THE UNIVERSITY OF TRINIDAD & TOBAGO

FINAL ASSESSMENT/EXAMINATIONS DECEMBER 2012

Course Code and Title:

PCVD320B_Power Converters and Drivers

Programme:

B.A.Sc./M.Eng. Utilities Engineering

Date and Time:

Tuesday 11th December 2012 [1.00pm 4.00pm]

Duration:

3hrs

PLEASE READ ALL INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY BEFORE YOU BEGIN THIS

EXAMINATION

Instructions to Candidates
1. This paper has 4 pages and 6 questions.
2. You are required to answer all questions.
Key Examination Protocol
1. Students please note that academic dishonesty (or cheating) includes but is not limited to
plagiarism, collusion, falsification, replication, taking unauthorised notes or devices into an
examination, obtaining an unauthorised copy of the examination paper, communicating or
trying to communicate with another candidate during the examination, and being a party to
impersonation in relation to an examination.
2. The above mentioned and any other actions which compromise the integrity of the academic
evaluation process will be fully investigated and addressed in accordance with UTTs
academic regulations.
3. Please be reminded that speaking without the Invigilators permission is NOT allowed.

The University of Trinidad and Tobago

December 2012 Final Examinations
(PCVD320B)

Page 1

Problem (1) [10 %]

A dc, separately excited motor drives a conveyor belt (constant torque). The terminal voltage of
the motor is controlled by a full-wave, ac/dc converter. When the conveyor belt is fully loaded,
the triggering angle is adjusted so that the average armature voltage is 130 V, the average
armature current is 15 A, and the speed of the motor is 400 rpm. The armature resistance of the
motor is 0.75 . The armature current of the motor is continuous. Calculate the following:
a) Load torque
b) Triggering angle if the voltage on the ac side is 240 V (rms).

c) Steady-state speed of the motor if the triggering angle is changed to 45.

Problem (2) [10 %]
A 250 V series DC motor with compensating windings has a total series resistance RA + RS of
0.08 . The series field consists of 25 turns per pole and the magnetization curve is shown in
Fig. P-2. Find the speed of this motor when its load torque is 300 N.m.

Fig. P-2
The University of Trinidad and Tobago
December 2012 Final Examinations
(PCVD320B)

Page 2

Problem (3) [10 %]

A dc motor has the nominal data of 220 V, 200 A, 1450 rpm, the armature resistance Ra =0.05 .
The permissible current at staring and braking must not exceed than 2.25 the nominal value.
Calculate the braking resistance in case of:
a) Regenerative braking
b) Dynamic braking.
c) Counter current braking.

Problem (4) [10 %]

A 5-kW, 220-V shunt motor has an armature resistance of 0.15 and a field-circuit resistance
of 100 . The motor delivers rated output power at rated voltage when its armature current is 20
A. When the motor is operating at rated voltage, the speed is observed to be 1000 r/min when the
machine is loaded such that the armature current is 15 A. In order to protect both the motor and
the dc supply under starting conditions, an external resistance will be connected in series with the
armature winding (with the field winding remaining directly across the 220-V supply). The
resistance will then be automatically adjusted in steps so that the armature current does not
exceed 200 percent of rated current. The step size will be determined such that, until all the
external resistance is switched out, the armature current will not be permitted to drop below rated
value. In other words, the machine is to start with 200 percent of rated armature current and as
soon as the current falls to rated value, sufficient series resistance is to be cut out to restore the
current to 200 percent. This process will be repeated until all of the series resistance has been
eliminated.
a) Find the maximum value of the series resistance.
b) How much resistance should be cut out at each step in the starting operation and
c) At what speed should each step change occur?

The University of Trinidad and Tobago

December 2012 Final Examinations
(PCVD320B)

Page 3

Problem (5) [10 %]

A 220 V shunt motor has armature and field resistances of 0.2 and 220 respectively. The
motor is driving load torque, TL n2 and running at 1000 rpm drawing 10 A current from the
supply. Calculate the new speed and armature current if an external armature resistance of value
8 is inserted in the armature circuit. Neglect armature reaction and saturation.

Problem (6) [10 %]

A robot manipulator with a dc, separately excited motor on the driving end has the following
name plate ratings:
Terminal voltage = 220 V
Speed =1500 rpm
Developed torque at full load = 100 Nm
Full-load armature current = 50 A
The motor is running at full load and is used to drill holes in solid material. If the field current is
decreased to 80% of the rated value by using a solid-state converter in the field circuit, what is
the percentage change in its speed?

The University of Trinidad and Tobago

December 2012 Final Examinations
(PCVD320B)

Page 4