DC Generator

Types of Generators: Generators are usually classified

according to the way in which their fields are excited.
The classification of DC generator/motor is shown as
follows:
(a)Separately excited; (b) Self excited
Self excited can be classified as follows:
(i)Shunt excited; (ii) Series excited; (iii) Compound
excited
Compound excited can be classified as follows:
(i)Long shunt; and (ii) Short shunt
Long/short shunt compound can also be classified as:
(i)Cumulative compound and (ii) Differential compound
Separately-excited generator: Separately-excited
generators are those whose field magnets are energized
from an independent external source of DC current. It is
shown diagrammatically in Fig. 26.41 ( or equivalent
circuit). Network equations for separately excited dc
generator as follows: shI f Vdc
I f Vdc (Rsh  RC ) Eg  IaRa Vbrush Vt Vt  I LRL
Eg  IaRa Vbrush  I LRL

Ia  I L

Eg  Ia(Ra  RL) Vbrush

Eg  I L(Ra  RL) Vbrush
Fig. 26.41. Equivalent Circuit of separately-excited generator.
Self-excited generator: Self-excited generators are those
whose field magnets are energized by the current
produced by the generators themselves.
Due to the residual magnetism, there is always present
some flux in the poles.
When the armature is rotated, some e.m.f. and hence
some induced current is produced which is partly or fully
passed through the field coils thereby strengthening the
residual pole flux.
There are three types of self-exited generators named
according to the manner in which their field coils (or
winding) are connected to the armature.
(a) Shunt Wound Generator: The field windings are
connected across or in parallel with the armature
conductors and have the full voltage of the generator
applied across them. It is shown diagrammatically in Fig.
26.42. The shunt field coil has a many turns fine (or
thinner) wire.
Network equations for separately excited dc generator as
follows:
Ia  Ish  I L shIshVt
Eg  Ia Ra Vbrush Vt
Eg  (I L  Ish)Ra Vbrush Vt
Vt  I LRL  (Ia  Ish)RL

Vt  IshRsh  (Ia  I L)Rsh

Fig. 26.42.
Example 26.3 A shunt generators delivers 450 A at 230 V and the resistance of the
shunt field and armature are 50 and 0.03 respectively. Calculate the generated
e.m.f..
Solution: Generator circuit is shown in
Fig. 26.46.
Given, Vt=230V, IL= 450A, Rsh=50,
Ra=0.03. Eg=?
Current through shunt field winding is
Ish=230/50=4.6 A.
Fig. 26.46.
Load current IL= 450 A
So, armature current, Ia=IL+Ish= 450+4.6=454.6 A
Armature voltage drop, IaRa= 454.60.03=13.6 V
Now, e.m.f. generated in the armature:
Eg= terminal voltage (Vt) + armature drop (IaRa)
= 230+13.6=243.6 V
(b) Series Wound Generator: In this case, the field
windings are joined in series with the armature
conductors. It is shown diagrammatically in Fig. 26.43.
The series field coil has a few turns heavy (or thicker)
wire. I  I
a L
Eg  Ia(Ra  Rse) Vbrush Vt
Eg  I L(Ra  Rse) Vbrush Vt
Vt  I LRL  IaRL seIa or seI L
Fig. 26.43

Compound Wound Generator: It is a combination of a

few series and as a few shunt windings. In a compound
generator shunt field is stronger than the series field.
Compound wound generators are two types:
Example: A 25 kW, 500 V DC series generator has armature and
field resistance of 0.05 and 0.03 ohm respectively. Calculate the
generated emf and the armature current at full load.

Solution: Po= 25 kW, Vt = 500 V, Ra = 0.05 ohm, Rse = 0.03 ohm,

Eg = ? And Ia = ?

Po 251000
I L  Ia    50 A
Vt 500

Eg  Ia(Ra  Rse) Vt

Eg  50(0.05 0.03) 500  504 V
(a) Short-Shunt where shunt field and armature are
connected in parallel and that connection is in series
with the series field. Ia  Ish  I L

shIsh
seI L
Short-Shunt
Eg  IaRa  IshRsh  I LRse Vt

Eg  IaRa  IshRsh

Eg  IaRa  I LRse Vt

Vt  I LRL

Eg  IaRa  I LRse  I LRL

(b) Long-Shunt where series filed and armature are
connected in series and that connection is in parallel
with the shunt field. Ia  Ish  I L

shIsh
seIa or se(I L  Ish)
Eg  Ia(Ra  Rse)  IshRsh Vt

Eg  Ia(Ra  Rse)  IshRsh

Eg  Ia(Ra  Rse) Vt

Vt  (Ia  Ish)RL  I LRL

Eg  Ia(Ra  Rse)  I LRL

When series field aids with the shunt field, the generator
is said to be commutative-compound.
On the other hand, if series field opposes the shunt field,
the generator is said to be, differentially compound.
Depending on load characteristics and the relative
additional aiding flux produced by the series field, the
cumulative compound generator (whether long-shunt
or short-shunt) are three types.
These types are called:
(i)over-compound,
(ii) flat-compound, and
(iii) under-compound.
Most commercial compound dc dynamos are normally
supplied by the manufacturer as over-compound machine.
The degree of compounding (over, flat, and under) may
be adjusted by means of diverter that shunts the series
field.
Diverter: A diverter is a variable resistance shunting the
series field of compound generator to adjust the degree of
compounding to produce a desired voltage regulation.
A diverter is used to control and produce a sufficient
voltage rise at the generator to compensate for the
voltage drop in the lines at full load.
The following figures show the connection of diverter in
the long-shunt and short-shunt cumulative compound
generator.
 Ish IL

Diverter, Rd Rse
Id Ise
Fig. (a) Long-shunt
Ia
Vt cumulative
Shunt Field
Ra

Load
Rsh RL compound generator
Eg
with a diverter.
Ia= Id+Ise
Ia= Ish+IL

IL

Fig. (b) Short-shunt Diverter, Rd Rse

Id Ise
cumulative Shunt Field Ish Ia Vt
Ra
compound generator

Load
Rsh RL
with a diverter.
Eg Ia= Ish+IL
IL= Id+Ise
 Brush Contact Drop
In the voltage drop over the brush contact resistance
when current passes from commutator segments to
brushes and finally to the external load.
Its value depends on the amount of current and the value
of contact resistance.
This drop is usually small and includes brushes of both
polarities.
However, in practice, the brush contact drop is assumed
to have following constant values for all loads.
0.5 V for metal-graphite brushes.
2.0 V for carbon brushes.
Example 26.4 A long-shunt compound generator delivers a load current of 50A at
500V and has armature, series field and shunt field resistances of 0.05, 0.03 and
250 respectively. Calculate the generated voltage and the armature current. Allow
1 V per brush for contact drop.

Solution: Generator circuit is shown in

Fig. 26.47.
Given, Vt=500V, IL= 50A, Ra=0.05,
Rse=0.03, Rsh=250 and total brush
drop= 21=2 V. Eg=? and Ia=?.
Current through shunt field winding is
Ish=500/250=2 A.
Current through the armature and series Fig. 26.47
field is Ia=50+2=52 A

Voltage drop on armature and series field winding

=52(0.05+0.03)=4.16 V
Voltage drop at brushes= 21= 2 V

Now, Eg= Vt+(IaRa+ Series drop) + brush drop=500+4.16+2=506.16 V

Example 26.5 A short-shunt compound generator delivers a load current of 30A at
220 V, and has armature, series field and shunt field resistances of 0.05 ohm, 0.3
ohm and 200 ohm respectively. Calculate the induced e.m.f. and the armature
current. Allow 1.0 V per brush for contact drop.
Solution: Generator circuit is shown in short-Shunt
Fig. 26.48.
Given, Vt=220V, IL= 30A, Ra=0.05 ohm,
Rse=0.3 ohm, Rsh=200 ohm and total brush
drop= 21=2 V. Eg=? and Ia=?.
Voltage drop in series winding
= 300.3=9V
Voltage drop across shunt winding Fig. 26.48
=220+9=229 V
Ish=229/200=1.145 A; Ia= 30+1.145=31.145 A
IaRa= 31.145  0.05 = 1.56 V; Brush drop =21=2 V
Now, Eg= Vt+IaRa+ series drop + brush drop
Eg =220 + 1.56+9+2= 232.56 V
Example 26.6 In a long-shunt compound Ish IL
generator, the terminal voltage is 230 V
when generator delivers 150 A. Diverter, Rd Rse
Id Ise
Determine (i) induced e.m.f., (ii) total Ia
Vt

Shunt Field
Ra
power generated, and (iii) distribution of

Load
Rsh RL
this power. Given that shunt field, series
field, divertor and armature resistances Eg Ia= Id+Ise
are 92 ohm, 0.015 ohm, 0.03 ohm and Ia= Ish+IL
0.032 ohm respectively.
Fig. 26.49
Solution: Generator circuit is shown in Fig. 26.49.
Given, Vt=230V, IL= 150A, Rsh=92 ohm, Rse=0.015 ohm, Rd=0.03 ohm, Ra=0.032
ohm. Eg=? Total power generated=? and Distribution of the geneated power=?.
Ish= 230/92= 2.5 A; Ia=150+2.5=152.5 A
Since series field resistance and divertor resistance are in parallel their combined
resistance is =0.030.015/(0.03+0.015) =0.01 ohm.
Total resistance is= 0.032+0.01=0.042 ohm; Voltage drop= 152.50.042=6.4 V
(i) voltage generated by armature, Eg= 230+6.4=236.4 V
(ii) total power generated in armature =EgIa=236.4152.5=36,051 W
 Ish IL

Diverter, Rd Rse
Id Ise
Ia
Vt

Shunt Field
Ra

Load
Rsh RL

Eg Ia= Id+Ise
Ia= Ish+IL

Fig. 26.49

(iii) Total loss= power lost in armature (Ia2Ra) + power lost in series
field and divertor (152.520.01) + Power dissipated in shunt winding
( VtIsh) + Power delivered to load (230150)
=152.520.032+152.520.01+2300.01+230150
=36,051 W
Example 26.7 The following information
is given for a 300 kW, 600 V, long-shunt
compound generator, the shunt field
resistance=75, armature resistance
including brush resistance =0.03,
commutating field winding resistance
=0.011, series field resistance =0.012,
divertor resistance =0.036 . When the
machine is delivering full load, calculate
the voltage and power generated by the
armature. Fig. 26.50
Solution: Generator circuit is shown in Fig. 26.50.
Given, Vt=600V, Output power: VtIL= 300kW, Rsh=75, Ra=0.03 ohm, Rcom=0.011
ohm, Rse=0.012, Rd=0.036 ,. Eg=? Power generated= Eg Ia =?
Output current, IL= 300000W/600V=500A; Ish= 600/75=8A; Ia=500+8=508 A
Since the series field resistance and divertor resistance are in parallel their combined
resistance is [(0.0120.036)/0.048]=0.009 .
Total armature circuit resistance= 0.03+0.011+0.009=0.05 
Voltage drop = 5080.05= 25.4 V
Voltage generated by armature= 600+ 25.4=625.4 V
Power generated= 625.4508=317,700 W = 317.7 kW.
 Generated E.M.F. or E. M. F. Equation of a Generator
Let, =flux/pole in weber,
Z= total number of armature conductors or
Z= No. of slots  No. of conductors/slot,
P= No. of generator poles,
A= No. of parallel paths in armature,
For lap winding, A=mP,
For wave winding= 2m,
m= The multiplicity (such m=3 for triplex winding)
N= armature rotation in revolutions per minute (rpm)
E= e.m.f. induced in any parallel path in armature
Eg= e.m.f generated in any one of the parallel paths i.e. E.
Average e.m.f. generated/conductor = [d/dt] volt
(since n=1)
Now, flux cut/conductor in one revolution d = dP Wb

No. of revolution/second= N/60

So, time for one revolution, dt=60/N second
Hence, according to Faraday’s Law of Electromagnetic
Induction,
E.M.F. generated/conductor: d PN volt
dt 60
No. of conductors (in series) per parallel path= Z/A
In general, generated e.m.f.: Eg PN Z ZN P volt
60 A 60 A
For a simplex lap-wound generator: m=1 and A=mP=P
then Eg ZN P ZN volt
60 P 60
For a duplex lap-wound generator: m=2 and A=mP=2P
then Eg ZN P ZN volt
60 2P 120
For a triplex lap-wound generator: m=3 and A=mP=3P
then E ZN P ZN volt
g 60 3P 180

For a simplex wave-wound generator: m=1 and A=2m=2

Eg ZN P volt
then
60 2
For a duplex wave-wound generator: m=2 and A=2m=4
then Eg ZN P volt
60 4
For a triplex wave-wound generator: m=3 and A=2m=6
then Eg ZN P volt
60 6
For a given DC machine, Z, P, and A are constant.
Hence, putting Ka=ZP/A, we get,
Eg ZN P N ZP  KaN volt where, N is in rpm
60 A 60 A 60
Eg ZN P N ZP  KaN volt where, N is in rps
60 A 60 A
It is seen from the above equation that the generated emf
is directly proportional to the flux () and the speed (N).
Eg  N
 g 2  2 N 2 For shunt machine flux is E g 2 N
E
 2
E  N almost constant, Thus E N
g1 1 1 g1 1
E
For series machine flux is proportional g 2  I a2 N 2
to armature current [Ia], Thus E I N
g1 a1 1
The angular velocity or speed can be written as:   2N
60

Thus we obtain from the above equation as: N  60

2
The generated e.m.f. in terms of angular velocity can be
written as: Eg ZN P Z 60 P ZP volt
60 A 60 2 A 2A
Example: A 4 pole separately excited dc generator has a lap
connected armature with 480 conductors. The armature resistance
is 0.02 ohm. With an output current of 400 A from the armature,
the terminal voltage is 230 V when the machine is driven at 900
rpm. Determine the useful flux per pole.

Solution: IL = 400 A, Vt = 230 V, Ra = 0.02 ohm, Z = 480, P = 4, A

= P, N = 900 rpm.
Eg  I LRa Vt  4000.02 230  238V

Eg  ZN P 60Eg 60  238 4
60 A   ZN P  480900 4  0.033 Wb
A
Example: A DC shunt load current is 108 A and terminal voltage is
440 V. The resistance of armature circuit is 0.2 ohm and that of the
field circuit is 220 ohm. The machine has 6 poles and the armature
is wave connected with 864 conductors. The flux per pole is 0.06
Wb. Calculate the speed.
Solution: IL = 108 A, Vt = 440 V, Ra = 0.2 ohm, Rsh = 220 ohm, Z
= 864, P = 6, A = 2,  = 0.06 Wb, N = ?
Vt 440
Ish   2 A
Rsh 220
Ia  I L  Ish 108 2 110 A

Eg  IaRa Vt 1100.2 440  462 V

Eg ZN P 
60Eg A 60462 2
  178.2 rpm
60 A Z P 8640.06 6
Example: A 4 poles, 500 V DC series generator has 944 duplex wave
connected armature conductor. The power output is 10 kW. Flux
per pole is 0.036 Wb; armature resistance is 0.5 ohm and series
field resistance is 0.7 ohm. Determine the speed of operation.

Solution: Po= 10 kW, Vt = 500 V, Ra = 0.5 ohm, Rse = 0.7 ohm,

 = 0.036 Wb, Z= 944, P = 4; m= 2, A = 2m= 22=4, N = ?
Po 101000
I L  Ia    20 A
Vt 500
Eg  Ia(Ra  Rse) Vt  20(0.5 0.7) 500 524 V

Eg ZN P   60Eg A  60524  4  925.14 rpm

60 A Z P 9440.036 4
Example 26.8 A four-pole generator having wave-wound armature
winding has 51 slots, each slot containing 20 conductors. What will be
the voltage generated in the machine when driven at 1500 rpm
assuming the flux per pole to be 7.0 mWb and what will be the
generated voltage if the generator is the triplex lap wonding?
Solution: Given, =07.0 mWb=710-3 Wb; Z=5120=1020;
A=2m=2 1=2; P=4; N=1500 rpm
We know that Eg  ZN P volt(V)
60 A

7 103 10201500 4
Thus Eg   357 V
60 2

We know for the lap winding that, A=mP=34=12

Thus for triplex lap-winding generator:

7 10310201500 4
Eg   59.5 V
60 12
Example 26.11 An 8 pole DC shunt
generator with 778 armature conductors
and running at 500 rpm. Supplies a load
12.5 ohm resistance at terminal of 250 V.
The armature resistance is 0.24 and the
field resistance is 250. Find the armature
current, the induced e.m.f. and the flux per
pole for (a) wave-connected winding and Fig. 26.53.
(b) Triplex lap-connected winding.
Solution: Generator circuit is shown in Fig. 26.53.
Given, P=8, Z=778, N= 500 rpm, Vt=250V, Ra=0.24 ohm, Rsh=250, Ia=?, Eg=? =?
Load current, IL= Vt/Ra= 250/12.5= 20A; Shunt current, Ish = Vt/Rsh =250/250= 1 A.
Armature current, Ia=IL+Ish=20+1=21 A; Induced e.m.f.= 250+(210.24)=255.04 V

Eg  ZN P volt (V) thus

60Eg A
We know that
60 A 
ZNP
(a) For wave-connected winding, 60Eg A 60 255.04 2
   9.83 mWb
A=2m= 2 (m=1), Thus ZNP 7785008
(b) For triplex lap-connected 60Eg A 60 255.04 24
winding, A=mP= 38=24, Thus   118.01 mWb
ZNP 7785008
Example 26.12: A separately
excited generator, when running
1000 rpm supplied 200 A at 125
V. What will the load current
when the speed drops to 800 rpm
if If (field current) is unchanged?
Given that the armature
resistance = 0.04 and brushes Fig. 26.54.
drop= 2V.

Solution: Generator circuit is shown in Fig. 26.54.

Given, N1= 1000 rpm, Vt=125V, IL=200A, Ra=0.04,

Brushes drop =2V, Eg2 (at 800 rpm)=?
The load resistance, RL= 125/200=0.625
Eg1(at 1000 rpm)=125+2000.04+2= 135 V; N1= 1000 rpm
 ZN P
E  1 V
g1 60 A

ZN P
E  2 V
g2 60 A

Fig. 26.54.
According to the voltage generated
E  ( N / N )E
equation, we obtain that g2 2 1 g1

Thus, Eg2(at 800 rpm) = 135800/1000=108 V

If IL2 is the new load current, then terminal voltage is given by
Vt2= Eg-(IL2Ra + Brushes drop)108-0.04 IL2-2= 106-0.04 IL2.
So, IL2= Vt2 /RL=(106-0.04 IL2)/0.625;
0.625IL2=106-0.04 IL2; (0.625+0.04)IL2=106;
0.665IL2=106; IL2=106/0.665;
IL2= 159.398 A
Example : A dc shunt motor induced emf is 220 V at
1000 rpm, Calculate the induced emf at 1200 rpm.
Assume the shunt field flux is constant.

Solution: Eg1 = 220 V, 1 = 2 =, N1 = 1000 rpm, N2 =

1200 rpm, Eg2 = ? We know that,
g 2  2 N 2  N 2 E g1 1200220
E
Eg 2  2   264 volt
E  N  N 1000
g1 1 1 1 1
Example : A dc shunt motor induced emf is 240 V at
1000 rpm and 1 Wb, Calculate the induced emf at 900
rpm and the field flux weakens by 3%.

Solution: Eg1 = 240 V, 1 = 1 Wb 2 = 0.97 Wb, N1 =

1000 rpm, N2 = 900 rpm, Eg2 = ? We know that,
E  N  N E
g 2  2 2 E  2 2 g1  0.97900240  209.52 volt
g2
E  N  N 11000
g1 1 1 1 1
 Backward Force or Magnetic Drag
In the case of DC generator as shown in Fig. 29.2, it is
seen that the flux due the armature current carrying
conductor a force is produced.
This force is in a direction opposite to that of armature
rotation.
Hence, it is known as backward force or magnetic drag
on the conductors.
It is against this drag action on all armature
conductors that the prime mover has to work.
The work done in overcoming this opposition is
converted into electrical energy.
 Voltage Build Up of a Shunt Generator
The no-load magnetizing curve of shunt generator shows
the value of induced voltage that may be expected from
the generator if the field current is known.
Since the magnetizing curve and the field resistance line
are curves of voltage vs. current, and since they are
dependent each other, they are used in the analysis of
build-up process.
(a) After the generator
brought up to speed, a
voltage will be induced
without any current in
the field. The magnitude
of this voltage is E1 in
Fig. 5.5a.
The residual magnetism produces a sufficient amount of
flux so that a voltage is induced when the generator is
brought up to speed.
This voltage, due to residual magnetism, is shown in Fig.
5.5c at a field current of zero amperes.
(b) This same voltage is also impressed across the field
circuit.
From Fig. 5.5b, the field resistance line, it is seen that
when a voltage of E1 is impressed across the field a
current of If-a will flow through the field.
(c) This current, If-a in the field circuit increases the lines
of magnetic flux, thereby causing a larger voltage to be
induced.
From Fig. 5.5a a field current of If-a will produce a voltage
of E2. the voltage E2 at a current of If-a is indicated in Fig.
5.5c.
(d) The voltage E2 is now impressed across the field, and
it will produce a field current of If-b.
(e) From the no-load magnetizing curve a field current of
If-b will induce a voltage of E3. This voltage E3 at a field
current of If-b is shown in Fig. 5.5c.
Continuing the above discussed process, the voltage is
build up in a shunt generator.
Conditions for Build-up of a Shunt generator
The conditions necessary for the build-up of a (self-
excited) shunt generator as follows:
1. There must be some residual magnetism in the
generator poles.
2. For the given direction of rotation, the shunt field
coils should be correctly connected to the armature i.e.
they should be connected that the induced current
reinforces the e.m.f. produced initially due to residual
magnetism.
3. If excited on open circuit, its shunt field resistance
should be less than the critical resistance (which can be
found from its O.C.C).
Conditions for Build-up of a Shunt generator continue ……..

4. If excited on load, then its shunt field resistance

should be more than a certain minimum value of
resistance which is given by internal characteristic.

Failure of the generator to Build Up

Due to the following reasons generators might fail to
build up:
1. Open Field Circuit: The field-circuit resistance is
mush greater than the critical value when the field
circuit is open, hence the generator will not build up.
2. Field-Circuit resistance too High: A field circuit
resistance greater than the critical value will prevent
an appreciable build-up.
3. No Residual Magnetism:If there is little or no residual
magnetism, no voltage will be generated that can produce
the field current. To overcome this difficulty, a separate
source of direct current is applied to the field for a short
period of time and than removed. The magnetic field
should now be sufficient to allow the voltage to build up.
The application of a separate source of direct current to
the field is called flashing the field.
4. Dirty Commutator: A dirty commutator does not permit
good contact between the brushes and the commutator.
This poor contact shows up as a high resistance to the
flow of current in the field circuit and produces the same
effect as a high field-circuit resistance.
5. Field Connections Reversed: The voltage generated due
to residual magnetism is applied to the field. Current
should flow in the field coil in such a direction as to
produce lines of flux F in the same direction as the
residual flux R. If the field connections are reversed, the
lines of flux produced by the current flow will oppose the
residual flux so that the generated voltage will decreases
rather increase when the field circuit is closed. In this
instance it is necessary to reverse the field connections
with respect to the armature.
 Critical Resistance for Shunt Generator
In the self-excited generator, the value of excitation
resistance should have a maximum limit.
Fig. 26.6 shows the no-load curve and different curves of
resistance.
The point lies on the resistance line OA of the field
winding.
Let R be the resistance of the field winding.

Line OA is drawn such that its

slope equals the field winding
resistance i.e. every point on this
curve is such that volt/ampere=R.
 Critical Resistance for Shunt Generator Continue ……..
The voltage OL corresponding to the point P represents
the maximum voltage to which the machine will build up
with R as filed resistance.
OB represents smaller resistance and the corresponding
voltage OM is slightly greater than OL.
If field resistance increased, then slope of the resistance
line increased, and hence the maximum voltage to which
the generator will build up at a given speed, decreases.
If R is increased so much that the
resistance line does not cut the
O.C.C at all (like OI), then
obviously the machine will fail to
excite i.e. there will be no ‘build
up’ of the voltage.
If the resistance line just lies along the slope, then with
that value of field resistance, the machine will just
excite.
The value of the resistance represented by the tangent
to no-load curve, is known as critical resistance Rc for a
given speed.

OR, In the case of self-excited

generator, the height resistance
of shunt field circuit under
which the generator voltage
builds up is called critical
resistance.
How to Find Critical Resistance Rc?
First, no-load curve (or O.C.C) is plotted from the given
data.
Then tangent is drawn to its initial portion.

The slope of this curve gives

the critical resistance for the
speed at which the data was
obtained.
 Critical Speed Nc
Critical speed of a shunt generator is that speed for
which the given shunt field resistance represents critical
resistance.
In Fig. 26.8, curve 2 corresponds to critical speed because
Rsh line is tangential to it.

Obviously, BC  Nc  Nc
AC Full Speed N

So, Nc  BC (Full Speed , N )

AC
 Example 28.7. The O.C.C of a DC generator driven at 400 rev/min (rpm)
is as follows

Find:- (a) Voltage to which the machine will excite when run as a shunt
generator at 400 rev/min (rpm) with shunt resistance equal to 34 ohm.
(b) Resistance of shunt circuit to reduce the O.C. voltage to 220V
(c) Critical value of shunt field resistance
(d) The critical speed when the field circuit resistance is 34 ohm
(e) Lowest possible speed at which O.C. voltage of 225 V can be obtained.
Solution: The O.C.C as plotted from the given
data as shown if Fig. 26.13. The 34 ohm line
OA is drawn as usual.
(a) The voltage to which machine will excite
=OM=255V

(b) The horizontal line from N (220V) is drawn

which cuts the O.C.C at point B. Resistance
represented by line OB=220/5.4=40.7 ohm
(c) Line OC has been drawn which is tangential at the origin to the O.C.C.
This represents the value of critical resistance=140/2.25=62.2 ohm.
(d) Take any convenient point D and erect a perpendicular which cuts both OA
and OC. DE N c 110 N c 110
 or   Nc   400  218 rpm
DF 400 202 400 202
(e) From point P (225 V) draw a horizontal line cutting OA at point G.
From G, draw a perpendicular line GK cutting the O.C.C at point H.

If N’ is the lowest speed possible for

getting 225 volt with 34 ohm shunt
circuit resistance, then GK N'

HK 400
225 N '
or 
241 400
 N ' 375 rpm