Series and Shunt DC Motors
Villanueva, Boj N.
School of Electrical, Electronics and Computer Engineering, Mapua University, Muralla St., Intramuros, Manila
bnvillanueva@mymail.mapua.edu.ph
I. INTRODUCTION
A DC Motor’s main purpose is to generate mechanical
energy or motion from electrical power. The motion that it
generates comes from the motoring action principle, wherein a
mechanical force is derived from the interaction between a
magnetic and electric field. There are two primary types of a
DC Motor, primarily known as a Shunt Wound and Series
Wound Motor, with the third type being a combination of the
former two.
Fig.1 DC Series Motor
From the name itself, a DC Series Motor is quite
similar to a DC series generator, in the fact that the field is
connected in series to the armature winding, ensuring a
consistent level of current all throughout the system. Outside of
this, its construction and operation is none too different from
the DC Shunt Generator. It requires less turns compared to a
shunt motor, with relatively the same amount of current.
Fig.2. Power Losses in a DC Machine
Again, like the name suggests, in this DC Motor, the
field windings are shunted across the armature, allowing
them to experience the same levels of voltage, but with
different branches of current. The configurations of a
Shunted DC motor are quite similar to that of the series
motor, but requires much more turns to increase flux, to
produce and require that much more current.
II. OBJECTIVES
The main objectives of this paper will be, first and
foremost to describe and illustrate the different characteristics
and uses of a DC Series Motor. It will also show the
configuration and arrangement of a DC Series Motor and
attempt to solve problems regarding the various properties
surrounding one. In addition to this, this paper also shows how
to apply the previous steps to a DC Shunt Motor, including
descriptions, configurations and problem solving.
III. METHODOLOGY
Let us begin by looking at a DC Shunt generator
schematic, and solve some simple problems regarding it. Given
the shunt generator below with a current of 220A through the
motor, find the back EMF and the power expended in the
armature.
Fig.3 DC Shunt Generator Sample Problem
Finding, first and foremost the current at the shunt field
𝑉
𝐼𝑆𝐻 = = 5𝐴
𝑅𝑠ℎ
From this, we can define the currents coming towards the
armature as
𝐼 = 𝐼𝑎 + 𝐼𝑠ℎ → 𝐼𝑎 = 𝐼 − 𝐼𝑠ℎ
 𝐼𝑎 = 220𝐴 = 5𝐴 = 215 𝐴 given flux per pole measures out to 20 mWb. Consulting the
formula for Torque.
Finally, using the definition of back EMF, we can compute it 𝑝𝜙𝑧𝐼𝑎
𝑇=
with the given values 2𝜋𝑎
𝑃𝑎 = 𝐸𝑏 𝐼𝑎 Since this is a simplex lap wound armature generator, A and P
are of equal values, and A = 1.
𝑃𝑎 = 96.78 𝑉 ∗ 215 𝐴 = 20.8 𝑘𝑊
1 ∗ (20 𝑥 10−3 𝑊𝑏)(580)(125)
𝑇=
2𝜋 ∗ 1
Let us look at another DC shunt Motor, with the following
𝑇 = 230.77 𝑁𝑚
parameters, along with an efficiency of 85% and a power
generated of 1000 Horsepower. Find the back EMF

IV. APPLICATIONS
Knowing how to best make use of, and interpret the
working of DC Motors, for both series and shunt, will be
incredible helpful when it comes to the real working
environment. Motors are one of the most important things
holding up our modern society, and as such, taking good time
to properly understand which one to use and how to use them
will be an invaluable skill for any engineer trying to make a
difference in the world.

V. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
I would, first and foremost, like to thank God for all
the blessings He has given, which allow me to put my100% into
contributing this paper and all the activities I need to
Fig. 4. DC Shunt Generator Sample Problem accomplish. I would like to thank my friends and family for
acting as a consistent support system for me, making sure that I
am focused on my goals towards the future. Lastly, I would like
First, we compute the power in from the given power to thank my profession, Dr. Vallestero who has given me this
generated and efficiency lesson in order to make sure that I become an accomplished and
746,000 𝑊 successful engineer in the future, and for that I am ever
𝑃𝑜𝑢𝑡 1000 ℎ𝑝 ∗
1 ℎ𝑝 thankful.
𝜂= → 0.85 =
𝑃𝑖𝑛 𝑃𝑖𝑛 REFERENCES
𝑃𝑖𝑛 = 8776.5 𝑊 [1] Electrical4U (2020) DC Motor or Direct Current Motor: What is it?
Retrieved from https://www.electrical4u.com/dc-motor-or-direct-
current-motor/ [Accessed: 22-July-2021].
From the computed power in, we can then compute for both [2] Electrical4U (2020) Series Wound DC Motor or DC Series Motor.
the load current, and the current in the shunt field, Retrieved from https://www.electrical4u.com/series-wound-dc-
motor-or-dc-series-motor/ [Accessed: 22-July-2021].
𝑃𝑖𝑛
𝑃𝑖𝑛 = 𝑉𝑡 𝐼𝐿 → 𝐼𝐿 = [3] Electrical4U (2020) DC Shunt Motor: Speed Control, Characteristics
𝑉𝑡 & Theory. Retrieved from https://www.electrical4u.com/shunt-
8776.5 𝑊 wound-dc-motor-dc-shunt-motor/ [Accessed: 22-July-2021].
𝐼𝐿 = = 19.94 𝐴 [4] Electrical4U (2020) Types of DC Motors And Their Applications.
440 𝑉 Retrieved from https://www.electrical4u.com/types-of-dc-motor-
𝑉𝑡 440 𝑉 separately-excited-shunt-series-compound-dc-motor/ [Accessed: 22-
𝐼𝑓 = = = 2.2𝐴 July-2021].
𝑟𝑓 220 Ω

Now that we have both of these currents, the armature current

can be computed. And with the armature current, we can find
the back EMF.
𝐼𝑎 = 𝐼𝐿 − 𝐼𝑓 = 19.94 − 2.2 = 17.74 𝐴
𝐸𝑏 = 𝑉𝐿 − 𝐼𝑎 𝑟𝑎 = 440 𝑉 − (17.74 𝐴 ∗ 0.8Ω) = 425.81 𝑉

Let us now try working on a problem involving a series DC

generator. Given a simplex Lap – Wound Series DC Generator
with 580 conductors, and 125 A of armature per current path.
Find the Torque developed in the armature. Assume that the