Electrical Machines

B.Sc. Electrical
Engineering

Lecture #
DC Motor Speed Control

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Learning Objectives

Speed Control of:

1. DC Shunt Motors

2. DC Series Motors

3. DC Compound Motors

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 SPEED CONTROL OF DC SHUNT
MOTORS
(1) Speed Control by Flux

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N α E b/ Ф
N = K (V – Ia Ra) / Ф -- for shunt motor
N α E b/ Ф
If RF↑ then IF↓, Φ↓,N↑, Hence N α RF
• Provides speed above the normal speed.
• When field resistance increases, then the
field current decreases (IF = V / RF) and vice
versa.
• When field current decrease, then
flux decreases and then speed increases.
• Speed control is independent of load
on machine.
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(2) Speed Control by Armature Resistance

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N α E b/ Ф
If RC↑ then [V- Ia (Ra + R c)↓, then Eb↓, N ↓
Hence N α 1 / RC
• Provides speed below the normal speed
• Highest speed can be obtained when
controller resistance (Rc) = 0
• Output and efficiency of the motor is
reduced.
Why output and efficiency low?
If RC ↑ then [V- I a (Ra + R c) ↓, then E
b ↓, then 6
(3) Multiple Voltage Control Method
• Shunt field of the motor is
connected permanently across a fixed voltage
source.
• Armature is connected across several
different voltages through suitable switchgear.
• Speed will be approximately proportional to
the applied voltage across the armature.
N α E b/ Ф
If V armature ↑, Eb ↑, N ↑
Hence N α V armature
Why O/P and efficiency high?
V ↑,E b ↑, I a E b (Pm) ↑ and Hence η ↑ 7
 SPEED CONTROL OF DC SERIES
MOTORS
(1) Flux Control Method
N α E b/ Ф

N = K (V – Ia Ra - Ia R se) / Ф
• Flux can be controlled by:

1. Field Diverter

2. Tapped Field
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Field diverter
• A variable resistor connected in parallel
with field to control field current and flux
If FDR (field diverter resistance)↑, IF ↑, Φ ↑,
N ↓ and hence N α 1 / FDR

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• Provides speed above the normal speed.

• Lowest speed is obtained when the diverter is

open (FDR = infinity).
• Maximum speed is obtained when diverter
is short circuited (FDR = 0).
• Series field diverter method is used in electric
traction.

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Tapped field Control
N α E b/ Ф

Field winding turns ↓, Φ ↓, N ↑

Hence N α 1 / FWT
• When we reduce field winding turns (FWT), then
less voltage appears across it which results in less
field excitation and hence less main field flux.
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(2) Armature Resistance Control Method

N α E b/ Ф
If R ↑, then V ↓, then E b and N ↓
Hence N α 1 / Ra
• Most commonly used method for speed
control of series motors.
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 SPEED CONTROL OF DC COMPOUND
MOTORS
1. Armature Resistance Control Method
A resistance is inserted in the armature
circuit to reduce the speed.
N α E b/ Ф

If R↑, then [V – Ia (Ra + Rse + R)] ↓, then Eb

↓
and finally N ↓.
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Hence N α 1 / R
2. Shunt Field Resistance Control Method
A resistance is connected in series with the
shunt winding or a resistance in parallel with
series winding is connected to increase the
speed of the compound motor.
N α E b/ Ф

If R shunt, se ↑, then I F ↓, then Φ ↓, and N ↑

Hence N α R shunt, se
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