Speed Control Methods of DC Motor
Speed Control Methods of DC Motor
Speed Of A DC Motor
We know, back emf of a DC motor Eb is the induced emf due to rotation of the armature
in magnetic field. Thus value of the Eb can be given by the EMF equation of a DC
generator.
Eb = PNZ/60A
(where, P= no. of poles, =flux/pole, N=speed in rpm, Z=no. of armature conductors,
A=parallel paths)
Eb can also be given as,
Eb = V- IaRa
thus from above equations
N=
E 60A
b
PZ
(where, K=constant)
thus, it shows speed is directly proportional to back emf and inversely proportional to
the flux per pole.
It is seen that speed of the motor is inversely proportional to flux. Thus by decreasing
flux speed can be increased and vice versa.
To control the flux, a rheostat is added in series with the field winding, as shown in the
circuit diagram. Adding more resistance in series with field winding will increase the
speed, as it will decrease the flux. Field current is relatively small and hence I 2R loss is
small, hence this method is quiet efficient. Though speed can be increased by reducing
flux with this method, it puts a limit to maximum speed as weakening of flux beyond the
limit will adversely affect the commutation.
Speed of the motor is directly proportional to the back emf E b and Eb = V- IaRa. That is
when supply voltage V and armature resistance R a are kept constant, speed is directly
proportional to armature current Ia. Thus if we add resistance in series with armature,
Ia decreases and hence speed decreases.
Greater the resistance in series with armature, greater the decrease in speed.
B) Ward-Leonard System:
This system is used where very sensitive speed control of motor is required (e.g electric
excavators, elevators etc.) The arrangement of this system is as required in the figure
beside.
A veritable resistance is connected parallel to the series field as shown in fig (a). This
variable resistor is called as divertor, as desired amount of current can be diverted through
this resistor and hence current through field coil can be decreased. Hence flux can be
decreased to desired amount and speed can be increased.
B Armature divertor:
Divertor is connected across the armature as in fig (b).
For a given constant load torque, if armature current is reduced then flux must increase. As,
Ta Ia
This will result in increase in current taken from the supply and hence flux will increase and
subsequently speed of the motor will decrease.
In this method, several speeds can be obtained by regrouping coils as shown in fig (d).
3. Series-Parallel Control
This system is widely used in electric traction, where two or more mechanically coupled series
motors are employed. For low speeds, motors are joined in series, and for higher speeds
motors are joined in parallel.
When in series, the motors have the same current passing through them, although voltage
across each motor is divided. When in parallel, voltage across each motor is same although
current gets divided.