Topic: Choppers: Class: 5 Sem. (EE)

Topic: Choppers
Subject: Power Electronics(EE-309)

Class: 5th sem. (EE)
Presented By:
Er. Ram Singh
(Asstt. Prof.)
Deptt. Of EE
BHSBIET Lehragaga
Punjab EDUSAT Society 1

Introduction
Chopper is a static device.
A variable dc voltage is obtained from a
constant dc voltage source.
Also known as dc-to-dc converter.
Widely used for motor control.
Also used in regenerative braking.
Thyristor converter offers greater efficiency,
faster response, lower maintenance, smaller
size and smooth control.

Types of Choppers
Step-down choppers.
Step-up choppers.
In step down chopper output voltage is less
than input voltage.
In step up chopper output voltage is more
than input voltage.

Principle Of
Step-down Chopper
Chopper
i0
+
V R V0

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
When thyristor is OFF, the voltage across the
load will be zero.

v0
V
Vdc
t
tON tOFF
i0
V/R
Idc
t
T

Vdc Average value of output or load voltage.
I dc Average value of output or load current.
tON Time interval for which SCR conducts.
tOFF Time interval for which SCR is OFF.
T tON tOFF Period of switching or chopping period.
1
f Freq. of chopper switching or chopping freq.
T

Average Output Voltage
tON
Vdc V
ON
t t OFF
t
Vdc V ON V .d
T
tON
but d duty cycle
t

Average Output Current
Vdc
I dc
R
V tON V
I dc d
R T R
RMS value of output voltage
tON
1
VO
T
0
vo2 dt

But during tON , vo V
Therefore RMS output voltage
tON
1
VO
T
0
V 2 dt
V2 tON
VO tON .V
T T
VO d .V

Output power PO VO I O
VO
But IO
R
Output power
VO2
PO
R
dV 2
PO
R

Effective input resistance of chopper
V
Ri
I dc
R
Ri
d
The output voltage can be varied by
varying the duty cycle.

Principle Of Step-up Chopper
I L D
+
+
L
C O VO
V A
D
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:-

dI
VO V L i.e., VO V
dt

A large capacitor C connected across the
load, will provide a continuous output voltage
Diode D prevents any current flow from

capacitor to the source.
Step up choppers are used for regenerative

braking of dc motors

Expression For Output Voltage
Assume the average inductor current to be
I during ON and OFF time of Chopper.
When Chopper is ON
Voltage across inductor L V
Therefore energy stored in inductor
= V .I .tON
Where tON ON period of chopper.

When Chopper is OFF
(energy is supplied by inductor to load)
Voltage across L VO V
Energy supplied by inductor L VO V ItOFF
where tOFF OFF period of Chopper.
Neglecting losses, energy stored in inductor
L = energy supplied by inductor L

VItON VO V ItOFF
V tON tOFF
VO
tOFF
T
VO V
T tON
Where
T = Chopping period or period
of switching.

T tON tOFF

1
VO V
tON
1
T
1
VO V
1 d
t
Where d ON duty cyle
T

For variation of duty cycle ' d ' in the
range of 0 d 1 the output voltage VO
will vary in the range V VO

Control Strategies
The output dc voltage can be varied by the
following methods.
1. Pulse width modulation control or constant

frequency operation.
2. Variable frequency control

Pulse Width Modulation
tON is varied keeping chopping frequency f &

chopping period T constant.
Output voltage is varied by varying the ON

time tON

Pulse Width Modulation
V0
V
tON tOFF
t
T
V0
t
tON tOFF

Variable Frequency Control
Chopping frequency f is varied keeping either
tON or tOFF constant.
To obtain full output voltage range, frequency has
to be varied over a wide range.
This method produces harmonics in the output
and for large tOFF load current may become
discontinuous
Variable Frequency Control
v0
V
tON tOFF
t
T
v0
tON tOFF
t
T

Performance Parameters
The thyristor requires a certain minimum
time to turn ON and turn OFF.
Duty cycle d can be varied only between a
min. & max. value, limiting the min. and
max. value of the output voltage.
Ripple in the load current depends inversely
on the chopping frequency, f.
To reduce the load ripple current, frequency
should be as high as possible.

Example 1
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.

V 460 V, Vdc = 350 V, f = 2 kHz
1
Chopping period T
f
1
T 3
0.5 m sec
2 10
tON
Output voltage Vdc V
T

Conduction period of thyristor
T Vdc
tON
V
0.5 10 3 350
tON
460
tON 0.38 msec

Example 2
Input to the step up chopper is 200 V. The output
required is 600 V. If the conducting time of
thyristor is 200 sec. Compute
Chopping frequency,
If the pulse width is halved for constant
frequency of operation, find the new output
voltage.
V 200 V , tON 200 s, Vdc 600V
T
Vdc V
T tON
T
600 200 6
T 200 10
Solving for T
T 300 s

Chopping frequency
1
f
T
1
f 6
3.33KHz
300 10
Pulse width is halved
200 10 6
tON 100 s
2

Frequency is constant
f 3.33KHz
1
T 300 s
f
T
Output voltage = V
T t ON
300 106
200 300 Volts
300 100 10 6


Classification Of Choppers
Choppers are classified as
Class A Chopper
Class B Chopper
Class C Chopper
Class D Chopper
Class E Chopper

Class A Chopper
i0 v0
+
Chopper
L
O v0 V
V A
FWD D
i0

When chopper is ON, supply voltage V is
connected across the load.
When chopper is OFF, vO = 0 and the load current
continues to flow in the same direction through
the FWD.
The average values of output voltage and current
are always positive.
Class A Chopper is a first quadrant chopper

Class A Chopper is a step-down chopper in
which power always flows form source to
load.
It is used to control the speed of dc motor.
The output current equations obtained in step
down chopper with R-L load can be used to
study the performance of Class A Chopper.

ig Thyristor
gate pulse
t
i0
Output current
CH ON
t
v0 FWD Conducts
Output voltage
t
tON
T

Class B Chopper
D
i0 v0
+
R
V L v0
Chopper
E i0


When chopper is ON, E drives a current through
L and R in a direction opposite to that shown in
figure.
During the ON period of the chopper, the
inductance L stores energy.
When Chopper is OFF, diode D conducts, and
part of the energy stored in inductor L is returned
to the supply.

Average output voltage is positive.
Average output current is negative.
Therefore Class B Chopper operates in second
quadrant.
In this chopper, power flows from load to source.
Class B Chopper is used for regenerative braking of dc
motor.
Class B Chopper is a step-up chopper.

ig
Thyristor
gate pulse
t
i0 tOFF tON
T
t
Output current
Imax
Imin
D
conducts Chopper
conducts
v0 Output voltage

Expression for Output Current
During the interval diode 'D' conducts
voltage equation is given by
LdiO
V RiO E
dt
For the initial condition i.e.,
iO t I min at t 0
The solution of the above equation is obtained
along similar lines as in step-down chopper
with R-L load

V E t
R R
t
iO t 1 e
L
I min e
L
0 t tOFF
R
At t tOFF i O t I max
V E tOFF
R R
tOFF
I max 1 e
L
I min e
L
R
During the interval chopper is ON voltage
equation is given by
LdiO
0 RiO E
dt

Redefining the time origin, at t 0 iO t I max
The solution for the stated initial condition is
R
t E t
R
iO t I max e L
1 e L 0 t tON
R
At t tON iO t I min
R
tON E tON
R
I min I max e L
1 e L
R

Class C Chopper
CH1 D1
i0 v0
+
V R
CH2 D2 L v0
Chopper
i0
E


Class C Chopper is a combination of Class A
and Class B Choppers.
For first quadrant operation, CH1 is ON or D2
conducts.
For second quadrant operation, CH2 is ON or
D1 conducts.
When CH1 is ON, the load current is positive.
The output voltage is equal to V & the load
receives power from the source.
When CH1 is turned OFF, energy stored in
inductance L forces current to flow through
the diode D2 and the output voltage is zero.
Current continues to flow in positive direction.
When CH2 is triggered, the voltage E forces
current to flow in opposite direction through L
and CH2 .
The output voltage is zero.
On turning OFF CH2 , the energy stored in the
inductance drives current through diode D1
and the supply
Output voltage is V, the input current
becomes negative and power flows from load
to source

Average output voltage is positive
Average output current can take both positive
and negative values.
Choppers CH1 & CH2 should not be turned ON
simultaneously as it would result in short
circuiting the supply.
Class C Chopper can be used both for dc
motor control and regenerative braking of dc
motor.
Class C Chopper can be used as a step-up or
step-down chopper.

ig1
Gate pulse
of CH1
t
ig2 Gate pulse
of CH2
t
i0
Output current
D1 CH1 D2 CH2 D1 CH1 D2 CH2

ON ON ON ON
V0
Output voltage

Class D Chopper
v0
CH1 D2
R i0 L E
V
+ v0 i0
D1 CH2

Class D is a two quadrant chopper.
When both CH1 and CH2 are triggered
simultaneously, the output voltage vO = V and
output current flows through the load.
When CH1 and CH2 are turned OFF, the load
current continues to flow in the same direction
through load, D1 and D2 , due to the energy
stored in the inductor L.
Output voltage vO = - V .
Average load voltage is positive if chopper ON
time is more than the OFF time
Average output voltage becomes negative if
tON < tOFF .
Hence the direction of load current is always
positive but load voltage can be positive or
negative.

ig1
Gate pulse
of CH1
t
ig2 Gate pulse
of CH2
t
i0
Output current
t
CH1,CH2 D1,D2 Conducting
ON
v0 Output voltage
V
Average v0
t

ig1
Gate pulse
of CH1
t
ig2 Gate pulse
of CH2
t
i0
Output current
CH1
CH2
t
D1, D2
v0 Output voltage
V
t
Average v0

Class E Chopper
CH1 D1 CH3 D3
i0 R L E
V
+
v0
CH2 D2 CH4 D4

Four Quadrant Operation
v0
CH2 - D4 Conducts CH1 - CH4 ON
D1 - D4 Conducts CH4 - D2 Conducts
i0
CH3 - CH2 ON D2 - D3 Conducts

CH2 - D4 Conducts CH4 - D2 Conducts

Class E is a four quadrant chopper
When CH1 and CH4 are triggered, output
current iO flows in positive direction through
CH1 and CH4, and with output voltage vO = V.
This gives the first quadrant operation.
When both CH1 and CH4 are OFF, the energy
stored in the inductor L drives iO through D2
and D3 in the same direction, but output
voltage vO = -V.

Therefore the chopper operates in the fourth
quadrant.
When CH2 and CH3 are triggered, the load
current iO flows in opposite direction & output
voltage vO = -V.
Since both iO and vO are negative, the chopper
operates in third quadrant

When both CH2 and CH3 are OFF, the load
current iO continues to flow in the same
direction D1 and D4 and the output voltage
vO = V.
Therefore the chopper operates in second

quadrant as vO is positive but iO is negative.

Voltage Commutated Chopper
Voltage Commutated choppers are widely
used in high power circuits where load
fluctuation is not large.
This chopper is also known as
Parallel capacitor turn-off chopper
Impulse Commutated chopper
Classical chopper.

LS T1 iT1
+ a + IL +
_ C
b T2
iC FWD
L
O
VS A vO
D
L D1
_ _

To start the circuit, capacitor C is initially
charged with polarity (with plate a positive)
by triggering the thyristor T2.
Capacitor C gets charged through VS, C, T2
and load.
As the charging current decays to zero
thyristor T2 will be turned-off.
With capacitor charged with plate a positive
the circuit is ready for operation.
Assume that the load current remains
constant during the commutation process
For convenience the chopper operation is
divided into five modes:-
Mode-1
Mode-2
Mode-3
Mode-4
Mode-5

Mode-1 Operation
LS T1
+ + IL
VC _C iC
L
VS O
A
D
L D1
_

Thyristor T1 is fired at t = 0.
The supply voltage comes across the load.
Load current IL flows through T1 and load.
At the same time capacitor discharges through T1,

D1, L1, & C and the capacitor reverses its voltage.
This reverse voltage on capacitor is held constant

by diode D1

Capacitor Discharge Current
C
iC t V sin t
L
1
Where
LC
& Capacitor Voltage
VC t V cos t

Mode-2 Operation
IL
+ LS _ IL
VC C L
VS + T2 O
A
D
_

Thyristor T2 is now fired to commutate thyristor
T 1.
When T2 is ON capacitor voltage reverse biases

T1 and turns if off.
The capacitor discharges through the load from

V to 0.
Discharge time is known as circuit turn-off time.

Circuit turn-off time is given by
VC C
tC
IL
Where I L is load current.
t C depends on load current, it must be designed
for the worst case condition which occur at the
maximum value of load current and minimum
value of capacitor voltage.

Capacitor recharges back to the supply voltage
(with plate a positive).
This time is called the recharging time and is
given by:-

VS C
td
IL

The total time required for the capacitor to
discharge and recharge is called the
commutation time and it is given by:-

tr tC td

At the end of Mode-2 capacitor has recharged
to VS and the free wheeling diode starts
conducting

Mode-3 Operation
IL
+ LS + IL
VS _C T2 L
VS O
A
FWD D
_

FWD starts conducting and the load current
decays.
The energy stored in source inductance LS is

transferred to capacitor.
Hence capacitor charges to a voltage higher

than supply voltage, T2 naturally turns off.

The instantaneous capacitor voltage is
LS
VC t VS I L sin S t
C
Where
1
S
LS C

Mode-4 Operation
LS
+ + IL
VC _C L
D1 O
VS
A
L D
_ FWD

Capacitor has been overcharged i.e. its voltage
is above supply voltage.
Capacitor starts discharging in reverse
direction.
Hence capacitor current becomes negative.
The capacitor discharges through LS, VS, FWD,
D1 and L.
When this current reduces to zero D1 will stop
conducting and the capacitor voltage will be
same as the supply voltage

Mode-5 Operation
IL
L
FWD O
A
D

Both thyristors are off and the load current
flows through the FWD.
This mode will end once thyristor T1 is fired

ic Capacitor Current
IL
0 t
Ip
iT1
Ip
IL Current through T 1
t
0

v T1
Vc Voltage across T1
t
0
vo
Vs+Vc
Vs Output Voltage
t
vc
Vc
t
Capacitor Voltage
-Vc
tc
td

Disadvantages
A starting circuit is required and the starting
circuit should be such that it triggers thyristor
T2 first.
Load voltage jumps to almost twice the supply
voltage when the commutation is initiated.
The discharging and charging time of
commutation capacitor are dependent on the
load current and this limits high frequency
operation, especially at low load current

Chopper cannot be tested without connecting
load.
Thyristor T1 has to carry load current as well

as resonant current resulting in increasing its
peak current rating.

THANKS

Topic: Choppers: Class: 5 Sem. (EE)

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Topic: Choppers: Class: 5 Sem. (EE)

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Copyright:

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Topic: Choppers

Subject: Power Electronics(EE-309)

Punjab EDUSAT Society 1

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The current tends to decrease resulting in

Therefore voltage across load is given by:-

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Diode D prevents any current flow from

Step up choppers are used for regenerative

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1. Pulse width modulation control or constant

2. Variable frequency control

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tON is varied keeping chopping frequency f &

Output voltage is varied by varying the ON

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D1 CH1 D2 CH2 D1 CH1 D2 CH2

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