Scribd
Upload
683 views4 pages

Methods of Improving Commutation

There are three main methods of improving commutation in electric motors and generators: 1. Resistance commutation, which uses high resistance carbon brushes to gradually reverse the current flow during commutation. 2. EMF commutation, which produces a reversing EMF in the short circuit coil during commutation to neutralize the reactance voltage from the coil's inductance using brush shifting or interpoles. 3. Compensating windings, which place additional windings on the poles to balance the armature reaction and prevent sparking, but are costly to implement.

Uploaded by

Friends Park
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
683 views4 pages

Methods of Improving Commutation

There are three main methods of improving commutation in electric motors and generators: 1. Resistance commutation, which uses high resistance carbon brushes to gradually reverse the current flow during commutation. 2. EMF commutation, which produces a reversing EMF in the short circuit coil during commutation to neutralize the reactance voltage from the coil's inductance using brush shifting or interpoles. 3. Compensating windings, which place additional windings on the poles to balance the armature reaction and prevent sparking, but are costly to implement.

Uploaded by

Friends Park
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 4

METHODS OF IMPROVING COMMUTATION

To make the commutation satisfactory we have to make sure that the current
flowing through the coil completely reversed during the commutation period
attains its full value.
There are three main methods of improving commutation. These are
1. Resistance commutation
2. E.M.F. commutation
3. Compensating windings
Resistance Commutation

In this method of commutation we use high electrical resistance brushes


for getting spark less commutation. This can be obtained by replacing low
resistance copper brushes with high resistance carbon brushes.
We can clearly see from the picture that the current I C from the coil C
may reach to the brush in two ways in the commutation period. One path is
direct through the commutator segment b and to the brush and the 2 nd path is
first through the short-circuit coil B and then through the commutator segment a
and to the brush. When the brush resistance is low, then the current I C from coil
C will follow the shortest path, i.e. the 1st path as its electrical resistance is
comparatively low because it is shorter than the 2nd path.
When high resistance brushes are used, then as the brush moves towards
the commutator segments, the contact area of the brush and the segment b
decreases and contact area with the segment a increases. Now, as the electrical
resistance is inversely proportional to the contact area of then resistance R b will
increase and Ra will decrease as the brush moves. Then the current will prefer
the 2nd path to reach to the brush.
Thus by this method of improving commutation, the quick reversal of current
will occur in the desired direction.

ρ is the resistivity of the conductor.


l is the length of the conductor.
A is the cross-section of the conductor (here is this description it is used as
contact area).

E.M.F. Commutation

The main reason of the delay of the current reversing time in the short circuit
coil during commutation period is the inductive property of the coil. In this type
of commutation, the reactance voltage produced by the coil due to its inductive
property, is neutralized by producing a reversing emf in the short circuit coil
during commutation period.
Reactance Voltage:
The voltage rise in the short circuit coil due to inductive property of the coil,
which opposes the current reversal in it during the commutation period, is called
the reactance voltage.
We can produce reversing emf in two ways
1. By brush shifting.
2. By using inter-poles or commutating poles.
Brush Shifting Method of Commutation

In this method of improving commutation the brushes are shifted forward


direction for the DC generator and in backward direction for the motor for
producing the sufficient reversing emf for eliminating the reactance voltage.
When the brushes are given the forward or backward lead then it brings the
short circuit coil under the influence of the next pole which is of the opposite
polarity. Then the sides of the coil will cut the necessary flux form the main
poles of opposite polarity for producing the sufficient reversing emf. This
method is rarely used because for best result, with every variation of load, the
brushes have to be shifted.

Method of Using Inter-Pole

In this method of commutation some small poles are fixed to the yoke and
placed between the main poles. These poles are called inter-poles. Their polarity
is same as the main poles situated next to it for the generator and for the motor
the polarity is same as the main pole situated before it. The inter-poles induce
an emf in the short circuit coil during the commutation period which opposes
reactance voltage and give spark-less commutation.

Compensating Windings

This is the most effective mean of eliminating the problem of armature reaction
and flash over by balancing the armature mmf. Compensating windings are
placed in slots provided in pole faces parallel to the rotor (armature) conductors.
The major drawback with the compensating windings is that they very costly.
Their use is mainly for large machines subject to heavy overloads or plugging
and in small motors subject to sudden reversal and high acceleration.

You might also like