UNIT – 4 Type-E Chopper:

CHOPPER Type-A Chopper: Operating Principle:

The principle of a chopper, also known as a DC-DC converter or a voltage regulator, is Operating Principle: A Type-E chopper is a type of chopper that combines the principles of both Type-C and
based on the concept of pulse width modulation (PWM). A chopper is an electronic Type-A chopper is a step-down chopper that operates in the first quadrant. It consists Type-D choppers. It uses two switches (typically transistors) in combination with
device that converts a fixed DC voltage into a variable DC voltage by rapidly turning the of a power semiconductor switch (usually a MOSFET, IGBT, or transistor) connected in inductors in series and parallel with the load to control the output voltage. The
input voltage on and off with varying duty cycles. The key principles of a chopper are series with the load and the DC input source. The switch is turned on and off using a combination of inductors and switches allows for both boosting and bucking of the
as follows: pulse width modulation (PWM) control to achieve the desired output voltage. output voltage, providing a wider range of voltage regulation.
Switching Operation: A chopper uses a power semiconductor switch (such as a During the ON-time of the switch, current flows from the input source to the load, and Applications:
transistor or an IGBT) to control the flow of current from the input DC source to the during the OFF-time, the current through the inductor freewheels through a diode or a Type-E choppers are used in applications where bidirectional power flow and wide
load. The switch is rapidly turned on and off at a high frequency, creating a series of passive element. By varying the duty cycle of the PWM control, the output voltage can voltage regulation are required. Some typical applications include:
pulses be controlled to achieve the desired step-down voltage. Battery energy storage systems, where the output voltage can be regulated to charge
Duty Cycle: The duty cycle of the chopper is the ratio of the ON-time of the switch to Applications: or discharge the battery as needed.
the total time period (ON-time + OFF-time). By adjusting the duty cycle, the average Type-A choppers are commonly used in various applications where a lower output DC-DC converters with bidirectional power flow, such as those used in regenerative
output voltage can be controlled. A higher duty cycle results in a higher average output voltage is required compared to the input voltage. Some typical applications include: braking systems in electric vehicles.
voltage, and a lower duty cycle results in a lower average output voltage. Battery charging systems: To charge batteries efficiently, the output voltage of the Applications requiring wide voltage regulation, where the output voltage can be
Filtering: The output of the chopper consists of a series of pulses, which may have chopper is regulated to match the battery voltage level. adjusted to meet different load requirements.
high-frequency components. To obtain a smooth DC voltage, a filter, typically an Motor control: In motor drives, a type-A chopper can control the speed of DC motors
inductor and capacitor combination, is used to smooth out the pulses and produce a by varying the output voltage to the motor.
continuous DC voltage. LED lighting: Type-A choppers are used in LED driver circuits to control the brightness
Step-Up and Step-Down Operation: A chopper can be configured as a step-up (boost) of LEDs by regulating the output voltage.
or step-down (buck) converter depending on the relative magnitudes of the input and
output voltages. In a step-up chopper, the output voltage is higher than the input
voltage, while in a step-down chopper, the output voltage is lower than the input
voltage.
Voltage Regulation: The duty cycle of the chopper is controlled using a feedback loop
that compares the output voltage with a reference voltage. The feedback loop adjusts
the duty cycle to maintain the output voltage at the desired level, providing voltage
regulation.
JONES CHOPPER
Efficiency: Choppers are known for their high efficiency since they operate in a
A Jones chopper is a type of chopper circuit that uses a charged capacitor to
switching mode. The switch transitions between ON and OFF states with low loss,
Type-B Chopper: commutate the main thyristor. The circuit consists of two thyristors, T1 and T2, a
minimizing power dissipation and improving overall efficiency.
Operating Principle: capacitor, C, a diode, D, and an autotransformer, T.
Type-B chopper is a step-up chopper that operates in the first quadrant. It also consists The operation of the Jones chopper is as follows:
Classification of Chopper:
of a power semiconductor switch (MOSFET, IGBT, or transistor) connected in series The capacitor is charged to the supply voltage by T1.
a) Step-up & Step-down Chopper:
with the load and the DC input source. The switch is turned on and off using a pulse When T2 is triggered, the capacitor discharges through T2 and C, creating a large
Choppers are classified based on their ability to either step up or step down the input
width modulation (PWM) control to achieve the desired output voltage. reverse voltage across T1.
DC voltage to the desired output voltage level. The two main types of choppers based
During the ON-time of the switch, the current flows through the inductor and charges The reverse voltage turns off T1, and the load current is transferred to the
on this classification are:
it. When the switch is turned off, the inductor discharges the energy to the output, freewheeling diode, D.
Step-up Chopper (Boost Chopper): A step-up chopper increases the output voltage
causing the output voltage to increase above the input voltage. By varying the duty The capacitor then recharges through T1 and the autotransformer.
level compared to the input voltage level. It is used when the required output voltage
cycle of the PWM control, the output voltage can be controlled to achieve the desired The Jones chopper is a simple and reliable way to commutate a thyristor. It is often
is higher than the input voltage. The step-up chopper operates in the buck-boost mode
step-up voltage. used in high-power applications where load fluctuation is not a major concern.
and is widely used in applications such as voltage regulators, battery charging systems,
Applications: Here are some of the advantages of Jones choppers:
and renewable energy systems.
Type-B choppers find applications in scenarios where a higher output voltage is Simple and reliable
Step-down Chopper (Buck Chopper): A step-down chopper reduces the output voltage
required compared to the input voltage. Some typical applications include: Can be used in high-power applications
level compared to the input voltage level. It is used when the required output voltage
DC-DC converters: Type-B choppers are commonly used in DC-DC converters to step up Does not require a separate commutation circuit
is lower than the input voltage. The step-down chopper operates in the buck mode
the voltage in power supplies and battery charging systems. Here are some of the disadvantages of Jones choppers:
and is commonly used in DC motor drives, power supplies, and battery discharging
Solar power systems: In solar power applications, type-B choppers are used to boost The output voltage is not as smooth as other types of choppers
systems.
the voltage from solar panels to match the requirements of the inverter. The capacitor can be large and bulky
Electric vehicles: Type-B choppers are used in electric vehicle systems to step up the The autotransformer can be expensive
voltage to drive the electric motor.

b) Second Quadrant, Two Quadrant & Four Quadrant Operation: Type-C Chopper:
Choppers are also classified based on their operational modes, which define the Operating Principle:
direction of power flow between the input and output of the chopper. The three main A Type-C chopper is a type of step-up chopper that uses an inductor in series with the
types of choppers based on this classification are: load and the switch (typically a transistor) to control the output voltage. During the ON
period of the switch, the inductor stores energy from the input source. When the
switch is turned OFF, the energy stored in the inductor is released to the load, causing
the output voltage to rise. The inductor helps in boosting the output voltage and
allows for continuous current flow through the load during both the ON and OFF
periods of the switch.
Applications:
Type-C choppers are commonly used in applications where a higher output voltage is
required from a lower input voltage source. Some typical applications include:
DC-DC converters for voltage boost and power amplification.
Second Quadrant Operation: A chopper operating in the second quadrant allows Battery charging systems, where the input voltage from the battery needs to be
boosted to charge higher voltage batteries or power electronic devices.
power flow from the input (source) to the output (load) only during the positive half-
cycle of the input voltage. The switch operates as a step-up or step-down chopper, Photovoltaic (PV) systems, where the voltage from solar panels needs to be boosted to
depending on the duty cycle, to regulate the output voltage. feed into higher voltage power grids.
Two Quadrant Operation: A chopper operating in the two quadrants allows power
flow from the input to the output during both the positive and negative half-cycles of
the input voltage. The switch operates as a step-up or step-down chopper based on
the polarity of the output voltage, which can be either positive or negative.

Type-D Chopper:
Speed Control of Separately Excited DC Motor by Single-Phase Fully Controlled
Operating Principle:
Converter:
A Type-D chopper is a type of step-down chopper that uses an inductor in parallel with
A single-phase fully controlled converter, also known as a single-phase bridge
Four Quadrant Operation: A chopper operating in the four quadrants allows the load and the switch (typically a transistor) to control the output voltage. During the
converter, is used to control the speed of a separately excited DC motor. The
bidirectional power flow, enabling control over both the magnitude and direction of ON period of the switch, the inductor is charged with energy from the input source.
converter consists of four SCRs (Silicon-Controlled Rectifiers) arranged in a bridge
the output voltage. Four quadrant choppers are commonly used in applications that When the switch is turned OFF, the energy stored in the inductor continues to flow to
configuration. The armature circuit of the DC motor is connected to the output
require bidirectional power flow and control, such as regenerative braking in motor the load, causing the output voltage to drop. The inductor helps in bucking the output
terminals of the converter, and the field winding is separately excited.
drives and DC-DC converters used in renewable energy systems. voltage and allows for continuous current flow through the load during both the ON
Speed Control Method:
and OFF periods of the switch.
The speed control of the separately excited DC motor using a single-phase fully
Applications:
controlled converter is achieved by varying the armature voltage. This is done by
Type-D choppers are commonly used in applications where a lower output voltage is
controlling the firing angles of the SCRs in the converter. The firing angle
required from a higher input voltage source. Some typical applications include:
determines the delay in turning ON the SCRs in each half-cycle of the input AC
DC-DC converters for voltage buck and power reduction.
voltage.
Motor speed control systems, where the input voltage needs to be reduced to control
Operation:
the motor speed.
During each positive half-cycle of the input AC voltage, two SCRs in the bridge are
LED driver circuits, where a constant current is required for LED lighting systems.
triggered and conduct. The other two SCRs remain OFF.
By controlling the triggering angles of the conducting SCRs, the armature voltage
can be adjusted. A shorter firing delay results in a higher average armature voltage
and, hence, a higher motor speed. A longer firing delay reduces the armature
voltage and slows down the motor.
Advantages:
Simple and cost-effective speed control method for separately excited DC motors.
Provides a wide range of speed control without significant losses.
Disadvantages:
Only suitable for low to moderate power applications due to limitations in single-
phase converters.