Armature reaction and commutation

Armature reaction:
The effect of armature flux produced by armature current on the distribution of main flux is called
armature reaction. (or)
The effect of armature flux produced by armature current on the distribution of main flux under the
poles of DC machine is called armature reaction.
The concept of armature reaction in DC machine (generator) explained as fallow:
When load is applied on the generator ,current is flows in armature windings. This armature current
causes magnetic flux(armature flux). These armature flux distrub the distribution of main flux in the
air gap.
Case1: When the generator field wdg is excited and no-load on the generator
The distribution of main flux under the poles is shown below.





The direction of flux along the pole axis and these are symmetrically distributed above the pole axis
and below the pole axis. Pole axis is perpendicular to the M.N.A(magnetic neutral axis)and M.N.A is
coinsides with G.N.A (geomentrical neutral axis). The brushes will make contact with conductors
lying in magnetis field.
N
S
POLE AXIS
o
A
Brush axis
G
N
A
M
N
A
M.N.A: The axis along which no e.m.f induced in the armature conductors is called magnetic neutral axis.
The vector OA represents the magnitude and direction of main m.m.f.
Case2: field winding is not excited and load is applied on the generator.
When load is applied on the generator current flows in armature wdg. The conductors under N-pole carries
current inwards direction(shown by )and conductors under S-pole carreis current outword direction(shown
by ).these current carrying conductor causes magnetic flux.
The distribution of armature flux are shown below

The vector OB represents magnitude and direction of armature m.m.f. here armature flux acts right
angles to the main flux. This magnetizing effect of armature current is called cross magnetization.
cross magnetization




N
S
POLE AXIS
o
B













N
S
POLE AXIS
o
B
New M.N.A
A
C
New M.N.A





N
S
POLE AXIS
New M.N.A


N
S
POLE AXIS
o
B
New M.N.A
A

N
S
POLE AXIS
0
New M.N.A