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EE 316 - ELECTRICAL MACHINES 1

WEEK 9

DC Motor

Introduction
In this chapter we will be discussing the equivalent circuit of the DC
motor, magnetization curve of a DC motor and differentiate the separately excited
motor and shunt DC motor. Also, the permanent magnet DC motors, Series and
compounded DC motors. The DC motor starters, Ward – Leonard system and
solid – state speed controllers and DC motor efficiency calculations.

Learning Outcome
 Comprehend the equivalent circuit of a DC motor and the magnetization curve
of a DC machine
 Distinguish the general types of the DC motors
 Differentiate the DC motor starters

Learning Content
It contains readings, selection and discussion questions and sets of
activities that students can work on individually or by group.
Topics for module 2
Topic 1 Equivalent circuit of a DC motor
Topic 2 Magnetization curve of a DC machine
Topic 3 Separately excited and shunt DC motors
Topic 4 Permanent magnet DC motors
Topic 5 Series motor
Topic 6 Compounded DC motor
Topic 7 DC motor starters
Topic 8 Ward – Leonard system and solid – state speed controllers
Topic 9 DC motor efficiency calculations

Teaching and Learning Activities

In this segment, topics 3 and 4 are being discussed.

Topic 3 Separately excited and shunt DC motors

A separately excited DC motor is a motor whose field circuit is supplied from a
separate constant – voltage power supply, while a shunt DC motor is a motor whose
field circuit gets its power directly across the armature terminals of the motor. When
the supply voltage to a motor is assumed constant, there is no practical difference in
behavior between these two machines.
When the load increases, the output torque required to drive the load will
increase. Hence, the motor speed will slow down. Consequently, the internal generated
V s −E A ↓
voltage drops ( E A =kϕN ↓), increasing the armature current in motor I A= . As
RA
armature current increases, the developed torque increases (T dev =kϕ I A ↑) and finally
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the developed torque will be equal the load torque at a lower mechanical speed of
rotation N.
Mechanical Load ↑ → N↓, I A ↑, T dev ↑

Torque vs armature current

Generally, the developed torque is directly proportional to armature current (
T dev =kϕ I A) and the relationship is in the form of a straight line, assuming the field flux
ϕ to be constant as the supply voltage is constant.
Since, heavy starting load needs high starting current, shunt motor should
never be started on a heavy load.
Speed vs armature current
V s −I A R A
V s =E A + I A R A ∧E A =kϕN ≫ V s=kϕN + I A R A ≫ N=
kϕ
As flux ϕ is assumed constant, the speed decreases with armature current
increase. But practically, due to armature reaction, ϕ decreases with increase in
armature current and hence the speed decrease slightly. Hence, a shunt motor can be
assumed as a constant speed motor.
Torque vs Speed
As flux Φ is assumed constant, the speed decreases with developed torque
increase. But practically, due to armature reaction, Φ decreases with increase in
armature current, and hence the speed decrease slightly. Thus, at heavy loads, the
motor speed is almost constant.
Speed control of separately excited and Shunt DC Motors
V s−I A R A
N=
kϕ

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1. Adjusting the supply voltage applied to the armature without changing the
voltage applied to the field. Hence, the flux is kept constant. This can be applied
to separately excited motors only. Hence, at a certain load, since the flux is
fixed, increasing the armature voltage, increases the motor speed
Vs
2. Adjusting the field resistance I F = (and thus the field flux). This can be
RF
applied to separately excited and shunt motors Hence, for a constant supply
voltage, at a certain load, increasing the flux decreases the motor speed.
3. Inserting a resistor in series with the armature circuit. This can be applied to
separately excited and shunt motors Hence, for a constant supply voltage and
fixed flux, at a certain load, increasing R A decreases the motor speed.

Note: Separately excited DC motors are often used as actuators in trains and
automotive traction applications. For their constant speed characteristics, shunt DC
motors are used in fixed speed applications such as fans.

Sample Problem
1. A 25 hp separately excited motor is operating at a speed of 250 rpm. It is
supplied from a 120V supply and draws 5.6A. The total armature circuit
resistance is 0.473 ohms. Find the torque constant for the machine.
V s =E A + I A R A
E A =V S −I A R A=120V −5.6 A ( 0.473Ω )=117.35 V
Pe =E A I A =117.35 V (5.6 A )=657.17 W ; Pe =Tω
2п
Convert rpm to rad/sec ω= ( 250 rpm )=26.167 rad / s
60
Pe 657.17 W
Find the torque T= = =25.1 N−m
ω 26.167 rad /sec
2. A separately excited motor runs at 1045rpm, with a constant field current,
while taking an armature current of 50A at 120V. The armature resistance is
0.1 Ω if the load on the motor changes such that it now takes 95A at 120V,
determine the motor speed at this load.
E 1 ϕ1 N 1
E A =kϕN ; =
E 2 ϕ2 N 2
the field current is constant and the core is assumed unsaturated
E1 N 1
ϕ 1=ϕ2; = ; E A =V S −I A R A
E2 N 2
E1=120−50 ( 0.1 )=115 V ; E2=120−95 ( 0.1 )=110.5 V
115 1045
= ⇒ N 2=1004.1 rpm
110.5 N2
3. A 20hp, 250V shunt motor with Ra=0.22 Ω, Rf=170 Ω. At no-load and rated
voltage, the speed is 1200 rpm and the armature current is 3 A. At full-load and
rated voltage, the line current is 55A. What is the full-load speed?
At No – load
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V s 250
I f FL=
= =1.47 A , N FL =? ? ; N NL=1200 rpm
R f 170
E NL=V S −I A R A=250−3 ( 0.22 )=249.34 V
At Full – load
V s 250
I f FL= = =1.47 A , N FL =? ? ; E FL=V S−I A R A =250−55 ( 0.22 ) =238.22V
R f 170
ENL I f NL N NL 249.34 1200
= ⇒ =
E FL I f FL N FL 238.22 N FL
N FL=1146.5 rpm

Self Assessment Questions (SAQ)

1. A 230V shunt motor delivers 30hp at the shaft at 1800rpm. If the motor has an
efficiency of 85% at this load, determine:
a) The total input power.
b) The line current.
2. What is a permanent magnet DC motor?
3. What is the best type of permanent magnet material? Why?

Topic 4 Permanent magnet DC

motor
A DC Motor whose poles are made of
Permanent Magnets is known
as Permanent Magnet DC (PMDC) Motor.
The magnets are radially magnetized and
are mounted on the inner periphery of the
cylindrical steel stator. The stator of the
motor serves as a return path for the
magnetic flux. The rotor has a DC
armature, with commutator segments and
brushes.
The cross-sectional view of the 2 pole
PMDC motor is shown in the figure ABOVE.
The Permanent Magnet DC motor
generally operates on 6 V, 12 V- or 24-Volts DC supply obtained from the batteries or
rectifiers. The interaction between the axial current carrying rotor conductors and the
magnetic flux produced by the permanent magnet results in the generation of the
torque. The circuit diagram of the PMDC is shown below.

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In conventional DC motor, the generated or back EMF is given by the equation

shown below.
E A =kϕN --------- 1
The electromagnetic torque is given as
T dev =kϕ I A --------- 2
In Permanent Magnet DC motor, the value of flux ϕ is constant. Therefore, the
above equation (1) and (2) becomes
E A =k 1 N --------- 3
T dev =k 1 I A --------- 4
Considering the above circuit diagram, the following equations are expressed.
V =E + I a Ra --------- 5
Putting the value of E from the equation (3) in equation (5) we get
V −I a Ra
V =k 1 N + I a Ra or N=
k1
where k 1=kϕ and is known as speed – voltage constant or torque constant. Its value
depends upon the number of field poles and armature conductors.
The speed control of the PMDC motor cannot be controlled by using flux control
method as the flux remains constant in this type of motor. Both speed and torque can
be controlled by armature voltage control, armature rheostat control, and chopper
control methods. These motors are used where the motor speed below the base speed
is required as they cannot be operated above the base speed.

Types of Permanent Magnet Materials

There are three types of Permanent Magnet Materials used in PMDC Motor. The
detailed information is given below.
Alnicos
Alnicos has a low coercive magnetizing intensity and high residual flux density.
Hence, it is used where low current and high voltage is required.
Ferrites
They are used in cost sensitive applications such as Air conditioners,
compressors, and refrigerators.

Rare earths

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Rare earth magnets are made of Samarium cobalt, neodymium-iron-boron.

They have a high residual flux and high coercive magnetizing intensity. The rare earth
magnets are exempted from demagnetizing problems due to armature reaction. It is an
expensive material.
The Neodymium iron boron is cheaper as compared to Samarium cobalt. But it
can withstand higher temperature. Rare earth magnets are used for size-sensitive
applications. They are used in automobiles, servo industrial drives and in large
industrial motors.

Applications of the Permanent Magnet DC Motor

The PMDC motors are used in various applications ranging from fractions to
several horsepower.  They are developed up to about 200 kW for use in various
industries. The following applications are given below.

 PMDC motors are mainly used in automobiles to operate windshield wipers and
washers, to raise the lower windows, to drive blowers for heaters and air
conditioners etc.
 They are also used in computer drives.
 These types of motors are also used in toy industries.
 PMDC motors are used in electric toothbrushes, portable vacuum cleaners, food
mixers.
 Used in a portable electric tool such as drilling machines, hedge trimmers etc.

Advantages of the Permanent Magnet DC Motor
Following are the advantages of the PMDC Motor.

 They are smaller in size.

 For smaller rating Permanent Magnet reduces the manufacturing cost and thus
PMDC motor are cheaper.
 As these motors do not require field windings, they do not have field circuit
copper losses. This increases their efficiency.
Disadvantages of the Permanent Magnet DC Motor
The disadvantages of the PMDC motor are given below.

 Permanent magnets cannot produce a high flux density as that as an externally

supplied shunt field does. Therefore, a PMDC motor has a lower induced torque
per ampere turns of armature current then a shunt motor of the same rating.
 There is a risk of demagnetization of the poles which may be caused by large
armature currents. Demagnetization can also occur due to excessive heating
and also when the motor is overloaded for a long period of time.
 The magnetic field of PMDC motor is present at all time, even when the motor is
not being used.
 Extra ampere turns cannot be added to reduce the armature reaction.

Supplementary Reading:
All related books in DC machines are recommended for reading.

Flexible Teaching Learning Modality (FTLM) adopted

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 Online (synchronous): TelEducation/Edmodo moodle

 Remote (asynchronous): Module, Exercise, Activity

References
Rojas, R. 2001. 1001 Solved Problems in electrical Engineering, Published by
Jaime R. Tiong
Siskind, C. 1966. Electrical Machines Direct & Alternating Current, McGraw –
Hill Book Company, Inc.
Theraja, B.L. 2005. A Textbook of Electrical Technology in S.I. Units Volume II
AC&DC Machines, S. Chand & Company LTD

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