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DC Generator: 1. Commutation

1. Commutation refers to the reversal of current in an armature coil as it passes the brush axis in a DC generator. 2. During commutation, the coil is briefly short-circuited by the brush. If the current reversal is completed by the end of this commutation period, it is considered ideal. 3. If the current reversal is not complete by the end of the commutation period, sparking will occur between the brush and commutator, damaging both over time.

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Elsa Watson
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40 views6 pages

DC Generator: 1. Commutation

1. Commutation refers to the reversal of current in an armature coil as it passes the brush axis in a DC generator. 2. During commutation, the coil is briefly short-circuited by the brush. If the current reversal is completed by the end of this commutation period, it is considered ideal. 3. If the current reversal is not complete by the end of the commutation period, sparking will occur between the brush and commutator, damaging both over time.

Uploaded by

Elsa Watson
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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DC Generator

1. Commutation
Commutation:
Figure below shows the schematic diagram of 2-pole lap-wound generator. There are
two parallel paths between the brushes. Therefore, each coil of the winding carries one-
half (Ia/2 in this case) of the total current (Ia) entering or leaving the armature. Note
that the currents in the coils connected to a brush are either all towards the brush
(positive brush) or all directed away from the brush (negative brush). Therefore,
current in a coil will reverse as the coil passes a brush. This reversal of current as the
coil passes & brush is called commutation.
Commutation:
The reversal of current in a coil as the coil passes the brush axis is
called commutation.

When commutation takes place, the coil undergoing commutation is short-


circuited by the brush.

 The brief period during which the coil remains short-circuited is known as
commutation period Tc.

 If the current reversal is completed by the end of commutation period, it is


called ideal commutation.

If the current reversal is not completed by that time, then sparking occurs
between the brush and the commutator which results in progressive damage to
both.
Commutation process:
Let us discuss the process of commutation or current reversal in coil B. the brush width
is equal to the width of one commutator segment and one mica insulation. For
simplicity, ring winding has been considered.

In fig. (a) coil B is about to be short circuited because brush is


about to come in touch with commutator segment ‘a’. It is
assumed that each coil carries 20 A, so that brush current is 40
A. Prior to the beginning of short circuit, coil B belongs to the
group of coils lying to the left of the brush and carries 20 A
from left to right.

In fig. (b) coil B has entered its period of short circuit and is
approximately at one-third of this period. The current
through coil B has reduced down from 20 A to 10 A because
the other 10 A flows via segment ‘a’. As area of contact of
the brush is more with segment ‘b’ than with segment ‘a’, it
receives 30 A from the former, the total again being 40 A.
Commutation process:
Fig. (c) shows the coil B in the middle of its short circuit
period. The current through it has decreased to zero. The
two currents of value 20 A each, pass to the brush
directly from coil A to C as shown. The brush contact
areas with the two segments ‘b’ and ‘a’ are equal.

In fig. (d), coil B has become part of the group of coils lying to
the right of the brush. It is seen that brush contact area with
segment ‘b’ is decreasing rapidly whereas that with segment
‘a’ is increasing. Coil B now carries 10 A in the reverse
direction which combines with 20 A supplied by coil A to
make up 30 A that passes from segment ‘a’ to the brush. The
other 10 A is supplied by coil C and passes from segment ‘b to
the brush, again giving a total of 40 A at the brush.
Commutation process:
Fig. (e) depicts the moment when coil B is almost at the
end of commutation or short circuit period. For ideal
commutation, current through it should have reversed by
now but, as shown, it is carryin 15 A only (instead of 20
A). The difference of current between coils C and B i.e. 5
A in this cas, jumps directly from segment b to the brush
through air thus producing spark.

Fig. (f) shows the changes of current through coil B


on a time base. The way in which current changes
from its positive value of 20 A (=BE) to zero and
then to its negative value of 20 A (=CF) depends on
the conditions under which the coil B undergoes
commutation. If the current varies at a uniform rate
i.e. if BC is a straight line, then it is referred to as
linear commutation. However, due to the
production of self-induced emf in the coil the
variations follow the dotted curve.

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