Vietnamese German University Binh Duong, Faculty of Engineering,

Laboratory Fundamentals of Power Engineering

Experiment GG: CHARACTERISTICS OF D.C. GENERATORS

1 Aims of the Experiment

D.C. generators are still used in isolated applications far from an a.c.-current grid. The d.c.
machines show the principle function of electrical machines - magnetic and electric fields or
circuits as well as torque generation - in the easiest way. Very important are the load charac -
teristic and the regulation curve.
For better understanding of the function of d.c. machines
- the no-load characteristic
- the load characteristic and
- the regulation curve
will be determined during this experiment.

2 Tasks for Preparation

Have the meaning of the terminal markings in your mind.

What are the preconditions of using Wheatstone or Thomson bridges for measuring the resis-
tance of windings? (Have a look to the basics!)
Know the no-load characteristic, the load characteristic and the regulation curve of d.c. gen-
erators in a qualitative way.
You have to determine the no-load characteristic: What is the reason that it isn’t allowed to
change the direction of current variation?
What are the reasons for decreasing the load characteristic versus the load current?
Find the formula for the calculation of the armarture resistance after heating by the armature
current by means of the temperature difference.

3 Execution of the Experiment

3.1 You should copy the diagram paper to represent all results of your experiment.
Write the data of the rating plate of the separately excited d.c. generator in the signed
free space.
Write all the measured values inside the prepared tables.

3.2 Measure the resistance of all windings of the d.c. generator before starting the experi-
ment (cold resistances) by means of the Thomson or the Wheatstone bridge and record
the room temperature.

3.3 Measuring of the No-Load Characteristic:

Measure at the d.c. generator under no-load conditions the output voltage UA0 at the
terminals of the armature winding versus the excitation current IE. Record the speed n
during the experiment.
Starting with IE = 0 increase the excitation current until 30% over the nominal voltage
UAN. Change in an analogous way the decreasing excitation current until IE = 0 is
reached again.
During the experiment the measured values of exitation current IE and output voltage
UA0 should be immediately drawn in a diagram to remark wrong measured values.
Attention:
 In the ascending branch of the characteristic the excitation current IE is only allowed
to incraese. The opposite behaviour is to secure in the descending branch of the char-
acteristic.

3.4 Measuring of the Load Characteristic:

Measure under different load

0%, as well as about 25%, 50%, 75%, 100% and 120% of IAN

inside the armature circuit of the d.c. generator

- the output voltage UA
- the armature current IA
- the excitation current IEN and
- the speed n of the shaft.

3.5 Measuring of the Regulation Curve:

Measure under different load

0%, as well as about 25%, 50%, 75%, 100% (and 120%) of IAN

inside the armature circuit of the d.c. generator

- the constant output voltage UAN
- the armature current IA
- the excitation current IE and
- the speed n of the shaft.

3.6 Measure the resistance of all windings of the d.c. generators immediately after the end
of the experiment (warm resistance).

4 Evaluation of the Experiment (Report)

4.1 Comment the values of the winding resistances. Give reasons for the use of this kind
of measuring bridge.

4.2 Draw the diagram of the characteristic of the no-load voltage UA0 versus the excita-
tion current IE.

4.3 Draw the load characteristic UA = f(IA) for a constant excitation current IE. Discuss the
reasons for this behaviour.

4.4 Draw the diagram for the regulation curve IE = f(IA) für a constant armature voltage
UA = UAN and discuss this behaviour.

4.5 Calculate the relative voltage drop ΔUA in relation to the nominal voltage UAN over
the armature cold resistance at an armature-winding temperature of 75°C.