nopper.

5.2 PRINCIPLE OF CHOPPER OPERATION

A chopper could be compared to a high-speed switch that repeatedly connects and

dc supply and the load at some frequency. This action produces a disconnects the
chopped dc voltage across the
load. A basic chopper circuit and its waveforms are shown in Fig. 5.1.
197
 Devices and Circuits
198 Power Electronics:
Toff

doun choppe
Chopper
Filter -T
00
+
LSWJ

Load
FD

waveforms
Fig. 5.1 (a) Basic chopper circuit and (b) its voltage and current
Chopper is essentially a power semiconductor switch, that is functionally represented by a
Switch SW inside a dotted box (in Fig. 5.1), which also ncludes arrangements for closing
opening. The chopper periodically switches ON and OFF the supply voltage V, to and from the lo
at any desired frequency. During the ON period, the chopper switch is cosed and the load voltaes
is equal to source voltage V, assuming negligible voltage drop across the conducting device. During
the OFF period, the chopper switch is open. But the load current flows through the free-wheling
diode FD. As a result, the load voltage reduces to zero assuming negligible voltage drop in the
conducting diode. Alternate turn-on and turn-off of the chopper in a periodic manner produces
chopped dc voltage which appears like a pulse train across the load. The current due to this voltage
is shown flowing continuously in the load (Fig. 5.1). Average load voltage V, is obtained as:
V, = (5.1)
(Ton +Tofr)

Tav,
T
= kV, (5.2)
where
Ton = ON time,
Tofr = OFF time,
T = chopping period, and
k= duty cycle = TorT
Also V, =fToV, where chopping frequency f = 1/T.
Equation (5.1) shows that the load voltage is independent of load current. The load
found to vary linearly with k and it can be controlled by varying the duty cycle k. voltag
variation in output voltage is 0< V,<V, for 0< k< 1. The rang
The rms value of the chopper output
voltage,
(53)
Vor = VkV,
If the switch SW is a GTO thyristor, a positive gate pulse turns it on and negative gatepulse
turns it off. If the switch is atransistor, the base current controls the ON and OFF periodIoftheswitch.
If the switch is an SCR, a commutation circuit is required to turn-off the conducting thyristorin
addition to a firing circuit for turn-on.
5.3.3 Current Limi periodically So that the load
and OFF
limitcontrol, thechopper is switched ON limits. When the current exceeds upper current
In curent
between two predetermined
freewheels and
upper limit, the
is forced to remain
During OFF period, the load
load current decays exponential y.
chopper is switched off. limit, the chopper is switched ON allowing the load current to to
When it reaches the lower for highly inductive loads in which increase
exponentially. Current limit control is possible only
limit control. The
the load
5.4 illustrates the principle of current load current
current is continuous. Figure current limits is reduced by
ripple is reduced when the
difference between the
switching losses in the chopper. increasing the
chopping frequency. But this increases the

5.4 STEP UP CHOPPERS

The chopper configuration shown in Fig. 5.1 produces output voltages less than the input voltage
(that is, V, < V). However, amodification in the chopper configuration, as shown in Fig. 5.5.
provides higher output voltages.
 DC to DC Conyerters (Choppersj 201

Toff

0
Fig. 5.4 Current limit control (CIC).

Vo

V
VL

V-V,
(a) (b)

Vo

0.5 1.0
(c)
Fig. 5.5 Step up chopper: (a) circuit, (b) waveforns and (c) V, versus k curve.

When the chopper is ON, the inductor L is connected to the supply V. (oz = V). The ináucr
current iL increases linearly. When the chopper is OFF, the inductor curTent i, is forced 1o fow
tadhroughVË the diode and the load. The inductor current decreases lineariy. The waveforms of 4
are shown in Fig.
5.5(b).
During Ton
=L 54
Ton
 202 Power Electronics: Devices and Circuits

where Al= y'on

L
During Tof = T - Ton

V, =V- V, =
LU, -1,) LAI
Tof Toff
where
(55,
AI= -(V- Vo)1off
During steady state conditions, Eq. (5.4a) (5.5a
and (5.5a) and Eq. (5.5a) are equal.
Therefore, from Egs, (5 A
VIon -(V-V,)of
Hence,

VTon = (V - V)Toff

V, = V(Ton +Toff) VT
Toff Toff
VT

(T-To)
Thus. for a variation of k in (5.6)

inV<V,<
oo, This the range 0 < k < 1,
the variation of V, with k is shown in Fig. the output voltage V,
and V,regenerative
represents thebraking
of adc motor. In
Fig. 5.5, if 5.5(c). This principle of varies in the range
dc
fixed supply voltage V, bysupply, power can be fed back
V
represents the
armatureoperation
of
is utilized
proper adjustment of the dutyfroomcycle.
the
decreasi
k.
the de
ng motor voltage machine
Vto the
5.5
CHOPPER CIRCUITS:
The basic
voltage is always less than Vs. In this
CLASSIFICATION
chopper circuit shown in Fig. 5.1
can be
supply to load. Also, chopper, called a step
cannot be reversed. The polarities of voltage and current flow only down
the power can
chopper since itsis,output
operation is confined only to can only be inas one
positive values. This chopper direction, that from
is called a single first marked the figure. They
versatile choppers with different circuit
quadrants depending on the circuit quadrant, quadrant
type A
as
voltage
in
and curTent are only
quadrants, configurations,
can be classifiedarrangements capabl
of thyristors e chopper.
of However, there
Dchopper, choppers operating
as: and in are more
Type E chopper.
In the chopper circuit
Type A chopper, one, two or four
Type Bdiodes. On the basis
configurations discussed in this chopper, Type Cchopper,
section, the current
of operating
Type
directions and voltage