DEPARTMENT OF ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONICS ENGINEERING
POWER ELECTRONICS (VR-23 Regulation)
Assignment Questions – Unit-2
Short answer question and answers
1 What is a freewheeling diode used for in rectifier circuits?
Ans: A freewheeling diode provides a path for the inductive load current when the main rectifying device
turns off, preventing a sudden collapse of current and reducing voltage spikes across the switching
device.
2 Explain the effect of source inductance on the performance of a single-phase fully controlled
bridge rectifier.
Ans: Source inductance causes a commutation overlap between the conducting devices, leading to a
reduction in the average output voltage and an increase in commutation time, impacting the converter's
efficiency.
3 Derive the expression for the average output voltage of a single-phase fully controlled bridge
rectifier with an RLE load, assuming continuous conduction.
Ans: For a single-phase fully controlled bridge rectifier with an RLE load in continuous conduction, the
average output voltage , = cos , where Vm is the peak input voltage and α is the firing angle.
4 How does the output voltage of a single-phase semi-converter with an RL load differ in
continuous and discontinuous conduction modes?
Ans: In continuous conduction, the output voltage is always positive, and the current flows continuously. In
discontinuous conduction, the load current drops to zero during a portion of the cycle, and the output
voltage can become negative for part of the cycle if a freewheeling path is not present.
5 Name two types of single-phase AC-DC converters.
Ans: Two types of single-phase AC-DC converters are single-phase diode controlled rectifiers and single-
phase half-wave controlled rectifiers.
6 Describe the operation of a single-phase half-wave controlled rectifier with an R load.
Ans: During the positive half-cycle of the AC input, the SCR turns on when triggered, and current flows
through the resistor. During the negative half-cycle, the SCR is reverse-biased and remains off, resulting
in a pulsating DC output.
7 Analyze the current waveforms for a single-phase half-wave controlled rectifier with an RL load,
explaining the transition from continuous to discontinuous conduction as the firing angle
increases.
Ans: As the firing angle increases, the conduction period of the SCR shortens. For a highly inductive load,
current might not drop to zero before the next cycle starts (continuous). However, beyond a critical
firing angle, the current will drop to zero before the end of the half-cycle, leading to discontinuous
conduction.
8 What are the advantages of using a single-phase fully controlled bridge converter compared to a
half-wave controlled rectifier for an RLE load?
Ans: A fully controlled bridge converter provides a bidirectional current path for the source, allowing for
regeneration (power flow back to the source) and offers better control over the output voltage and
current, especially with an active load like RLE.
9 What is continuous conduction mode in an AC-DC converter?
Ans: In continuous conduction mode, the load current (especially inductive load current) flows continuously
throughout the entire cycle without dropping to zero.
10 How does the presence of a freewheeling diode affect the output voltage waveform and power
factor of a single-phase controlled rectifier with an inductive load?
Ans: A freewheeling diode provides a path for the inductive current, preventing the output voltage from
going negative and improving the power factor by reducing the reactive power drawn from the source.
Long answer questions
1 A Explain the operation of a single-phase half-wave controlled rectifier with an RL load, considering the
effect of the freewheeling diode. Illustrate with waveforms.
B List three common applications of AC to DC converters.
2 A Analyze the operation of a single-phase fully controlled bridge converter with an R-load. Derive the
expression for its average output voltage.
B A single-phase fully controlled bridge rectifier has a source inductance of 2mH. It is connected to a 230V,
50Hz supply and feeds a highly inductive load. If the firing angle is 30° and the output current is 15 A,
calculate the reduction in output voltage due to source inductance.
3 A Draw the circuit diagram of a single-phase half-wave controlled rectifier with an R-load and sketch the
input and output voltage waveforms.
B Discuss the operation of a single-phase semi-converter with an RL load under continuous conduction
mode. Draw relevant waveforms.
4 A Explain how the output voltage of a single-phase AC-DC converter can be controlled. Discuss the
limitations of different control techniques.
B Explain the effect of source inductance on the performance of a single-phase fully controlled bridge
rectifier. How does it affect the output voltage?
5 A Compare the performance of a single-phase fully controlled bridge converter with a single-phase semi-
converter for a given RLE load.
B What is the purpose of a freewheeling diode in AC-DC converters?
6 A A single-phase half-wave controlled rectifier is fed from a 230V, 50Hz AC supply and connected to a 100
Ω resistive load. Calculate the average output voltage and current for a firing angle of 60°.
B Analyze the operation of a single-phase fully controlled bridge rectifier with an RL load under
discontinuous conduction mode. Explain the conditions for discontinuous conduction.
7 A Define continuous and discontinuous conduction modes in AC-DC converters.
B A single-phase fully controlled bridge converter is supplied from a 230V, 50Hz AC source. It feeds a
highly inductive load with a resistance of 10 Ω. Calculate the average output voltage and RMS output
current for a firing angle of 45°.
8 A Derive the expressions for the average output voltage and RMS output current of a single-phase fully
controlled bridge converter with an RLE load under continuous conduction mode.
B A single-phase semi-converter is connected to a 230V, 50Hz AC supply. It feeds an RLE load where R = 5
Ω, L is large enough to ensure continuous current, and E = 50 V. Determine the firing angle required to
obtain an average output current of 10 A.