Sanskrithi School of Engineering

(Affiliated to JNTUA, Ananthapur & Approved by AICTE, New Delhi)

Puttaparthi-515 134.

3.7.3 Voltage Build up in Self Excited Generator or Shunt DC

Generator
A self-excited generator is also known as DC Shunt Generator, as the field winding is
connected in parallel with the armature. Thus, the armature voltage supplies the field current. This type
of generator supplies its own field excitation. The equivalent circuit of a shunt DC Generator is shown
in the figure below.
Considering the above figure let us assume that the generator is working at no load condition,
and the prime mover drives the armature at a certain speed. This generator will build up the desired
terminal voltage. The residual flux present in the field poles of the DC generator is responsible for the
voltage buildup. A small voltage Ear is generated and is given by the equation shown below.

This voltage is of the order of 1 to 2 volts. This voltage causes a current If to flow in the field
winding of the generator. The field current is given by the equation.

The flux is increased by a magneto motive force produced by the field current. As a result, of
this, the generated voltage Ea increases. This increased armature voltage increases the terminal voltage.
With the increase in the terminal voltage, the field current If increases further. This, in turn, increases
flux and hence the armature voltage is further increases, and the process of voltage buildup continues.
The voltage buildup curve of a DC shunt generator is shown below.
 Sanskrithi School of Engineering
(Affiliated to JNTUA, Ananthapur & Approved by AICTE, New Delhi)
Puttaparthi-515 134.

3.7.4 Voltage Build up of a DC Shunt Generator

The generator is on no load during the process of voltage buildup, thus, the following equations
shown below give the steady state operation.

Since the field current If in a shunt generator is very small, the voltage drop If Ra can be neglected. Thus,
the equation (1) becomes

The straight line given by V= IfRf shown in the above figure is known as Field Resistance Line.
The voltage buildup in the DC shunt generator for various circuit resistances is shown below.