Question

Design and model a battery charger with filter, diode bridge, and transformer. The battery to recharge is 12 VDC (auto). Suppose the source is a 120 VAC @ 60HZ residential circuit. The output voltage cannot vary more than 5%. Prepare a cost estimate for your design and compare the cost with business models. Explain the differences in cost. Investigate the environmental and social impact of producing 1,000,000 units of each. Assume that a social job is generated for every $ 50,000 of investment and 1 Lb. of CO2 for each environmental KWH of energy used in the production of the units.

Answer 1

This circuit consists of 120v to 14 volts 5 amps step down transformer , 10A bridge rectifier module to convert ac to dc and a smothening capacitor of 100 micro farad capacity as shown in below figure.

The overall cost for this simple charger is less than 15 dollars. But for the same charger which we purchase in market it cost more tham 70 dollars. We can observe there is a huge difference in the cost just for single unit.  

IMPACT

The huge production of electrical good for higher cost may result more environment and social impacts such as

1 some worker diaplaced possible structural unemployment

2 Increase and  creating of winner and losser inequality in the production companies resulting social imbalance

3 Electrical and Electronic equipment concerned in the EEE sectors contains high level of hazardous or toxic substances than can seep i to the soil and ground water harming human health and environment.