2
REFERENCES 2

6
7
 PREFACE
This project is divided into three main parts:
✔ Literature review
✔ Design and Analysis
✔ Test Results, Recommendation and conclusion
Mathematical expressive, practical circuit diagram relevant areas have
been shown clearly in different areas photocopies of relevant areas
from the manufactures data sheet form the Appendix of this project.
Throughout the project effort was made to achieve the set project
objective. Design and construction of the project was aimed at solving
the problem of unavailability, failure and increasing cost of electricity in
Kenya.
More research and medication of the constructed project is required
to achieve the set objectives fully. Due to time and unavailability of
testing equipment like cathode ray oxilloxopes modification was not
possible within the set time.
In summary alternative sources of electricity can be a solution to
power problems many Kenyans face .More research is needed in this
area

8
 CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
Currently cases of power failure, rationing frequent rise in cost of
electricity and lack of electrical energy in rural areas has impaired
economic growth .Due to this problem small and large industries have been
affected .To avoid this problems there is need for Kenyan’s to use
alternative sources of energy which is cheaper, reliable, efficient and
environment friendly.

Electricity can be obtained from small diesel generators but they have a
problem of high running cost and pollution. Another source of electricity is
solar energy .This is cheaper, highly reliable, and efficient and environment
friendly .Solar energy utilization required batteries and power inverters.

An inverter is a device that changes D.C power to A.C power .The

inversion process can be achieved with the help of transistors, silicon
controlled rectifiers (SCR’s) and tunnel diodes in this project transistors
have been used.

Transistor inverters have various advantages over thruster inverter

(SCR’S) some of these are simplicity of control circuitry, high efficiency
,high switching speed and greater reliability . SCR inverters must have
triggering and communication circuitry, this makes them very expensive.

1
 RESEARCH METHODS
Before coming up with this project idea, research was carried out and a lot
of data gathered from books to meet the set objectives. I carried out a feasibility
study in my home area (Rural) and also in urban areas (Mombasa).This study
showed that lighting, small power tools and equipment were powered through
inverters.

Most families in rural areas were using solar panels and batteries for lighting
with power inverters so they were able to power some tools by using solar energy.
I conducted a survey in Mombasa town to know the cost of batteries and solar
panels. The cost of the solar panel and battery was not very high.

Information concerning the project was collected from libraries at N.Y.S Technical
College and Kenya Technical Teachers college (K.T.T.C).

AIM AND OBJECTIVES

AIM
The aim of the project was to design, construct and test a D.C to A.c power
inverter.
OBJECTIVES
1. Carrying out test on electronic devices
2. Installing various components and noting their characteristics
3. Providing a cheaper ,efficient environment friendly source of A.C
energy,(converter) from D.C

2
SCOPE OF THE PROJECT
This project is an improvement of projects(inverters)which are in the
market .The main advantages of the project (inverter) compared to those in
the market include simplicity in design, highly reliable, lower maintenance
cost and highly efficient .Inverters in the market have complicated design
which make them very expensive .The main disadvantage with this inverter
(project) is that it needs large Centre tapped Transformer which makes the
inverter heavy for higher rating (above 300 watts).
LIMITATIONS OF THE PROJECT
In carrying out the research and designing of this project I faced the
following challenges
i. Times set to research, design, construct and compile the project was not
enough?
ii. The transformer required to give specified wattage was not available in the
market. This led to use of a smaller transformer for testing purposes.
iii. Measuring instruments like the Cathode ray oscilloscope were only in college
which were available for a short time (during the modules).
SPECIFICATIONS OF THE PROJECT
Input voltage 12V d.c
Output voltage 230V -240V ac
Operating frequency 50Hz
Output power 160 watts
Voltage regulation 4%
Operating temperature 50C-50

3
BLOCK DIAGRAM OF POWER INVERTER

I. POWER SUPPLY(12V D.C)

This part of the project supplies required d.c voltage to various blocks. This
ensures that desired output will be available at the output.

II. ASTABLE OSCILLATOR (50HZ)

This block consists of electronic devices connected to form a stable
multivibrator/oscillator at a frequency of 50Hz. The output from this block
is alternating and is fed at the input of power amplifiers (Push pull).

III. POWER AMPLIFIER (PUSH PULL)

Alternating voltage from the oscillator switches electronic devices in
alternating manner. The alternating signal is amplified to higher voltage
through a step up transformer.

IV. A.C LOAD

The transformer output gives alternating current which can drive A.C load within
the rating of the inverter.

4
 LITERATURE REVIEW
POWER SUPPLY
D.C Power supply can be obtained from various sources depending on the
application of the inverter. Some of these sources include batteries, regulated D.c
power supply from mains electricity.

The latter can be used if the inverter is aimed at giving frequency above or below
the supply frequency.

Battery power supply

Batteries are charged by a solar panel or any other source of energy. Advantages
of this source of power include.

▪ Simplicity
▪ Low power loss in the system
▪ Cheap since it can be obtained freely from nature e.g solar energy
▪ Can be connected in series or parallel according to power demand.
The main disadvantages of this method includes

✔ Requires a regulator to avoid discharging the battery fully.

✔ Batteries requires specialized care and maintenance
Regulated power supply

This kind of power supply can be used where an inverter is used to produce a.c of
different frequency from supply frequency.one main application of such inverters
include varying speed of induction motor.

5
This kind of supply has advantage stability of output since the mains supply is
constant at times unlike battery supply. The main disadvantage of this power
supply is that the power supply regulation network has to be available.

In this project d.c regulated power supply will be used for testing in the laboratory.

A STABLE OSCILLATOR (MULTIVIBRATOR)

A constantly alternating current is required at the input of the power amplifier.
This can be achieved by used of

i. Decreate components
ii. Integrated circuit

DISCRETE COMPONENTS ASTABLE OSCILLATOR

Free running relaxation oscillator can be achieved by use of transistors, resistors
and Capacitors.

Fig 4 free running relaxation oscillator

6
Transistors Q1 and Q2 are similar

When Q1 is On, Q2 is off and when Q2 is on, Q1 is off.

CIRCUIT OPERATION
When power is switched on, one transistor starts conducting before the other,
suppose Q1 starts conducting before Q2, the feedback system is such that Q1 Will
be rapidly driven to saturation and Q2 to cut-off.

Since Q1 is on saturation, the whole of VCC drops across RL2 VCE=0 and point A
is zero (or ground potential) point B is at VCC since Q2 is cut off .Capacitor C2 starts
to charge through R2 towards VCC. When the voltage across C2 rises, it starts
conducting and is soon driven to saturation. At this time point B is at Zero
potential since VCC2 is zero. This capacitor is enough to forward dais the transistor
Q1 which is soon driven to saturation. The process is repeated as long as the
power supply is on.

SWITCHING TIMES
OFF-Time for Q1,is T1 = 0.69R2C2 and that

OFF-Time of Q2 is T2=0.69R1C2

Total time = period of the wave

T=T1+T2=0.69(R1C1+R2C2)…………………………………………………………
………….EQ1

7
 If
R1+R2=R and C1=C2=C
Then
T=1/T
=1/1.38Rc
=0.7/RC----------------------------------------eq 2
The transistor behave as a switch and the purpose of resistor RL1and RL2 is to limit
the current through the transistor .i.e IC
When transistor is ON
𝑣𝑐𝑐
𝐼𝐶(𝑠𝑎𝑡) = 𝑅𝐿
…………………………………………………………………..EQ(iii)
When transistor is OFF
VCC=VCE………………………………………………………..Eq(iv)

8
Fig 2 output waveform of a stable oscillator(Discrete)

ADVANTAGES OF DISCRETE OSCILLATOR

i. Can be easily repaired(maintained)
ii. Can give a higher output current
iii. Any desired frequency can be obtained
DISADVANTAGES OF DISCRETE OSCILLATOR
I. Many components are used.
II. Higher power loss compared to integrated circuit oscillator

INTEGRATED CIRCUIT OSCILLATOR (555 TIMES)

A SSS timer can be used to get stable oscillators. This can be achieved by
connecting the IC as a stable multivibrator with the help of external passive
components.

Fig 3 555 Timer astable oscillator

9
 CIRCUIT OPERATION
When switch is On, C1 charges via RA and RB towards VCC, when the voltage
across C1 is discharged via RB towards ON, when the voltage across C1 falls to
1
3
𝑉𝐶𝐶, the circuit again charges state, the internal discharges and RB towards
VCC. Due to this a continuous train of pulses appears at the output (terminal 3).

Periodic time
1
𝑇= 𝐹
= (𝑅𝐴 + 2𝑅𝐵) 𝐶1𝑙𝑜𝑔𝑒 2
=0.693(RA+2RB)C…………………………eq v

1.44
F= (𝑅𝐴+2𝑅𝐵)𝐶
…………………………………………………. 𝑒𝑞 𝑣𝑖

T1=0.7(RA+RB)C

10
 T2=0.7RBC

Fig 4 output waveforms of astable multivibrator(555 Timer)

POWER AMPLIFIER
Electronic switches can be used to switch power to step up transformers to
achieve high alternating voltage from d.c source. These devices have enough
inversion of d.c voltage to form a.c at the output of the transformer.

SINGLE-PHASE THYRISTOR INVERTER

An alternating voltage to a load can be generated from a d.c source by use of
Centre-tapped transformer and switching thyristors( i.e push pull arrangement)

Fig 5 push pull Thyristor inverter

11
 Diodes D1 and D2 are feedback diodes, capacitor C
and inductor L form the parallel capacitor commutation circuit .The
triggering circuit has not been shown in the diagram for simplicity.

OPERATION OF THE CIRCUIT

When the thyristor is triggered to conduct, the d.c source voltage ,E.appears
across half primary winding .The capacitor sees voltage of 2E(hence charges to
2E).Assuming thyristor T1 to be On, the capacitor charges with polarity shown in
fig 4

5. When the thyristor T2 is switched ON, the voltage across T1 is reversed since
negative voltage of capacitor is connected to it .This switches thyristor T1 OFF. The
capacitor is charged in the opposite polarity when T2 is ON. Again switching T1 ON
reverses depending on frequency of triggering circuit.

An alternating voltage is dropped at the transformer primary which results to high

output voltage at the secondary part of the transformer.

12
 Fig 6 output waveform of thyristor inverter

ADVANTAGES OF THYRISTOR INVERTER

i. They can be used for high power applications
ii. Losses in the gate are low compared to losses in bipolar transistor
inverters.

DISADVANTAGES OF THYRISTOR INVERTER

I. They required complicated commutation and triggering circuits.
II. They are expensive compared to transistor inverters
III. Have low efficiency due to power losses in the commutation and
triggering circuits.
IV. They have higher harmonic content in the output waveforms.
V. Required protection to avoid false triggering caused by transients,
radiation, high voltage etc

SINGLE PHASE TRANSISTOR INVERTER

Transistor inverter can be either a bipolar junction, transistor or field effect
transistors. The connection can be push pull (single phase Centre tapped) or
bridge connection.

BRIDGE CONNECTED TRANSISTOR INVERTER

It consists of four transistors, bases of the transistors are tied to receive common
base current.

13
Fig 7 Bridge transistor inverter
CIRCUIT OPERATION
When base current is applied at the base of transistors T2 and T3 current flows
through the load in the direction. When base current is applied to the base of
transistors T1 and T4 current flows in reverse direction. The devices are switched
to saturation to avoid high power dissipation in the transistor.
If the load is inductive, the load voltage is reversed but not the current .The diodes
take the current at this time until the current is reversed.
PUSH PULL CENTRE TAPPED TRANSISTOR INVERTER
The two transistor receive signal opposite to each other at the base .The current
from oscillator is given by 𝐼𝐶 = ℎ𝐹𝐸𝐼𝐵 + 𝐼𝐶𝐸𝑂 = ℎ𝐹𝐸𝐹𝐵
………………………………………………………….EQ VI
Where
IC is collector current
IB is base current
14
 ICEO is leakage current
hfe is transistor gain
CURRENT GAIN FOR DACLINTON PAIR
Two transistor can be connected so that emitter of are directly joined to the base
oof the other this is done to improve the current gain and speed of response for
transistor i.e
(I+B1)(I+B2)=(I+B)2
Proof
𝐼𝐵2 = 𝐼𝐸1 = (1 + 𝐵). 𝐼𝐵. 1 = 𝐵1𝐼𝐵. 1

IE.2=B2.IB2=B1B2IBI
𝐼𝐸.2 2
𝐴𝑖 = 𝐼𝐵.𝐼
= 𝐵1𝐵2 = 𝐵 ………………………………………………EQ
(Vii)

Fig 8 push pull transistor inverter (Centre tapped transformer)

15
Fig 9 output waveform of inductive load

CIRCUIT OPERATION
As the input signal one from the oscillator goes high, the transistor Tr1 and Tr1
(Darlington pair) conducts through the transformer to ground. This causes a
voltage drop to appear in one Part of the transformer winding .When this input
goes low the other input goes high i.e input two.

This makes the transistor Tr3 and tr4 (Darlington) to conduct through the other
part of the transformer winding. This causes a voltage drop in the opposite
direction. Due to electromagnetic induction the transformer sees these opposite
signals (voltage drops) as alternating and transforms it to a higher voltage in the
secondary.

When the load is inductive the current lags the voltage and is not reversed when
the voltage reverses. The diode D1 takes the conduction of current when
transistor Tr and Tr goes off. Assuming siu joida output from the transformer the
waveform in the inductive load is as in fig above.
16
POWER AND EFFICIENCY OF PUSH PULL TRANSISTOR INVERTER
Considering figure 8 .Since the two transistor are identical (each darlington has a
similar transistor as the other.
𝐼𝐶1 = 𝐼𝐶2 = 𝐼𝐶

𝐼𝑚𝑎𝑥
𝐼𝐶 = π
……………………………………………………….. (vii)
Total d.c supply current I dc for the two transistor is
2𝐼𝑚𝑎𝑥
𝐼𝑑𝑐 = 2𝐼𝐶 = π
……………………………………………………..(ix)

D.c power input (pin Idc)

𝑝𝑖𝑛 𝑑𝑐 = 𝑣𝑐𝑐 * 𝐼𝑑𝑐
2𝐼𝑚𝑎𝑥*𝑉𝑐𝑐
= π
…………………………………………………………(x)
Let Vmax peak voltage at either collector, then peak load voltage is
𝑁
𝑉𝑚𝑎𝑥( 𝑁2 )
1

……………………………………………………………………….. (Xi)
𝑁
Peak load current to the load is 𝐼 𝑀𝐴𝑋( 𝑁1 )
2

………………………………………………………….. (Xii)
Then

17
 Ac power delivered to the load is

𝑣𝑚𝑎𝑥 𝑖𝑚𝑎𝑥 𝑣𝑚𝑎𝑥*𝐼𝑚𝑎𝑥

Po (dc) = * = 2
2 2
……………………………………………………………… (xiii)

Total collector dissipation for two transistor

2Pc (d.c) =pin (d.c)-po (d.c) =

2𝐼𝑚𝑎𝑥*𝑣𝑐𝑐 𝑣𝑚*𝐼𝑚𝑎𝑥 𝑣𝑐𝑐 𝑣𝑚𝑎𝑥

= π
− 2
= 2𝐼𝑚𝑎𝑥( π
− 4
)
……………………..(xiv)
Overall efficiency (n overall)
𝑝𝑜(𝑎.𝑐
Ω 𝑜𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑙𝑙 = 𝑝𝑖𝑛 (𝑑.𝑐
* 100%

𝑣𝑚𝑎𝑥*𝑖𝑚𝑎𝑥
2
= 2𝑡𝑚𝑎𝑥*𝑣𝑐𝑐 * 100
π
π 𝑣𝑚𝑎𝑥*100
=( 4 ) 𝑣𝑐𝑐
…………………………………………………………...(xv)
Under ideal condition of maximum power in the load
Vmax =vcc

π
Maximum , n overall= 4
*100%=78%

ADVANTAGES OF PUSH PULL TRANSISTOR OVER BRIDGE INVERTER

a) It is simple and uses few components
b) Has high efficiency

18
 c) Has no even order harmonic since phase different of 1800 exit
between even harmonics produced by each transistor hence
they cancel

DISADVANTAGES OF PUSH PULL TRANSISTOR INVERTER

It uses bulky and expensive transformers (Centre-tapped)
ADVANTAGES OF BIPOLAR TRANSISTOR INVERTER OVER THYRISTOR INVERTERS
I. They do not require commutation and triggering circuit
II. Have high efficiency since there is no power loss in
commutation and triggering circuits
III. They are cheaper
IV. The output has low harmonic content since it is almost
sinusoidal
V. Cannot be triggered by transistor and radiations
DISADVANTAGES OF BIPOLAR TRANSISTOR INVERTERS OVER THYRISTOR
INVERTERS
I. They operate medium power load
II. Transistor required high base current to control load current
III. Power dissipation in transistors is high which tends to reduce its
efficiency.
Due to the above advantages of push pull transistor inverter this project will make
use of it in the design and construction.

19
 OUTPUT TRANSFORMER
This is used to transform alternating voltage from one level to another , step –up
transformer is required to step up this amplifier output into high a.c voltage.
TYPES OF TRANSFORMERS
Transformers are constructed so that their characteristics match the application
for which they are intended, the transformer types include distribution, power,
control into isolation and instrument transformers.
I. Distribution transformer
They are used in the electrical power distribution and transmission systems. They
have highest power or volt –ampere rating and the highest continuous rating .
The power rating is determined by the cooling methods the transformer may use
.This type uses all or some other heat-conducting material.
ii. POWER TRANSISTOR
Power transformers are used in electronic circuits and come in many different
types and applications. Electronic or power transformers are sometimes
considered to be those with rating below300 volt-amperes. They provide power
to power supply of electronic devices, such as in power amplifiers in audio
receivers.
iii. CONTROL TRANSFORMER

20
They are used in electronic circuits that require constant voltage or constant
current with a low power or volt-ampere rating .Various filtering devices such as
capacitors are used to minimize the variation of output. This results in a constant
voltage or current.

iv. AUTO TRANSFORMER

The auto transformer is generally used to isolate noise from or to ground
electrical circuits since transformers cannot pass Dc voltage from primary to
secondary any Dc voltage (such as noise )cannot pass to secondary.
v. INSTRUMENT TRANSFORMERS
There are two types namely potential and current transformers. They step down
the voltage or current to a low value that can be effectively and safely used to
operate instruments like ammeters, voltmeters among others.
For this project power transformer will be used in design and construction due the
features mentioned above.

21
 TRANSFORMATION RATIO
Let the voltage in the primary winding be E1 let the voltage in the secondary
winding be E2
The voltage transformation ratio K is given by
𝐸2 𝑁2
𝐸1
=𝑘= 𝑁1

Where N2 is number of turns in secondary

N2 is number of turns in primary side
For ideal Transformer
Input VA= output VA
V1I1=V2I2
𝐼2 𝑣1 1
𝐼1
= 𝑣2
= 𝑘

22
 A.C LOAD
When alternating current is applied to a load, the nature of phase shift on current
depends on the load .In resistive load , the load current is in phase with the
applied voltage.
In inductive load, the load current lags applied voltage, while in capacitive load
the current leads the applied voltage.
To avoid the drawing of unnecessary current from the power supply it is
advisable to use resistive load or correct the power factor of the load by
connecting the capacitor in parallel as in diagram below.

Fig 10 power factor correction using a capacitor

If the load is inductive the current taken the load will be lagging the supply
voltage .This means a lot of current will be drawn from supply which does not do
any useful work .A capacitor connected in parallel supplies a leading current
which can sets the lagging component as in figure 11

KVAR1

23
 kvAR2
Ǿ

Fig 11 power triangle

The power factor angle and KVA has reduced to Q2 and KVA2 after connecting a
capacitor.

CHAPTER TWO
DESIGN AND ANALYSIS
POWER SUPPLY
In this project regulated d.c power supply will be used due to reason mentioned in
section 1.19(ii) of chapter one .The power supply will supply d.c of 12 v to the
project.
ASTABLE OSCILLATOR
Oscillator using a discrete component was selected for the project due to
advantages mentioned.
The transistor Tr1 (2n3054) will be used due to the following features.
I. Imax of 4Ampers
II. VCB max of 90V(see appendix)
Tr1=Tr2=2n3054

Resistor R1 and R4 are current limiting resistors since the transistor 2n3054, has IC
max of 4 Ampere is good to limit the current through to avoid overheating.
Using expression (iii) values of R1 and R2 to limit the current to 0.12 Amperes can
be calculated.
𝑣𝑐𝑐
𝐼𝑐(𝑠𝑎𝑡) = 𝑅𝑙

12𝑉
0.12A = 𝑅𝐿

24
 RL =100n
Value of R1, R4 is 100N, 5 watts

Using the equation (ii) the value of components to get frequency of 50Hz can be
calculated

Taking value of capacitor to be 68 UF

From equation
0.7
50= −6
𝑅*68*10

0.7
R= −6 =205.8n
50*68*10

The preferred value is 200n(see appendix1)

Therefore R2 and R3 are 200n
Capacitor c1 and c2 are 68µF

POWER AMPLIFIER
Power amplifier transistor should have the following features
I. High collector current
II. High power gain
III. Fast switching speed
Transistors Tr3 and Tr4 have high collector currents of 15A and 30A respectively.
The gain is 20 and 15 respectively.
To improve the power gain the transistors were connected in Darlington
arrangement which is also faster in response
From equation viii, the current gain of this arrangement can be

25
 Ai=B1B2
This means a small current from the oscillator will be multiplied 300 times with
Darlington arrangement.
i.e maximum current that can flow through R1 and R4 is 0.12(from above
calculation)

From equation VI, (IC=hfeIB+ICeo)

Collector current of the darling arrangement can go as high as
0.12*15*20=36 Amperes
This current is required at the input of transformer
Therefore Tr3, Tr5 will be 2N 3055
Tr4, Tr6 will be 2N3771
For details of these transistors refer to appendix 2
The rating of the inverter should be 150watts
The supply voltage is 12V d.c
From equation (X)
Total d.c power input is
Vcc *Idc
2𝐼𝑚𝑎𝑥*𝑉𝑐𝑐
= π

If a current of 30 Ampere flows through the collector of darlington arrangements

(which is within IC max of darlington of 36 Amperes) then
2*30𝐴*12𝑉
Input power= π
= 229 𝑤𝑎𝑙𝑡𝑠

26
From equation Xvi, the maximum efficiency of a push pull inverter is 78%
Therefore a.c power output from push pull is
229W*0.78=178.76 walts
This is the power at the input of the transformer.

OUTPUT TRANSFORMER
Assuming the transformer to have efficiency of 98% and power of 0.8 lagging
The rating of the transformer required to give required power is given by
178 𝑤𝑎𝑙𝑡
0.98*0.8
= 227 𝑉𝐴

Then preferred value is 250VA

There the power output for the inverter is
178 walts –power loss in the system (10/0)
Total power output = 178*0.9 =160 Watts

AC LOAD
The inverter can drive a resistive load of 160 watts but this value of load can be
reduced if the load is inductive or capacitive.

27
complete circuit diagram of DC to AC power inverter

28
WORKING OF THE WHOLE PROJECT
When the power supply is switched on, one transistor of the oscillator
starts conducting earlier than the other (say transistor Tr1).At that point
the potential at point A is 0 volts .Due to this capacitor c1 starts
charging through resistor R2 transistor Tr1 to ground .A point is reached
when voltage across capacitor C1 rise enough o forward bias transistor
Tr2.This makes transistor Tr2 to start conducting while transistor Tr1 is
driven to cut off.
When transistor Tr2 is on ,point B is at ground potential(0 volts),due
to this capacitor C2 starts charging through R3, transistor Tr2 to ground
.A point is reached when voltage across C2 is enough to forward Dias
transistor Tr1 which is soon turned on. The process is repeated at
frequency set by R2 C1 and R3 C2
When transistor Tr1 is off, whole of vcc drop across it 𝑉𝐶𝐸1 = 12𝑉
.This appears at the base of Tr5.Transistor Tr4 switches Tr3 (darlington
arrangement) and conduction takes place through the transistor, half of
the transformer winding to ground. As a result voltage is dropped in
that part of the winding. When the transistor Tr1 is turned on and Tr2 is
turned off a voltage appears at the base of Tr3 which switches the
darlington arrangement ON. Conduction takes place through the
Transistor other part of the transformer winding to ground .As a result
voltage is dropped in the opposite direction .Due to this alternating
voltage with frequency of 50hz appears at the primary of the
transformer. This voltage is transformed to the secondary winding due
to electromagnetic induction. A high voltage set by the transformer
ratio will appear at output.

29
Layout of the project fabricated heat sink (pointed black)

30
 List of the components

Components Quantity
Resistor 100Ω,5 waltz 2
200Ω, 1 waltz 2
capacitor 68µF,25V 2
Transistor 2N3771 2
2N3054 2
2N3055 2
Transformer 1
veloboard 1

31
 CHAPTER THREE
TEST RESULTS
After designing the D.C to AC power inverter, the construction process started
after testing of each individual component .Each block was tested immediately
after its construction i.e before connecting it to the next block.
The instrument used in testing was a Multimeter. The d.c and a.c value
obtained at the different test points are summarized in the table below.

TEST POINT EXPECTED ACTUAL

OUTPUT OUTPUT
TP1 6V a.c 6V ac
TP2 6V a.c 6V ac
TP3 12V 2V ac
TP4 12V a.c 2V ac
TP5 and 240V a.c 30V ac
Tp6

32
 CONCLUSION
The project worked but 240V ac was not achieved .The oscillator transistor
(2N3054) was not found in the market. This led to use of an almost similar
transistor (BC 141) which did not have similar characteristics as one used in design
(2N3054).

The oscillator circuit gave the expected voltage .The current available at the base
of power transistors were not enough to drive them to conduct fully. The design
should allow sufficient current to flow to the base if by ensuring that resistor R1
and R4 have lower value and higher power to allow sufficient current to pass to
the base.

The transformer used in design was not available in the market but rewinding of
the microwave transformer could have provided a designed power. This was
limited by time and cost of the rewinding.

RECOMMENDATION
Anyone willing to carry out such a project should buy the required components
like transistors, transformer in time .The transistor for the designed wattage is 160
waltz can be easily obtained by rewinding a microwave transformer.

33
 To reduce the size of the project the bipolar power transistors .Power MosFets or
Thyristor can be used .These devices can give high power output compared to
bipolar devices of the same size since they have lower power losses.

COST OF COMPONENTS
Components Unit cost quantity Total
Resistor 100Ω, 40 2 pcs 80
5walts
200Ω,1 10 2 pcs 20
walts
Capacitors 68µF,25V 40 2pcs 80
Transistor 2n3771 100 2pcs 200
2n3054 40 2pcs 80
2n3055 100 2pcs 200
Transformer 480 1pcs 480
Veloboard 100 1pcs 100
Soldening 350 1rol 350
Binding the 80 - 80
book
1670.00

34
 REFERENCES
1. W.lander, power Electronics, 2rd Edition page 121-140

2. B.W William, power electronics, devices, drives and application 1st

edition

3. B.L therasa and A.k theraja, Electrical technology, 21st Edition

4. G.C loveday, electronic testing and fault diagrams, 2nd Edition

5.www.electronics .lab.com /projects/power/018 retrieved 11.11.2007

35