Power Electronics 2008-2009 : Questions ================================== 1. Switching an inductive load : a. what is the problem ? b.

give some possible solutions b. what is the impact of a snubber network ?

2. Make a small comparison between the thyristor (SCR), the powerMOS and the IGBT. (related to their application )

3. A push-pull switching stage (half bridge or full bridge) has a "low level" switch and a "high level" switch : how can both sides be driven ?

4. What are the considerations when putting active devices in series or in parallel ?

5. Draw the voltage and current timing diagrams for the circuit below with an inductive load :

Consider all positibilities for the trigger signal.

6. Explain (+ calculate the output voltage) the DC/DC convertors :

7. A three-phase full-bridge switch can be used to generate an AC voltage. What kind of control signals are needed ? Draw a plot of the output voltages.

8. The H bridge is a good driver to control the speed of a DC motor. What are the possibilities ?

9. What are the possibilities to control the torque of the DC motor ? (some simple formulas might be helpfull to explain...)

10. The DC motor can operate in the so-called 4 quadrants. What does it mean ? What circuitry (block diagram) is needed ?

11. Explain ALL the methods (except : microstepping) to control the speed of a stepper motor .

12. Explain, in detail, the microstepping control of the stepper motor.

13. What is the difference between bipolar and unipolar control of the DC servo motor ?

14. An DC electromotor requires "ramping of the speed". What is the target of it ? (explain on the torque-speed diagram)

15. a. Explain the principle of the SPVM (Space Vector Modulation) for the AC motor. b. What's the difference between SPVM and the straightforward PWM inverter ?

16. Consider the torque-speed characteristic of the AC motor :

a. how can it be modified ? b. what could happen when the speed is increased too rapidly ?

17. Explain the physical operation of the IGBT.

18. What is the main physical difference between a normal MOS transistor and a powerMOS transistor ?

19. What do you know about avalanche in an electronic switch ?

20. Give a low-cost method to control the power of an electrical hairdryer.

21. Design a circuit to control the heating temperature of a ricecooker/deep-frying pan (the so-called frietpot) .

22. Design your own super-de-luxe lightdimmer.

23. Explain the following plot of the AC motor (and what is the link with the figure of Q16 ?)

24. An electronic power supply can be built either with a linear regulator or with a switching DC/DC convertor. What are the advantages / disadvantages of both ?

25. What are the possibilities (related to active devices) to build a single phase rectifier (AC/DC convertor) ?

26. How can the dissipated energy of a switch be reduced ?

27. What are the basic concepts of the Vector Control of the AC motor ?

28. What is the foldback property of a power supply ?

29. What are the potential problems of the H-bridge topology ? How to solve them ?

30. The Thyristor (SCR) is a low-cost device and is used all-over. Where can it be used and where can it not be used ? DC/DC DC/AC AC/AC AC/DC