DC Machine

DC Generator Working Principle

• The DC generator operates based on Faraday's Law of
Electromagnetic Induction, which states that an electromotive
force (EMF) is induced in a conductor when it moves through a
magnetic field.
• 1. Magnetic Field Generation
• The field system (made of permanent magnets or electromagnets)
creates a magnetic field inside the generator.
• This magnetic field provides the necessary flux for induction.
2. Rotation of the Armature
• The armature, a coil of wire mounted on a rotating shaft, is
mechanically rotated by an external force (e.g., a turbine or
engine).
• As the armature rotates, its conductors move through the
magnetic field.
3. Induction of EMF
• The motion of the armature conductors through the magnetic field
causes them to cut magnetic field lines.
• According to Faraday’s Law, an EMF is induced in the
conductors.The magnitude of the induced EMF depends on the
rate at which the conductors cut the magnetic flux.
4. AC Generation in the Armature
• The induced EMF in the armature windings is alternating in nature
because:
• During one half of the rotation, the conductors move in one direction
relative to the magnetic field, inducing current in one direction.
• In the other half, the direction of motion reverses, causing the current to
reverse.
5. Commutation (AC to DC Conversion)
• The commutator, a split-ring device connected to the armature,
converts the alternating current generated in the armature into
direct current.
• The commutator does this by reversing the connection of the
armature winding to the external circuit as the armature rotates,
ensuring a unidirectional current in the load.
 A C

N S

B D Armature
Conductor

Split Ring

Field Pole

Brushes
Load
 Z^

A C

Y^

N S X^

BY^
B D

1 2
B1 B2
 C Z^

Y^

N S X^

D
BY^
B
Ed= (V x B ) l
Ed= Dynamic EMF
V= Velocity of Conductor
B= Magnetic Flux density
l= Effective length
Direction of Ed is in Z^ -
(VX^ ) X (BY^) = Z ^

0 Volt
 Z^

C A

Y^

N S X^

BY^
D B
Ed= (V x B ) l
Ed= Dynamic EMF
2 1 V= Velocity of Conductor
B1 B2
B= Magnetic Flux density
l= Effective length
DC Motor Working Principle
• A DC motor operates on the principle of electromagnetic force
(Lorentz Force), which states that a current-carrying conductor
placed in a magnetic field experiences a force. This force
generates torque, causing the motor's rotor (armature) to rotate.
1.Magnetic Field Generation
• The field system of the motor creates a magnetic field using
either:
• Permanent magnets, or
• Electromagnets with field windings powered by a DC source.
• This magnetic field provides the force necessary for the operation.
2. Armature Winding and Current Flow
• The armature is a coil of wire mounted on a rotor, placed inside
the magnetic field.
• When a DC voltage is applied across the motor terminals, current
flows through the armature winding.
3. Interaction of Magnetic Fields
• The current-carrying armature winding produces its own magnetic
field (per Ampere’s Circuital Law).
• This magnetic field interacts with the field from the motor's
magnets or field windings.
• The interaction generates a force on the armature conductors, as
per Lorentz Force Law: F=BILsinθ where:
• F = Force on the conductor,
• B = Magnetic flux density,
• I = Current in the conductor,
• L = Length of the conductor in the field,
• θ = Angle between the conductor and the magnetic field.
4. Torque Production
• The forces on the armature conductors are in opposite directions on either
side of the rotor due to the reversed current flow.
• These forces create a rotational torque about the axis of the rotor, causing it
to spin.
• The continuous rotation converts electrical energy into mechanical energy.
5. Role of the Commutator
• The commutator is a split-ring device connected to the armature windings.
• Its role is to reverse the current direction in the armature windings after every
half-turn.
• This ensures that the torque always acts in the same rotational direction,
maintaining continuous motion.
6. Brush System
• Brushes (usually made of carbon) are stationary components that
press against the commutator.
• They facilitate the transfer of current from the external power
source to the rotating armature.
 A C

N S

B D Armature
Conductor

Split Ring

Field Pole

Brushes
Source
 Z^

A C

Y^

N S X^

BY^
B D
F= (I x B ) l
F= Force on Conductor
1 2 I= Current in Conductor
B1 B2
B= Magnetic Flux density
l= Effective length
Direction of Ed is in Z^ -
(VX^ ) X (BY^) = Z ^
 C Z^

Y^

N S X^

D
BY^
B
Ed= (V x B ) l
Ed= Dynamic EMF
V= Velocity of Conductor
B= Magnetic Flux density
l= Effective length
Direction of Ed is in Z^ -
(VX^ ) X (BY^) = Z ^
 Z^

C A

Y^

N S X^

BY^
D B
Ed= (V x B ) l
Ed= Dynamic EMF
2 1 V= Velocity of Conductor
B1 B2
B= Magnetic Flux density
l= Effective length
EMF Equation of DC Machine
• To derive the EMF equation of a DC generator, we can start with
Faraday’s law of electromagnetic induction, which states that the
induced EMF in a conductor is proportional to the rate of change
of magnetic flux passing through it.
The expression for the flux cut by a single conductor in one
revolution of the armature is given by:
Flux cut by one conductor = P Web
P= Number of Poles
The time taken for one complete rotation is expressed as:
t=60/N
• Thus, the average induced electromotive force (e.m.f) in one
conductor can be determined as:

Substituting the value of t from Equation

The number of series-connected conductors in each parallel route

is denoted as Z/A. Consequently, the average induced e.m.f across
each parallel route or armature terminal is given by:
• The number of series-connected conductors in each parallel route
is denoted as Z/A. Consequently, the average induced e.m.f
across each parallel route or armature terminal is given by:

• In Motor it is called Back EMF , In generator it is called EMF only.

Torque in DC Motor
• Consider the equivalent circuit of a DC motor as shown in the
figure below.
Torque Equation of DC Motor
The meaning of torque is turning or twisting of a force about an axis.
Voltage equation of DC motor
V=Eb+IaRa
⇒ VIa=EbIa+Ia2Ra
We know that, input power=output power + losses
So, VIa= Electrical power input to armature
Ia2Ra= Copper loss in armature
EbIa=Electrical equivalent of gross mechanical power developed by armature (electromagnetic power)
∴ Mechanical power= Electromagnetic power
Pm= ω 𝜏 = EbIa
𝑁𝑃𝜑𝑍
⇒ 𝐸𝑏 𝐼𝑎 𝐼𝑎 𝑃𝑍
𝜏= = 60𝐴 = 𝜑𝐼
𝜔 2𝜋𝑁 2𝜋𝐴 𝑎
60
The above equation is the torque equation of the DC motor.
 Equivalent Circuit of DC Generator & Motor

By Applying KVL - By Applying KVL -

Eg-Iara-V=0 -Eb-Iara+V=0
Eg= Iara+V …..........................1) V= Iara+Eb …..........................2)
When applying brush voltage When applying brush voltage
then - then -
Eg= Iara+V + Vb Eb= V-Iara - Vb
Eg= Iara+V + Iarb Eb= V-Iara- Iarb
 Types of DC Machine

DC Machine

DC Generator DC Motor

Separately Excited Self- Excited Separately Excited Self- Excited

1-DC Series 1-DC Series

2- DC Shunt 2- DC Shunt
3-DC Compound 3-DC Compound
 DC Generator

Separately Excited DC Generator

Self- excited DC Generator
DC Shunt Generator

In DC Shunt generator field

windings are connected in
parallel with armature winding.
In this Generator field flux is
remain constant .
Series DC Generator

In DC Series generator field

windings are connected in
series with armature winding.
In this Generator field flux is
depends upon load current.
 Compound DC Generator

Long Shunt Compound Short Shunt Compound

DC Generator DC Generator

Short Shunt Compound DC Generator

In the Short shunt compound DC

Generator , one field winding
connected in series with armature
winding and second field winding is
parallel with armature winding.
 Long Shunt Compound DC Generator

In the long shunt compound DC

Generator , one field winding
connected in series with armature
winding and second field winding
is parallel with armature winding
and field winding .
Separately Excited DC Motor
DC Shunt Motor
DC Series Motor
 DC Compound Motor

Long Shunt Compound Short Shunt Compound

DC Motor DC Motor

Short Shunt Compound DC Motor

Long Shunt Compound DC Motor
Applications of DC Motor
1. Shunt motor applications:
➢ It is a constant speed motor & has medium starting torque
i. Various machine tools such as lathe machines, drilling machines, milling
machines etc. ii. Printing machines iii. Paper machines iv. Centrifugal and
reciprocating pumps v. Blowers and fans etc.
2. Series motor applications:
➢ It is a variable speed motor i.e. very low speed at high torque & vice-versa. It
has high starting torque & can be avoided for no load conditions.
i. Electric trains ii. Diesel-electric locomotives iii. Cranes iv. Hoists v. Trolley
cars and trolley buses vi. Rapid transit systems vii. Conveyers viii. Welding etc.
3. Cumulative compound motor applications:
➢ It has high starting torque & no load condition is allowed.
i. Elevators ii. Rolling mills iii. Planers iv. Punches v. Shears
4. Differential compound motors applications:
➢ The speed of these motors will increase with increase in the load, which
leads to an unstable operation.
➢ Therefore we can not use this motor for any practical applications