CHOPPER

Definition
• A chopper is an electronic switch that is used to interrupt one signal under the
control of another.
• In other words we can say that, a chopper is a kind of switch which allows the
power flow in the circuit for a required duration.
 Four Quadrant Drive
• The rotation in the opposite direction gives reverse speed which is denoted by a negative sign.
• The rate of change of speed positively in the forward direction or the torque which provides acceleration is
known as Positive motor torque. In the case of retardation, the motor torque is considered negative. Load
torque is opposite to the positive motor torque in the direction.
• In the I quadrant power developed is positive and the machine
is working as a motor supplying mechanical energy. The I
(first) quadrant operation is called Forward Motoring.
• II (second) quadrant operation is known as Braking. In this
quadrant, the direction of rotation is positive, and the torque is
negative, and thus, the machine operates as a generator
developing a negative torque, which opposes the motion.
• Consider hoist consists of a cage with or without any load. A
rope is wounded on a drum to raise the cage and a balance
weight. This balance weight or counterweight magnitude is
greater than that of empty cage, but less than the loaded cage.
 Four Quadrant Drive
• Now the unloaded cage is moving upwards. As said
above, the counterweight is heavier than the unloaded
cage and hence hoist can move upwards at a dangerous
speed.

• To prevent this, motor must produce a torque in the

opposite direction of motor speed, w in order to produce
brake to the motor.

• Therefore, the motor torque, Tm will be negative and

motor speed, w will be positive. This quadrant operation
is called forward braking.
 Four Quadrant Drive
• III (third) quadrant operation is known as the reverse
motoring. The motor works, in the reverse direction. Both the
speed and the torque have negative values while the power is
positive.

• This is the quadrant-3 operation where empty cage is hoisting

down. The downward journey of empty cage is prevented by
the torque exerted by the counterweight. So the direction of
motor torque, Tm should be in the same direction of motor
rotation w.

• Due to the downward movement of the cage, the direction of

rotation is reversed, i.e., w is negative and hence Tm is also
negative.

• Since the machine acting as motor in reverse direction, it

receives the power from the supply and hence power is
positive. This quadrant operation is called reverse motoring.
 Four Quadrant Drive
• In the IV (fourth) quadrant, the torque is positive, and the
speed is negative. This quadrant corresponds to the braking in
the reverse motoring mode.

• In this quadrant, loaded cage is moving downwards. Since the

loaded cage is moving downward (of which weight is more
than counterweight), the motion takes place without use of any
motor.

• But there will be a chance to go downward at a dangerous

speed because of loaded cage. To limit the speed of the cage
within a safe range, the electrical machine must act as a brake.

• In this the direction of the motor, w is negative and hence the

motor torque Tm is positive to decrease the speed of the motor.
Thus the power is negative that means the electrical machine
delivering power to the supply.
 Four Quadrant Drive
• This phenomenon is called as regenerative action. This
quadrant operation is called reverse braking.

• It is to be noted that the electrical machine acts as a motor in

1st and 2nd quadrants and acts as a generator in 3rd and 4th
quadrants.

Summary of four quadrant operation

Four Quadrant Operation of a DC Motor
• In a separately excited DC motor, the steady state
speed is controlled at any desired speed by
applying the appropriate magnitude of voltage,
also in either direction simply by giving
appropriate polarity of the voltage.
• The torque of the motor is directly proportional to
the armature current, which in turn depends on the
difference between the applied voltage V and back
emf, E, i.e.,

• Therefore, it is possible to develop positive or • Here, the following figure shows four quadrant
negative torque by controlling voltage, which is operation of a separately excited DC motor in
less than or more than the back emf. Hence the which a dot symbol on one of motor terminals
separately excited DC motor inherently exhibit indicates the sign of the torque.
four quadrant operation.
Four Quadrant Operation of a DC Motor
• The machine produces a positive torque, if current
flows into the dot. Similarly the torque is negative,
if current flows out of the dot. Also, the relative
magnitudes of voltage and back emf are shown in
figure. These four quadrants are explained below.
• Forward Motoring
• In this mode of operation, the applied voltage is
positive and greater than the back emf of the motor
and therefore a positive current flow into the
motor.

• Since both current and voltage are positive, the

power becomes positive. And also the speed and
torque are also positive in this quadrant. Therefore
the motor rotates in forward direction.
Four Quadrant Operation of a DC Motor
• Forward Braking
• In this mode of operation, the motor runs in forward direction and
the induced emf continues to be positive. But the supplied voltage is
suddenly reduced to a value which is less than the back emf.
• Hence the current (there by torque) will reverse direction. This
negative torque reverses the direction of energy flow.

• Since the load torque and motor torque are in opposite direction, the
combined effect will cause to reduce the speed of the motor and
hence back emf (motor emf is directly proportional to the speed)
falls again below the applied voltage value.

• Hence, both current and voltage become positive and the motor
settle down to first quadrant again. The process by which the
mechanical energy of the motor is returned to the supply is called as
regenerative braking.
• This quadrant operation is the example of regenerative braking.
Four Quadrant Operation of a DC Motor
• Reverse Motoring
• This is the third quadrant operation of the motor in which both
motor voltage and current are negative. Thus the power is
positive, i.e., the power is supplied from source to load.

• Due to the reverse polarity of the supply, the motor starts

rotating in a counterclockwise direction (or reverse to normal
operation).

• The operation of this quadrant is similar to the first quadrant,

but only difference is the direction of rotation. The magnitude
of voltage to the motor decides the appropriate speed in reverse
direction.
Four Quadrant Operation of a DC Motor
• Reverse Regenerative Braking
• This is the quadrant-4 mode of operation in which motor
voltage is still negative and its armature current is positive.

• This mode of operation is similar to the second quadrant

operation and once again the regeneration occurs whenever the
back emf is more than the negative supply voltage.

• Hence the torque will be positive which opposes the load

torque, thus the speed of the motor will be reduced during
reverse operation of the motor.

• This mode of operation is mostly used for plugging in order to

stop the motor rapidly. During plugging, the armature terminals
are suddenly reversed, which causes the back emf to force an
armature current to flow in reverse direction.
Four Quadrant Operation of a DC Motor
• Reverse Regenerative Braking
• Now the effective voltage across the motor becomes 2V (as V+
Eb). A braking resistor in series with the motor has to be
connected to limit this current. Braking by plugging gives
greater torque and more rapid stop.
Applications of Four-quadrant Operation
• Electric traction system
• Battery operated vehicles
• Lifts and cranes
• Engine test loading systems
• Spindle and tool drives in machine tools
• Auxiliary drives in robotic systems
• Position control systems