DC Generator

• DC generators are rotating electrical machines which converts mechanical power

into electrical power when driven by a prime mover
• The energy conversion in generator from mechanical to electrical energy is based
on the principle of production of dynamically induced emf
• When conductor cuts the magnetic flux, dynamically induced emf is induced in it
according to faradays law of electromagnetic induction
• Constructional details
The various parts of the machines are
i. Magnetic frame/Yoke:
- It is the outermost frame of the machine which serve three purposes
- It supports magnetic poles/ field poles and field coils which produces
flux
- It carries the magnetic flux that passes from the field poles to the
armature
- It protects the whole machine
ii. Field poles and pole shoes:
-Field poles are the iron core projected from the yoke
- The upper part of the pole connected to yoke is known as pole core
and the lower part, wider in shape is known as pole shoe
The pole shoe serves two purposes.
i. Supports the field winding
ii. Spread out the magnetic flux in the air gap and also reduces the reluctance
of the magnetic path

iii. Field winding:

- Copper wire wound on the field pole is known as field winding
- The winding are insulated from the pole core as well as from each
other to protect from turn to turn short circuit
- When DC current is passed through these coils , they will magnetize
the pole core and produce magnetic field in the central space of the machine

iv. Armature:
- It is the rotating part of the machine
- The purpose of armature is to rotate the conductor in uniform
magnetic field and to provide low reluctance path to the magnetic flux
- The armature consists of a shaft on which all parts are mounted
- The armature shaft imparts rotation to armature core, armature
winding and commutator
- Bearing hold the shaft on central empty space of the machines in
such a way that there is small air gap between pole shoe and armature,
so there is no rubbing in the machine
a. Armature core:
-The material surrounding the shaft of laminated steel sheet is
known as armature core
- This magnetic material is necessary to provide a path of low
reluctance to the line of flux from the pole
b. Commutator:
-The commutator is a form of rotating switch placed between the
armature and external circuit and so arranged that it will reverse the
connection to external circuit at the instant of` each reversal of current in the
armature coil
- It is fitted on the shaft and made of copper segment which are
insulated from each other and from the shaft
Function of commutator
i. to provide electrical connection between rotating armature coil
and stationary external circuit
ii. To keep the armature mmf stationary in space
v. Brushes:
-The function of brush is to collect current from the commutator
and supply it to the external load circuit
-usually made of carbon and graphite and are rectangular in shape
vi. Armature winding:
-It is the insulated cu wire wound on the slots of the armature core.
-There are definite rules and method for armature winding
- Types of winding

i. lap winding (A=P):

In lap winding, the conductors are connected in such a way
that the number of parallel paths is equal to the number of poles.
Thus, if a machine has P poles and Z armature conductors,
then there will be P parallel paths, each path will have Z/P conductors connected in
series.

ii. Wave winding (A=2)

In wave winding, the conductors are so connected that they
are divided into two parallel paths irrespective of the number of poles of the
machine.
Thus, if the machine has Z armature conductors, there will be
only two parallel paths each having Z/2 conductors in series
 Working Principle

A simple coil of wire ABCD is mounted on a shaft between two magnetic poles. The two
ends of the coil are connected to two slip rings, S1, S2 which are mounted on the same
shaft. The slip rings are insulated from each other and from the shaft, these slip rings rotate
along with the coil. The stationary brushes b1, b2 make proper contact with rotating slip
rings and lead the current induced in the coil to the external load resistance R. This
arrangement constitutes a simple loop generator.
As the coil is rotated in uniform magnetic field by some mechanical means, the flux linked
with the coil changes therefore an emf is induced
The magnitude of induced emf at any instant is proportional to the rate of change of linking
flux at that instant.
The direction of induced emf is given by fleming right hand rule
Let us assume that the coil starts from the position and rotates at a uniform velocity in a
clockwise direction. In its initial position the conductor's AB and CD are moving parallel to
the magnetic lines of force hence, induced e.m.f. is zero.
As the coil rotates further ( o° to 90° ), however, the conductors begin to cut the magnetic
lines of force and therefore, the e.m.f. induces in the conductors according to the Faradays
Law's of Electromagnetic Induction. The value of induced e.m.f. depends upon the lengths
of the conductor, the magnetic field strength, and the speed at which the coil rotates. The
conductor has a maximum e.m.f. induced at 90°position, because the conductor moving at
right angles to the flux. as
E = BLV sinθ, The conductor has a maximum e.m.f. induced at 90°position, because the
conductor moving at right angles to the flux.
The direction of induced emf is given by Fleming right hand rule, is from B to A
and from D to C
In the next quarter revolution i.e. from 90° to 180°, the induced e.m.f. varies from
maximum to zero gradually and the sides AB and CD position interchanged with
respect to initial position
In the next quarter revolution i.e. from 180° to 270°, the variations in the
magnitude of e.m.f. Increases gradually and becomes maximum at the instant,
however the direction of induced emf is from A to B and C to D
In the next quarter revolution i.e. from 270° to 360°, the variations in the
magnitude of e.m.f. decreases gradually and becomes zero at the instant,
Thus the induced emf in the loop is of the form as shown in figure which is obvious
of pulsating nature. Such emf is known as alternating emf.
It is understood that the current through external load R reverses its
direction after every half revolution. It also must be understood that the
current not only reverse its direction but also changes its magnitude at
every instant, and the current is known as alternating (ac) current. The
corresponding voltage is known as dynamically induced e.m.f.
 For making the flow of current unidirectional in the external load circuit, the
slip-rings are replaced by split-ring. The split-rings are made of a conducting
cylinder, which is cut into two halves or segments insulated from each other and
the shaft with ( a thin mica sheet ) insulating material. The two ends of the coil
are connected to these segments ( a, b ) and the brushes ( M, L) placed over
these segments.

In the first half revolution of the coil the current flows along ABMLCDA i.e. the
brush M, is in contact with segment a, acts as the +ve terminal of the supply, and
brush L is in contact with segment b and acts as a -ve terminal. In the next half
revolution, the direction of the induced current in the coil will be reversed. But
at the same time, the position of segments a and b have also reversed, with the
result that brush L comes in contact with segment a which is now -ve and the
brush M is in contact with segment b which is now +ve. Thus the current in the
external load R again flows from M to L. This current is unidirectional.
EMF EQUATION OF A DC Machines:

Let Ø = flux/pole in Wb (weber)

Z = total no. of armature conductors
P = no. of generator poles
A = no. of parallel paths in armature
N = rotational speed of armature in revolutions per min. (rpm)
E = emf induced in any parallel path in armature
Torque Equation of DC Machines
 Excitation:

• The field winding of DC generator needs DC current in order to

produce magnetic field
• The supply of DC current to the field winding is known as
excitation
• Based on excitation, DC generators can be classified as
i. Separately Excited DC Generator
ii. Self excited DC Generator
Separately Excited DC Generator

Ia = Armature current

IL = Load current

V = Terminal voltage

Eg = Generated emf

Voltage drop in the armature = Ia × Ra (R/sub>a is the

armature Resistance)

Let, Ia = IL = I (say)

Then, Voltage across the load, V = IRa

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Power generated, Pg = Eg×I
 Self Exited DC Generator
These are the generators whose field magnets are energized by the

current supplied by themselves.

In these type of machines field coils are internally connected with the
armature. Due to residual magnetism some flux is always present

in the poles.

When the armature is rotated some emf is induced. Hence some induced
current is produced. This small current flows through the field coil as well
as the load and thereby strengthening the pole flux.

As the pole flux strengthened, it will produce more armature emf, which
cause further increase of current through the field. This increased field
current further raises armature emf and this cumulative phenomenon
continues until the excitation reaches to the rated value.
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According To The Position Of The Field Coil DC
Generator Has A Three Type

1)Series Generator
2)Shunt Generator
3)Compound Generator

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 Series Generator

In these type of generators, the field windings are connected in series

with armature conductors.

So, whole current flows through the field coils as well as the load. As
series field winding carries full load current it is designed with
relatively few turns of thick wire.

The Electrical resistance of series field winding is therefore very low

(nearly 0.5Ω ).

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 Let,

Rsc = Series winding resistance

Isc = Current flowing through the series field

Ra = Armature Resistance

Ia = Armature current

IL =Load current

V = Terminal voltage

Eg = Generated emf

Then, Ia = Isc = IL=I (say)

Voltage across the load, V = Eg -Ia (Ra + Rsc)

Power generated, Pg = Eg×I

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Power delivered to the load, PL = V×I
 Shunt Generator
In these type of generators, the field windings are connected in Parallel with
armature conductors.

In shunt generators the voltage in the field winding is same as the voltage
across the terminal.

Here armature current Ia is dividing in two parts, one is shunt field current Ish
and another is load current IL.

So, Ia= Ish + IL The effective power across the load will be maximum when IL will
be maximum.

So, it is required to keep shunt field current as small as possible. For this
purpose the resistance of the shunt field9winding generally kept high (100 Ω)
and large no of turns are used for the desired emf.
Let,

Rsh = Shunt winding Resistance

Ish = Current flowing through the shunt field

Ra = Armature Resistance

Ia = Armature current

IL = Load current

V = Terminal voltage

Eg = Generated emf

Shunt field current, Ish = V/Rsh

Voltage across the load, V = Eg-Ia Ra

Power generated, Pg= Eg × Ia

P1o0werdelivered to the load, P = V×I

L L
 Compound DC Generator

In series wound generators, the output voltage is directly proportional

with load current. In shunt wound generators, output voltage is
inversely proportional with load current. A combination of these two
types of generators can overcome the disadvantages of both. This
combination of windings is called compound wound DC generator.

Compound wound generators have both series field winding and shunt
field winding.

One winding is placed in series with the armature and the other is
placed in parallel with the armature1.1
Compound Generator Has A two Type
1)Short Shunt
2)Long shunt

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Short Shunt DC compound Generator

Series field current, Isc = IL

Shunt field current,

Ish = (V + Isc Rsc)/Rsh

Armature current, Ia = Ish + IL

Voltage across the load,

V = Eg - Ia Ra - Ise Rse

Power generated, Pg = Eg × Ia
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Power delivered to the load, P =V×I

Long Shunt Compound DC Generator

Shunt field current, Ish=V/Rsh

Armature current, Ia= series field current,

Isc= IL + Ish

Voltage across the load, V=Eg -Ia Ra-Isc Rsc

=Eg-Ia (Ra + Rsc) [∴Ia=

Ics]

Power generated, Pg= Eg × Ia

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Power delivered to the load, P =V×I

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 Characteristic Of DC generator
Different types of DC generators have different characteristics. The following are
the main characteristics of DC generator
i. No-load Characteristic (open circuit characteristics)
ii. Load characteristics
• The curve which gives the relation between field current (If) and the generated
voltage (E0) in the armature on no load is called magnetic or open circuit
characteristic of a DC generator
• The plot of this curve is practically same for all types of generators, whether
they are separately excited or self-excited. This curve is also known as no load
saturation characteristic curve of DC generator.
• The circuit arrangement for obtaining the data for no-load characteristics
curve is shown above
• The generator is rotated at rated speed by the prime mover and
corresponding value of induced emf is noted
• Then the field current is varied gradually and corresponding value of
induced emf is noted
• When plotting the values of generated emf for different values of field
current a curve shown above is obtained
• We know that E=PФZN/60A and Ф directly proportional to If
 Load characteristics
i. DC shunt Generator:
Consider a DC shunt generator as shown in figure, when there is no load
the armature current is equal to field current which is very small compare to full
load current
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