UNIT-III DC MACHINES

PART – A (2 MARKS)

1. Write the working principle of a DC motor.

An electric DC motor is a machine which converts electric energy into mechanical energy. The
working of DC motor is based on the principle that when a current-carrying conductor is placed in a
magnetic field, it experiences a mechanical force.
2. A 200 V DC motor has an armature resistance of 0.06Ω and series field resistance of 0.04 Ω. If
the motor input is 20 kW, find the back emf of the motor and power developed in armature.
Given data: V=200V, Ra=0.06Ω, Rf=0.04Ω, Pin=20kW
Solution : V = Eb + IaRa & Pm = Eb * Ia
Ia = IL =If = 20000/200, Ia = 100A
Eb = 200-(100*0.06) & Pm=194*100
Eb = 194V & Pm= 19.4kW

3. Draw the open circuit characteristics of D.C Generator

4. List the types of D.C Motors.

Types of D.C motors
(i) Separately excited DC motor
(ii)Self excited DC motor
a)Series motor
b)Shunt motor
c)Compound motor
(iii)Long shunt compound motor
(iv)Short shunt compound motor
5. Write the necessary conditions to be satisfied for the self excited D.C generator to build
 up emf.
The necessary conditions to be satisfied for the self excited D.C generator to build up emf.
 The field connections must be proper to help the residual magnetism.
 The resistance must be less than the critical resistance.
 The direction of rotation of generator must be proper to help the residual flux.
6. Give the reason for high starting current in a DC motor.
The reason for high starting current in a DC motor:
 Zero back emf (Eg=0).
 The armature current is inversely proportional to the armature resistance, Since the 𝑅𝑎 is
very low. Therefore the starting current is very high in DC motor.
7. What are the factors that control of motor speed?
Factors that control motor speed
 Flux
 Voltage across the armature
 Applied voltage V
8. 8. What is back emf in d.c motors?
 As the motor armature rotates, the system of conductor come across alternate north and south
pole magnetic fields causing an emf induced in the conductors.
 The direction of the emf induced in the conductors is in the direction opposite to the current
.As this emf always opposes the flow of current in motor operation.
 It is called back emf.

9. Mention the applications of D.C series motor.

Applications of D.C series motors
 Cranes
 Hoists, Elevators
 Trolleys
 Conveyors
 Electric locomotives, electric trains &lifts
1 10. Why is the emf not zero when the field current is reduced to zero in a dc generator?
 Even after the field current/magnetizing force is reduced to zero the machine is left out with
some flux as residue.
 Emf due to this residual flux is available when field current is zero.
11. What is a dc compound generator?

The compound generator having two field windings, one field winding is in series with the
armature and another is in parallel with the armature.
Compound generator has two types:
 Long shunt compound generator
 Short shunt compound generator
12. Define back e.m.f?
When a motor rotates, the conductor housed in the armature also rotate and cut the
magnetic lines of force. So an emf is induced in the armature conductors and this induced emf
opposes the supply voltage as per Lenz’s law.
This induced emf is called back emf or counter emf.
𝜑𝑃𝑁𝑍
𝐸𝑏= Volts.
60𝐴
where,
Eb = Back emf (V)
𝜑 = Flux (wb)
P = Number of poles
N = Speed(rpm)
Z = Total number of conductors A = Number of parallel path

13. What are the different methods of excitation of DC Generator?

The two types of excitation used in d.c machine are
 Separate excitation in which field winding is excited by a separate d.c supply.
 Self excitation in which field winding is excited by an induced e.m.f in the armature of the
same machine.
14. Write the conditions for the maximum efficiency of DC motor.
The conditions for the maximum efficiency of DC motor:
 Variable loss(𝐼 2 Ra)=Constant loss(wc)
 When the constant is equal to variable loss DC machine efficiency is maximum.
15. Mention the role of starters in DC motors.
The role of starter in DC motors:
 To limit the starting current
 To protect the motor from taking overload current
 To protect the motor against supply failure
 To facilitate the starting and stopping of the motor

16. State the purpose of yoke in a DC machine.

 It acts as a protecting cover for the whole machine and provides mechanical support for the
poles.
 It carries the magnetic flux produced by the poles. The flux per pole divides at the yoke carries
only half the flux produced each pole.

17. Define pole –pitch.

  The pole pitch is defined as peripheral distance between centers of two adjacent poles in dc
machine. This distance is measured in term of armature slots or armature conductor come
between two adjacent pole centers.
 This is naturally equal to the total number of armature slots divided by number of poles in the
machine
18. What are the effects of armature reaction in a dc generator?
The effects of armature reaction in a dc generator:
 Armature reaction weakens the main flux. In case of generator, weakening of influx reduces
the generated voltage.
 Armature reaction distorts the main flux, hence the position of M.N.A. gets shifted (M.N.A. is
perpendicular to the flux lines of main field flux). Brushes should be placed on M.N.A.,
otherwise it will lead to sparking at the surface of brushes. So, due to armature reaction, it’s
hard to determine the exact position of M.N.A.
19. State the advantages of Swinburne’s test.
The advantages of Swinburne’s test
 This method is economical since power required to test a large machine is very small
 The efficiency of the machine can be predetermined at any load, since constant losses are
known.
 This method enables us to determine the losses and efficiency without actually loading the
machine.

20. How can the direction of rotation of a DC shunt motor be reversed?

 To reverse direction of rotation of dc motor, either direction of main field produced by the
field winding is reversed or direction of the current passing through the armature is reversed.
 The direction of the main field can be reversed by changing the direction of current passing
through the winding, which is possible by interchanging the polarities of supply which is given
to the field winding.
PART – B
1. With a neat diagram, explain the construction and function of different parts of a DC machine in
detail. (16)
2. Explain in detail how the shunt motor behaves as a constant speed motor and the series motor
as a variable speed motor. Hence discuss the application of shunt, series and compound motor.
(16)
3. A 4- pole lap wound DC shunt generator has a useful flux/pole of 0.06Wb. The armature winding
consists of 200 turns, each turn having a resistance of 0.0008Ω .Calculate the terminal voltage
when running at 1000 rpm if armature current is 45A. (16)
4. Explain the internal and external characteristics of DC generators. (16)
5. Explain the characteristics of DC shunt and series motor. (16)
6. A 250 V DC shunt motor has an armature resistance of 0.5Ω and a field resistance of 250 Ω. When
driving a constant load at 600 rpm the motor draws 21 A. What will be the new speed of the
motor if an additional 250 Ω resistance is inserted in the field circuit? (16)
7. Describe the construction and working of DC generator. (16)
8. Discuss in detail most important characteristics of dc shunt series and compound generator.
(16)
9. Discuss in detail the methods of speed control of DC shunt motor and DC series motor. (16)
10. A 250 v, dc shunt motor has armature resistance of 0.25 ohm, on load it takes an armature
current of 50 A and runs at 750 rpm. If the flux of motor is reduced by 10% without changing the
load torque, find the new speed of the motor.
(16)
11. Explain in detail the internal and external characteristics of dc shunt motor. (16)
12. Explain in detail the operating principle of a d.c motor. (16)
13. Show that the torque developed by a DC motor is proportional to flux and armature
current. (16)
14. Describe the building up of e.m.f. in a self excited dc generator. What are the causes
for shunt generator failing to self excite? What are the corresponding remedies? (16)
15. Explain the characteristics of a dc compound motor. (16)