Introduction

The primary objective of this guide is to introduce the students to various techniques that are
commonly used in practice to estimate various parameters of Electrical Machines. Various
parameters (i.e. Equivalent circuit parameters) which would enable the performance
evaluation of a given machine are normally not provided on the name plate prompting for
tests to be conducted.
This guide describes various experiments that are to be carried out by the students under
supervision to obtain parameters of different Electrical Machines. The data obtained from the
experiments shall be used in the evaluation of a given Machine.
At the end of each experiment, students are required to produce a high-quality report
detailing the results obtained (tables an plots), the implications of the results and their
interpretations thereof. The reports are to be handed timeously as informed in during the
practical session.

i
Table of Contents
Introduction ............................................................................................................................................. i
REPORT LAYOUT.................................................................................................................................. - 1 -
Experiments ........................................................................................................................................ - 2 -
Experiment 1: DC Shunt Generator no-load characteristics ........................................................... - 2 -
Experiment 2: DC Shunt Generator load characteristics ................................................................ - 4 -
Experiment 3: Transformer Polarity Test ........................................................................................ - 6 -
Experiment 4: Transformer Testing ................................................................................................ - 8 -
The transformer open-circuit test .............................................................................................. - 9 -
The transformer short-circuit test ............................................................................................ - 11 -

ii
REPORT LAYOUT

The report should consist of the following;

➢ A Cover page with initials and surname, student number, subject name and code & date on
which the workshop was attended.
➢ Table of content
➢ List of figure & tables
➢ Name of the experiment
➢ Aim
➢ Background of the experiment (theoretical background)
➢ Circuit diagram phasor diagram (if applicable)
➢ Procedure
➢ Calculations
➢ Table of results
➢ Graphs (if applicable)
➢ Analysis of the results and conclusion.

Note
➢ The report must be typed.
➢ Graphs to be drawn using excel.
➢ Redraw all the circuit diagrams

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Experiments
Experiment 1: DC Shunt Generator no-load characteristics

Purpose

A generator converts mechanical energy into electrical energy. For current generation to take place
the following three parameters must be present: Conductor, Magnetic field and Motion. In a dc
machine the conductor parameter is provided by the armature windings, the magnetic field by the
field circuit and the motion is the prime-mover (anything that can drive the armature). So, an absence
of any of these three means no generation, so this means that if any of these parameters varies the
generator output will also vary.

The purpose of this experiment is to therefore, determine the characteristics of the generator under
no load condition.

Requirement:

1 x DC Machine
1 x 3 phase induction machine (prime mover)
3 phase power supply
DC power supply

NB: After completion of this experiment, students are required to produce a high-quality
report for evaluation. Interpretation and implications of the readings must be explicitly
discussed in the report.

Procedure

The connection diagram for the no load characteristics test is shown in Error! Reference s
ource not found.. The induction machine (IM) in the figure, is the prime mover that is coupled
to the dc machine.

Figure 1 Connection diagram for no-load dc shunt generator characteristics test

• Couple the induction machine and the dc machine as shown in Error! Reference s
ource not found..

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 • With the dc machine unloaded, and the field current (If) set to 0 A, start the prime
mover.

• Record the generated voltage and populate Table 1.

• Increase the field current (If) in a step shown in Table 1 and record the generated
voltage.

Table 1 No load characteristics of a dc machine

If 0 0.01 0.02 0.03 0.04 0.05 0.06 0.07 0.08 0.09 0.1 0.11 0.12
(A)
Eo
(V)

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Experiment 2: DC Shunt Generator load characteristics

Purpose

When the generator is not loaded there is no current flowing in the armature and there is no voltage
drop in the armature circuit therefore the terminal voltage V, is equal to the generated voltage EG.
When the generator is loaded while the speed is constant, the terminal voltage decreases, owing to
the drop in the armature circuit and the drop because of armature reaction.

This experiment seeks to determine the performance of the DC shunt generator under loaded
conditions. The primer mover for this experiment shall be 3 phase induction machine which is
mechanically coupled to the generator.

Requirements:

1 x DC Machine
1 x 3 phase induction machine (prime mover)
Variable Resistor load rack
3 phase power supply
DC power supply

NB: After completion of this experiment, students are required to produce a high-quality
report for evaluation. Interpretation and implications of the readings and calculations must
be explicitly discussed in the report.

Procedure:

The connection diagram for the loaded generator characteristics test is shown in Figure 2. The
induction machine (IM) in the figure, is the prime mover that is coupled to the dc machine.
The load to the generator shall be the variable resistor rack.

Figure 2 Connection diagram for DC Generator load characteristics test

• Couple the induction machine and the dc machine as shown in Figure 2.

• Set the DC power supply to minimum and the Generator load to 1000 Ω position.

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• Turn ON the three-phase supply and the DC power supply module.

• Slowly adjust the DC power supply module so that the motor rotates at the rated
speed.
Note. The motor current must not exceed 130 % of the rated value.

• Set the field current (If) to 0.1 A, adjust the load resistor and set the armature
current (Ia) to 0.3 A.

• Record the generators output voltage (Eo), calculate the output current (Io), and the
output power (Po).

• Adjust the armature current (Ia) as shown in

Table 2 DC Shunt Generator load characteristics results

If (A) 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1
Ia (A) 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8 0.9 1 1.1 1.2
Eg (V)
Io (A)
Po
(W)

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Experiment 3: Transformer Polarity Test
Purpose

Polarity means the direction of the induced voltages in the primary and the secondary winding of the
transformer. One of the requirements for paralleling transformers is that their polarities must be
known to ensure proper connections. The purpose of this experiment is to determine the polarity of
the single-phase transformer.

Two types of polarities exist in polarity tests of the transformer, namely, additive and subtractive
polarities. The former, the same terminals of the primary and the secondary windings of the
transformer are connected while the latter, different terminals of the primary and secondary side
of the transformer is connected.

Requirements:
1 x Single phase transformer
3 x AC voltmeter
1 x AC power supply (Preferably a variable power supply)

NB: After completion of this experiment, students are required to produce a high-quality
report for evaluation. Interpretation and implications of the readings on the Voltmeters must
be explicitly discussed in the report.
Procedure
The connection diagram for the polarity tests is shown in Figure 3. Three voltmeters are
connected as shown Figure 3.

Figure 3 Connection diagram for transformer polarity tests

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Connect the circuit as shown in Figure 3 and set the supply to minimum.

Gradually increase the voltage until the rated voltage is reached.

Records the values of the voltages as shown by the voltmeter V1, V2 and V3.

Table 3 Polarity tests results

V1 V2 V3

If V3=V1+V2, the polarity is additive.

If V3=V1-V2, the polarity is subtractive.

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Experiment 4: Transformer Testing

Purpose

The purpose of this experiment is to estimate the parameters of the equivalent circuit of a
single-phase transformer through tests. The data obtained from the transformer test shall be
used to estimate the Voltage regulation and the efficiency of the transformer.
Broadly, two transformer tests that are performed to obtain the aforementioned parameter
are the open-circuit and the short-circuit tests. The open-circuit test is performed by
supplying the rated voltage on one side of the transformer and the other side is left open
while the measurements are recorded. The open-circuit test is performed by supplying the
rated current of the transformer on one side while the other is short circuited and
measurements are recorded. Through calculations from the data obtained on both tests, the
voltage regulation and the efficiency of the transformer can be estimated.
Requirements:
1 x Single phase transformer
2 x AC voltmeter
1 x AC ammeter
1 x Wattmeter
1 x AC power supply (Preferably a variable power supply)

NB: After completion of this experiment, students are required to produce a high-quality
report for evaluation. The report should, among other things include, the estimated efficiency
and voltage regulation of the transformer. The implications of the these parameter should be
detailed in the discussion of the results.

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The transformer open-circuit test

The connection diagram for the transformer open-circuit is shown in Figure 1. The ammeter, voltmeter
and wattmeter are connected on the low voltage (LV) side of the transformer. The high voltage (HV)
side is left open (additional voltmeter may be connected on the HV side) while a rated voltage is
supplied on the LV side.

Figure 4 Connection diagram for transformer open-circuit test

Procedure

Connect the components as shown in Figure 4 with the AC supply set at minimum.

Gradually increase the voltage until the rated voltage of LV side is reached.

Record the readings of the ammeter (Ioc), voltmeter (s) (V1 on the LV side and V2 on HV side if the
second voltmeter is connected) and the wattmeter (Poc) and populate Table 4.

Table 4 Open-circuit test results

V1 (V) V2(V) Ioc (A) Poc (w) Rs (Ω) Xs (Ω) Zs (Ω) Power
factor
50
80
110
140
170
200
230

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Wattmeter reading = Poc = iron/core losses
𝑉1 2
𝑃𝑜𝑐 = 𝑅𝑠

Where, 𝑅𝑠 is a shunt branch resistance. If, 𝑍𝑠 is the shunt branch impedance, then
𝑉1
𝑍𝑠 =
𝐼𝑜𝑐
The shunt branch reactance of the transformer is 𝑋𝑠 and is computed as
1 2 1 2 1 2
( ) =( ) − ( )
𝑋𝑠 𝑍𝑠 𝑅2

NB: The shunt branch parameters are referred to the LV side due to the test being performed on the
LV side. However, these parameters can be easily referred to the HV using the turns ratio.
𝑃𝑜𝑐
No-load power factor cos ∅𝑜𝑐 = 𝑉1 𝐼𝑜𝑐

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The transformer short-circuit test

The connection diagram for the transformer open-circuit is shown in Figure 5. The ammeter, voltmeter
and wattmeter are connected on the HV side of the transformer. The LV side of the transformer is
short-circuited while the rated current is supplied on the HV side.

Figure 5 Connection diagram for transformer short circuit test

Procedure

Connect the components as shown in Figure 5 with the AC supply set at minimum.

Gradually increase the AC supply until the rated current of the HV side is reached.

Record the readings of the ammeter (Ioc), voltmeter (s) (V1 on the LV side and V2 on HV side if the
second voltmeter is connected) and the wattmeter (Poc) and populate

Table 5 Short-circuit test results

Vsc (V) Isc (A) Psc (w) Re (Ω) Xe (Ω) Ze (Ω) Power
factor

Wattmeter reading = Psc = copper losses

𝑃𝑠𝑐 = 𝑅𝑒 𝐼𝑠𝑐 2
Where, 𝑅𝑒 is the equivalent resistance of the transformer. If, 𝑍𝑒 is the equivalent impedance of
transformer
𝑉𝑠𝑐
𝑍𝑒 =
𝐼𝑠𝑐
Then, the equivalent reactance of the transformer 𝑋𝑒 can be computed as

𝑋 2 𝑒 = 𝑍 2 𝑒 − 𝑅𝑒 2

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NB: The parameters of the equivalent circuit are referred to the HV due the test being performed on
HV side. However, they can easily be referred to the LV side using transformer ratio.

- 12 -