Magnetization Curve of a DC Machine

The magnetization curve is of great importance because it represents the

saturation level in the magnetic system of the dc machine.
The magnetizing curve is obtained experimentally by rotating the dc-machine
at a given speed and measuring the open-circuit armature terminal voltage as
the current in the field winding is changed.

N3 < N2 < N1

1
 Classification of DC Machines
There are four major types of dc generators, classified according to the manner in
which their field flux is produced (i.e. according to the connection of the field
winding with armature).
DC Machines

2
I- Separately Excited DC Generator
In a separately excited generator, the field flux is derived from a separate
power source independent of the generator itself.

Ra Ia = I L

If Rf

Vf Ea Vt RL
Lf

3
 Terminal Characteristics of a Separately
Excited DC Generator
Vt
Vt
Ea Ea
Ia Ra drop Ia Ra drop

AR drop

IL

Without compensating winding With compensating winding

4
 Example (1)
Ia IL

Vf Ra
Rf
Ea Vt
Lf

The magnetization curve for the shown separately excited dc generator is

shown in Fig. The generator is rated at 172kW, 430V and 1800rpm.

(a) If the variable resistor Radj in this generators field circuit is adjusted to
63 and the generators prime mover is driving it at 1600rpm, what is the
generators no-load terminal voltage?

5
(b) What would its voltage be if a 360A load
were connected to its terminals? Assume
that the generator has compensating
windings.

(c) What would its voltage be if a 360A load

were connected to its terminals but the
generator does not have compensating
windings? Assume that its armature reaction
at this load is 450 AT.

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(d) What adjustment could be made to the generator to restore its terminal
voltage to the value found in part a?

(e) How much field current would be needed to restore the terminal voltage
to its no-load value? (Assume that the machine has compensating windings.)
What is the required value for the resistor Radj to accomplish this?

7
 II- Self Excited Generators
A- Shunt Generator
Ra Ia IL

If
Rf

Ea Vt
Lf

If the generator supplies its own field current, how does it get the initial
field flux to start when it is first turned on? 8
 Voltage Build-up in Shunt Generator

Vt
Rf
If

These steps are drawn in to make obvious the positive feedback between the
generator's internal voltage and its field current. In a real generator, the voltage
does not build up in discrete steps: Instead both Ea and If increase simultaneously
until steady-state conditions are reached, 9
 What if a shunt generator is started and no voltage builds up? What could be
wrong? There are several possible causes for the voltage to fail to build up
during starting, Among them are;

1- Residual magnetic flux

a-

b-

2- Critical Field Resistance

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 3- Critical Speed

Vt
Terminal Characteristics
of Shunt Generator

11
Voltage Control for a Shunt DC Generator
There are two ways to control the voltage of a shunt generator:
1. Change the shaft speed of the generator.
2. Change the field resistor of the generator, thus changing the field current.

The Analysis of Shunt Generators

12
 Graphical Derivation of the Terminal
Characteristic of a Shunt DC Generator

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 The Analysis of Shunt Generator with AR
If the resistive voltage drop IaRa is known, and the demagnetizing mmf of the armature current
is known. The terminal voltage of this generator must be large enough to supply the generator's
flux after the demagnetizing effects of armature reaction have been subtracted. To meet this
requirement both the armature reaction mmf and the IaRa drop must fit between the Ea line and
the Vt line. To determine the output voltage for a given mmf, simply locate the place under the
magnetization curve where the triangle formed by the armature reaction and IaRa effects exactly
fits between the line of possible Vt values and the line of possible Ea values.

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B- Series Generator Ia If IL

Ra Rs Ls

Ea Vt

Terminal Characteristics of Series Generator

Vt

Ia (Ra+ Rs ) drop

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 Shunt and Series Field Windings
Shunt Field Winding

Series Field Winding

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Cumulative and Differential
Field Flux

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C- Compound Generator
i- Long Shunt
Ia IL

Ra Rs Ls
Rf
If
Ea Vt
Lf

In a cumulatively compounded generator, both a shunt and a series field are present,
and their effects are additive.
In a differentially compounded generator, both a shunt and a series field are present,
but their effects are subtractive.

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C- Compound Generator
ii- Short Shunt
Ia Ra Rs Ls IL

If Rf
Ea Vt
Lf

net sh s AR
Ea K a (sh s )
N f I f N s I L AR

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Terminal Characteristics of
Compound Generators
Vt

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Cumulative Compound DC Generator
with a Series Diverter Resistor
It is also possible to realize all these voltage characteristics in a single generator
if a diverter resistor is used.
A diverter resistor is connected around the series field. If the resistor Rdiv is adjusted to a large
value, most of the armature current flows through the series field coil, and the generator is
overcompound. On the other hand, if the resistor Rdiv is adjusted to a small value, most of the
current flows around the series field through Rdiv , and the generator is undercompound. It can
be smoothly adjusted with the resistor to have any desired amount of compounding.

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Possible Applications of DC Generators
1- Separately Excited and Shunt Generators
Lighting systems, power supply, battery chargers.
2- Series Generators
Boosters in DC distribution systems in railway service.

3- Compound Generators
A- Cumulative Compound

Lamp loads, heavy power service such as electric railway.

B- Differential Compound
Arc welding.
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 Voltage Regulation
DC generators are compared by their voltages, power ratings, efficiencies,
and voltage regulation.

Voltage regulation (VR) is defined as: It is the change in terminal voltage

when the load is switched off.

Therefore, voltage regulation is a measure of the voltage drop inside a

generator due to its internal resistance.

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Power Flow, Losses and Efficiency

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 Example (2)
The magnetization curve for a separately
excited dc generator is shown in Fig. The
generator is rated at 6 kW, 120V, 50A and
1800rpm and is shown in Fig. Its field circuit Ea Vt
is rated at 5A and has 1000 turns/pole.
Radj = 0 to 30
(a) If this generator is operating at no load.
what is the range of voltage adjustments
that can be achieved by changing Radj ?

(b) If the field rheostat is allowed to vary from

0 to 30 and the generators speed is allowed
to vary from 1500 to 2000 rpm. what are the
maximum and minimum no-load voltages in
the generator? 25
(c) If the armature current of the generator is 50 A, the speed is 1700 rpm,
and the terminal voltage is 106 V, how much field current must be flowing
in the generator?

(d) Assuming that the generator has an armature reaction at full load
equivalent to 400 AT of mmf. What will the terminal voltage of the generator
be when If = 5A, N = 1700 rpm, and Ia = 50 A?

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 Example (3)
The machine in Example (2) is reconnected as
a shunt generator as shown. The shunt field
resistor Radj is adjusted to 10 and the
generator speed is 1800 rpm.

(a) What is the no-load terminal voltage of the

generator?

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(b) Assuming no armature reaction, what
is the terminal voltage of the generator
with an armature current of 20 A? 40 A?

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 (c) Assuming an armature reaction equal to 300AT at full load, what is the terminal
voltage of the generator with an armature current of 20A?

The rated current of this

generated is 50 A, so 20 A is
40% of full load. If the full load
armature reaction is 200AT,
and if the armature reaction is
assumed to change linearly with
armature current, then the
armature reaction will be 80
AT. The figure below shows that
a triangle consisting of 3.6V
and (80 AT)/1000 = 0.08A fits
exactly between the Ea and Vt
lines at a terminal voltage of
103V.

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(d) Calculate and plot the terminal characteristics of this generator with
and without armature reaction.

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