Name: Maturan, Renz Myko B.

Date: September 16, 2022

Subject & Section: EE 330 AC/DC Machineries – C

ASSIGNMENT 2
Operating Principles of DC Generators

1. Major Component of DC Generator

A. Armature Reaction

The armature reaction is the effect of the armature field on the main field. In other words, the
armature reaction represents the impact of the armature flux on the main field flux. The armature field
is produced by the armature conductors when current flows through them. The main field is produced
by the magnetic poles. The armature flux causes two effects on the main field flux.

• The armature reaction distorted the main field flux.

• It reduces the magnitude of the main field flux.

The figure below shows a two-pole DC generator. When no load is connected to the generator,
the armature current becomes zero. In this condition, only the main-pole MMF exists in the generator.
The MMF flux is uniformly distributed along the magnetic axis. The arrow in the image below shows the
direction of the magnetic flux ΦM. The magnetic neutral axis or plane is perpendicular to the axis of the
magnetic flux.
 The MNA coincides with the geometrical neutral axis (GNA). The brushes of the DC machines are
always placed in this axis, and hence this axis is called the axis of commutation.

Consider the condition in which only the armature conductors carrying current and no current
flows through their main poles. The direction of the current remains the same in all the conductors lying
under one pole. The direction of current induces in the conductor is given by the Fleming right-hand
rule. And the direction of flux generates in the conductors is given by the corkscrew rule.

The current on the left side of the armature conductor flows into the paper (represented by the
cross inside the circle). The armature conductors combine their magnetic force to generate fluxes
through the armature in the downward direction. Similarly, the right-hand side conductors carry
current, and their direction flows out of the paper (shown by dots inside the circle). The conductor on
the right-hand side is also combining their magnetic force to produce flux in the downward direction.
Hence, the conductor on both sides combines their magnetic force in such a way so that their flux flows
downward. The flux induced in the armature conductor ΦA is given by the arrow shown above.
 When the field flux enters the armature, it may become distorted. The distortion increases the
density of the flux in the upper pole tip of the north pole and the lower pole tip of the south pole.
Similarly, the density of flux decreases in the lower pole tip of the north pole and the upper pole tip of
the south pole. The resultant flux induces a current in the generator that is shifted towards the direction
of the rotation of the generator. The magnetic neutral axis of poles is always perpendicular to the axis of
the resultant flux. The MNA is continuously shifted with the resultant flux.

B. Brush Polarity

The output terminals of a generator have electrical polarity, just as with other dc power units. In
the case of generators, the term brush polarity is used to distinguish between the electrical polarity of
the brushes (either positive or negative) and the magnetic polarity (either North or South) of the field
poles.

Brush polarity markings are often omitted, but the electrician can easily determine electrical
polarity by connecting a voltmeter across the output leads of the generator. Many automotive and
aircraft generators are constructed with either the positive or negative brushes grounded to the frame
of the generator. It is very important to maintain the polarity as specified by the manufacturer. After
considering the effects of residual magnetism in the field circuit, information on brush polarity will be
provided.

C. Field Supply

The magnetic field of a generator is established by a set of electromagnets (field poles). The
current required by the field circuit may be supplied from a separate dc supply. If this is the case, the
generator is said to have a separately excited field. The majority of generators, however, are self-excited
and the current for the field is supplied by the generator itself.

Ill. 4 illustrates a separately excited dc generator with the field circuit supplied from batteries. A
self-excited shunt generator is illustrated in 5. Note that the field circuit's connected in parallel with the
armature and that a small part of the generator output is diverted to the field circuit, in order to “excite”
or energize the field poles.

2. Output Voltage Control

Since the induced voltage is determined by the rate at which the magnetic lines of force are cut
per second, it is possible to vary the output voltage by controlling either the speed of the prime mover
or the strength of the magnetic field. In most cases, the output voltage is controlled by varying the field
current with a rheostat in the field circuit.

The flux density in the field poles is determined by the field current. Therefore, the generator's
voltage output will continue to rise as the field current increases, until the field poles reach saturation.
To produce any further increase in voltage output, the speed must be increased.

3. Generator Ratings
The manufacturer usually specifies the generator's output in kilowatts, current, terminal
voltage, and speed on the machine's name plate. For large generators, the ambient temperature is also
given.

DC Generator Ratings

The ratings of a DC generator are the parameters like voltage, current, speed, and power which
are the specifications of the machine that defines the capacity of it or the norms it is to be operated. A
machine can give its maximum efficiency and life only when it is operated under its recommend ratings.
 Current Rating

The current rating is the maximum level of current allowed to be operated. This value of current
shall not exceed, any current higher than the current rating may cause damage to the machine. It is
based on the size of the conductor and the amount of heat that can be dissipated in the generator.

Voltage Rating

The voltage rating of a DC Generator is the voltage that the machine should produce at the
rated speed which is specified in volts.

Power Rating

The power rating of a DC generator is the maximum output that can be achieved when the
terminal voltage is the same as the rated voltage. This power rating is limited by the conductors,
mechanical parts, and thermal limitations of the machine.

Speed Rating

The speed rating of a DC generator is the speed at which the machine should be operated,
specified in revolutions per minute (R.P.M or r/min). The machine must be operated at the rated speed
to deliver the rated power.

The machine's rated voltage is the maximum safe voltage it can operate at. If the machine is
operated at a speed below the rated value, it can cause overheating due to the increased field current.
This also reduces the air flow through the windings, which further increases the heating. If operated at a
speed higher than the rated value, it can result in mechanical damage of the machine. Excessive rotation
produces strains in the armature, bearings, etc. The operation at optimum RPM is very essential for the
good condition of the machine.

Temperature

The various losses in the generator are converted into heat, resulting in the machine
temperature rising above the ambient temperature.

For continuous operation, the machine's temperature rise needs to be considered so that it
does not exceed the specified ratings. Because the insulation materials will be subject to carbonization
and oxidation when exposed to high temperatures. In the long term, the quality of the insulation will
gradually decrease due to this, which will reduce the life of the machine.

4. Rotation
A separately-excited generator produces voltage in either direction of rotation. However, this is
not the case for self-excited units; they only produce voltage in one direction. The standard direction of
rotation for dc generators is clockwise when looking at the end of the generator opposite the drive shaft
(this is typically the commutator end).
5. Regulation
The voltage regulation of a generator is one of its important characteristics. Different types of

generators have different voltage regulation characteristics.

The voltage regulation of a generator is defined as the change in the voltage drop from no load
to full load voltage.

Voltage Regulation = (no − load voltage – full − load voltage )

full − load voltage

Ideally DC Generators should have zero voltage regulation.

In the case of a series generator, the field is connected in series with the armature. Any increase
in load current causes an increase in the field and hence the terminal voltage rises. Hence it has negative
voltage regulation, and it has the poorest voltage regulation.

During on-load conditions, differently compounded DC generator has the poorest voltage
regulation. During the no-load condition, the DC series generator has the poorest voltage regulation.