O.C.C.

& LOAD TEST ON

SEPARATELY EXCITED D.C. GENERATOR

 EXP NO- 3

 DATE-10.8.2019

 SUYASH KIRAN KOTHAWADE

 17BEE0304

 ELECTROMECHANICAL ENERGY CONVERSION LAB

 L5+ L6

OBJECTIVE
To perform the open circuit & load test on separately excited D.C. generator and
draw the open circuit, internal and external characteristics.

APPARATUS REQUIRED

S.NO. NAME TYPE RANGE QTY.

(0-1) A and (0-5)
Amps
1 Ammeter Digital Each 1
2 Digital 0-220 V 1
Voltmeter
300 ohm,2A 2
100, 1A 1
3 Rheostat Tube type
4 Loading rheostat 6 Amps
5 Tachometer Digital 0-1500 rpm 1
 Linear rheostat Digital Voltmeter

THEORY
A DC generator whose field winding is supplied current from an external DC
sources are called separately excited DC generator. The flux produced by the poles
depends upon the field current within the unsaturated region of magnetic material of
the poles (i.e.,∅ ∝ 𝐼𝑓 ). But in the saturated region the flux becomes nonlinear. Its
conventional diagram is shown in Fig .1

If Ia

F1
A2
Voltage
DC G
SUPPLY A1
F2

Figure 1: Separately DC Excited Generator

Open Circuit Characteristics of a DC generator

It shows the relation between the no load generator emf in the armature (𝐸𝑂) and
the field current 𝐼𝑓 at a specified speed. Open the field winding of the generator and
connect it to a separate D.C. source through a rheostat shown in Fig.2
 Open circuit or magnetization characteristics of a DC machine is tested by driving the
machine at its normal speed and varying the excitation current in steps from zero to maximum
by adjusting field regulating resistance or potentiometer type regulator. The field is supplied
through a separate source supply. The connection diagram for test is show in Fig.4
Figure 2
A
Figure 3
F1
A1 E0
Voltage
DC G V
SUPPLY A
F

Residual
Magnetism
o If

Since the machine is not carrying any armature current, the terminal voltage is the
induced emf in the armature of the machine. The curve of the induced emf against the
excitation current is the magnetization characteristics or open-circuit characteristics
of the machine. After taking the reading of the voltage induced Vs the excitation current
by increasing the current from zero to maximum, readings are taken by reducing the
excitation from maximum to zero. The curve plotted in Fig.3 shows that while reducing
the excitation, the emf does not follow the same curve and at zero value of excitation,
does not return to zero value but retains some values of the emf. This emf is due to
residual magnetism. This due to magnetic hysteresis effect. Modern dc machines using
steel frames and laminated pole structure normally have residual magnetism of two to
three percent.

Load test
The load test is performed on a DC generator to know how it’s terminal voltage
changes with the load (electrical). It is generally assumed that the speed of the
generator is maintained constant by prime mover, during this test. The other purpose of
the test also could be to find its regulation, efficiency and to measure its temperature
rise at different loads.
Applications of separately excited generators

1. Separately excited generators are preferred where the characteristics of DC

shunt generator are not up to the expected level.
2. They can be used to excite the field magnets of AC generators.
3. As the drop-in voltage is very small, these generators can be used for supplying
loads needing constant voltage.
4. They are used as source for battery charging purpose.
5. These generators are used for electroplating and electrolysis purpose.

PRECAUTIONS
Before starting and after completion of the experiment

1 . The DC power supply, DC breaker and DC isolator should be in off position.

2 The motor field rheostat should be kept at minimum resistance position & motor
armature rheostat should be kept at maximum resistance position.
3 The generator field rheostat should be kept at maximum resistance position
4 There should not be any load on the machines. (In motor OR In generator)
PROCEDURE
Open Circuit Characteristics
1. Connections are made as shown in (Fig.4) circuit diagram.
2. By observing the precautions switch on DC power supply, DC breaker and DC
isolator.
3. Now the motor will start to rotate in minimum speed.
4. By adjusting the motor field rheostat and armature rheostat, brought the motor
to its rated speed and kept constant.
5. The residual voltage is if any, indicated by the voltmeter should be brought to
zero. This is done as follows. The field terminal of generator is exchanged then
the potential divider is varied in either direction and voltage is made zero. After
doing this the field terminals are interchanged and the experiment is repeated.
6. The potential divider is varied in steps so as to get up to 125% of rated value of
voltage of the generator, and the readings are tabulated.
 7. The potential divider is varied in the opposite direction and again the readings
are tabulated.

LOAD TEST
1. Connections are made as shown in circuit diagram.
2. The potential divider is adjusted and the generator is excited to its rated voltage
and the no load readings are noted.
3. The load is switched ON in steps from no load to full load and each reading is
tabulated.
4. Each time the speed should be maintained at rated speed of the machine.
5. After taking all the readings readjust all the setting of their initial position and
then switch off the DC supply, DC breaker and DC isolator to stop the motor.
No Load: 50 °/. of Rated Current Full DC Motor Alternator
Load: 125 °/. of Rated Current Rated Voltage : 220 415
Rated Current : 6.54 2.08
Rated Power : 1kw 1.5kw
Rated Speed : 1500rpm 1500 rpm
 TABULAR COLUMN:

MODEL GRAPH

E0 DECREASING

INCREASING

Residual
Magnetism

o If
TABULAR COLUMN - LOAD TEST
MODEL GRAPH

V
E0 I
II. Internal
characteristic
III. External
characteristic

Ohmic drop in armature

IL, Ia
Graph observed:

1)

2)

Experimental graph_ open circuit characteristics

 Open circuit characteristics
250
216 218
215 220
210 208
200 195
200 190
170 175

150 155
150 135
125
110

100 90
75

50
50 40

0
0
0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1 1.2
Field current, If

Experimental graph load test

Internal and external characteristics

250

200

150

100

50

0
0 1 2 3 4 5 6
Load current and armature current

RESULT
The o. c and load characteristics of separately excited
d. c. generator was performed by suitable experiment and the following characteristics
graphs were obtained and drawn.
(I) E0 / If _o.cc.
(II) E g/ I a – Internal characteristics
(III) VL / IL External characteristics

Viva questions.

1. Define the critical resistance of the field circuit of dc generator.

2. Discuss with suitable characteristics the term “critical speed” of the

generator.

3. Discuss various conditions for self-excitation of shunt generator

4. Draw and discuss the magnetization characteristics of a dc series

generator.

5. If the separately excited generator is running as a shunt generator at 80

percent of its rated speed, to what value of voltage will it excite?

ANSWERS:

1.. The critical field resistance is defined as the maximum field circuit
resistance (for a given speed) with which the shunt generator would
excite. The shunt generator will build up voltage only if field circuit
resistance is less than critical field resistance.

2.. The speed of the generator at this critical resistance is termed as

Critical Speed. Also, if the generator is moving below this speed, it will fail
to build up any voltage.

3.. Conditions for self-excitation of shunt generator:

• There must be some residual magnetism in the generator poles.

• For the given direction of rotation, the shunt field coils should be
correctly connected to armature i.e. they should be so connected
 that the induced current reinforces the e.m.f produced initially due to
residual magnetism.

• If excited on open circuit, its shunt field resistance should be less

than the critical resistance.
4..

Now, from the equation we can clearly see that the generated emf is
directly proportional to the product of flux per pole and the speed of the
armature.

If the speed is constant, then the generated emf is

directly
proportional to the flux per pole.

It is obvious that, as the excitation current or field current (If) increases

from its initial value, the flux and hence generated emf is increased with
the field current.
If we plot the generated voltage on the Y axis and field current on the X axis
then the magnetization curve will be as shown in figure below.
Magnetization curve of a DC generator has a great importance because it
represents the saturation of the magnetic circuit. For this reason, this
curve is also called saturation curve. According to the molecular theory of
magnetism the molecules of a magnetic material, which is not magnetized,
are not arranged or aligned in definite order. When current passed
through the magnetic material then its molecules are arranged in definite
order. Up to a certain value of field current the maximum molecules are
arranged. In this stage the flux established in the pole increased directly
with the field current and the generated voltage is also increased. Here, in
this curve, point B to point C is showing this phenomenon and this portion
of the magnetization curve is almost a straight line. Above a certain point
(point C in this curve) the nu-magnetized molecules become very fewer
and it became very difficult to further increase in pole flux. This point is
called saturation point. Point C is also known as the knee of the
magnetization curve. A small increase in magnetism requires very large
field current above the saturation point. That is why upper portion of the
curve (point C to point D) is bend as shown in figure. Magnetization curve of
a DC generator does not start from zero initially. It starts from a value of
generated voltage due to residual magnetism.

5.. Suppose we are given the data for o.c.c. of a generator running at a
fixed speed, say N1. Since E is directly proportional to N for any fixed
excitation, Hence E2/E1=N2/N1. If the separately excited
generator is running as a shunt generator at 80% of its
rated speed, then E2=E1*N2/N1=0.8E1.