Module-2: Practice Questions
1. Topological Structures
Draw the circuit schematics for the following three-phase, five-level converter topologies:
a) Neutral Point Clamped (NPC)
b) T-type
c) Flying Capacitor (FC)
d) Cascaded H-Bridge (CHB)
e) Modular Multilevel Converter (MMC)
2. Comparative Analysis
Based on the topologies drawn in Question 1, create a comparative table for a three-phase,
five-level system. The comparison must include the following parameters:
Component Count: Number of active switches (MOSFETs/IGBTs), discrete diodes
(clamping/anti-parallel), and auxiliary capacitors (excluding the main DC-link
capacitor).
Voltage Ratings: The total voltage rating (Total Standing Voltage) of all MOSFETs
and diodes separately, and the total voltage rating of all auxiliary capacitors.
Driver Requirements: Total number of gate driver circuits and the number of isolated
auxiliary DC sources required for the gate drivers.
Fig. 1. Topologies for Question 3 to 5.
3. Switching and Stress Analysis
Consider the specific topologies provided in the Fig. 1:
Switching States: Create a truth table listing the specific switches turned ON for each
distinct output voltage level.
Voltage Blocking: Determine the maximum blocking voltage stress across each switch.
Switch Type: Identify if any of the switches utilized in the topology require four-
quadrant (bidirectional) capability.
4. Asymmetric Configuration Optimization
Referring to the fourth topology (Cascaded half-bridges), determine the optimal ratio of the
DC voltage sources (V1, V2, V3) required to maximize the number of distinct output voltage
levels, ensuring the levels remain equidistant.
5. Three-Phase Implementation
Draw the complete three-phase schematic configuration for the specific topologies analyzed in
Question 3.
6. Sub-Module Sizing Calculation
An MMC is being designed for a high-voltage transmission link with a DC bus voltage (Vdc)
of 640 kV. The individual capacitors inside each sub-module have a nominal voltage rating of
1.6 kV.
a) Calculate the minimum number of sub-modules (N) required per arm to successfully block
the full DC bus voltage.
b) If the converter uses 10% extra modules for redundancy, what is the total number of sub-
modules required for one complete phase leg (both Upper and Lower arms)?
7. KVL Voltage Distribution (Midpoint)
An MMC system operates with a DC link voltage of 200 kV. The controller is currently
commanding the converter to output exactly half the DC voltage (100 kV) at the AC
terminal (referenced to the negative DC bus).
a) How much voltage must be dropped across the Upper Arm?
b) How much voltage must be dropped across the Lower Arm?
8. KVL Voltage Distribution (High State)
Using the same 200 kV system from Question 7, the controller now commands the converter
to output the full 200 kV at the AC terminal.
a) What is the voltage drop across the Lower Arm in this state?
b) What is the voltage drop across the Upper Arm?
9. Arm Inductor and Voltage Mismatch
The DC bus voltage is fixed at 300 kV. At a specific switching instant, the sum of the
capacitor voltages inserted into the phase leg momentarily equals 306 kV due to capacitor
voltage ripple.
a) Calculate the voltage mismatch (delta V) that the arm inductors must absorb.
b) If the total arm inductance is 30 millihenries (mH), use the formula V = L * (di/dt) to
calculate the rate of rise of the circulating current (in Amperes per second).
10. Capacitor Selection Logic (Charging)
The controller needs to insert 3 sub-modules into the circuit. The current direction is positive,
meaning the capacitors will be Charging. The available sub-modules have the following
voltages:
Module A: 2010 V
Module B: 1980 V
Module C: 2005 V
Module D: 1950 V
Module E: 2020 V
Which 3 specific modules will the sorting algorithm select to ensure voltage balancing?
11. Capacitor Selection Logic (Discharging)
Using the same module voltages as Question 5:
Module A: 2010 V
Module B: 1980 V
Module C: 2005 V
Module D: 1950 V
Module E: 2020 V
The current direction reverses and is now negative, meaning the capacitors will be
Discharging. If the controller needs to insert 2 modules, which 2 will be selected?
12. Switching Spike Comparison
An older switch technology has a stray loop inductance of 500 nanohenries (nH). An MMC
sub-module, due to its small physical size, has a stray loop inductance of only 20 nH.
If the switch turns off 1000 Amps in 50 nanoseconds (ns):
a) Calculate the voltage spike for the older technology. b) Calculate the voltage spike for the
MMC sub-module. c) If the switch voltage spike needs to be equal to the MMC submodule,
what is the required turn off time?
13. Output Voltage Synthesis
An MMC arm consists of 100 sub-modules. The DC Link is 200 kV. If the controller
commands the Lower Arm to insert 75 modules and the Upper Arm to insert 25 modules:
a) What is the voltage drop across the Lower Arm? (Assume ideal capacitor balance).
b) What is the resulting voltage at the AC output terminal (referenced to the negative DC
bus)?