EXPERIMENT 2

AIM:

1. To study the causes of failure to build up the voltage in dc shunt generator.

2. To conduct a load test on dc shunt generator and to draw various performance

characteristics
i) Output current and Voltage
ii) Efficiency and Input current

APPARATUS-
 Dc supply, 2 ammeters (0-20A), (0-2.5A), 2 voltmeters(0-300V), rheostat
(10A/100Ω), Tachometer, Lamp load, shunt dc generator, connecting wires.
THEORY-
Generally, following three characteristics of  DC generators are taken into considerations: (i)
Open Circuit Characteristic (O.C.C.), (ii) Internal or Total Characteristic and (iii) External
Characteristic. These characteristics of DC generators are explained below.

1. Open Circuit Characteristic (O.C.C.) (Eg/If)

Open circuit characteristic is also known as magnetic characteristic or no-load saturation
characteristic. This characteristic shows the relation between generated emf at no load (E g) and the
field current (If) at a given fixed speed. The O.C.C. curve is just the magnetization curve and it is
practically similar for all type of generators. The data for O.C.C. curve is obtained by operating
the generator at no load and keeping a constant speed. Field current is gradually increased and the
corresponding terminal voltage is recorded. The connection arrangement to obtain O.C.C. curve is
as shown in the figure below. For shunt or series excited generators, the field winding is
disconnected from the machine and connected across an external supply.

Fig DC shunt generator

Now, from the emf equation of dc generator, we know that Eg = kɸ. Hence, the generated emf
should be directly proportional to field flux (and hence, also directly proportional to the field
current). However, even when the field current is zero, some amount of emf is generated
(represented by OA in the figure below). This initially induced emf is due to the fact that there
exists some residual magnetism in the field poles. Due to the residual magnetism, a small initial
emf is induced in the armature. This initially induced emf aids the existing residual flux, and hence,
increasing the overall field flux. This consequently increases the induced emf. Thus, O.C.C.
follows a straight line. However, as the flux density increases, the poles get saturated and the ɸ
becomes practically constant. Thus, even we increase the I f further, ɸ remains constant and hence,
Eg also remains constant. Hence, the O.C.C. curve looks like the B-H characteristic.

2. Internal or Total Characteristic (E/Ia)

An internal characteristic curve shows the relation between the on-load generated emf (Eg) and the
armature current (Ia). The on-load generated emf Eg is always less than E 0 due to the armature
reaction. Eg can be determined by subtracting the drop due to demagnetizing effect of armature
reaction from no-load voltage E0. Therefore, internal characteristic curve lies below the O.C.C.
curve.

3. External Characteristic (V/IL)

An external characteristic curve shows the relation between terminal voltage (V) and the load
current (IL). Terminal voltage V is less than the generated emf Eg due to voltage drop in the
armature circuit. Therefore, external characteristic curve lies below the internal characteristic
curve. External characteristics are very important to determine the suitability of a generator for a
given purpose. Therefore, this type of characteristic is sometimes also called as load characteristics.

Critical resistance: It is that value of resistance in the field circuit at which the generator will just
excite (or voltage build up begins). If the resistance is higher, the machine will fail to build up
voltage. It is given by the slope of the tangent drawn to the linear portion of the magnetization
curve from the origin.

Conditions for voltage build up in a dc shunt generator:

1. There should be some residual magnetism in the poles.

 2. For the given direction of rotation, the shunt field coils should be properly connected. That is,
The coils should be so connected that the flux generated by the field current aids the residual flux.
3. When excited at no load, the shunt field circuit resistance should be less than the critical
resistance.

Critical speed: It is that value of speed at which the given shunt field resistance represents the
critical resistance. It is determined as follows. For the same value of If determine E1 and E2 from
the field resistance lines. Then E1/E2 =N1/Nc ; Nc = (E2/E1)N1 Where, Nc is the Critical speed

PRODCEDURE
1. Circuit is connected as shown in the circuit diagram.
2. After connecting the circuit, the motor field rheostat is kept at minimum position and generator
field rheostat is kept at maximum position.
3. The generator is driven at its rated speed with the help of prime mover (DC motor).
4. The generator field excitation is adjusted to get the rated no-load voltage on open circuit.
5. A resistive load is connected as shown in figure.
6. The generator is loaded gradually up to full load.
7. The field current of the generator is kept constant by adjusting the generator rheostat.
8. The speed of the motor is checked for different loads and it is kept constant by adjusting the
motor rheostat.
9. The terminal voltage, load current and shunt field current are noted for various loads.
OBSERVATION
Rated speed = 1500 rpm
Assuming prime mover efficiency to be 100%
Operating speed= 1296 rpm
Critical resistance at rated speed, Rc = E1 / If1 =
Critical speed of the Machine, Nc = (E2 / E1) N1=

Table:

S.NO. LOAD Iin(A) Vin(V) Io(A) Vo(V) Pin(W) Pout(W) Efficiency(%)

1 NL 9 236 - 210 2124 - -
2 10 232 1.8 205 2320 369 15.90
3 11 230 3.6 200 2530 720 28.46
4 11.5 222 5.5 200 2645 1100 41.59
5 12 228 7 200 2736 1400 51.16
6 13.5 226 8.5 200 3051 1657.5 54.32
7 14 226 9 195 3164 1755 55.47
8 15.5 224 10.5 192 3472 2016 58.07
9 16.5 232 12 192 3828 2304 60.18
10 18 230 13.5 190 4140 2565 61.95