DC Generator 355 (ry =1,2.<8, = 100 x 600 x 8. = 1000 (Ans @ Demagnetising ampere-tumns, AT, = 1.2.85 = 100 x 600 x <5 = 1000 (Ans) 1 eo 12.(35- 365) 16 aig ~ af) = 4000 cans (i) Cross-magnetising ampere-turns, AT. = 100 x 600 x (ii) Series turns required to balance the demagnetising component 5 = 167 (Ans) 4.20 Commutation Ina DC machine, one of the major function is the delivery of current from the armature (rotating part) to the external circuit (stationary part) or vicenegativersa. This operation is conducted with the help of brushes and commutator. During this operation one of the armature coil moves from the influence of one pole to the other and consequently the current in this coil is reversed. While moving from one pole to the other the coil is short circuited by the brushes through commutator segments for fraction of a second (say 1 second). 1 called commutation about 4 second). This operation is called at ‘Thus, the process in which a coil is short circuited by the brushes through commutator segments while it passes from the influence of one pole to the other is called commutation. In this process the current in the coil is reversed. The duration for which a coil remains short circuited is called commutation period. Explanation For better understanding, consider a machine having ring winding, a part of which is shown in Fig 4.49. Assume that the width of brush is equal to the width of commutator segment and the insulation between the segments is very thin (negligibly small). The current per conductor is J. and the armature is rotating in such a direction, that coils are moving from left to right, Let the coil “B’ undergoes commutation. Step-wise explanation in given below: 1. As shown in Fig. 4.49 (a), the brush is in contact with commutator segment ‘a’ and collects current 27, coming equally from both the sides. 2. As the armature is moving, in the first step as shown in Fig, 449(b), the brush contact with segment ‘b’ starts increasing and contact with segment ‘a’ starts decreasing. Consequently, the current flowing towards the brush via segment ‘b’ starts increasing” and through segment ‘a’ starts decreasing *Hemay be noted that at first instant the current in segment ‘is zero but at second instant its valu is |,~x and atthe next instant twill become , which wil be move than (Ix). Sinilarly, a frst instant current in segment 2° was 2 I (e+ J, = 2.) which is reduced to |, +x and atthe next instant it willbe reduced to |, only.356 Electrical Machines Itmay be noted that current in coil ‘B’ decreases from J, to x. Mation Motion Motion Mation Re ky dy lty ¢[e« ¢tTe[o]a 21, © @ Motion Fig. 4.49 Commutation during brush shifts from segment ‘a’ to ‘b’ 3. At the next instant, as shown in Fig. 4.49(6), the brush is at the centre of both the segments ‘b* and covers half of the area of both the segments. At this instant brush is drawing equal current ([, from both the segments ‘b’ and ‘a’ and its total value is 21, It may be noted that current in the coil ‘B’ at this instant reduces to zero, 4, Further at the next instant, as shown in Fig, 4.49(d), larger area of segment ‘6° has come in contact with the brush than segment ‘a’. Accordingly, brush draws more current (J, + y) from segment ‘b’ and draws smaller current (J, 3)" from segment ‘a * Itmay be noted that at each instant current drawn by the brush is 2, First instant, 2; second instant (.-X +1, + third instant (+ 1, = 21); fourth instant (|,+y + ,-y=24).DC Generator 357 It may be noted that current in the coil ‘B’ has reversed and starts increasing. 5, At the next (final) instant, as shown in Fig, 4.49(¢), the brush completely comes in contact with segment ‘b’ and draws equal current J, from both the sides It may be noted that current in the coil ‘B’ has totally reversed and obtains its rated value J, Thus, the commutation process is completed for coil ‘B’, The same process continues for the next coils to come (1¢., coil C, D and so on.........) ‘The reversal of current through a coil undergoing commutation may ‘occur in any of the following manners (see Fig. 4.50): Curve-T. Shows linear commutation, where current changes from +1, 10-1, uniformly. Itis an ideal commutation and provides uniform current density at the brush contact surface. In this ease, the power loss at the brush contact is minimum, Curve-2. Shows sinusoidal commutation. It results in satisfactory ‘commutation, Curve-3. Shows an accelerated or over-commutation where the current attains its final value with a zero (quick) rate of change at the end of ‘commutation period, Usually, it provides a satisfactory commutation, ——— Fig. 4.50 Curves for reversal of current Curve 4, Shows a retarded or under-commutation where the final rate of change of current is very high. In such conditions sparking at the trailing edge of the brush is inevitable, Curve 5. Shows sharply accelerated commutation where the current may reach to its proper final value without a spark but it involves very high localised current densities at the brush contact leading to sparking and heating which further leads to deterioration of brushes. Curve 6. Shows sharply retarded commutation where curtent reaches to its final value which causes excessive current density under brushes resulting in sparking at the brushes. Conclusion From the above discussion, itis concluded that for satisfactory commutation, the current in the coil which undergoes commutation must be reversed completely during its commutation period 7. 4.21 Cause of Delay in the Reversal of Current in the Coil going through Commutation and its Effect ‘The main cause of delay in the reversal of current in the coil undergoing commutation is its inductive property. It is apparent thatthe coils placed in the armature may have large number of turns embedded in the magnetic core having high permeability, due to which it possesses appreciable amount of selEinductance ‘The inductive property of the coil undergoing commutation gives rise toa voltage called reactance voltage. This voltage opposes the reversal of current in it, Although, this voltage is very small, it358 Electrical Machines produces a large current in the coil whose resistance is very small under short circuit. Due to this, heavy sparking occur at the brushes, ‘Thus, it is observed that even though the brushes are set at such a position that coils undergoing short-circuit are in the magnetic neutral axis where they are not cutting any flux and hence no emf is. induced in them due to rotation of armature but there will be an emf induced due to self-inductance which causes severe sparking at the brushes How to Offset this Reactance Voltage? To offset this reactance voltage, a voltage is produced in each coil as it passes through commutating period. This voltage is produced in the coil in such a direction that it offsets the reactance voltage and helps in reversing the current in the coil. Such a voltage is called the commutating emf. The necessary commutating emf can be produced either (?) by shifting the brushes in non-interpolar ‘machines, beyond the position of MIVA which is selected to neutralise the armature reaction. or (ii) by strengthening the inter-poles more than that is necessary to neutralise the armature reaction flux. 4.22 Magnitude of Reactance Voltage An approximate value for inductance (L) of a coil placed in the armature can be determined by Hobert’s formula, Hobart gave an experimental rule for determining inductance of a coil, ic. L =n? GI, + 0.81) x 10-® henry GAA) where, |, = embedded length of coil in metre 1, = free length (over hang) of coil in metre n= number of turns of a coil Induced emf in a coil due to self-induetance, ie, = pai Reactance voltage = (4.12) where, di = Change of current during commutation =1,-CI)=2, dt = T, (time for which the coil is short circuited) We— Wn second 413) Here, W, = brush width in metre W,, = width (or thickness) of mica insulation =DN 60 v, = linear velocity of commutator