UNIT-Three

(I)

DC GENERATORS

Introduction:
The dc machines are versatile and extensively used in industry. Dc machines can work as
generators, motors & brakes. In the generator mode the machine is driven by a prime mover
(such as a steam turbine or a diesel engine) with the mechanical power converted into
electrical power. There is almost no modern use of dc machines as generators although in
the earlier stages of electrical power generator and distribution. D.C. generators were the
principle means of supplying electrical power to industrial and domestic consumers.
Presently, all the land based electrical power networks are a.c systems of generation,
transmission and distribution.
Definition of DC Generator:
Generator converts mechanical energy into electrical energy using electromechanical
induction.
3.1 Generator Principle:
An electric generator is based on the principle that whenever flux is cut by a conductor, an
e.m.f. is induced which will cause a current to flow if the conductor circuit is closed. The
direction of induced e.m.f. (and hence current) is given by Fleming’s right hand rule in fig 2.
Therefore, the essential components of a generator are:
(a) a magnetic field
(b) conductor or a group of conductors
(c) motion of conductor with respect to magnetic field.

Fig 1 (a) and (b) Schematic diagram of a simple DC Generator

Faraday’s Laws of Electromagnetic Induction:

(i) An induced e.m.f is set up whenever the magnetic field linking that circuit changes.

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(ii) The magnitude of the induced e.m.f. in any circuit is proportional to the rate of change of the

magnetic flux linking the circuit.

Fleming’s Right Hand Rule:

This rule states “ Hold out the right hand with the first finger, second finger and thumb at
right angle to each other. If forefinger represents the direction of the line of force, the thumb
points in the direction of motion or applied force, then second finger points in the direction of
the induced current. The rule is represented in fig 2 shown below:

Fig 2 Fleming’s Right Hand Rule

3.2. Construction of DC Generator:

The d.c. generators and d.c. motors have the same general construction. In fact, when the
machine is being assembled, the workmen usually do not know whether it is a d.c. generator
or motor. Any d.c. generator can be run as a d.c.motor and vice-versa. All d.c. machines have
five principal components viz., (i) field system (ii) armature core (iii) armature winding (iv)
commutator (v) brushes [See Fig 3 (a)].

Fig 3 (a) (b)

(i) Field system

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 The function of the field system is to produce uniform magnetic field within which the
armature rotates. It consists of a number of salient poles (of course, even number) bolted to
the inside of circular frame (generally called yoke). The yoke is usually made of solid cast
steel whereas the pole pieces are composed of stacked laminations. Field coils are mounted
on the poles and carry the d.c. exciting current. The field coils are connected in such a way
that adjacent poles have opposite polarity.
The m.m.f. developed by the field coils produces a magnetic flux that passes through the pole
pieces, the air gap, the armature and the frame (See Fig 3(b)). Practical d.c. machines have
air gaps ranging from 0.5 mm to 1.5 mm. Since armature and field systems are composed of
materials that have high permeability, most of the m.m.f. of field coils is required to set up
flux in the air gap. By reducing the length of air gap, we can reduce the size of field coils (i.e.
number of turns).
(ii) Armature core
The armature core is keyed to the machine shaft and rotates between the field poles. It
consists of slotted soft-iron laminations (about 0.4 to 0.6 mm thick) that are stacked to form a
cylindrical core as shown in Fig 4. The laminations (See Fig 5) are individually coated with a
thin insulating film so that they do not come in electrical contact with each other. The
purpose of laminating the core is to reduce the eddy current loss. The laminations are slotted
to accommodate and provide mechanical security to the armature winding and to give shorter
air gap for the flux to cross between the pole face and the armature “teeth”.

Fig 4 Fig 5
(iii) Armature winding
The slots of the armature core hold insulated conductors that are connected in a suitable
manner. This is known as armature winding. This is the winding in which “working” e.m.f. is
induced. The armature conductors are connected in series-parallel; the conductors being
connected in series so as to increase the voltage and in parallel paths so as to increase the
current. The armature winding of a d.c. machine is a closed-circuit winding; the conductors
being connected in a symmetrical manner forming a closed loop or series of closed loops.
(iv) Commutator
A commutator is a mechanical rectifier which converts the alternating voltage generated in
the armature winding into direct voltage across the brushes. The commutator is made of
copper segments insulated from each other by mica sheets and mounted on the shaft of the
machine (See Fig 6). The armature conductors are soldered to the commutator segments in a
suitable manner to give rise to the armature winding. Depending upon the manner in which

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 the armature conductors are connected to the commutator segments, there are two types of
armature winding in a d.c. machine viz., (a) lap winding (b) wave winding.
Great care is taken in building the commutator because any eccentricity will cause the
brushes to bounce, producing unacceptable sparking. The sparks may bum the brushes and
overheat and carbonise the commutator.
(v) Brushes
The purpose of brushes is to ensure electrical connections between the rotating commutator
and stationary external load circuit. The brushes are made of carbon and rest on the
commutator. The brush pressure is adjusted by means of adjustable springs (See Fig 7). If the
brush pressure is very large, the friction produces heating of the commutator and the brushes.
On the other hand, if it is too weak, the imperfect contact with the commutator may produce
sparking.

Fig 6 Fig 7
Multipole machines have as many brushes as they have poles. For example, a 4- pole
machine has 4 brushes. As we go round the commutator, the successive brushes have
positive and negative polarities. Brushes having the same polarity are connected together so
that we have two terminals viz., the +ve terminal and the -ve terminal.

3.3 Types of Generator:

The magnetic field in a d.c. generator is normally produced by electromagnets rather than
permanent magnets. Generators are generally classified according to their methods of field
excitation. On this basis, d.c. generators are divided into the following two classes:
(i) Separately excited d.c. generators
(ii) Self-excited d.c. generators
The behaviour of a d.c. generator on load depends upon the method of field excitation
adopted.
(i) Separately Excited D.C. Generators
A d.c. generator whose field magnet winding is supplied from an independent external d.c.
source (e.g., a battery etc.) is called a separately excited generator. Fig 8 shows the
connections of a separately excited generator. The voltage output depends upon the speed
of rotation of armature and the field current (Eg = PZN/60 A). The greater the speed and
field current, greater is the generated e.m.f. It may be noted that separately excited d.c.
generators are rarely used in practice. The d.c. generators are normally of self-excited
type.

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 Fig 8 Separately Excited DC Generator

Armature current, Ia = IL
Terminal voltage, V = Eg IaRa
Electric power developed = EgIa
Power delivered to load = EgIa- Ia2 Ra = Iag - IaRaVaIa

(ii) Self-Excited D.C. Generators

A d.c. generator whose field magnet winding is supplied current from the output of the
generator itself is called a self-excited generator. There are three types of self-excited
generators depending upon the manner in which the field winding is connected to the
armature, namely;
(i) Series generator;
(ii) Shunt generator;
(iii) Compound generator
(i) Series generator
In a series wound generator, the field winding is connected in series with armature
winding so that whole armature current flows through the field winding as well as the
load. Fig 9 shows the connections of a series wound generator. Since the field winding
carries the whole of load current, it has a few turns of thick wire having low resistance.
Series generators are rarely used except for special purposes e.g., as boosters.
Armature current, Ia = Ise = IL = I(say)
Terminal voltage, V = EG - I(Ra + Rse)
Power developed in armature = EgIa
Power delivered to load = EgIa – Ia2 (Ra +Rse) = Ia (Eg – Ia(Ra – Rse)) = VIa or VIL

Fig 9 Series Generator Fig 10 Shunt Generator

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(ii) Shunt generator
In a shunt generator, the field winding is connected in parallel with the armature winding
so that terminal voltage of the generator is applied across it. The shunt field winding has
many turns of fine wire having high resistance. Therefore, only a part of armature current
flows through shunt field winding and the rest flows through the load. Fig 10 shows the
connections of a shunt-wound generator.
Shunt field current, Ish = V/Rsh
Armature current, Ia = IL + Ish
Terminal voltage, V = Eg - IaRa
Power developed in armature = EgIa
Power delivered to load = VIL
(iii) Compound generator
In a compound-wound generator, there are two sets of field windings on each pole—one
is in series and the other in parallel with the armature. A compound wound generator
may be:

(a) Short Shunt in which only shunt field winding is in parallel with the armature
winding [See Fig 11 (i)].

(b) Long Shunt in which shunt field winding is in parallel with both series field and
armature winding [See Fig 11 (ii)].

Fig 11 (i) Short Shunt Generator (ii) Long Shunt Generator

Short shunt
Series field current, Ise = IL
V + I se R se
Shunt field current, Ish =
Rsh
Terminal voltage, V = Eg - IaRa - IseRse
Power developed in armature = EgIa
Power delivered to load = VIL

Long shunt
Series field current, Ise = Ia = IL + Ish
Shunt field current, Ish = V/Rsh
Terminal voltage, V = Eg - Ia(Ra + Rse)
Power developed in armature = EgIa
Power delivered to load = VIL

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Problems:
1) A Shunt Generator delivers 450A at 230V and the resistance of shunt field and
armature if 50Ω and 0.03Ω respectively. Calculate the generated EMF, power
developed in armature and power delivered to load .

Sol: Given Data:

Load Current, IL = 450A
Terminal Voltage, V= 230V
Shunt field Resistance, Rsh = 50Ω
Armature Resistance, Ra = 0.03Ω
Formulae:
Ish = V/Rsh = 230/ 50 = 4.6A
Ia = IL + Ish = 450 + 4.6 = 454.6A
V = Eg - IaRa
Generated EMF, Eg = V+ IaRa = 230 + (454.6 × 0.03) =243.6V
Power developed in armature, Pa = Eg Ia = 243.6 × 454.6 = 110.74KWatts
Power delivered to load, PL = VIL = 230 × 450 = 103.5KWatts

2) A Short Shunt Compound Generator delivers a load current of 50A at 500V and has
armature, series field and shunt field resistances of 0.05Ω, 0.03Ω and 250Ω
respectively. Calculate the generated voltage, armature current and power
developed at armature current.

Sol: Given Data:

Load current IL = 50A
Terminal Voltage, V= 500V
Armature resistance, Ra = 0.05Ω
Series field Resistance, Rse = 0.03Ω
Shunt field Resistance, Rsh = 250Ω
Formulae:
Ise = IL = 50A
V + I se R se 500+(50 × 0.03)
Ish = = =2.006 A
Rsh 250
Ia = IL + Ish =50+2 = 52A
Terminal voltage, V = Eg - IaRa - IseRse
Eg = V + IaRa + IseRse = 500 +(52×0.05)+ (50 × 0.03) = 504.1V
Power developed in armature = EgIa = 504.1 × 52 =26.21KWatts.
Power delivered to load = VIL = 500×50 =25KWatts.

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3) A long shunt generator delivers a load current of 30A at 220V and has armature,
series field and shunt field resistances of 0.05Ω, 0.30Ω and 200Ω respectively.
Calculate the induced EMF of generator, armature current, power developed in
armature and power delivered to load.

Load Current, IL = 30A

Terminal Voltage, V = 220V
Armature Resistance, Ra = 0.05Ω
Series field Resistance, Rse = 0.30Ω
Shunt field Resistance, Rsh = 200Ω
Formulae:
Ish = V/Rsh = 220/200 = 1.1A
Ise = Ia = IL + Ish = 30 + 1.1 = 31.1A
Terminal voltage, V = Eg - Ia(Ra + Rse)
Eg = V + Ia(Ra + Rse) = 220 + 31.1 (0.05 +0.30) = 230.885V
Power developed in armature = EgIa = 230.885 × 31.1 = 7.18KWatts.
Power delivered to load = VIL = 220× 30 = 6.6KWatts.

4) A Separately Excited Generator delivers a load current of 200A at 125V and has
armature resistance of 0.04Ω. Calculate the generated voltage, power developed in
armature and Power developed to load.
Sol: Given Data:
Load Current, IL = 200A
Terminal Voltage, V = 125V
Armature Resistance, Ra = 0.04Ω
Formulae:
Ia = IL = 200A
Terminal voltage, V = Eg IaRa
Eg = V + IaRa = 125 + (200 × 0.04) = 133V
Electric power developed = EgIa = 133×200 = 26.6KWatts.
Power delivered to load = EgIa- Ia2 Ra = Iag - IaRaVaIa
= 125 ×200=25KWatts.

5) A Series Generator delivers a load current of 210A at 175V and has armature
resistance of 0.06Ω. Calculate the generated voltage, power developed in armature
and power developed to load.
Sol: Given Data:
Load Current, IL = 210A
Terminal Voltage, V = 175V
Armature Resistance, Ra = 0.06Ω
Series field Resistance, Rse = 0.3Ω
Formulae:

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 Ia = Ise = IL = I = 210A
Terminal voltage, V = EG - I(Ra + Rse)
Eg = V + I(Ra + Rse) = 175 + 210(0.06 +0.3) = 250.6V.
Power developed in armature = EgIa = 250.6 ×210 =52.62KWatts.
Power delivered to load = EgIa – Ia2 (Ra +Rse) = 52.62K – (210)2(0.06 + 0.3)
= 36.75KWatts.
3.4 EMF Equation of Generator:
We shall now derive an expression for the e.m.f. generated in a d.c. generator.
Let f = flux/pole in Wb
Z = total number of armature conductors
P = number of poles
A = number of parallel paths = 2 ... for wave winding
= P ... for lap winding
N = speed of armature in r.p.m.
Eg = e.m.f. of the generator = e.m.f./parallel path
Flux cut by one conductor in one revolution of the armature,
d ∅=P ∅ webers
Time taken to complete one revolution,
60
dt= second
N
d ∅ P∅ P∅ N
= =
e.m.f generated/conductor = dt 60 60 volts
N

e.m.f. of generator,
Eg = e.m.f. per parallel path
= (e.m.f/conductor) No. of conductors in series per parallel path
P∅ N Z
E g= ×
60 A

P ∅ NZ
 E g= 60 A

where A = 2 for-wave winding

= P for lap winding
Problems:
1) A four-pole generator, having wave wound armature winding have 51slots, each slot
containing 20 conductors. What will be the voltage generated in the machine when
driven at 1500rpm assuming the flux per pole to be 7.0mWb.
Sol: Given data:
No of Poles, P=4
Speed of generator, N= 1500rpm
Flux per pole, Ø = 7.0mWb = 7 × 10-3 Wb

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 No of armature conductors, Z = 51× 20 = 1020
Wave Wound, A= 2
Formulae:
P ∅ NZ
E g=
60 A
¿
4 × 7× 10−3 ×1500 ×1020
60 × 2
V
2) An 8-pole DC Generator, having lap wound armature winding has 500 armature
conductors, and a useful flux of 0.05Wb per pole. What will be the emf generated
when the generator runs at a speed of 1200rpm.
Sol: Given data:
No of Poles, P=8
Speed of generator, N= 1200rpm
Flux per pole, Ø = 0.05Wb
No of armature conductors, Z = 500
Wave Wound, A= P = 8
Formulae:
P ∅ NZ
E g=
60 A
8 ×0.05 ×1200 ×500
= 60 ×8
=500 V

3.5 Applications of DC Generator:

1. DC shunt Generator
The terminal voltage of DC shunt generator is more or less constant from no load to
full load .Therefore these generators are used where constant voltage is required.
 For electro plating
 Battery charging
 For excitation of Alternators.
2. Series Generators:
The terminal voltage of series generator increases with load current from no load to full
load .Therefore these generators are,
 Used as Boosters
 Used for supply to arc Lamps
3. Compound Generator:
Differential Compound generators are used to supply dc welding machines.
Level compound generators are used to supply power for offices, hostels and Lodges
etc.
Over compound generators are used to compensate the voltage drop in Feeders.
4. Separately Exited Generator:
As a supply source to DC Motors, whose speed is to be controlled for certain
applications. Where a wide range of voltage is required for the testing purposes.

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