EEP3701 PRACTICAL ASSIGNMENT

POWER ELECTRONICS 3 EEP3701 PRACTICAL ASSIGNMENT

INTRODUCTION AND WELCOME

Dear Student

Welcome to the subject POWER ELECTRONICS 3 EEP3701 at UNISA. This

tutorial letter serves as a guideline to this subject. It provides you with general
administrative information as well as specific information about the subject.
Read it carefully and keep it safe for future reference. We trust that you will
enjoy this course.

2 PURPOSE OF AND OUTCOMES FOR THE PRACTICAL

Purpose:

Theory without verification makes for thoughtless acquiring of knowledge.

This module’s purpose is to allow for some form of verification of some of the
theoretical work covered by the theory module. A scientific approach to
practical work is embodied in the three model approach. The three models
are: mathematical model, simulation model and experimental model. A
minimum approach would involve at least two of the models: Mathematical
model and simulation model or mathematical model and experimental model.
In this module the mathematical and simulation models will be used to verify
the theory presented in the section about rectification.

Outcomes:

After completion of these practicals you should be able to do the following:

 Build a simulation model in SIMetrix
 Select a simulation mode
 Run a simulation
 Do measurements using SIMetrix
 Print graphs of voltages and currents using SIMetrix
 Derive a mathematical model
 Tabulate the mathematical results and plot the results
 Compare mathematical and simulation model results
 Understand the concept of verifying a circuits operation using the
two/three model approach.
 EEP3701 PRACTICAL ASSIGNMENT

3 LECTURER AND CONTACT DETAILS

3.1 Lecturer

Your Lecturer for Power Electronics 3 is Dr JF J van Rensburg. He can be

contacted at the following numbers for any subject related questions:

Tel no: 083 383 8341 (WhatsApp preferred)

e-mail: [email protected]

Contact Times: Mon – Sun: 08h00 – 21h00

3.2 Department

Department of Electrical and Mining Engineering:

electrical&[email protected]

3.3 University

If you need to contact the University about matters not related to the content of this
module, please consult the publication My studies @ Unisa that you received with
your study material. This brochure contains information on how to contact the
University (e.g. to whom you can write for different queries, important telephone and
fax numbers, addresses and details of the times certain facilities are open).Always
have your student number at hand when you contact the University.

4 MODULE RELATED RESOURCES

4.1 Prescribed books

The prescribed book

Industrial Power Electronics 2nd Ed JFJ van Rensburg

Lerato Publishers (082 852 0340)

4.2 Recommended books

There are no recommended books for this module.

4.3 Electronic Reserves (e-Reserves)

There are no electronic reserves for this module.

5 STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES FOR THE MODULE

Important information appears in your my Studies @ Unisa brochure.

 EEP3701 PRACTICAL ASSIGNMENT

6 MODULE SPECIFIC STUDY PLAN

Use your my Studies @ Unisa brochure for general time management and planning
skills.

7 MODULE PRACTICAL WORK

This assignment covers the practical part.

8 ASSESSMENT

8.1 Assessment plan

8.2.1 Unique assignment numbers

Practical Assignment
(Compulsory)

8.2.2 Due dates of assignments

THE CUT-OFF SUBMISSION DATES FOR THE ASSIGNMENT IS :

Practical Assignment 14 April 2020

8.3 Submission of assignments

The practical assignment must be submitted.

To submit an assignment via myUnisa:

 Go to myUnisa.
 Log in with your student number and password.
 Select the module.
 Click on assignments in the menu on the left-hand side of the screen.
 Click on the assignment number you wish to submit.
 Follow the instructions.

8.4 Assignments

This letter contains detail technical information regarding the practical

assignment(s).

Introduction
It is very important for UNISA to enhance the learning experience by
illustrating the theory in practice. The equipment required for realizing the
 EEP3701 PRACTICAL ASSIGNMENT

main aim or purpose of Power Electronics 3 is expensive and not readily

available. Thus a freely available simulation package is used to enhance the
learning experience.

This document gives an outline of the process that must be followed to do the
practical assignment at home or work. The main requirement will be access
to a PC or Laptop on which SIMetrix Elements can be downloaded and
installed.

I trust that you will enjoy the course.

9 ASSESSMENT

Your accessment mark, is the mark that you obtain for the portfolio that you
handed in.

10 OTHER ASSESSMENT METHODS

None

11 FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

The my Studies @ Unisa brochure contains an A-Z guide of the most relevant
study information.
 EEP3701 PRACTICAL ASSIGNMENT

ANNEXURE A

1. POLICY FOR PRACTICAL ASSIGNMENTS

1.1 All experiments have to be performed.

1.2 In order to receive a pass mark, the student need to receive a sub-minimum of 50%.

1.3 All students must have their own practical guide and components.

1.4 Every student must do his own practical, however students are allowed to receive help in a
constructive manner.

1.5 Practical experiments must be built by the student himself and the relevant answers supplied
on the respective answer sheet for that experiment.

1.6 Use standard symbols and notation, as used in the theoretical notes and practical guide, on the
answer sheet.

1.7 Where applicable, the construction of your practical assignment will be evaluated on the
following criteria:
 neatness;
 correct layout of components;
 correct wiring techniques;
 correct operation of circuit;
 student's knowledge of the circuit and
 insight into the practical work.

1.8 All the experiments need to be certified by the student's mentor (see the form attached), as the
student's own work. Refer to paragraph 3 for the very important information regarding the
appointment of your mentor.

1.9 Students need to take every safety precaution (especially where the experiment involves 220 V
and 380 V alternating current). UNISA cannot be held responsible for any damage to
equipment or harm to any person. In cases where the student is in doubt about any safety
aspect, contact the university for assistance.

2. INTERACTION WITH THEORETICAL WORK

The relevant theory is that found from page 6 to page 32 in the prescribed textbook.
 EEP3701 PRACTICAL ASSIGNMENT

ANNEXURE B – PRACTICAL ASSIGNMENT

EEP3701 Practical Assignment

All text in the practical must be done in your own handwriting. No typed assignments are
acceptable. Simulation measurements and schematics are to be pasted into each practical report.
The simulation must be done with the aid of SIMetrix Elements, which is available at
www.simetrix.co.uk at no cost. Do not use any other simulation program. This is an opportunity for
you to learn a new skill. If no proof of actual simulation is submitted, a failure mark will be awarded.
Scan the complete document to a pdf format.

If you require help, contact Dr J F Janse van Rensburg via WhatsApp at 083 383 8341.

Each practical must be done using this format:

1. Aim
2. Mathematical Modelling
Circuit
Waveforms
Derivation
Results
3. Simulation Modelling
Schematic
Waveforms with Annotated Measurements
4. Tabulated results
Results must be tabulated and with % errors between mathematical and simulation
modelling calculated and indicated.
5. Discussion
Discuss the method followed, results obtained and reason for error percentage.
6. Conclusion
The conclusion must be erudite and must refer to the aim.

Practical 1

Aim: Determine the true power dissipated in the load of a single-phase half-wave rectifier fed
from a 220 V 50 Hz supply. The load resistor is equal to the last two numbers of your student
number + 10 ohm. [25]

Practical 2

Aim: Determine the true power dissipated in the load of a single-phase bridge rectifier fed
from a 220 V 50 Hz supply. The load resistor is equal to the last two numbers of your student
number + 10 ohm.
[25]

Practical 3

Aim: Determine average voltage over the load of a single-phase half-wave rectifier fed from a
22 V 50 Hz supply. The load consists of a 100 mH inductor with a 10 Ω internal resistance.
[25]
 EEP3701 PRACTICAL ASSIGNMENT

The fourth practical is by far the most difficult of the the four practicals and will take quite some
time to complete. Failure of Practical 4 will result in being found “Not competant yet” for the
relevant GA.

Practical 4 (GRADUATE ATTRIBUTE)

Aim: Determine the relationship of the average output voltage against the delay angle  of


a single-phase half-wave controlled rectifier fed from a 22 V 50 Hz supply. The load consists of
a 100 mH inductor with a 10 Ω internal resistance with a commutating diode in parallel to the
load. Use a thyristor as the rectifying element. Use an 18° interval for aplpha. The range of
alpha streches from 0° up to 180°. Plot the graph of the output voltage versus the delay angle
alpha for both the mathematical and simulation models on the same set of axes using Excel.
[25]
/100/

Familiarizing yourself with SIMetrix Elements

Step 1

Download SIMetrix from <http://www.SIMetrix.co.uk>. SIMetrix is based on PSpice and has a

graphical user interface (GUI) to help a user enter a netlist. While demo programs from other
software simulators are severely limited (5 components is typical), the SIMetrix demo version
can simulate circuits with up to 3 OPAMPs in.

Step 2

Install SIMetrix on a computer that you have regular access to.

Step 3

Open SIMetrix. After clicking on <OK>, the command shell of SIMetrix opens in a window.
Make sure that this window is always visible since SIMetrix posts error messages in this window
and if not visible will leave you wondering why it seems that SIMetrix is ignoring your
commands.

Step 4

Select File<New Schematic>. A new window opens as shown below:

 EEP3701 PRACTICAL ASSIGNMENT

Step 5

Select File<Save As>. Type your student number in the entry box next to File name. Click on
<Save>.

Step 6

Your student number should now be visible as shown below with the .sxsch extension following
it.
 EEP3701 PRACTICAL ASSIGNMENT

Step 7

The most important icon in SIMetrix is the earth symbol. Without it no circuit can be simulated.
Therefore, make a habit of always starting with it. Move the cursor until it points to the earth
icon, left click on the mouse and move the cursor downwards. The cursor shape is that of the
earth icon. One can say that the earth icon is now hanging from the cursor. Position the icon
where you want to place the earth symbol and left click the mouse. The earth icon is placed
(shown in red) and the cursor still displays as an earth icon. Right click to release the cursor.
The window should now look as shown below.

Step 8

Repeat the action in Step 7 but now selecting and placing a voltage source as shown below.
 EEP3701 PRACTICAL ASSIGNMENT

Step 9

Double click on the source icon. A menu as shown below opens up. Disable the DC in the right
top corner. Select the Sine radio button; change the frequency to 50 Hz and the voltage to RMS
220 V. Then click <OK>.

The file window should now look like this:

 EEP3701 PRACTICAL ASSIGNMENT

Step 10

Bring the cursor close to the earth symbol and the cursor will change shape to a pencil. Left
click the mouse near the terminal of the earth icon, move the pencil towards the voltage
sources lower terminal, left click the mouse, move the cursor away and right click to release the
cursor from the wire. The circuit should now be as shown below.

Note:

Clicking once on a component selects it. Deselect is done by clicking somewhere in the blank
space of the SIMetrix window. To indicate that it is selected, its colour changes from red to
blue. When a component is selected, it can be grabbed by a left click and then dragged around
by means of the mouse movement. Place it with a left click.

Step 11

Place a voltage probe to plot V1. In order to place the probe, click on Probe<Place Fixed
Voltage probe> and place the probe on the top terminal of V1 as shown below.
 EEP3701 PRACTICAL ASSIGNMENT

Step 12

Click on Simulation<Choose Analysis>. After the input window has opened, select the transient
mode as shown as well as a print step of 20 μs and a stop time of 20 ms (i.e. one cycle of 50 Hz).
Then, click on <Run>.

A new window automatically opens up showing the plot of the source voltage. It should look
similar to the one shown below.
 EEP3701 PRACTICAL ASSIGNMENT

Step 13

To do a measurement of the rms value of the voltage, tick the check box next to V1-pos above
the graph. Then click on the RMS icon (to the right above the graph). The RMS value is now
displayed. Note that it is the 220 V that you specified earlier.

Step 14

To include this measurement on a printout of the graph, follow these instructions: Click on
Annotate < Add Legend Box>; File <Print>; <OK>. A plot of V1 with the RMS measurement will
be printed as shown below.
 EEP3701 PRACTICAL ASSIGNMENT

Step 15

Complete the circuit in order to let the current flow so that a current measurement can be
made with SIMetrix by adding a resistor and an inductor to the circuit that has been built so far.
It should then appear as in the figure shown below.

To rotate a component press function key F5 until the component’s orientation is how you want
it to be and then place it.

To change the value of a component, double click on it. A menu box will open which allows you
to change the component value. When you are satisfied with the value click <OK>.
Change the component values so that they are the same as shown below.
 EEP3701 PRACTICAL ASSIGNMENT

Place a current probe on the terminal of the resistor. To do this, select Probe<Place Fixed
Current Probe> and place it on the resistor terminal. It must be on the junction between the
component and the wire (where green meets red).

Increase the stop time to 100 ms. Run the simulation (Simulator<Run>). A graph of the voltage
and current is now produced. Select Curve<Stack All Curves>. Check the boxes next to the
curve labels and determine the RMS values as before. Add the Legend Box.
 EEP3701 PRACTICAL ASSIGNMENT

Examining the graphs above one can notice the following. The RMS voltage is now lower than
before. The graphs are not pure sine waves. This is due to the time step being too large.

To reduce the time step, follow these instructions:

 Select Simulator<Choose Analysis><Advanced Options>.

 Change the Max Time Step to 20 us.
 Click on <Close> and then <Run>.
 Stack all the curves and determine the RMS of the curves.

You will now see that the wave shapes are continuous and not piece-wise linear as before. You
should also notice that the RMS value of the source is now very near to 220 V. This is because
the area under the curve has been increased by the smaller time steps.

A thyristor has to be added to the components in the library of Simetrix.

Open a file in Notepad and save it as scr.txt.
Enter the text as shown in the figure below into the file scr.txt. Make sure you enter it just as it
is. This is the P-Spice model of the thyristor you are going to use in Practical 4.
Go to File>>Model Library>>Add/Remove Model Library to add scr.txt as a model in Simetrix.
Assosiate the SCR symbol with this thyristor.
 EEP3701 PRACTICAL ASSIGNMENT

Now that you have gone through the basic actions of entering a simulation model into SIMetrix,
you can build the simulation models of the four practicals that you have to do.

See the simulation model for Practical 4 below:

100n
10k

C1 R2

X1
V_Source V_load

XC106D
1
I(load)
R3
TX1 L1
Sin(0 31.1127 50 0 0) D1 100m
V1 V2 IDEAL
P1 S1

R1
10

Pulse(0 5 5m 3.960396u 3.960396u 396.0396u 20m)