Module 2

Title: Direct Current Generator

Title of the Lesson: Types of DC Generator
Duration: 6 hrs
Introduction
In the previous sections we have learnt about the principle of operation of d.c.
generators. Now that we understand the working principle of a DC generator. You may
also find it useful to learn about the types of DC generators..

To fully understand this module, set aside other task that may disturb you while
doing this module. Read and understand the lesson carefully. Analyzed the sample
problems and answer all the activities including the self-evaluation test to gauge how well
you understand the lesson. For problem solving, read the problem carefully, write down
what are the given and the unknown, draw the circuit and analyze, formulate the equation
that fits with the unknown so that you can check what is missing based on the given, solve
the problem step by step until you reach the final answer.

Objective:
After thoroughly studying this module the student should be able to:
1. Know the different types of dc generator and its applications.
2. Draw the circuit of different types of dc generator
3. Solve problems with regards to the type of dc generator
Pretest
1. Write the general voltage equation of a dc generator.
2. What are the types of a dc generator?

Lesson Proper
I. EMF Equation of DC Generator
In modern dc generator, with many poles, with large number of armature conductor that
may result in two or more paths in parallel, and with comparatively high armature rotating
speeds, the resulting voltage can be calculating only by considering all those factors
responsible for the measured value.

Remembering that the voltage generated depends upon the rate at which flux is cut and
that 1 volt results from the cutting of 108 lines of force / seconds, the following analysis
will lead to a very useful fundamental equation

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The derivation of EMF equation for DC generator has two parts:
1. Induced EMF of one conductor
2. Induced EMF of the generator

Derivation for Induced EMF of One Armature Conductor

For one revolution of the conductor,

Let,
Φ = Flux produced by each pole in weber (Wb)
and
P = number of poles in the DC generator.
therefore,

Total flux produced by all the poles = ∅×𝑃

And,
60
Time taken to complete one revolution =
𝑁

Where,
N = speed of the armature conductor in rpm.
Now, according to Faraday’s law of induction, the induced emf of the armature
conductor is denoted by “e” which is equal to rate of cutting the flux.

Therefore,
𝑑∅ 𝑡𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑓𝑙𝑢𝑥
𝑒= 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑒 =
𝑑𝑡 𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑒 𝑡𝑎𝑘𝑒
Induced emf of one conductor is

Derivation for Induced EMF for DC Generator

Let us suppose there are Z total numbers of conductor in a generator, and arranged in
such a manner that all parallel paths are always in series.
Here,

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 Z = total numbers of conductor
A = number of parallel paths
Then,
Z/A = number of conductors connected in series
We know that induced emf in each path is same across the line
Therefore,
Induced emf of DC generator
E = emf of one conductor × number of conductor connected in series.
induced emf of DC generator is

𝑁 𝑍
𝑒 = ∅𝑃 × 𝑣𝑜𝑙𝑡𝑠
60 𝐴

∅ × 𝑃 × 𝑅𝑃𝑀 × 𝑍
𝐸𝑔 = 𝑣𝑜𝑙𝑡𝑠
𝑎 × 60

where: Eg = total generated voltage

Ǿ = flux / pole in weber
P = number of poles, an even number
Rpm = speed of armature, rev/min
Z = total number of armature conductor effectively used to add to resulting
voltage
a = number of armature paths connected in parallel (determined by the
type of armature winding)

Lap winding ; 𝑎 = 𝑝𝑙𝑒𝑥 × 𝑝𝑜𝑙𝑒

Wave winding; 𝑎 = 2 × 𝑝𝑙𝑒𝑥

Problem]
A four pole generator having wave wound armature winding has 62 slots, each
having 20 conductors. What will be the voltage generated in the machine when
driven at 1500 rpm assuming flux per pole to be 8 mWb.
Solution:
(8 × 103 )(1500)(4)(62 × 20)
𝐸𝑔 = = 496 𝑉
2 × 60
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Exercises No. 2.1
1. A six pole, wave wound armature has 640 conductors. If the flux per pole is 16
mWb, at what speed must be driven in order to generate 256 volts.
2. A six pole wave wound armature has 250 conductors when driven at 400 rpm,
the emf generated is 260 volt . What is the useful flux per pole.
3. A 4 pole, lap wound armature when driven at 600 rpm generates 120V. If the
flux per pole is 25 mWb, find the number of armature conductors.
4. The induced voltage of a wave connected generator is 200 volts and the flux
per pole is 0.02 Wb. The number of conductors of the generator is 500. The
generator is driven at a speed of 600 rpm. Determine the number of poles of
generator.
5. The armature of a 4 pole dc generator is required to generate an emf of 520 V
on open circuit when revolving at a speed off 660 rpm. Calculate the magnetic
flux per pole required if the armature has 144 slots with 2 coil sides per slot,
each coil consisting of three turns. The armature is wave.

II. Types of Generators

D.C. generators can be classified as:
1. Permanent magnet type
2. Electromagnet type
Permanent Magnet Type
In this type of generator the poles are made of permanent magnet. The poles do
not require any windings. Such type of D.C. generators are of small size. These are
employed mainly in dynamo in cycles and bikes. It is not used for industrial purpose
because:
a. It would require large magnet which is economically not feasible.
b. Magnetic strength decreases with time so magnetic flux will not remain
constant.
Electromagnet Type

The poles of D.C. generator is magnetized using windings. Electromagnetic type

generators can further classifies based on the excitation of their field.
(a) separately-excited and
(b) self-excited dc generators.

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Source: https://www.tes.com/lessons/bFLld_x02OBF3A/dc-motor-classifications

a) Separately-Excited Generators
In separately excited generator the field winding is energized from another dc
source which is connected separately from the commutator

Fig. 1.18 Separately excited dc generator

The armature current and load current are the same and it becomes,

𝐼𝑎 = 𝐼𝐿
The expression for generated voltage is,

𝐸𝑔 = 𝑉𝑡 + 𝐼𝑎 𝑅𝑎

Electric power developed by the armature is,

𝑃𝑔 𝑜𝑟 𝑃𝑎 = 𝐸𝑔 𝐼𝑎

The output or load power is,

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 𝑃𝑜 𝑜𝑟𝑃𝐿 = 𝑉𝑡 𝐼𝐿

Where:

𝑅𝑓 = 𝑓𝑖𝑒𝑙𝑑 𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒

𝐼𝑎 = 𝑎𝑟𝑚𝑎𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑒 𝑐𝑢𝑟𝑟𝑒𝑛𝑡

𝐼𝐿 = 𝑙𝑜𝑎𝑑 𝑜𝑟 𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑒 𝑐𝑢𝑟𝑟𝑒𝑛𝑡

𝐸𝑔 = 𝑔𝑒𝑛𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑑 𝑣𝑜𝑙𝑡𝑎𝑔𝑒

𝑉𝑡 = 𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑚𝑖𝑛𝑎𝑙 𝑣𝑜𝑙𝑡𝑎𝑔𝑒

𝑅𝐿 = 𝑙𝑜𝑎𝑑 𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒

b) Self-Excited Generators
In self-excited generator the field winding is energized by the current produced by
the generator itself. There are three types of self-excited generator offered
depending upon their connection of field winding to the armature.

Three Types of Self-Excited Generators

b.1 Series Wound Generator

The field windings (series field) are connected in series with the armature
conductors. They are made up of comparatively few turns of thick wire or strips. This
generator are seldom used but for special purposes like booster etc.

Fig. 1.19 Series Generator

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 The armature current is the same as the load current, hence,

𝐼𝑎 = 𝐼𝐿 = 𝐼𝑠𝑒
The expression for generated voltage is,

𝐸𝑔 = 𝑉𝑡 + 𝐼𝑎 (𝑅𝑎 + 𝑅𝑠𝑒 )

Electric power developed by the armature is,

𝑃𝑔 𝑜𝑟 𝑃𝑎 = 𝐸𝑔 𝐼𝑎

The output or load power is,

𝑃𝑜 𝑜𝑟𝑃𝐿 = 𝑉𝑡 𝐼𝐿
Problem ]
A series generator is rated 10 Kw, 125 V DC, 1500 rpm with an armature circuit resistance
of 0.13 Ω and a series field resistance of 0.02 Ω. Determine the generated voltage and
power if a brush drop is 2 volts.
Solution:

10 × 103
𝐼𝑎 = 𝐼𝐿 = = 80 𝐴
125
𝐸𝐺 = 125 + 80(0.13 + 0.02) + 2 = 139 𝑣𝑜𝑙𝑡𝑠
𝑃𝐺 = 139 × 80 = 11,120 𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑡𝑠 = 11.12 𝑘𝑊

b.2 Shunt Wound Generator

The field windings (shunt field) are connected in parallel with the armature conductor
and have full voltage of the generator applied across them.

Fig. 1.20 Shunt Generator

The armature current is,

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 𝐼𝑎 = 𝐼𝑙 + 𝐼𝑠ℎ

The shunt field current can be determined as,

𝑉𝑡
𝐼𝑠ℎ =
𝑅𝑠ℎ

The load current can be determined as,

𝑃𝑜
𝐼𝐿 =
𝑉𝑡

The expression for generated voltage is,

𝐸𝑔 = 𝑉𝑡 + 𝐼𝑎 𝑅𝑎

Electric power developed by the armature is,

𝑃𝑔 𝑜𝑟 𝑃𝑎 = 𝐸𝑔 𝐼𝑎

The output or load power is,

𝑃𝑜 𝑜𝑟𝑃𝐿 = 𝑉𝑡 𝐼𝐿
Problem ]
A shunt generator delivers 450A at 230 volts and the resistance of the shunt field
and armature are 50 ohms and 0.03 ohms respectively. Calculate the generated emf.
Given:

𝐼𝐿 = 450𝐴, 𝑉𝑡 = 230𝑉, 𝑅𝑎 = 0.03Ω, 𝑅𝑠ℎ = 50Ω, 𝐸𝑔 =?

Solution:
230
𝐼𝑠ℎ = = 4.6Ω
50
𝐼𝑎 = 450 + 4.6 = 454.6𝐴

𝐸𝑔 = 230 + 454.6(0.03) = 243.63 𝑉

b.3 Compound Wound Generator

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 There are two types of compound wound generator. Few series field and shunt
field windings are combined in this generator and connected either short shunt or long
shunt compound generator. This generator was developed to avoid the decrease in
terminal voltage due to increasing load.

b.3.1 Short Shunt Compound Generator

The series field is connected in series with the load and the shunt field winding is
connected in parallel with the armature winding.

Fig. 1.21 Short shunt compound generator

The armature current is,

𝐼𝑎 = 𝐼𝐿 + 𝐼𝑠ℎ
The shunt field current can be determined as,
𝑉𝑡 + 𝐼𝐿 𝑅𝑠𝑒 𝐸𝑔 − 𝐼𝑎 𝑅𝑎
𝐼𝑠ℎ = =
𝑅𝑠ℎ 𝑅𝑠ℎ
The load current can be determined as,
𝑃𝑜
𝐼𝐿 =
𝑉𝑡
The expression for generated voltage is,

𝐸𝑔 = 𝑉𝑡 + 𝐼𝑎 𝑅𝑎 + 𝐼𝐿 𝑅𝑠𝑒

Electric power developed by the armature is,

𝑃𝑔 𝑜𝑟 𝑃𝑎 = 𝐸𝑔 𝐼𝑎

The output or load power is,

𝑃𝑜 𝑜𝑟𝑃𝐿 = 𝑉𝑡 𝐼𝐿
Problem ]

31
 A short shunt compound generator delivers a load current of 30A at 220 volts and
has armature, series field and shunt field resistance of 0.05 ohm, 0.03 ohm and 200 ohms
respectively. Calculate the induced emf and the armature current. Allow 1 volt per brush
for contact drop.

Solution:

I

30

220
30
0
. 

03
31
.1045
A
a  200
 
E
g 
220
31
.  

1045
0
.05 
30
0.
03
2
224
.
455
volts

b.3.2 Long Shunt Compound Generator

The series field is connected in series with the armature and the shunt field winding is
connected in parallel with the armature.

Fig. 1.22 Long shunt compound generator

The armature current is,

𝐼𝑎 = 𝐼𝑙 + 𝐼𝑠ℎ
The shunt field current can be determined as,
𝑉𝑡
𝐼𝑠ℎ =
𝑅𝑠ℎ
The load current can be determined as,
𝑃𝑜
𝐼𝐿 =
𝑉𝑡
The expression for generated voltage is,
𝐸𝑔 = 𝑉𝑡 + 𝐼𝑎 (𝑅𝑎 + 𝑅𝑠𝑒 )

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 Electric power developed by the armature is,
𝑃𝑔 𝑜𝑟 𝑃𝑎 = 𝐸𝑔 𝐼𝑎

The output or load power is,

𝑃𝑜 𝑜𝑟𝑃𝐿 = 𝑉𝑡 𝐼𝐿
Problem ]
A 4 pole long shunt lap wound generator supplies 25 KW at a terminal voltage of
500 V. The armature resistance is 0.03 Ω, series field resistance is 0.04 Ω and shunt field
resistance is 200 Ω. The brush drop maybe taken as 1 volt / brush. Determine the emf
generated. Calculate also the number of conductors, if the speed is 1200 rpm and flux
per pole is 0.02 Wb. Neglect armature reaction.

Solution:
25 × 103
𝐼𝐿 = = 50𝐴
500
500
𝐼𝑠ℎ = = 2.5𝐴
200

𝐼𝑎 = 50 + 2.5 = 52.5𝐴

𝐸𝑔 = 500 + 52.5(0.03 + 0.04) + 2 = 505.67 𝑉

(505.67)(60)(4)
𝑍= = 1264 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑑𝑢𝑐𝑡𝑜𝑟𝑠
(0.02)(1200)(4)

Brush Contact Drop

It is the voltage drop over the brush contact resistance when the current passes from
commutator segments to brushes and finally to the external load. Its value depends on
the amount of current and the value of contact resistance. This drop is usually small and
includes brushes of both polarities. However in practice, the brush contact drop is
assumed to have the following constant value for all loads, 0.5V for metal graphite
brushes and 2.0V for carbon brushes. ( Siskind)

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Problem. ]
The following information is given for a 300 KW, 600 V long shunt compound DC
generator;
Shunt field resistance = 75Ω
Commutating field winding resistance = 0.011Ω
Armature Resistance including Brush = 0.03Ω
Diverter Resistance = 0.036Ω
Series Field Resistance = 0.012Ω
When machine is delivering full load, calculate the induced emf.
Diverter – is a very low resistance connected in parallel with the series field. It diverts or
avoids part of the load current through the section of wire that creates no flux.

Solution:

300 × 103
𝐼𝐿 = = 500𝐴
600
600
𝐼𝑠ℎ = = 8𝐴
75
𝐼𝑎 = 500 + 8 = 508𝐴
(0.036)(0.012)
𝑅𝑑 𝑅𝑠 = = 0.009Ω
0.036 + 0.012
𝐸𝑔 = 600 + 508(0.011 + 0.03 + 0.009) = 625.4𝑉

Exercises 2.2
1. The output of a shunt generator is 500 ampere at terminal voltage of 225 volts.
Armature resistance is 0.02 ohm, shunt field resistance 50 ohms. What is the emf
generated. ( 𝐴𝑛𝑠. 𝐸𝑔 = 235.09 𝑣𝑜𝑙𝑡𝑠)

2. A terminal voltage of a 150 kW shunt generator is 600 volts. Calculate the

generated emf when delivering its full load current. Armature resistance is 0.08
ohm, shunt field resistance 80 ohms. (Ans. 𝐸𝑔 = 620 𝑣𝑜𝑙𝑡𝑠)

3. A short shunt compound generator delivers 100 amperes at a terminal voltage of

200 V. Armature resistance 0.2 ohm, series field resistance 0.04 ohm, shunt field
resistance 51 ohms. Find the total output of the generator and the emf generated.
( Ans. 20,000 𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑡𝑠, 224.8 𝑣𝑜𝑙𝑡𝑠)

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 4. A 4 pole shunt generator with lap connected armature supplies a load of 200 A at
100 V. Shunt field resistance = 50 Ω, armature resistance = 0.05Ω. Calculate the:
(a) total armature current
b. current per path
c. emf generated
(𝐴𝑛𝑠. 202 𝑎𝑚𝑝, 50 𝑎𝑚𝑝, 110.1 𝑣𝑜𝑙𝑡𝑠)
5. (a) In a 120 V compound generator, the resistances of the armature, shunt and
series winding are 0.06, 25, and 0.04 ohms respectively. The load current is 100
A at 120 V. Find the induced emf and the armature current when the machine is
connected as (a) a long shunt and as (b) short shunt. (c) If a diverter of 0.1Ω is
connected in parallel with the series field winding of (a) determine the current
through the series field and in the diverter. Neglect brush drop and ignore armature
reaction.
(Ans. a. 104.8 𝑎𝑚𝑝, 130.48 𝑣𝑜𝑙𝑡𝑠, 𝑏. 104.96 𝐴𝑚𝑝, 30.29 𝑣𝑜𝑙𝑡𝑠 𝑐. 74.857 𝑎𝑚𝑝, 29.94 𝑎𝑚𝑝

References:

1. Fundamentals of Electrical Machines, (2012, January 30)

M.A. Salam, Alpha Science International Ltd. Oxford
U.K., Salam/dp/1842657046
2. Electrical Machines and Automatic Controller . , Technical
Publications., 2014
3. Electrical Machines., S.K. Bhattacharya, Tata McGraw-Hill
Publishing Company Limited
4. Electric Machinery., P. F. Ryff., Prentice Hall, Englewood
Cliffs, New Jersey 07632
5. Electric Machinery; S.D. Umans., McGraw-Hill Inc., 2014
6. Electrical Technology ;BL Theraja : Vol.
7. Introduction to Electrical Engineering; M.S. Naidu S.
Kamakshaiah
8. Electrical Machines, Siskind. McGrawhill, 1979
9. https://www.amazon.com/Fundamentals-Electrical-
Machines-Second-
10. https://circuitglobe.com/applications-of-dc-machines.html
11. http://ecoursesonline.iasri.res.in/mod/resource/view.php?id=
3303
12. https://www.electrical4u.com/emf-equation-of-dc-generator/

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