DC MACHINES

Construction
Principle of Operation
classification
 types of armature windings
 EMF equation
OCC & Load characteristics
Power Flow diagram
Losses and efficiency-
 Armature reaction
 Commutation
 DC Generator
Mechanical energy is converted to
electrical energy

Basic essential parts are essential

1. Conductors
2. Magnetic field
 Working principle
A generator works on the principles of
Faraday’s law of electromagnetic
induction
Whenever a conductor cuts magnetic
field , dynamically induced emf is
produced
the magnitude of the induced emf is
directly proportional to the rate of
change of flux linkage.
This emf causes a current flow if the
conductor circuit is closed .
Simple loop generator
When the plane of the coil is at right angles to lines
of flux i.e. when it is in position, 1, then flux linked
with the coil is maximum but rate of change of flux
linkages is minimum. It is so because in this
position, the coil sides AB and CD do not cut or
shear the flux, rather they slide along them i.e. they
move parallel to them. Hence, there is no induced
e.m.f. in the coil.
As the coil continues rotating further, the rate of
change of flux linkages (and hence induced e.m.f. in
it) increases, till position 3 is reached where θ = 90º.
Here, the coil plane is horizontal i.e. parallel to the
lines of flux. As seen, the flux linked with the coil is
minimum but rate of change of flux linkages is
maximum. Hence, maximum e.m.f. is induced in the
coil when in this position
In the next quarter revolution i.e. from 90º to 180º,
the flux linked with the coil gradually increases but
the rate of change of flux linkages decreases. Hence,
the induced e.m.f. decreases gradually till in position
5 of the coil, it is reduced to zero value. So, we find
that in the first half revolution of the coil, no (or
minimum) e.m.f. is induced in it when in position 1,
maximum when in position 3 and no e.m.f. when in
position 5. The direction of
this induced e.m.f. can be found by applying
Fleming’s Right-hand rule
Fleming’s Right hand rule
 Fleming’s Right hand rule
Used to determine the direction of emf
induced in a conductor
The middle finger , the fore finger and
thumb of the left hand are kept at
right angles to one another.
The fore finger represent the
direction of magnetic field
The thumb represent the
direction of motion of the
conductor
The middle finger will indicate
the direction
This ruleofisthe inducted
used in DC Generators
 DC Machine

Commutator
Sectional view of a DC machine
Construction of DC Generator
Field system
Armature
core
Armature
winding
Commutator
Brushes
Field winding
Rotor and rotor winding
 Armature winding
There are 2 types of winding
Lap and Wave winding
Lap winding Wave winding
A=P A=2

The armature Itis used in low

windings are current
divided output
into no. and high voltage.
of sections
equal to the no 2 brushes
of poles
Field system
It is for uniform magnetic field
within which the armature
rotates.
Electromagnets are preferred in
comparison with permanent
magnets
They are cheap , smaller in size ,
produce greater magnetic effect
and
Field strength can be varied
Field system consists of the
following parts
Yoke
Pole cores
Pole shoes
Field coils
Armature core
The armature core is cylindrical
High permeability silicon steel
stampings
Impregnated
Lamination is to reduce the
eddy current loss
Commutator
Connect with external circuit
Converts ac into unidirectional current
Cylindrical in shape
Made of wedge shaped copper segments
Segments are insulated from each other
Each commutator segment is connected
to armature conductors by means of a cu
strip called riser.
No of segments equal to no of coils
Carbon brush
Carbon brushes are used in DC
machines because they are soft
materials
It does not generate spikes when they
contact commutator
To deliver the current thro armature
Carbon is used for brushes because it
has negative temperature coefficient of
resistance
Self lubricating , takes its shape ,
improving area of contact
Types of Armature Winding
There are two types of armature windings in
a dc machine and they are
•wave winding
•lap winding.
 TYPES OF WINDING
CLASSIFICATION OF GENERATOR
1. Wave Winding
In a wave winding irrespective of the number of
poles present the machine, there is the presence
of two parallel paths.
 Lap Winding
According to the number of poles in a machine,
there may be several parallel paths present. If Z
and P be the number of armature conductors
and number of poles in a dc machine then each
parallel path will have Z/P conductors in series.
Generators are generally classified according to
these methods of field excitation. On this basis,
different types of dc generator are divided into the
following three classes:
1. Permanent magnet dc generators
2. Separately excited dc generators
3. Self-excited dc generators
a) Series Wound dc generator
b) Shunt Wound dc generator
c) Compound Wound dc generator
Separately Excited D.C. Generators
A dc 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.
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.
A generator that supplies its own field excitation is
called a self-excited generator. Self-excitation is possible
only if the field pole pieces have retained a slight
amount of permanent magnetism, called residual
magnetism.
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.
•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.
 DC Shunt Generator

•In a shunt generator, the field winding is connected in

parallel with the armature winding
•so that the 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
•Current in the field windings of a shunt-wound
generator is independent of the load current
(currents in parallel branches are independent of
each other).
• Since field current, and therefore field strength, is
not affected by load current, the output voltage
remains more nearly constant than does the output
voltage of the series-wound generator.
•In actual use, the output voltage in a DC shunt-
wound generator varies inversely as load current
varies.
•The output voltage decreases as load current
increases because of the voltage drop across the
armature resistance increases (E = IR).
DC 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.
•By proportioning the two fields so that the decrease in the
shunt field is just compensated by the increase in the series
field, the output voltage remains constant.

A compound-wound generator may be:

1. Short Shunt Compound DC Generator
2. Long Shunt Compound DC Generator
•Compound wound generators are of two types,
known as cumulative wound and differential wound
generators.
•In cumulative wound generators the series field assists
the shunt field, whereas, in differential wound
generators, series field opposes the shunt field.
EMF EQUATION
 EMF equation
Let, Ø= flux per pole in weber
Z = Total number of conductor
= No of slots x No of conductors
/slot
P = Number of poles
A = Number of parallel paths
N = speed of the armature conductor in rpm.
Eg = emf generated in any on of the
parallel path
Total flux produced by all the poles

No of revolutions/ second = N/60

Time taken to complete one revolution =

Now, according to
Faraday’s law of induction, the induced
emf of the armature conductor is
denoted by “e” which is equal to rate of
cutting the flux.Therefore,
 Induced emf of one conductor is
Let us suppose there are Z total numbers of conductor
in a generator,
Z = total numbers of conductor
A = number of parallel paths
Then,
Z/A = number of conductors connected in series
We know that induced emf in each path is same across
the line
Therefore,
Induced emf of DC generator
E = emf of one conductor × number of conductor
connected in series.
OCC AND LOAD CHARACTERISTICS
Separately excited DC generator
1. Open Circuit Characteristic (O.C.C.) (E0/If)
•Open circuit characteristic is also known as magnetic
characteristic or no-load saturation characteristic.
•This characteristic shows the relation between generated
emf at no load (E0) and the field current (If) at a given fixed
speed.
•The O.C.C. curve is just the magnetization curve and it is
practically similar for all type of generators.
• The data for O.C.C. curve is obtained by operating the
generator at no load and keeping a constant speed.
•Field current is gradually increased and the corresponding
terminal voltage is recorded.
• For shunt or series excited generators, the field winding is
disconnected from the machine and connected across an
external supply.
 No-Load Characteristics :
It shows the relation between no-load generated emf Eo and the field
current at a given speed. It is also known as magnetization characteristics or
open-circuit characteristics (O.C.C.).

No-load emf,

Where,
•K = constant = ZNP/60
•Eo ∝ field current
•φ ∝ field current

It is clear from the above expression that when the field current is increased
by varying the potential divider from zero, the flux φ and hence Eo increases.
The readings of Eo and field current should be tabulated and the relation
between the two should be plotted. The flux increases until the poles become
saturated, after that a greater increase in field current is required to produce a
given φ and hence Eo.
Internal and external characteristics
The relation between the e.m.f. actually induced, E and the armature current
Ia gives the Internal characteristics.
At first, the generator should be brought up to its rated speed and then the field
should be increased until the voltmeter reads rated voltage. Now the switch S2 is
closed. Then the initial readings of load current (i.e., O at this instant) and V
should be recorded and tabulated. Now the load is adjusted to increase load
current. The load resistance should be decreased further, until the ammeter, load
current reads full load current or as desired.

Now the graph between V and load current should be plotted by curve ab. This is
known as load or external characteristic curve. It can be noticed from the graph
that the voltage decreases slowly with an increase in load current. While taking
the readings the generator speed should be maintained constant by varying the
prime mover speed
•The voltage recorded at zero load current is Eo. It is
parallel to abscissa (X-axis) and is shown by dotted
lines because on no-load current is zero.
• Now determine Ia Ra drop at every reading and add to
the load curve. Thus the curve obtained is ac and is
known as internal characteristics.
•The relation between the terminal voltage V and load
current IL gives the external characteristics.
Characteristics of DC Shunt Generator :
In a dc shunt generator, the field winding is connected across
(parallel) the armature terminals and the armature current
Ia produced is the sum of field current Ish and load current IL.

No-load Characteristics :
No-load or open circuit characteristics of a shunt generator are
obtained by plotting ammeter reading (field current) i.e. Ish,
versus voltmeter reading E (generated voltage).

Under the no-load condition, the generator is said to be open-

circuited and rotating at a constant speed. From the
EMF equation of dc generator, generated voltage E is directly
proportional to flux φ. As φ is directly proportional to field
current Ish, an increase in Ish also
Also if there is no field current Ish at starting, we can notice
some voltage E in the armature. This is mainly due to
magnetism present in the field poles, known as residual
magnetism. That is why the graph starts from point A but not
from origin 0.

Now as the field current Ish, flux φ, increases with an increase

in voltage E. But, after reaching certain current Ish the field
gets saturated and therefore φ and E remain constant
Load Characteristics :
When a shunt generator is loaded, voltage builds up, then its terminal voltage
drops due to armature resistance and armature reaction. The terminal voltage
V and load current IL can be measured, the relation between these V and IL can
be drawn like (a-b), known as the external characteristic curve.
If armature resistance drop components are added to the curve (a-b), we get the
internal characteristic curve (a-c), as shown. If armature reaction drop
components are added to this curve ac we get curve or line (a-d), which can be
called no-load characteristics, but on no-load the IL = 0. Therefore it is imaginary
and hence shown with a dotted line.

If it is increased beyond the rated value, the terminal voltage decreases rapidly
due to increased armature reaction, represented by the curve (b-e). It is known
as drooping characteristics.
Characteristics of DC Series Generator :
In a dc series generator the field winding, armature, and load are
connected in series with each other i.e., IL = Ise = Ia.
No-load Characteristics :
•The no-load characteristics of a dc series generator are similar to
the no-load characteristics of a shunt generator.
•But, at no-load condition, the generator is running at a constant
speed due to series connection no field current flows as the load
current IL, is zero.
•Hence it is difficult to obtain no-load characteristics.
•To draw the O.C.C. of a series generator the field winding should
be given a separate d.c. supply.
•Now if the field current IL, increases the voltage E will also build up
proportionally. Here also the curve starts from point A due to
residual magnetism.
 Characteristics of DC Compound
Generator :
A compound generator or compound wound generators is a combination of
both shunt and series wound generators. One winding is connected in series
and the other is connected in parallel with the armature.
Load Characteristics :
A shunt generator can be made to supply a constant voltage by connecting a few
turns in series with the armature terminals. This arrangement is known as a
compound generator. There are two types of connections for connecting a series
and shunt windings in a compound generator.

If the connection is in such a way that flux produced by both series and shunt
windings (φse and φsh) are both in the same direction then the connection is said
to be a Cumulative Compound. If the connection is in such a way that both the
fluxes (φse and φsh) produced, are opposite to each other, then it is known as
Differential Compound. The below figure shows the two different connections of
a compound generator.
Now, in a compound generator when load current IL increases. The current
Ise in series turns also increases which in turn produces more flux and
thereby generating more e.m.f. But due to increase an in armature current
Ia, there will be an increase in voltage drop due to armature resistance and
armature reaction
if the series field turns are such as to produce e.m.f. equal to drop
due to armature resistance and armature reaction, then the
generator is called flat compounded or level compounded.

If the series field turns produce e.m.f. more or less than the drop
due to armature resistance and reaction, then the generator is called
over compounded or under compounded respectively.
 Total Loss in a DC Generator
(A) Copper Losses
(i) Armature copper losses=Ia2R a
This loss is about 30-40% of full load losses.
(ii) Field copper loss:
In case of shunt generator, field copper losses=I F2R F
In case of series generator, field copper losses=IL2Rs
This loss is about 20-30% of full load losses.
(iii) The loss due to brush contact resistance.

(B) Magnetic (Iron or Core) Losses

(i) Hysteresis Loss, 𝑾𝒉 𝖺 𝑩𝒎𝒂𝒙𝟏.𝟔𝒇
(ii) Eddy Current Loss, 𝑾𝒆 𝖺 𝑩𝒎𝒂𝒙𝟐𝒇𝟐
These losses are practically constant for shunt and compound
wound generators, because in their case, field current is approximately
constant.
This loss is about 20-30% of full load losses.

(C) Mechanical Losses

(i) Friction Loss at bearing and commutator.
(ii)This loss is about
Air Friction 10-20% Loss
or Windage of full
ofload losses.
rotating armature
66
Dr. Firas Faculty of Philadelphia University
Obeidat Engineering
 Total Loss in a DC Generator
Armature Cu Loss

Copper Losses Shunt Cu Loss

Series Cu Loss
Total Losses

Hysteresis Loss
Iron Losses
Eddy Current Loss

Friction Loss
Mechanical Losses
Air Friction or Windage Loss

Stray Losses
Iron and mechanical losses are collectively known as Stray (Rotational) losses.

Constant or Standing Losses

Field Cu losses is constant for shunt and compound generators. Stray losses
and shunt Cu loss are constant in their case. These losses are together
known as Constant or Standing Losses (Wc).
67
Dr. Firas Faculty of Philadelphia University
Obeidat Engineering
 Power Stages and Efficiency

Mechanical Efficiency
𝐸𝐴
�𝑚 = 𝑇𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑡𝑠 𝑔𝑒𝑛𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑑 𝑖𝑛 𝑎𝑟𝑚𝑎𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑒 × ×
𝑀𝑒𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑙 𝑝𝑜𝑤𝑒𝑟 𝑂𝑢𝑡𝑝𝑢𝑡 𝑜𝑓
𝐼𝐴 𝑑𝑟𝑖𝑣𝑖𝑛𝑔
100%
𝑠𝑢𝑝𝑝𝑙𝑖𝑒𝑑 𝑒𝑛𝑔𝑖𝑛𝑒
�
100% =
Electrical Efficiency
𝑊𝑎𝑡𝑡𝑠 𝑎𝑣𝑎𝑖𝑙𝑎𝑏𝑙𝑒 𝑖𝑛 𝑙𝑜𝑎𝑑
𝜂� 𝑐𝑖𝑟𝑢𝑖𝑡
𝑉𝐼𝐿
× 100% =𝐸𝐴 ×
𝑇𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑡𝑠 𝑔𝑒𝑛𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑑 𝑖𝑛
=�
𝑎𝑟𝑚𝑎𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑒 100% 𝐼𝐴
Overall or Commercial Efficiency

𝑊𝑎𝑡𝑡𝑠 𝑎𝑣𝑎𝑖𝑙𝑎𝑏𝑙𝑒 𝑖𝑛 𝑙𝑜𝑎𝑑 𝑐𝑖𝑟𝑢𝑖𝑡 𝑉𝐼𝐿

𝜂𝑐 = 𝜂 𝑚 ×
�=
𝑀𝑒𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑙 𝑝𝑜𝑤𝑒𝑟 ×
𝑂𝑢𝑡𝑝𝑢𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑑𝑟𝑖𝑣𝑖𝑛𝑔 100%
×𝜂
𝑠𝑢𝑝𝑝𝑙𝑖𝑒𝑑 𝑒𝑛𝑔𝑖𝑛𝑒
�

100% = 68
Dr. Firas Faculty of Philadelphia University
Obeidat Engineering
 Power Stages and Efficiency
Example: A shunt generator delivers 195A at terminal voltage of 250V. The
armature resistance and shunt field resistance are 0.02Ω and 50Ω respectively.

• 𝐼
The iron and friction losses equal 950W. Find
(a) emf generated (b) Cu losses (c) output of the prime motor

𝐴 = 𝐼𝐹 + 𝐼𝐿 = 5 + 195 = 200𝐴
(d) commercial, mechanical and electrical efficiencies.

• 𝐸
250
𝐼� = 5 =
(a)
𝐴 = 𝑉𝑇 + 𝐼𝐴𝑅𝐴 = 250 + 200 × 0.02 = 254V
5𝐴 0

• 𝐴𝑟𝑚𝑎𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑒 𝐶𝑢 𝑙𝑜𝑠𝑠 = 𝐼
�

𝐴 𝑅𝐴

• 𝑆ℎ𝑢𝑛𝑡 𝐶𝑢 𝑙𝑜𝑠𝑠 = 𝐼
2
= 2002 × 0.02 = 800𝑊

𝑓 𝑅𝑓
(b)

• 𝑇𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝐶𝑢 𝑙𝑜𝑠𝑠 = 800 + 1250 = 2050𝑊

2
= 52 × 50 = 1250𝑊

•(c) Stray losses=950W

• 𝐺𝑒𝑛𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑜𝑟 𝑜𝑢𝑡𝑝𝑢𝑡 = 𝑉𝐼
• Total losses=950+2050=3000W

𝐿= 250 × 195 = 48750𝑊

69
Dr. Firas Faculty of Philadelphia University
Obeidat Engineering
 Power Stages and Efficiency
𝐺𝑒𝑛𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑜𝑟 𝑖𝑛𝑝𝑢𝑡 = 𝐺𝑒𝑛𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑜𝑟 𝑜𝑢𝑡𝑝𝑢𝑡 + 𝑡𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑙𝑜𝑠𝑠𝑒𝑠 = 48750 +
3000 = 51750𝑊
𝑂𝑢𝑡𝑝𝑢𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑝𝑟𝑖𝑚𝑒 𝑚𝑜𝑡𝑜𝑟 = 51750𝑊

(c) 𝐺𝑒𝑛𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑑 𝑒𝑙𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑟𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑙 𝑝𝑜𝑤𝑒𝑟(𝐸𝐴𝐼𝐴) = 𝐺𝑒𝑛𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑜𝑟 𝑖𝑛𝑝𝑢𝑡 − 𝑠𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑦

𝑙𝑜𝑠𝑠
𝐺𝑒𝑛𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑑 𝑒𝑙𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑟𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑙 𝑝𝑜𝑤𝑒𝑟(𝐸𝐴𝐼𝐴) = 51750 −
950 = 50800𝑊
𝐸𝐴
𝜂𝑚 50800
× 100% =5175 × 100% =
𝑂𝑢𝑡𝑝𝑢𝑡 𝑜𝑓
𝐼𝐴 𝑑𝑟𝑖𝑣𝑖𝑛𝑔
=
𝑒𝑛𝑔𝑖𝑛𝑒 98.2% 0

48750
��= = × 100% =
��𝑉𝐼𝐸𝐴𝐼𝐴
95.9%
50800
𝑉𝐼
𝐿

𝜂� × 100% =
48750
× 100% =
𝑂𝑢𝑡𝑝𝑢𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑑𝑟𝑖𝑣𝑖𝑛𝑔 5175
=�
𝐿
𝑒𝑛𝑔𝑖𝑛𝑒 94.2% 0

70
Dr. Firas Faculty of Philadelphia University
Obeidat Engineering
 Power Stages and Efficiency
Example: A shunt generator has a full load current of 196 A at 220V. The stray
lassos are 720W and the shunt field coil resistance is 55Ω. If it has full load
efficiency of 88%, find the armature resistance.

𝐺𝑒𝑛𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑜𝑟 𝑜𝑢𝑡𝑝𝑢𝑡 = 𝑉𝐼𝐿 = 220 × 196 = 43120𝑊

��= × 100% = 88% → 𝐸 𝐴 𝐼 = 43120 ÷ 0.88 =

��𝑉𝐼𝐸𝐴 49000𝑊 𝐴
𝐼𝐴 𝑙𝑜𝑠𝑠𝑒𝑠 = 49000 − 43120 = 5880𝑊
𝑇𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙
𝐿

𝐼𝑓 = 220 ÷ 55 = 4𝐴

𝑆ℎ𝑢𝑛𝑡 𝐶𝑢 𝑙𝑜𝑠𝑠 = 𝐼𝑓𝑉 = 4 × 220 = 880𝑊

Constant losses=Shunt Cu losses+stray losses=880+720=1600W

losses=𝐼𝐴2𝑅𝐴+1600=5880
Total losses=Armature losses + Constant

𝐼𝐴2𝑅𝐴 = 5880 − 1600 = 4280𝑊

𝐼𝐴 = 𝐼𝐿 + 𝐼𝑓 = 195 + 4 = 199𝐴

Dr.𝑅 = 4280
Faculty÷
of 199 =Philadelphia
0.108Ω
2
𝐴
71
Firas University
Obeidat Engineering
 Voltage Regulation
The voltage regulation (VR) is defined as the difference between the no-load
terminal voltage (VNL) to full load terminal voltage (VFL) and is expressed as
a percentage of full load terminal voltage. It is therefore can be expressed as,
𝑉𝑁𝐿 − 𝑉𝐹𝐿 𝐸𝐴 − 𝑉𝐹𝐿
𝑉𝑜𝑙𝑡𝑎𝑔𝑒 𝑅𝑒𝑔𝑢𝑙𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑉𝑅 = × 100% =
× 100%
𝑉𝐹𝐿

𝑉𝐹𝐿

Example: A 4-pole shunt DC generator is delivering 20A to a load of 10Ω. If

the armature resistance is 0.5 Ω and the shunt field resistance is 50 Ω,
calculate the induced emf and the efficiency of the machine. Allow a drop of
1V per brush.
𝑇𝑒𝑟𝑚𝑖𝑛𝑎𝑙 𝑉𝑜𝑙𝑡𝑎𝑔𝑒 = 𝐼𝐿𝑅 = 20 × 10 = 200𝑉

𝐼𝑓 = 200 ÷ 50 = 4𝐴 𝐼𝐴 = 𝐼𝐿 + 𝐼𝑓 = 20 + 4 = 24𝐴

𝐼 𝑅 = 24 × 0.5 = 12𝑉
��𝐴= 𝐴 × 100% = 200 × 20 × 100% =
𝐸 𝐼𝐴 214 ×
𝐸�𝐴𝑉𝐼 = 𝐿𝐼𝐴𝐴𝑅 + 𝑉 + 𝑏𝑟𝑢𝑠ℎ 𝑑𝑟𝑜𝑝 = 12 + 200 + 2 = 214𝑉
24 77.9%
� 𝐴

𝐸 − 𝑉𝐹𝐿 214 − 200

𝑉𝑅 = 𝐴 × 100% =20 × 100%
𝑉𝐹
= 7% 0 University
𝐿 Engineering
72
Dr. Firas Faculty of Philadelphia
Obeidat
 Uses of DC Generators
Shunt Generators
• Shunt generators with field regulators are used for ordinary
lighting and power supply purposes. They are also used for
charging batteries because their terminal voltages are almost
constant.

Series Generators
• Series generators are used as boosters in a certain types of
distribution systems particularly in railway service.

Compound Generators
• The cumulatively compound generator is the most used DC
generator because its external characteristics can be adjusted
for compensating the voltage drop in the line resistance.
Cumulatively compound generators are used for motor driving
which require DC supply at constant voltage, for lamp loads
and for heavy power service such as electric railways.
• The differential compound DC generator has an external
characteristic similar to that of shunt generator but with large
demagnetization armature reaction. Differential compound DC
generators re widely used in arc welding where larger voltage
drop is desirable with increase in current.
73
Dr. Firas Faculty of Philadelphia University
Obeidat Engineering
WHAT IS ARMATURE REACTION

Simply effect of armature mmf on main

field flux.
 Cross magnetizing effect.
• Demagnetizing effect.

TWO MAIN EFFECTS OF ARMATURE

REACTION