DC Generator Characteristics

DC Generator Characteristics
D.C. Generator Characteristics

The following are the three most important
characteristics in a D.C. generator:
1. Open Circuit Characteristics (Eo/IF)

2. Internal Characteristics (E/Ia)
3. External Characteristics (V/Ia)
Critical Resistance for shunt Generator
Critical field resistance is a term that is associated with a DC Shunt generator. The
value of resistance of shunt field winding beyond which the self generator fails to
build up its voltage is known as critical resistance
At a given speed, it is the maximum field resistance with which the shunt generator
excite. Shunt generator will build up voltage only if field circuit resistance is less
than critical field resistance.
How to Draw O.C.C. at Different Speeds?
If we are given O.C.C. of a generator at a constant speed N1 then we can easily
draw the O.C.C. at any other constant speed N2.Fig (3.11) illustrates the
procedure. Here we are given O.C.C. at a constant speed N1.It is desired to find
the O.C.C. at constant speed N2 (it is assumed that N1 < N2). For constant
excitation, E α N.
E2/E1=N2/N1
As shown in Fig. (3.11), for If = OH, E1 = HC. Therefore, the new value of e.m.f.
(E2) for the same If but at N2i.
E2=HC ×( N2/N1) = HD
Critical Speed (NC)
The critical speed of a shunt generator is the minimum speed below which it fails to
excite.
Therefore , Speed α Critical resistance
In order to find critical speed, take any convenient point C on excitation
axis and erect a perpendicular so as to cut Rsh and R’sh lines at points B and
A respectively. Then,
BC/AC =NC/N
or NC = N ×(BC/AC)
Residual Magnetism
• In ferromagnetic materials, the magnetic power and the

generated voltage increases with the increase of the
current flow through the coils.
• When current is reduced to zero, there is still magnetic
power left in those coils core. This phenomenon is called
residual magnetism.
• The core of a DC machine is made of ferromagnetic
material.
Conditions for Voltage Build-Up of a Shunt
Generator
The necessary conditions for voltage build-up in a shunt generator are:
(i) There must be some residual magnetism in generator poles.
(ii) The connections of the field winding should be such that the field current
strengthens the residual magnetism.
(iii) The resistance of the field circuit should be less than the critical resistance. In
other words, the speed of the generator should be higher than the critical speed.
Armature Reaction in a DC
Generator
• The armature reaction simply shows the effect of
armature field on the main field.
• In other words, the armature reaction represents the
impact of the armature flux on the main field flux.
• The armature field is produced by the armature
conductors when current flows through them. And the
main field is produced by the magnetic poles.
• The armature flux causes two effects on the main field
flux.
➢ The armature reaction distorted the main field flux.
➢ It reduces the magnitude of the main field flux.
Armature Reaction (in other words..)
➢ The effect of magnetic field set up by armature
current on the distribution of flux under main poles
of a generator. The armature magnetic field has two
effects:
(i) It demagnetizes or weakens the main flux
(ii) It cross-magnetizes or distorts.

How To Reduce Armature Reaction?
• Usually, no special efforts are taken for small
machines (up to few kilowatts) to reduce the
armature reaction.
• But for large DC machines, compensating
winding and interpoles are used to get rid of
the ill effects of armature reaction.
Compensating winding: Now we know that the armature reaction is
due to the presence of armature flux. Armature flux is produced due to
the current flowing in armature conductors. Now, if we place another
winding in close proximity of the armature winding and if it carries the
same current but in the opposite direction as that of the armature
current, then this will nullify the armature field. Such an additional
winding is called as compensating winding and it is placed on the pole
faces. Compensating winding is connected in series with the armature
winding in such a way that it carries the current in opposite direction.
Interpoles: Interpoles are the small auxiliary poles placed between the
main field poles. Winding on the interpoles is connected in series with
the armature. Each interpole is wound in such a way that its magnetic
polarity is same as that of the main pole ahead of it. Interpoles nullify
the quadrature axis armature flux.
Open circuit characteristics of Separately Excited D.C.
Generator
Internal Or Total Characteristic (E/Ia)
•An internal characteristic curve shows the relation
between the on-load generated emf (Eg) and the
armature current (Ia).
•The on-load generated emf Eg is always less than
E0 due to the armature reaction.
•Eg can be determined by subtracting the drop due
to demagnetizing effect of armature reaction from
no-load voltage E0.
•Therefore, internal characteristic curve lies below
the O.C.C. curve.
External Characteristic (V/IL)
•An external characteristic curve shows the relation
between terminal voltage (V) and the load current (IL).
Terminal voltage V is less than the generated emf Eg due
to voltage drop in the armature circuit.
•Therefore, external characteristic curve lies below the
internal characteristic curve.
•External characteristics are very important to determine
the suitability of a generator for a given purpose.
•Therefore, this type of characteristic is sometimes also
called as performance characteristic or load
characteristic.
Internal and External Characteristics
• If there is no armature reaction and armature voltage
drop, the voltage will remain constant for any load
current. Thus, the straight line AB in above figure
represents the no-load voltage vs. load current IL.
• Due to the demagnetizing effect of armature reaction, the
on-load generated emf is less than the no-load voltage.
The curve AC represents the on-load generated emf Eg
vs. load current IL i.e. internal characteristic (as Ia =
IL for a separately excited dc generator).
• Also, the terminal voltage is lesser due to ohmic drop
occurring in the armature and brushes. The curve AD
represents the terminal voltage vs. load current i.e.
external characteristic.
• During a normal running condition, when load resistance
is decreased, the load current increases. But, as we go
on decreasing the load resistance, terminal voltage also
falls.
• So, load resistance can be decreased up to a certain
limit, after which the terminal voltage drastically
decreases due to excessive armature reaction at very
high armature current and increased I2R losses.
• Hence, beyond this limit any further decrease in load
resistance results in decreasing load current.
• Consequently, the external characteristic curve turns
back as shown by dotted line in the above figure.
• The curve AB in above figure identical to open circuit
characteristic (O.C.C.) curve. This is because in DC
series generators field winding is connected in series
with armature and load. Hence, here load current is
similar to field current (i.e. IL=If).
• The curve OC and OD represent internal and external
characteristic respectively.
• In a DC series generator, terminal voltage increases with
the load current. This is because, as the load current
increases, field current also increases.
• However, beyond a certain limit, terminal voltage starts
decreasing with increase in load. This is due to
excessive demagnetizing effects of the armature
reaction.
The above figure shows the external characteristics of DC
compound generators. If series winding amp-turns are adjusted so
that, increase in load current causes increase in terminal voltage
then the generator is called to be over compounded. The external
characteristic for over compounded generator is shown by the
curve AB in above figure.
If series winding amp-turns are adjusted so that, the terminal
voltage remains constant even the load current is increased, then
the generator is called to be flat compounded. The external
characteristic for a flat compounded generator is shown by the
curve AC.
If the series winding has lesser number of turns than that would be
required to be flat compounded, then the generator is called to be
under compounded. The external characteristics for an under
compounded generator are shown by the curve AD.
Applications of D.C Generators
Separately excited generators
i) These are used for speed control of D.C motors over a large range.
ii) These are used in areas where a wide range of terminal voltage is required
Self excited generators
i) shunt generators :-
i) These are used as exciters for exciting the field of synchronous machines and separately
excited D.C generators
ii) These are used for battery charging because it’s terminal voltage are almost constant or
can be kept constant.
ii) series generators:-
i) These are used for series arc lighting
ii) Series incandescent lighting
iii) As a series booster for increasing the voltage across the feeder to compensate the
resistance drop of the line. because of their rising characteristic.
iv) Special purposes such as supplying the field current for regenerative breaking of
D.C locomotives (railway service).
v) Constant current for welding.
iii) compound generators:-

i) Compound generators are used where constant terminal voltages have to be
maintained for different loading conditions.
ii) Cumulatively compound generators:-These are for domestic lighting purposes and
to transmit energy over long distance and for heavy power service such as electric
railways.
iii) Differential compound generator:- The use of this type of generators is very rare
and it is used for special application like arc welding.

DC Generator Characteristics

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DC Generator Characteristics

D.C. Generator Characteristics

1. Open Circuit Characteristics (Eo/IF)

• In ferromagnetic materials, the magnetic power and the

(i) There must be some residual magnetism in generator poles.

(ii) It cross-magnetizes or distorts.

Self excited generators

iii) compound generators:-

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