PCE4701/201/0/2013

Tutorial letter 201/0/2013

Power Electronics IV (Theory)

PCE4701

Year Module

Department of Electrical and Mining

Engineering

IMPORTANT INFORMATION:
This tutorial letter contains important information
about your module.
 MEMO ASSIGNMENT 2

Question 1

The latest application of HVDC in Africa is the link between Zambia and Namibia via the
Caprivi region. Write a short report which will answer the following questions:

 What is the AC voltage of the network systems on both sides of the link?
Zambezi 330 kV Gerus 400 kV
 What is the DC voltage of the link?
350 kV per pole
 What is the power rating of the HVDC link?
Phase 1: 300 MW Phase 2: 600 MW
 In which year was it commissioned?
2010
 What is the main reason for using HVDC for the link?
Using AC transmission from coal-fired and hydro-electric generating stations over
two international borders was deemed unrealistic.
 What is the length of the HVDC link?
970 km
 Where are the locations of the two converter stations?
Near Katimo Mulilo and between Otjiwarongo and Outjo
 Which type of HVDC transmission line was built?
Phase 1: Monopolar with a metallic return to be upgraded to bipolar in phase 2.
 What type of switching technology is utilised in the converter stations?
IGBT
 Which company was responsible for the design, installation and commissioning of
the converter station?
ABB
[10]
Question 2

A HVDC converter system is operating at a delay angle of zero degrees when it is

transferring maximum power to the receiving network. Start from graphs of the
secondary voltages of a twelve pulse converter and graphically derive the line
current on the primary side. Assume that the DC current in the transmission line is
essentially constant. [20]

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Question 3

A passive power factor corrector circuit is utilized in an electronic ballast for a

fluorescent lamp.

3.1 Sketch a complete circuit diagram of the electronic ballast with a passive pfc. (5)

3.2 Sketch typical voltage and current waveforms for the output of the passive
power factor corrector circuit. (4)

3.3 The positive half cycle of the supply current the electronic ballast is shown in the
graph. Complete the table below in your assignment script. (8)

x° 0 9 18 27 36 45 54 63 72 81 90 99 108 117 126 135 144 153 162 171 180

i mA 0 0 0 450 584 700 833 977 1070 1125 1145 1125 1070 977 833 700 584 450 0 0 0

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1145 mA
1125 mA
1070 mA
1
977 mA

833 mA
0.8
line current / A

700 mA

0.6 584 mA

450 mA
0.4

0.2

80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89

Time/mSecs 1mSecs/div

3.3.1 Use a summation method to determine the co-efficients of the frequency

components of the supply current up to the ninth harmonic. (You may use a
spreadsheet. If you do, paste a print-out of the spreadsheet into your answer
book as proof of your work.) (20)

2 r m
 yr sin nxr
2 2
bn  b1  (  1 b03  (1.21)  0.121
. 5
m r 1 20 20
2 2 2
b5  (0.67)  0.067 b7  (0.71)  0.071 b9  (0.58)  0.058
20 20 20

3.3.2 Sketch the harmonic profile (up to the ninth harmonic) of the supply current. (9)

5
 [46]
Question 4

4.1.1 Derive an equation for the capacitor used in a passive turn-off snubber for a
power transistor. No circuit and/or waveform = no marks! (8)

Assume a linear fall of current in the transistor circuit of Figure 6.4 at turn-off
and also that the current in the load (I) is essentially constant from one cycle to
the next. The flywheel diode will switch on when the voltage over it goes from
reverse bias to forward bias. Considering an ideal diode, this will be when the
transistor voltage ( vT ) equals the supply voltage ( V ). From the graph in Figure
6.4 this can be seen as happening at time t1 .
Derive an expression for the snubber capacitor C that will delay the rise of
voltage over the transistor to its off-state value of V in a time of t1.

From the graph the transistor current is given by:

t 
iT  I    I ……………… (6.1)
 t2 

Applying KCL to the circuit:

I  iT  iC

Thus up to t1 :

iC  I  iT ……………… (6.2)
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At time t1 , vT  V , therefore at t1 the charge q on the capacitor is given by:

q  CV   iC dt
t1

0
……………… (6.3)

Substitute Equations (6.1) and (6.2) into Equation (6.3):

t1
t1 t t1t  CV  t 2  t12
CV   I  I    I dt = I  0   dt    
0
 t1   t2  I  2t2 0 2t2

It12
C  ……………… (6.4)
2Vt2

4.1.2 Derive an equation in terms of V and I for the energy stored in the capacitor
once the transistor has switched OFF (REFER TO THE DERIVATION IN Q4.4.1 WHERE
APPLICABLE). (8)

From equation (6.4)

It12
C and the energy in a capacitor
2Vt2
1
Ecap  CV 2
2
1  It 2  2 t2
   1  V  VI 1
2  2Vt2  4t2

4.2 Derive an equation for the inductor used in a turn-on snubber for a power
transistor. No circuit and/or waveform = no marks! (8)

Assume a linear fall of voltage in the transistor circuit of Figure 6.5 at turn-on and also
that the current in the load (I) is essentially constant from one cycle to the next. The
flywheel diode will switch off when the current through it has been reduced to zero.
This will be when the transistor current equals the load current. From the graph in
Figure 6.5 this can be seen as happening at time t1 .

Derive an expression for the inductance L that will delay the rise of current to its on-
state value of I in a time of t1 .
From the graph the transistor voltage is given by:

t 
vT  V    V ……………… (6.9)
 t2 

Applying KVL to the circuit remembering that the freewheeling diode is ON up until t1 :

7
 V  vT  vL

Thus up to t1 :

vL  V  vT ……………… (6.10)

At time t1 , iT  I , therefore at t1 the magnetic flux of the inductor is given

by:  LI  0 vL dt
t1
……………… (6.11)

Substitute Equations (6.9) and (6.10) into Equation (6.11):

t1
t t1  t  LI  t 2  t12
LI   V  V   V dt  V    dt 
t1
  
 t1   1 V  2t2 0 2t2
0 0 t

Vt12
L ……………… (6.12)
2 It2

[24]
[100]

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MEMO ASSIGNMENT 3

Question 1

A DC motor drive consists of the following components: single phase supply 220 V

50 Hz; fully controlled bridge rectifier; back-emf 90 V; delay angle ; motor armature
2
inductance 50 mH; motor armature resistance 5 Ω; motor armature constant 0.9
V/rad/s (N.m/A).

1.1 Sketch the circuit. (1)

1.2 Sketch a simplified equivalent circuit. (1)

1.3 Calculate how many radians the thyristors will conduct per half cycle. (9)
The thyristor current consists of three components:

i1  iDC  iAC  iimpulse (1)

E 90
iDC      18 A (2)
R 5

Vm sin t    Vm
iAC   sin t     
Z  Z
220 2   
  sin  t   1.263 

52  2  50   50 103    2 
2

(Calculator on RAD!!!)

220 2
  sin 100 t  0.5  1.263  18.9sin(100 t  0.308) (3)
16.49
Substitute equations (2) and (3) into (1)
5t

i1  18  18.9sin(100 t  0.308)  Ae 0,05
(4)

But at t  0 , i1  0
9
 5 0 

i1  18  18.9sin(100  0   0.308)  Ae 0,05

 A  18  18.9sin  0.308  12.27 (5)

Substitute (5) into (4)

i1  18  18.9sin(100 t  0.308)  12.27e 100t (6)

When will the current i1  0 ?

Using iterations:

Take t  7 ms
i1  18  18.9sin(100  7 103   0.308)  12.27e

 100 7103    0.7 A  0 A
Take t  6.9 ms
i1  18  18.9sin(100  6.9 103   0.308)  12.27e

 100 6.9103   0.17 A  0 A
Take
t  6.95 ms

i1  18  18.9sin(100  6.85 103   0.308)  12.27e


 100 6.85103   0.093 A  0 A
How many radians does the current flow under these conditions?

6.85 103
    0.685  2.152 rad
10 103

1.4 Sketch a free-hand waveform of the motor current and voltage. (4)

1.5 Calculate Vmean of the motor. (4)

1 T
Vmean 
T 
0
v(t )dt

1  0.5 1.185
   E dt   Vm sin t dt 
 
 0.185 0.5  

1
E t 0.185  Vm   cos t 0.5 
0.5 1.185
 
  
1
  90  0.5  0.185   220 2   cos1.185   cos 0.5  

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  111 V

1.6 Calculate Imean of the motor. (2)

Vmean  E  I mean R

Vmean  E 111  90
I mean    4.2 A
R 5
1.7 Calculate the mean torque. (2)
Tmean = 0.9 N.m/A x Imean = 0.9 x 4.2 = 3.78 N.m

1.8 Calculate the rpm of the motor. (2)

E  voltage-constant  N

E 60
N  rpm
voltage-constant 2

90 60
N   955 rpm
0.9 2

[25]

Question 2

A resonant DC-DC regulator employs zero-voltage switching.

2.1 Sketch a typical circuit topology. (1)

2.2 Sketch the equivalent circuits of the five modes of operation over one cycle. (5)

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2.3 Sketch labeled waveforms for the voltages and currents in the ZVS circuit
during the five distinct modes of operation. (8)

2.4 Explain the operation of the ZVS regulator. (10)

Power to the load is varied by controlling the length of time that the switch S is ON.
The switching frequency is high in order to minimize the size of the components used
to create resonance. Due to the zero voltage switching (ZVS) taking place, there are
no switching losses. This improves the efficiency of the converter.
While the switch S is closed (ON) the voltage over the capacitor C1 is zero. Thus, the
moment that the switch is opened (switches OFF) the voltage over the switch is zero.
The switch current i L1 is now diverted to the capacitor C1 and charging of the capacitor
takes place until the capacitor voltage reaches the supply voltage E. In order to keep
the current flowing in the circuit, inductor L1 polarity reverses according to Lentz’s Law.
This forward biases diode D2 allowing the difference between the two inductor currents
to flow through it. Since the load current is constant over one cycle, the filter inductor
current is constant. Thus, as the capacitor current ic falls, the diode current
1
iD2 increases with the same amount. The switch capacitor C1 is charged until all the

13
 1 2
energy in inductor L1 has been transferred to it. This happens when iL1  0 ( W  LI ).
2
The current through L1 and C1 now changes direction and the capacitor C1 is
discharged until it reaches zero. Since there is still current flowing through inductor L1,
it has a polarity over it such that when the capacitor voltage attempts to reverse, the
diode D1 is forward biased and the capacitor C1 voltage is clamped at zero. The
inductor L1 current thus flows through diode D1 until it is zero allowing diode D1 to
switch OFF. The voltage over the switch is zero and the current iL1 via L1 is also zero.
The switch S can now be switched ON with zero volts over it if maximum power
transfer to the load is desired or it can be kept OFF for longer to transfer less power to
the load.

[24]

Question 3

A resonant DC-DC regulator employs zero-current switching.

2.1 Sketch a typical circuit topology. (1)

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2.2 Sketch the equivalent circuits of the four modes of operation over one cycle. (5)

[6]

15
Question 4

Prove that the impedance of a transmission line can be varied by varying the delay
angle in a thyristor controlled reactor (TCR). No circuit and /or waveforms = no
marks! [20]

IL ()

L
Vm cos t

AC switch

A thyristor controlled reactor

Considering only the positive half of the current cycle, since the thyristor will switch
off when the current equals zero.

From the -i relationship for an inductor:

t
1 T 1 t V  sin t  
iL  t      t  dt     Vm cos t dt  m 
L 0 L  L   


 iL  t  
Vm 
L    
V
 
sin  t  sin     m sin t  sin  
 L

Where:   t     

Inspection of the waveform of Figure reveals it is odd, therefore an = 0. It also has no

DC component thus, ao = 0, i.e. the negative half is a mirror image of the positive half.

2 


bn  i (t )sin nt dt
0 L

2   Vm
sin t  sin   sin t dt
 
 b1 
L

 b1 
2Vm  
 L  
 sin 2 t  sin t sin   dt

2Vm    1 cos 2t 

 
 L    
2 2
 sin t sin   dt


2Vm    1 cos 2t 

 
 L    
2 2
 sin t sin   dt


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 
2V  t sin 2t 
  m    cos t sin  
 L  2 4 

2Vm      sin 2     sin 2 

       cos     sin   cos  sin  
 L  2 2 4 4 

But cos       cos  and sin  2  2    sin 2

2Vm   sin 2 sin 2 

       cos  sin   cos  sin  
 L  2 4 4 

2Vm   sin 2 
      2cos  sin  
 L  2 2 

But 2cos  sin   sin 2

2Vm   sin 2  2V   sin 2 

 b1      sin    m    
 L  2 2   L  2 2 

The fundamental component of the current:

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 I L1  a12  b12  02  b12  b1

2Vm   sin 2  Vm  2 sin 2 

I L1       1  
 L  2 2  L    

V  2 sin 2  V
I L1rms  1    where V  m
L     2

I L1rms 1  2 sin 2 
The admittance: YL     1  
V L    

1 L
And the impedance: Z L    
YL   1
2

sin 2
 
which proves that the TCR can vary the impedance by varying the delay angle .

Question 5

The load current in a single phase line of 240 V 50 Hz varies from (8+j2) to (8 - j14)
A. Calculate the TCR reactor to be placed in parallel to a compensating capacitor to
improve the power factor over the range of operation. [6]

 
I Q    V C
2
 
IQ  
C    
2 14
 185.7 μF
V 240 100 

V  2 sin 2  0    1 
I Q  0   V C  1   0     V  C 
L       L 

1 I  0
 C   Q
L V
1 I  0
  Q  C
L V
1 I  0
  C  Q
L V
1 1
L   47.7 mH
 I  0   2 
  C  Q  100 100 186 106   
 V   240 

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Question 6

A CSI supplies a stepped waveform to the three phases of an induction motor. The
levels of the current are 20 A, 10 A, - 10 A and – 20 A. The frequency of the current
2 4
j j
is 50 Hz. The current space vector is given by: Is  I as e0  Ibs e 3
 I cs e 3
. Phase B and
phase C are then swopped.

6.1 Sketch the three phase currents over the six intervals before the swop. (6)

6.2 Calculate the magnitude and direction of the current space vector in all six
intervals after the swop. (6)
 2   4 
j   j  
Swap phases B and C: I s  I as  I cs e  3 
 I bs e  3 

Interval (1):

 2 2 
Ics1  10  cos  j sin   10   0.5  j 0.866   5  j8.66
 3 3 

Ias1  10  cos 0  j sin 0   10 1  j0   10  j0

 4 4 
Ibs1  20  cos  j sin   20   0.5  j 0.866   10  j17.32
 3 3 
Is1  Ias1  Ibs1  Ics1  5  j8.66  10  10  j17.32  15  j 25.98  3060

Interval (2):

 2 2 
Ics 2  10  cos  j sin   10   0.5  j 0.866   5  j8.66
 3 3 
Ias 2  20  cos 0  j sin 0   20 1  j0   20  j0

19
  4 4 
Ibs 2  10  cos  j sin   10  0.5  j 0.866   5  j8.66
 3 3 
Is 2  Ias 2  Ibs 2  Ics 2  5  j8.66  20  5  j8.66  30  300

Interval (3):

 2 2 
Ics 3  20  cos  j sin   20   0.5  j 0.866   10  j17.32
 3 3 
Ias 3  10  cos 0  j sin 0   10 1  j0   10  j0
 4 4 
Ibs 3  10  cos  j sin   10   0.5  j 0.866    5  j8.66
 3 3 
Is 3  Ias3  Ibs3  Ics3  10  j17.32  10  5  j8.66  15  j 25.98  30  60

Interval (4):

 2 2 
Ics 4  10  cos  j sin   10   0.5  j 0.866   5  j8.66
 3 3 
Ias 4  10  cos 0  j sin 0   10 1  j 0   10  j 0
 4 4 
Ibs 4  20  cos  j sin   20   0.5  j 0.866   10  j17.32
 3 3 
Is 4  Ias 4  Ibs 4  Ics 4  5  j8.66  10  10  j17.32  15  j 25.98  30  120

Interval (5):

 2 2 
Ics 5  10  cos  j sin   10   0.5  j 0.866    5  j8.66
 3 3 
Ias 5  20  cos 0  j sin 0   20 1  j 0   20  j 0
 4 4 
Ibs 5  10  cos  j sin   10  0.5  j 0.866   5  j8.66
 3 3 
Is 5  Ias 5  Ibs 5  Ics 5  5  j8.66  20  5  j8.66  30  30180

Interval (6):

 2 2 
Ics 6  20  cos  j sin   20   0.5  j 0.866   10  j17.32
 3 3 
Ias 6  10  cos 0  j sin 0   10 1  j 0   10  j 0
 4 4 
Ibs 6  10  cos  j sin   10   0.5  j 0.866   5  j8.66
 3 3 
Is 6  Ias 6  Ibs 6  Ics 6  10  j17.32  10  5  j8.66  15  j 25.98  30120

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 PCE4701/201

6.3 Sketch the current space vector in all six intervals on a single pair of axes. (3)
120 60

Is(6) Is(1)

180 0
Is(5) Is(2)

Is(4) Is(3)

240 300

6.4 Is the direction of rotation clockwise or anti-clockwise? Clockwise. (1)

6.5 Write down your erudite opinion about the behavior of the current space vector
in all six intervals.
The current space vector magnitude stays constant. During every interval it is
stationary. At the end of every interval, it jumps through 60˚ in the clockwise direction
and then stays in that position until the end of the interval.
[19]
[100]

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