Experiment No.
3 DC generator voltage regulation system using amplidyne
Objectives:
To study the amplidyne DC generator voltage regulation system by performing the following
experiments:1
Variation of no load output voltage of DC generator with control current of amplidyne for
(a) open loop case and (b) closed loop case with 50% feedback.
Variation of output voltage from no load to full load for a constant amplidyne control current
for (a) open loop case and (b) closed loop case with 50% feedback.
Equipment Required:
AC and DC power supplies, DC generator, Amplidyne, Prime movers for DC generator and
Amplidyne, Voltmeters 0-150V (2 Nos.),Ammeters 0-10A, 0-5A, 0-100mA, tachometer,
rheostat, lamp load, SPST switch and connecting wires.
Prior to Lab:
Sketch a block diagram of a feedback control system and study the effects of feedback. Study
the basic working principle of DC generator.
Theory:
Amplidyne is a rotating amplifier with high power gain. It is a special type of dc generator which
requires small field current for excitation. The small excitation produces a flux and voltage is
induced in the armature as it rotates. This voltage is available at the brushes located at right
angles to the main field flux. When these brushes are short circuited, even a small voltage
generated across the brushes would circulate a large current through the short circuited armature
windings. This large current produces a large armature reaction and creates another flux. This
strong flux directed at 90 to the main field flux produces another voltage due to the rotation of
armature. This voltage is available at the brushes located at right angles to the armature flux. A
small change in the field current of amplidyne causes a large change in voltage at the second set
of brushes which is the output of the amplidyne.
Amplidyne is used to regulate the field current of a dc generator. As the load current increases,
the terminal voltage of the dc generator decreases. Negative feedback is used to regulate the field
current of the dc generator. Amplidyne used for regulation has two sets of field windings. A
reference voltage is obtained from a potentiometer and fixed at a required value. This voltage is
applied to one set of field winding of amplidyne. Feedback voltage is tapped from a feedback
potentiometer and is proportional to the generated output voltage of the dc generator. This
feedback voltage is applied to the second set of field windings of amplidyne. For negative
feedback, the feedback voltage is made to oppose the fixed reference voltage.
Procedure:
Identify the four electrical machines used in the experiment. Make connections as shown the
Figure. Switch on the prime movers of the amplidyne and DC generator. Bring the speed of the
dc generator to rated speed by adjusting the speed of the prime mover. With no load on the dc
generator, for different values of amplidyne control current, obtain the terminal voltage of the dc
generator. Record the readings as in observation table 1. For feedback, close the SPST switch
and repeat the experiments with 50% feedback.
Vary the load on the generator from no load to full load for a fixed value of amplidyne control
current. Record the load current and load voltage as in observation table 2.
Connection diagram
Observation Table 1: Variation of DC generator no load voltage versus amplidyne control current
Open Loop
Field Current (mA)
Closed Loop
No load Voltage (V)
Field Current (mA)
No load Voltage (V)
Observation Table 2: Load voltage vs load current
for a constant control current of 10 mA
Open Loop
Load Voltage (V)
Load Current (A)
Load Voltage (V)
No load voltage (V)
Load Current (A)
Closed Loop
Variation of output voltage from no load to full load for a constant amplidyne control current for
(a) open loop case and (b) closed loop case with 50% feedback
Field current (mA)
Load voltage (V)
Variation of no load output voltage of DC generator with control current of amplidyne for (a)
open loop case and (b) closed loop case with 50% feedback
Load current (A)
