Types of DC Motors and Generators

DC Motors
4 Types of DC Motors

An Introduction:
1. Permanent Magnet DC Motors
The permanent magnet motor uses a permanent
magnet to create field flux. This type of DC
motor provides great starting torque and has good
speed regulation, but torque is limited so they are
typically found on low horsepower applications.
2. Series DC Motors
In a series DC motor, the field is wound with a few turns of
a large wire carrying the full armature current. Typically,
series DC motors create a large amount of starting torque,
but cannot regulate speed and can even be damaged by
running with no load. These limitations mean that they are
not a good option for variable speed drive applications.
3. Shunt DC Motors
In shunt DC motors the field is connected in parallel (shunt)
with the armature windings. These motors offer great speed
regulation due to the fact that the shunt field can be excited
separately from the armature windings, which also offers
simplified reversing controls.
4. Compound DC Motors
Compound DC motors, like shunt DC motors, have a
separately excited shunt field. Compound DC motors have
good starting torque but may experience control problems
in variable speed drive applications.
Between the 4 types of DC motors, the potential
applications are numerous. Each type of DC motor has its
strengths and weaknesses. Understanding these can help
you understand which types may be good for your
application.
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 DC Generators
DC Generators:
A generator (alternator) is a machine that uses electromagnetic induction to convert
mechanical energy into electrical energy. A direct current (DC) generator works on the
principle that a voltage is induced in a
conductor coil when it is rotated in a
magnetic field. The rate at which the coil
rotates in the magnetic field determines the
amount of voltage induced in the coil. When
a conductor coil rotates at a constant rate in a
magnetic field, the voltage induced in the coil
is proportional to the rate of change of
magnetic flux through the coil loops at any
given instant of time. DC generators are
made up of field windings, an armature, a
commutator, brushes, and a frame
(see Figure 1)

Working principle of DC
generator
o Whenever there is a relative motion between a conductor and magnetic field emf will be
induced in the conductor.
o The conductor moves relative to the field and induced emf is called dynamically induced
emf.
o Fleming left-hand rule is used to know the direction of the current in the
conductor Dc generator operates on the principal of dynamically induced emf in the
conductor.
o According to faraday ’s low, whenever there is a change in flux, emf induced in the coil.
o In DC generator, when armature winding is rotated by a prime mover, flux linked with it
changes and emf is dynamically induced into armature winding.
o It works based on the principle of Faraday law of electromagnetic induction.
o This EMF can be generated when there is either relative space or relative time variation
between the conductor and magnetic field.
o Generators are basically coils of electric conductors, normally copper wire, that is tightly
wound onto a metal core and is mounted to turn around inside an exhibit of large magnets.
o An electric conductor moves through a magnetic field, the magnetism will interface with the
electrons in the conductor to induce a flow of electrical current inside it.

3 Types of DC Generators
DC generators are categorized into three main types based on the methods of
field excitation: Permanent Magnet, Separately Excited, and Self-Excited
DC generators. The first type excites the field coils by using Permanent
magnets, while the separately excited one includes an external force for
excitation. A self-excited DC generator includes another generator itself and
field coils excited by it. The diagram for DC generator types is as below, and
the permanent magnet field is not included because of not widely used in the
industry.

DC generators are mainly categorised into three types based on the field
excitation methods. They are Permanent Magnet DC generator, Separately
Excited DC generator, and Self-Excited DC generator.

Separately Excited DC Generator

A type of DC generator in which the field winding to produces the magnetic
field is excited from a separate (or external) source of DC supply is called
a separately excited DC generator.
The circuit diagram of a typical separately excited DC generator is shown in
the figure-1. It consists of a field winding that is supplied by a DC source
like a battery through a variable resistor. The armature winding is directly
connected across the load to which the generated electric power is supplied.
In practice, the magnitude of the generated voltage of separately excited
generated is regulated in two ways:
 By changing the field current (magnetic flux). Where, the greater the
field current, the higher will be the generated voltage.
 By changing the speed of armature rotation. Where, if the speed of
rotation of armature is more, the generated voltage is also high.

1. Armature current of the generator equal the current of the load.

 i.e. in the case of a separately excited DC generator, the armature current
and load current are the same.
2. Terminal voltage of the
generator

3. Total electric power

generated by the generator

4. The power delivered to the

load by the separately
excited DC generator

Self-Excited DC Generator
A type of DC generator in which the field winding is excited by a part of the
power produced by the generator itself is called a self-excited DC generator.
Therefore, it is one major advantage of a self-excited DC generator that it
does not require any external source of power for the field winding
excitation.
The self-excited DC generators are of three types according to the
connection arrangement of field winding and armature winding.
I. Series DC Generator.
II. Shunt DC Generator.
III. Compound DC Generator.

Series DC Generator
A series DC generator is the one in which the field winding is connected in
the series with the armature winding. The figure-2 shows a circuit diagram
of a typical series DC generator.
From the figure, it is clear that the whole armature current flows through the
series field winding and the load. Therefore, the field winding of a DC series
generator is made with thick wire and few turns.
With the help of the circuit diagram of the series
DC generator, we can write the important
expression of a DC generator as follows:

1. Armature current of the DC series generator is,

2. Terminal voltage of the DC series generator is,

3. Total power produced by the generator is,

4. Power delivered to the load by the generator is,

In practice, the series DC generators are used in locomotives for

regenerative braking, as boosters in signal transmission, etc.

Shunt DC Generator
A shunt DC generator is the one in which the armature winding and field
are connected in parallel. Thus, in this generator, the terminal voltage and
the voltage across the shunt field winding are the same. Therefore, the field
winding of a DC shunt generator contains a large number of turns of thin
wire so a minimum current flow through it. The circuit diagram of a shunt
DC generator is shown in the figure-3.

1. Armature current of shunt DC generator is,

2. The current through the shunt field winding is

3. Terminal voltage of a shunt DC generator is,

4. Total power generated by the shunt DC generator is,

5. Power delivered to the load by the generator is

The DC shunt generators are used in general lighting, battery charging,

excitation of synchronous machines, electrolytic processes, etc.
 Compound DC Generator
As the name implies, a compound DC generator is a compound of series
and shunt generators, i.e. it has both series and shunt field winding to
produce the required magnetic field in the machine.
Depending on the connection arrangement of series and shunt field
windings, the compound DC generators are of two types namely,
 Short-Shunt Compound Generator
 Long-Shunt Compound Generator
Short-Shunt Compound DC Generator
In the short-shunt compound DC generator, the shunt field winding is
connected in parallel with the armature, and then with this combination, a
series field winding is connected as shown in the figure-4.
1. Armature current of a short shunt
generator is,

2. Shunt field current of the short shunt

generator is,

3. Voltage across the load terminals of a short shunt generator is,

Long-Shunt Compound DC Generator

When the series combination of the armature and the series field winding is
connected in parallel with the shunt field winding, we call this a long-shunt
compound generator. The circuit diagram of a long-shunt compound DC
compound generator is shown in figure-5.
1. Armature current of long shunt
compound generator is,

2. Shunt field current of the long shunt

compound generator is,

3. Voltage across the load terminals of the long shunt compound generator
is,
Note: Both short-shunt and long-shunt compound generators may be further
classified into two types namely Cumulative Compound
Generator and Differentially Compound Generator. In the cumulatively
compound generator, the field of the shunt and series assist each other,
whereas, in a differentially compound generator, the fluxes of the series field
and shunt field oppose each other.
The cumulatively compound generators are used in lighting and power
supply applications. While the differentially compound generators are
mainly used in arc welding applications.

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DC Machines Applications:
DC machines are essential in many applications with high starting torque
and accurate speed control over a wide range. Major applications for DC
motors are elevators, steel mills, rolling mills, excavators, elevators, and
locomotives. Also used in portable applications using battery power, DC
motors are a natural choice.
Like other rotating machines, DC motors result from the interaction of two
magnets. DC motors result from the interaction of two magnets. The
interaction is best understood as one of like poles repelling (north poles repel
north poles, south poles repel south poles).
One magnet is attached to the frame of the motor and is produced by the
current in the field windings. The other magnet results from the current in
the armature windings.
Separately excited DC motors are often used as actuators in trains and
automotive traction applications. For their constant speed characteristics,
shunt DC motors are used in fixed-speed applications such as fans. square of
armature current), they can be used in applications that require high starting
torque.
Series DC motors are used in applications where high starting torque is
required. Series DC motors are used in cranes and hoists. Series DC motors
are used in electric tractions. They are used in air compressors.

Shunt DC motors are utilized in Centrifugal Pumps, Lifts, Weaving

Machines, Lathe Machines, Blowers, Fans, Conveyors, Spinning Machines,
and other applications where a consistent speed is required. As a result, this
is all about a DC shunt motor overview.
Compound DC motors are used in those applications which require high
starting torque and constant speed. Used in printing presses, elevators, and
lifts. They are also used in shears.

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