DEPARTMENT OF ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONICS ENGINEERING

POWER ELECTRONICS (VR-23 Regulation)

Assignment Questions – Unit-3
Short answer question and answers
1 Name a common application of AC to DC converters.
Ans: AC to DC converters are commonly used in power supplies for electronic devices, battery chargers, and
motor drives.
2 Describe the operation of a 3-phase full-wave uncontrolled rectifier with an R load.
Ans: In a 3-phase full-wave uncontrolled rectifier with an R load, three pairs of diodes conduct sequentially,
with each pair conducting for 120 degrees, resulting in a six-pulse DC output with reduced ripple
compared to single-phase rectifiers.
3 Derive the expression for the RMS output voltage of a single-phase AC-AC power control by phase
control with an R load.
Ans: For a single-phase AC-AC power control by phase control with an R load, the RMS output voltage

= − + , where Vm is the maximum value of input voltage and α is the firing

angle.
4 What are the advantages of using a three-phase uncontrolled rectifier over a single-phase
uncontrolled rectifier for industrial applications?
Ans: Three-phase uncontrolled rectifiers produce a smoother DC output with less ripple, have a higher power
factor, and are more efficient for high-power industrial applications compared to single-phase rectifiers.
5 What is the primary function of an AC-AC regulator?
Ans: An AC-AC regulator converts a fixed AC voltage to a variable AC voltage at the same frequency.
6 What is the difference in the output waveform between a single-phase AC-AC regulator with an R
load and an RL load?
Ans: With an R load, the current waveform is in phase with the voltage, and the output is a chopped
sinusoidal waveform. With an RL load, the current lags the voltage, and the presence of inductance can
lead to discontinuous current conduction and more complex voltage waveforms, sometimes requiring a
freewheeling path.
7 What kind of load is often used to illustrate the operation of a single-phase AC-AC power control
by phase control?
Ans: Resistive (R) and inductive (RL) loads are often used to illustrate the operation of single-phase AC-AC
power control by phase control.
8 Explain the concept of "firing angle" in the context of AC-AC regulators and how it affects the RMS
output voltage.
Ans: The firing angle is the delay angle after the natural zero crossing of the AC voltage at which the thyristor
(SCR or TRIAC) is triggered. Increasing the firing angle reduces the conduction period of the device,
which in turn decreases the RMS output voltage across the load.
9 Discuss the challenges and solutions for controlling an AC-AC regulator with a highly inductive
load, considering phenomena like current commutation and power factor.
Ans: Challenges include delayed current turn-off due to inductance, leading to reduced conduction angle and
poor power factor. Solutions involve using more complex control strategies, incorporating reactive
compensation, or using forced commutation techniques in advanced designs, though simpler phase
control may be sufficient for many applications.
 10 How does phase control work in a single-phase AC-AC regulator to vary the output voltage?
Ans: Phase control involves triggering a pair of anti-parallel SCRs (or a TRIAC) at a controlled phase angle
relative to the input AC voltage. By varying this firing angle, the conduction period of the devices is
controlled, thereby varying the RMS output voltage to the load.

Long answer questions

1 Draw the circuit diagram of a three-phase full-wave uncontrolled rectifier.
2 Explain the operation of a three-phase full-wave uncontrolled rectifier with an R load and sketch the
output voltage waveform.
3 Analyze the harmonic content in the output voltage of a three-phase full-wave uncontrolled rectifier and
discuss its implications.
4 Discuss the operation of a three-phase full-wave uncontrolled rectifier with an RL load. How does the
inductance affect the output?
5 Derive the expression for the RMS output voltage of a single-phase AC-AC power control circuit with an R
load using phase control.
6 What is an AC-AC regulator?
7 A three-phase full-wave uncontrolled rectifier is fed from a 400V (line-to-line), 50Hz AC supply. Calculate
the average DC output voltage.
8 A three-phase full-wave uncontrolled rectifier supplies a constant DC current of 20 A to a highly inductive
load. If the supply is 415 V (line-to-line), 50 Hz, calculate the average output voltage and the RMS current
through each diode.
9 Name one method used for AC-AC power control.
10 Compare the output waveforms and characteristics of a single-phase AC-AC regulator with an R load and
an RL load.
11 Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of using phase control for AC-AC power regulation.
12 Explain the working principle of a single-phase AC-AC power control by phase control with an RL load.
Illustrate with waveforms.
13 A single-phase AC-AC power controller is connected to a 230V, 50Hz supply and feeds a 50 Ω resistive
load. If the firing angle is 90°, calculate the RMS output voltage and power delivered to the load.
14 Briefly explain phase control in AC-AC regulators.
15 A single-phase AC-AC power controller is connected to a 230V, 50Hz supply and feeds a 30 Ω resistive load
and inductive reactance of 40 Ω. If the firing angle is 60°, calculate the RMS output voltage and power
delivered to the load.
16 Design a single-phase AC-AC power controller using triacs to control the power to a 1 kW, 230 V heater.
Explain the design considerations.