FCC Exam Question: 8-37D3

In a display system power supply what is the purpose of the chopper?

A. It acts as an electronic switch between the raw DC output and the inverter.
B. It interrupts the AC supply line at a varying rate depending on the load demands.
C. It regulates the 5 volt DC output.
D. It pre-regulates the AC input.
Correct Answer: A

Explanation: In a display system power supply, which commonly utilizes a Switch-Mode Power Supply (SMPS) design, a chopper acts as a crucial electronic switch. After the AC input is rectified and filtered into a raw DC voltage, the chopper rapidly switches this DC on and off at a high frequency. This pulsed DC is then fed to an inverter stage. By precisely controlling the duty cycle (the ratio of ON time to total period) of this high-speed switching, the chopper effectively regulates the average DC voltage supplied to the inverter. This action is fundamental to the efficient conversion and regulation of power in an SMPS. Option B is incorrect because choppers are DC-to-DC converters and do not directly interrupt the AC supply line. Option C is generally incorrect; while a chopper regulates DC, it often pre-regulates an intermediate voltage, with the final precise 5V regulation usually handled by later stages after the high-frequency transformer. Option D is incorrect as choppers operate on DC, not the AC input.

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Includes Elements 1, 3, 6, 7R, 8, and 9.