Q1. What are the difference between transistor and SCR?

1. SCR is four layer PNPN device, whereas transistor is three layer (PNP or NPN) device.
2. SCR turns on by regeneration but there is no regeneration in BJT.
3. Gate has no control over the conductiononce SCR turns on. BJT can be turned off by base drive.
4. BJTs have higher switching frequencies than SCRs.

Q2. Explain latching current and holding current of the thyristor?

Latching current: Its the minimum forward current that flows through the thyristor to keep it in
forward conduction mode at the time of triggering. If the forward current is less than latching current,
thyristor doesnt turn on.
Holding Current: It is the minimum forward current that flows through the thyristor to keep it in
forward conduction mode. When forward current reduces below holding current, thyristor turn off.

Answer
Q3. What are the advantages of MOSFETs over BJTs?
i) MOSFETs have simpler gate drive circuits.
ii) They have high switching frequencies.
iii) MOSFETs are majority carrier devices.
iv) MOSFETs have positive temperature coefficients.

Answer
Q4. Why pulsed gate drive is used for SCR?
Once SCR is turned on, gate drive is no more required. Hence if pulsed gate drive is used, SCR turns
on at particular pulse. The remaining pulses are not used. But pulsed drive reduces losses in gate
cathode of the SCR.

Answer
Q5. Define the delay angle of phase-controlled rectifier.
It is the angle at which thyristors are triggered after zero crossing. After zero crossing of supply
voltage, one pair of thyristor is forward biased. After delay angle (), the SCRs are triggered.

Answer
Q6. Why is power factor of semiconverter better than full converter?

Answer
Q7. What are the differences between freewheeling diode and feedback diode?

Freewheeling diode is used to circulate the load energy in the load itself. Feedback diode is used
totransfer the load energy to the source. Feedback diode is normally used in inverters. Freewheeling
diode is normally used in controlled rectifiers.

Answer
Q8. What is inverting operation of the converter?
Converters are basically AC to DC controlled rectifiers. The power flows from AC supply to DC load. In
inverting operation, the power flows from DC load to AC supply. Under such situation, the DC load is

normally a battery. Thus the power of DC battery load is given to AC supply through
controlled rectifier. For this operation, firing angle is greater than 90.

Answer
Q9. What are control strategies of chopper?
Choppers have following control strategies:
1. Fixed frequency operation: in this type of control, the frequency of chopper remains fixed , but on
and off periods of chopper change as per the duty cycle.
2. Variable frequency operation: in this type of control, the on or off period remains fixed. Hence
frequency of the chopper changes when duty cycle is changed.
3. Current limit control (CLC) : in this type of control, the output is sensed, when output current falls
below reference level, chopper is turned on. And when output current rises above reference level,
chopper is turned off.

Answer
Q10. Explain the use of step-up chopper.

Step-up chopper is normally used for energy transfer. The load energy is transferred to source by stepup operation.

Answer
Q11. What is four quadrant chopper?
Four quadrant chopper operates in all the four quadrants of Vo Io plane. It can perform forward and
reverse motoring as well as forward and reverse regeneration.

Answer
Q12. What is the main difference between voltage source inverter and current source inverter?

1. In the voltage source inverter, input voltage remains fixed and current varies according to load
variations. But in current source inverter, input current remains fixed and voltage varies according to
the load.
2. In voltage source inverters, short circuit of the devices can damage them. In current source
inverter short circuit cannot damage the circuit.
3. Voltage source inverters need freewheeling diodes. But current source inverters doesnt need
freewheeling diodes.

Answer
Q13. What are PWM inverters?
PWM inverters are basically pulse width modulated inverters. Voltage control in such inverters is
achieved by varying width of the pulse. In one half cycle there can be single or multiple pulses.
Number of pulses determine lowest order harmonic present in inverter output voltage. Thus PWM
inverters provide voltage control as well as harmonic reduction simultaneously.

Answer

Q14. What is cycloconverter?

Cycloconverter is AC to DC converter. It has 1 or 3 AC input. Output is variable voltage and
variable frequency. Cycloconverters are used for induction motor drives. They have an advantages of
variable frequency output over other AC voltage.

Answer
Q15. What are the advantages and disadvantages of AC voltage controller?
Advantages:
1. They use line communication, hence no extra communication circuits are required.
2. They have high efficiencies since device losses are reduced.
Disadvantages:
1. Large ripple and harmonics are present in the output.
2. Output waveforms are not sinusoidal.

SOME BASIC QUESTION-ANSWERS:

Q1. What is Power electronics?
Power electronics is one of the important branch of electronics and electrical engineering. It delas
with conversion and control of electric energy.

Answer
Q2. What are main applications of Power electronics?
Power supplies is Computers, medical equipments, Communication systems, telephone
exchange, Satellite systems etc.
Power control in resistance welding, induction heating, electrolysis process and etc,
Power conversion for HVDC and HVAC transmission systems.

Answer
Q3. What is SCR?
Silicon Control Rectifier (SCR) belongs to the thyristor family, it is three terminal four layer PNPN
diode.

Answer
Q4. What are merits and applications of SCR?
Merits:
i) Very small amount of gate drive is required.
ii) SCRs with high voltage and current ratings are available.
iii) On-state losses in SCRs are reduced.
Applications:
i) SCRs are best suitable for controlled rectifier.
ii) AC regulators, lighting and heating applications.
iii) DC motor drives, large power supplies and electronic circuit breaker.

Answer
Q5. What is TRIAC?
TRIAC can be considered as antiparallel SCR. TRIAC conducts in both the directions and it has single
gate.
Some Important Points:
i) All the power electronic devices are used as on/off switches.
ii) Power converter converts input power in the form suitable for load.
iii) All power devices are solid state. Hence they are called power electronic devices.

Answer
Q6. Differentiate between SCR and BJT.
SCR:
i) Four layer PNPN device.
ii) Turns on by regeneration.
iii) Gate has no control once SCR is turned on.
iv) External circuits are required to turn off the SCR.
v) Switching frequencies are low.
BJT:

i) Three layer (PNP or NPN) device.

ii) No regeneration exists.
iii) Base has full control over the operation of BJT.
iv) No external circuits are required. BJT turns off if base drive is removed.
v) Switching frequencies are high.

Answer
Q7. What are the differences between BJT and MOSFET?
BJT:
i) This is bipolar device.
ii) Controlled by base.
iii) Current controlled device.
iv) Negative temp coefficients.
v) Losses are low.
MOSFET:
i) This is majority carrier device.
ii) Controlled by gate.
iii) Voltage controlled devices.
iv) Positive temp coefficients.
v) Losses are high than BJTs.

Answer
Q8. What are the different ways to Turn-on and Turn-off the Thyristor.
Turn-on:
i) Gate drive.
ii) High forward voltage.
iii) Dv/dt
iv) Light
v) High temperature.
Turn-off:
i) Natural commutation.
ii) Forced commutation.

Answer
Q9. What is turn0on and turn-off time of a thyristor?
Turn-on: it is defined as the time from initiation of gate drive to the time when anode current reaches
to its full value.
Turn-off time: it is the time required to achieve forward blocking capability after commutation is
initiated.

Answer
Q10. List the thyristor current and voltage ratings.
Current ratings:
i) Average current rating.
ii) RMS current rating.
iii) Surge current rating.

iv) I2t rating.

v) Di/dt rating.
Voltage ratings:
i) Peak repetitive forward blocking voltage.
ii) Peak repetitive reverse voltage or peak inverse voltage(PIV).
iii) Non-repetitive peak reverse voltage.
iv) Dv/dt rating.

Answer
Q11. What is DIAC, and why it used?
The DIAC is the two terminal and four layer device. It is mainly used for triggering TRIACs. it
conducts in either direction. It is low power triggering device, and there are no control terminal on the
DIAC.

[Q]

What

is

AC

voltage

controller?

It is defined as the power electronics converter which converts the fixed AC voltage
into a variable AC voltage without change in the frequency.
[Q]

What

is

inverter?

What

are

the

types

of

Inverter?

A device which converts dc power into ac power at desired output voltage and
frequency
Inverters
Voltage

is

called

are

as

broadly
Source

classified
Inverter

Inverter.
into
(VSI)

Current Source Inverter (CSI)

[Q]

What

is

chopper?

It is equivalent to a dc transformer in ac circuit. The Chopper is a static switch which

is used to get the variable dc output voltage from a constant dc input voltage.
Chopper basics, types and principle of operation is discussed in a separate
page. Click here to know more about Choppers
Step

down

chopper:

In this circuit, the average output voltage [VO = D . VS] is less than the input supply
voltage. It is also known as Buck converter.

Step

up

chopper:

It is also known as Boost converter. Here the average output voltage [VO = VS / 1 D] is more than the input supply voltage.
[Q]

What

is

load

commutation?

In load commutation, the load current flowing through the thyristor either becomes
zero or is transferred to another device from the conducting SCR.
[Q] What is meant by pulse triggered devices?
As the name indicates, to trigger these devices just a pulse is sufficient. Continuous
gate voltage of entire on time is not required. The advantage of pulse triggering is,
it will avoid the hard triggering. Ex. Thyristor, GTO
[Q] What is level-sensitive devices? give some examples
Some of the level sensitive devices are
MOSFET
IGBT
MCT
IGCT
In order to keep these devices in the ON state condition, we have to apply gate
current/voltage continuously to these devices.
[Q] What is meant by GTO?
It is a three terminal, four layer PNPN Power Semiconductor device that can be
turned on by a positive gate current and can be turned off by a reverse gate current.
[Q] What are the types of GTO?
Asymmetrical GTO
Symmetrical GTO
[Q] What does 10V AC mean? Is it the RMS voltage or Peak voltage or Average
voltage?
In general, AC voltages and currents are mentioned in RMS values only. It is

sensible to compare with steady DC voltages and currents.

For example 230V AC supply means, 230Vrms AC Supply.
[Q] When we have to connect the SCRs in a parallel manner?
To meet the high current demand we will connect the SCRs in a parallel manner.
Similarly to meet the high voltage demand we have to connect the SCRs in series.
[Q] Define Gate Charge in MOSFET?
The gate charge is defined as the amount of charge required for the device during
turn-on and turn-off time. It is the most important parameter we have to consider
while selecting the MOSFET. The switching speed of the MOSFET depends on the
speed at which the gate driver can charge or discharge the input gate charge.

[Q-1] What is holding current in SCR?

It is the minimum current required to hold the SCR in forward conduction state.
When the forward current becomes less than holding current, SCR turns from
forward conduction state to forward blocking state.
[Q-2] What is latching current in SCR?
It is the minimum current required to latch(turn on) the SCR from forward
blocking state to forward conduction state.
[Q-3] What are the different turn on methods of SCR?
Forward voltage triggering
Gate Triggering
dv/dt triggering
Temperature triggering
Light triggering

[Q-4] What is snubber circuit?

The snubber circuit is used for the dv/dt protection of the SCR. It is a series
combination of a resistor and a capacitor in parallel with the SCR.
[Q-5] What is hard switching of the thyristor?
When gate current is several times higher than the required gate current, the SCR is
said to be hard fired. It reduces the turn ON time and enhances the di/dt capability.
[Q-6] What is firing angle?
The angle between the zero crossing of the input voltage and the instant the SCR is
fired is called as delay angle or firing angle.
[Q-7] What is meant by SOA?
SOA - Safe Operating Area determines the voltage and current boundary within
which the Power Device can be operated without destructive failure.
[Q-8] What are the main components used for isolating the Power Circuits, Power
Semiconductor from the low-power circuit?
Opto-Couplers, Transformers
[Q-9] Name some of the current controlled (current driven) devices...
SCR, GTO, GTR
[Q-10] Name some of the voltage driven ( Voltage controlled) devices
IGBT, MCT, IGCT, SIT
[Q-11] What is duty cycle?
It is the ratio of the ON time of the chopper to total time period of the chopper.
D = Ton / [Ton + Toff]
[Q-12] Can fuses with an AC voltage rating be used in a DC applications?
Fuses must be rated for the voltage AC or DC in which they will be used.
Generally, fuses have a DC voltage rating that is half of the maximum AC voltage
rating.

[Q-13] What are the characteristics of ideal Opamp?

Infinite open loop voltage gain
Infinite input impedance
Zero output impedance
Infinite Bandwidth
Zero offset voltage
[Q-14] For High voltage applications will you prefer MOSFET or IGBT?

For High voltage applications we have to use IGBT.

Because MOSFETs are low voltage devices. ie, Their voltage rating is lesser
than IGBT.

General rule is MOSFETs are suitable for applications which has breakdown
voltage less than 250V.

The IGBTs are suitable for applications which has breakdown voltage upto
1000V.

[Q-15] For High frequency applications will you prefer MOSFET or IGBT? Why?

For High frequency applications, MOSFET is the right choice of the device.

Because MOSFET has low switching losses compare to that of IGBT.

General rule of thumb is for low-frequency applications having frequency

range upto 20kHz, we have to use IGBT.

For high frequency applications having frequency range of more than 200kHz,
we have to use MOSFET.

[Q-1] Draw the buck topology?

In most of the power electronics interview questions, you are going to face this
basic question. Not only buck converter, the interviewer may ask you to draw other
fundamental topologies too...

So you should be familiar with other basic topologies like Flyback, Boost , Buckboost....
[Q-2] Which is the good choice among the 2 options mentioned below to get the
12V as an output? why?
Option I: Input voltage = 48V,
Option II: Input voltage = 24V
Answer: We know that
Duty cycle D = Vout / VInput
For case I
D = 12/48 = 0.25
For case II
D = 12/24 = 0.5
So for case II, the duty cycle is more than case I.
It means device is turned ON more time in the second case. while designing SMPS
we have to consider the principle mentioned in Q-3.
[Q-3] What is effect of having more duty cycle and less duty cycle? ( continuation
of above question)
If the duty cycle D is greater than 0.5, the core would not be completely
demagnetized at the end of the off-period, and a DC magnetization of the core

would build up, resulting in core saturation.

Relate this answer the previous question....
[Q-4] To design the buck converter, what are basic & essential information
(parameters) we need to get from the Customer?
We need the following inputs from the customer,
Output Voltage VOUT
Input Voltage VIN
Output Current (load current) IOUT
Maximum Ripple voltage allowed at the output side
Efficiency of the converter
[Q-5] How to select the inductor for the buck converter?
Once the topology is finalized in the process of power supply design, the next step
is selecting the Inductor.
We know the following basic equation
Voltage across Inductor VL = L di/dt
Rewriting the above equation as follows
L = VL.dt/di
VL = Maximum voltage appears across the Inductor
dt= The time during which the maximum voltage appears across the inductor
di = Ripple current
VL The maximum voltage appears across the inductor when the power switch is
turned on. During that time the voltage will be
VL = VOUT - VIN
dt = The time during which the maximum voltage appears across the inductor
= D/FS
= Duty cycle/Switching frequency
di = Ripple current
= Generally it is assumed in between 10% to 30% of the load current

By knowing all these values we can get the required inductor value for the buck
converter.
[Q-6] What are the various parameters we have to consider, while selecting
IGBT?
In IGBT datasheet, we have to focus on following parameters
Collector to emitter voltage VCES
Collector Current IC
Collector Dissipation PC
Junction Temperature Tj
[Q-6] For Selecting MOSFET, what are the major parameters we have to consider
in the datasheet?
In MOSFET datasheet, we have to focus on following parameters:
Drain to Source Voltage VDSS
On state Drain to Source Resistance RDS(ON)
Reverse Recovery Current IRR
Reverse Recovery Charge QRR
Gate Charge QG
Body Diode Characteristics
ID at ambient temperature
Channel power dissipation
Channel temperature
We believe that these power electronics technical interview questions might have
stimulated your technical knowledge... If you have questions why don't you share
with our subscribers?

[Q] What are the advantages of free wheeling diode in rectifier circuit?
The input power factor is improved. It prevents the output voltage from becoming
negative. Load current waveform is improved.
[Q]

What

is

meant

by

commutation?

The process of changing the direction of current flow in a particular path of the
circuit. It is used to turn off the SCR.
[Q]

What

are

the

types

of

commutation?

Natural

commutation

Forced commutation
[Q]

What

is

natural

commutation?

The process of the current flowing through the thyristor goes through a natural zero
and enable the thyristor to turn off is called as natural commutation.
[Q]

What

is

forced

commutation?

The process of the current flowing through the thyristor is forced to become zero by
external circuitry is called as forced commutation.
[Q] What are the types of commutation with respect to commutation process?
Voltage

commutated

chopper

Current

commutated

chopper

Load commutated chopper

[Q]

What

is

meant

by

cyclo-converter?

It is also known as frequency changer. It converts input power at one frequency to

output power at another frequency with one stage conversion.
[Q]

What

are

Step
Step down cyclo-converter.

the
up

types

of

cyclo-converters?
cyclo-converter

[Q]

What

is

step

down

cyclo-converter?

It is the converter whose output frequency is less than the input frequency.
[Q]

What

is

step

up

cyclo-converter

It is the converter whose output frequency is more than the input frequency.
[Q] What does the Voltmeter in AC mode show? Is it RMS value or peak value?
Multimeter in AC mode shows RMS value of the voltage or current. Also when it is
DC mode it will show the RMS value only.
[Q]

What

is

the

necessity

to

use

the

special

General purpose motors (Induction motors, synchronous motors)

machines?
are neither

precision speed nor precision position motors. For many automated systems require
high precise speed and high precise positioning motors. In such cases special
purpose motors like stepper motors, PMDC motors etc. are used.
[Q] What are the control strategies of chopper?
The control strategies of chopper are
1. Pulse width modulation PWM (Variable TON, Constant frequency)
2. Frequency modulation (Constant TON or TOFF, Variable frequency)
3. Current Limit Control (CLC)
[Q] What is delay angle or what is firing angle of phase controlled rectifier?
The delay angle is the angle at which thyristors are triggered after zero crossing.
After zero crossing of supply voltage, one pair of thyristors is
forward biased. After delay angle() these SCRs are triggered.
[Q] What is Universal Motor?
It is defined as a motor which can be operated either on DC or single-phase AC
supply at approximately the same speed and output.
The universal motor is built exactly like a series DC motor. But a series DC motor
cannot be run as a universal motor, even though both motors look the same
internally and externally.

We cannot use these motors in the industrial applications due to the low efficiency
(25% -35%). It has high starting torque and a variable speed characteristic. It runs
at dangerously high-speed on no load.
[Q] Give some examples of power electronics applications in the day-to-day life?
We can list a huge number of power electronics applications. Few of the
applications which we can see in our daily life are
UPS - Uninterruptible Power Supply
SMPS - Switch Mode Power Supply
Speed Control of Motors
ICU
[Q] What is meant by PMDC?
PMDC stands for Permanent Magnet DC Motor
A Permanent Magnet DC Motor is similar to an ordinary dc shunt motor except
that its field is provided by permanent magnets instead of salient-pole wound field
structure.
There are three types of permanent magnets used for such motors namely;
(i) Alnico Magnets
(ii) Ceramic magnets
(iii) Rare-earth magnets
The major advantages are low noise, small size, high-efficiency, low
manufacturing cost.

[Q] What is meant by Electrical Drives?

Answer: Systems employed for motion control are called as "Drives" and many
employ any of the prime movers such as, diesel or petrol engines, gas or steam
turbines, hydraulic motors and electric motors for supplying mechanical energy for
motion control. Drives employing electric motors are known as " electric drives".

Here, We had given only the definition of electrical drive. But if you face this
question in the face to face interview try to explain in detail. Draw the Block
diagram of the electrical drive first. During the time, you recall about the basics
and every part of the electrical drive system and explain as detail as possible. Click
here to know about Electrical Drives basics and types
[Q] What are the different factors for the selection of electrical drives?
Steady state operation requirements
Transient operation requirements
Requirements related to the source
Capital and running cost, maintenance needs, life
Space and weight restrictions
Environment and location
Reliability
[Q] What are the parts of electrical drives?
Electrical motors and load
Power Modulator
Sources
Control Unit
Sensing unit
[Q] What are modes of operation of electrical drives?
Steady state
Acceleration including starting
Deceleration including stopping
[Q] What is meant by four quadrant operation?
A motor operate in two modes-motoring and braking. In motoring, it converts
electrical energy into mechanical energy, which supports its motion. In braking, it
works as a generator converting mechanical energy into electrical energy, and thus,

opposes the motion. Motor can provide motoring and braking operations for both
forward and reverse directions.
[Q] What is meant by regenerative braking?
Regenerative braking occurs when the motor speed exceeds the synchronous
speed. In this case, the induction motor would run as the induction generator is
converting the mechanical power into electrical power, which is delivered back to
the electrical system. This method of braking is known as regenerative braking.
[Q] What is the function of the free wheeling diode in a phase controlled rectifier?
To improve input power factor
To make the load current continuous
[Q] What is meant by chopper?
Chopper converts fixed dc voltage into variable dc voltage
[Q] What is brushless DC motor?
An inverter fed trapezoidal permanent magnet AC motor drive operating in selfcontrolled mode is called brushless dc motor.
[Q] What is a PMSM?
PMSM = Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor. In medium and small size
synchronous motors dc field can be produced by permanent magnets.
[Q]Classification of PMSM?
According to construction
1. Surface mounted PMSM
2. Interior mounted PMSM
According to the nature of voltage induced
1. Sinusoidally excited
2. Trapezoidally excited

[Q] What is the basic principle of an electric generator?

A basic principle of an electric generator is based on Faraday's law of
electromagnetic induction. ie, whenever a conductor is moved in the magnetic
field, dynamically induced emf is produced in the conductor.
[Q] What is the purpose of yoke in a dc machine?
It acts as a protected cover for the whole machine and provides mechanical support
for poles. It carries the magnetic flux produced by the poles. The flux per pole
divides at the yoke, so that the yoke carries only half the flux produced by each
pole.
[Q] What is th purpose of interpoles in modern dc machine?
In modern dc machines, commutating poles or interpoles are provided to improve
the commutation process.
[Q] Why the armature poles are made of laminations?
Because to reduce the eddy current losses.
[Q] What are the different types of DC generator?
Separately excited dc generator
Self excited dc generator
- Series generator
- Shunt generator
- Compound generator
1. Long shunt compound
2. Short shunt compound
[Q] Define armature reaction...
The term armature reaction means the effect of the mmf set up by the armature
current on the distribution of mmf under main poles of a dc machine.
[Q] What are the main effects of armature reaction?
Due to armature reaction:

(1) The main field flux gets weakened or gets demagnetized. This effect is called
Demagnetization effect.
(2) The main field flux gets distorted. This effect is called Cross-magnetization
effect.
We believe that these Power Electronics Basic Interview Questions will help for
your interview preparation... Please leave your comments below...

11. What do you mean by gate triggering method of SCR?

Ans11: When the SCR is turned ON by applying the positive signal to the gate of a forward
biased SCR . This type of triggering is known as Gate Triggering. As the gate current is
increased, the forward blocking voltage is reduced.
12. What is forced commutation of thyristor?
And12: When the SCR has to be turned off by a special commutation circuit using some extra
components. This technique is known as forced commutation.
13. Define GTO.
Ans13: GTO stands for Gate turn OFF thyristor. The GTO can be turned ON by a positive gate
signal and can also be turned off by a negative gate signal.
14. What are controlled rectifier?
Ans14: When the rectifier are built with SCRs or the combination of SCRs and Diodes is known
as controlled rectifier which convert a.c. input voltage in to a controllable dc output voltage by
controlling firing angle of SCR.
15. What are the effects of firing angle on an converter?
Ans15: When the firing angle is in between o to 90, then a converter is acts as rectifier and
when firing angle is greater than 90 but less than 180, then converter acts as an Inverter.
16. Why 3- phase controlled rectifiers are preferred over single phase rectifier? OR what is the
main advantages of 3- phase controlled rectifier than single phase rectifier?
Ans16: The main advantage of 3- phase controlled rectifier is that they produce less ripple
voltage than a single phase controlled rectifier.
17. What is inverter?
Ans17: Inverter is an electronic circuit that converts direct current (D.C) to alternating current
(A.C).
18. Define chopper?
Ans18: Chopper is an electronics circuit that converts a fixed DC voltage to a variable DC
voltage, it is also known as DC-DC converter.
19. What is current source inverter(CSI) & voltage source inverter(VSI)?
Ans19: Current Source Inverter(CSI): When the inverter is fed from a DC source voltage with
large inductance in series so that the current remains constant.
Voltage Source Inverter(VSI):- When the inverter is fed from a DC source voltage with negligible
internal resistance , then it is called Voltage Source Inverter.

20. Define Duty Cycle.

Ans20: It is the ratio of Turn on time of chopper (Ton) to the sum of turn on & turn off (Toff) of
chopper.It is denoted by . = Ton/(Ton+Toff)