Unit 2: Engineering Science

Unit code: L/601/1404

QCF Level: 4
Credit value: 15
OUTCOME 3

TUTORIAL 4 - DIRECT CURRENT MOTORS AND GENERATORS

SYLLABUS

Be able to apply DC theory to solve electrical and electronic engineering problems

DC electrical principles: refresh idea of resistors in series and parallel; use of Ohm’s and
Kirchhoff’s laws; voltage and current dividers; review of motor and generator principles e.g. series,
shunt; circuit theorems e.g. superposition, Thevenin, Norton and maximum power transfer for
resistive circuits only;
fundamental relationships e.g. resistance, inductance, capacitance, series C-R circuit, time constant,
charge and discharge curves of capacitors, L-R circuits

You should already be familiar with the basic principles.

CONTENTS

1. The General Principles Of D.C. Motors

1.1 Force on a Conductor
1.2 Torque on A Loop
1.3 Terminology Used
1.4 Theory
1.5 Losses Due to Armature Resistance

2. Motor Field Winding Configurations

2.1 Series Motor
2.2 Shunt Motor
2.3 Compound Motor
2.4 Starting Large D.C. Motors

3. The Generator Principle

3.1 EMF in a Conductor
3.2 Construction of a Simple Generator
3.3 D.C. Generation
3.4 Power Loss
3.5 Theory Section

4. Generator Configurations
4.1 Separately Excited
4.2 Shunt Wound
4.3 Series Wound
4.4 Compound Winding
1. THE GENERAL PRINCIPLES OF D.C. MOTORS

1.1 FORCE ON A CONDUCTOR

A major discovery leading to the invention of the electric motor was that a conductor placed in a magnetic
field experiences a force when current flows in it. Consider a conductor placed in a gap between the poles of
a magnet. When current passes through the conductor, we have two magnetic fields, the circular lines
around the conductor and the parallel lines between the poles. The lines of magnetism between the north
and south poles would rather pass over the top of the conductor because both lines are in the same direction
on top. The lines behave like elastic bands and force the conductor down. If the direction of either the
current or the magnetic field is reversed, the force will act up.

The force on the conductor is directly proportional to the current ‘I’ , the magnetic flux density ‘B’ and the
length ‘l’ of the conductor within the flux. This is the important equation for the force on a conductor.
F=BlI

1.2 TORQUE ON A LOOP

This principle may be used to produce a simple electric

motor. Consider a single loop coil of diameter D placed in
the magnetic field as shown. The current flows into one
side and out of the other. This produces a downwards
force on one side and an upwards force on the other at a
radius D/2. This produces a torque on the coil of T = F
D/2. This will make the loop rotate and but when it turns
90o the radius is zero and the torque is zero so it will
stop.

If we reverse the current as it passes the 90 o position the

torque will continue to make it rotate. Switching the
direction of the current every half rotation will produce
continuous rotation. This can be done with a split ring as
shown.

The design is further improved by using several loops and more magnets and switching the current to the
loops within the flux. The split ring becomes a commutator with many segments. Each pair of segments is
connected to a loop and each pair in turn becomes connected to the brushes as it rotates.

A practical D.C. motor has two main parts, the STATOR and
ROTOR. Normally, many conductors are wound lengthwise in
slots on the rotor as shown in the cross section. The magnets or
poles are placed in the stator. When current is supplied to the loops,
the magnetic field produced interacts with the field from the poles
producing torque and rotation. In order to keep the process going,
the current must be switched to the loops moving into position
under the poles. This may be done with a COMMUTATOR and
BRUSHES but it can be done electronically.

© D.J.Dunn www.freestudy.co.uk 2
The pictures below show the main parts of a motor where the rotor is the armature.

The
magnetic
poles may
be
permanent
magnets
but in more
powerful motors they are electro-magnets with coils wound on
the poles called the FIELD WINDINGS. The stator and rotor
form a magnetic circuit and the flux crosses the loops on the armature as shown. The strength of the
magnetic flux can be changed by changing the current. The rotor in the diagram would be called the
ARMATURE.

You can see the typical construction and explanation at this web location.
http://www.wisc-online.com/objects/index_tj.asp?objID=IAU9508

The next diagram shows a typical schematic representation of a D.C.

motor. Current has to be supplied to the field windings to produce the
magnetic flux. Current must be supplied to the armature to
produce the torque. Note the brushes used to contact armature.

1.3 TERMINOLOGY USED

Ia = armature Current
V = Supply voltage
Ea = EMF at the armature.
Ra = resistance of the armature coils.
Ea = V - Ia Ra
If the armature windings were perfect conductors then Ea = V
If = Field current
T = Torque
N = rotor speed in rev/s

1.4 THEORY

The conductors in a motor pass through the flux from the poles and so an e.m.f. is generated in them that
opposes the flow of current from the source. The voltage applied at the terminals to make the motor rotate is
V and this must be larger than E to overcome the resistance of the armature and brushes so it follows that V
= Ea + Ia Ra

If the conductor is part of a loop of radius D/2 (metres) then the torque produced is T = F D/2 (N m)

The force is F = B l v and B = /A where  is the flux in Weber and A the area of the flux path.
 ID
Substitute for F and B and T 
2A
For a given motor the only variables are the flux and the armature current so the equation reduces to
T = k1  Ia ................ (1)
The electric power consumed by the armature is P = Ea Ia

© D.J.Dunn www.freestudy.co.uk 3
The mechanical power produced is P = T = 2NT
Where  is the speed in radians/s and N is the speed in rev/s. Note that  = 2N

Equating mechanical and electric power we have 2NT = IaEa

Ea = 2NT/Ia ........(2a)
or T = IaEa /2N ......(2b)

Since T = k1Ia we may substitute into (2a) Ea = k12N = K2 N ......(2)

1.5 LOSSES DUE TO ARMATURE RESISTANCE

The armature circuit has a resistance mainly due to the resistance of the copper windings and brushes. This
is denoted Ra. The emf (Ea) of the armature is the terminal voltage V minus the resistance loss, hence:
Ea = V - IaRa ............................(3)
Substitute (2) for Ea and N = (V - IaRa)/2k1  ..........................(4)
V
Often the term IaRa is small in comparison to V and a close approximation is N 
k
These equations are the basis of the following work.

It was shown in tutorial 2 that the e.m.f. of the armature depends on the number of poles and the number
and type of windings on the armature. It was shown that :
Z P N Z N
E for wave winding. E for lap winding. For both, the only variables for a given
60 60
generator are the speed N and the flux . We could say E = k N 
P is the number of pole pairs and Z is the total number of conductors.
Z = number of slots x number of conductors per slot.

WORKED EXAMPLE No. 1

A d.c. motor is connected to a 400V supply and takes 40 Amps. The armature resistance is 0.3 Ω. The
motor has 4 poles wave wound with 444 conductors. The useful flux per pole is 0.025 Wb. Calculate the
e.m.f. on the armature and the motor speed.

E = V - Ia Ra = 400 - (40 x 0.3) = 388V

Z P N 444 x 2 x N x 0.025
E 388  N = 1049 rev/min
60 60

WORKED EXAMPLE No. 2

A d.c. motor runs at 600 rev/min and is supplied at 300 V. Calculate the approximate speed when the
supply is reduced to 200 V and the flux is reduced by 30%.

SOLUTION
V 300 300
N1  600  1  k1 
k1 k1 600
V 200 200
N2  2    571 rev/min
k2 k1x 0.7 300 x 0.7
600
Note the solution is unaffected by using rev/min

© D.J.Dunn www.freestudy.co.uk 4
 2. MOTOR FIELD WINDING CONFIGURATIONS

There are various ways of arranging the field windings and armature but the two most common ways are in
SERIES, SHUNT and a combination called COMPOUND. You need to study this carefully.

2.1 SERIES MOTOR

In this case, the field winding is in series with the armature.

The same current flows through the armature and the field
winding.
The mechanical power of any rotor is P = 2NT
The electric power of any rotor is ideally P = Ea Ia
Equating and rearranging we see that T = EaIa /2N
If the electric power is constant, EaIa are constant so T = Constant /N
This means that for a constant electrical power the speed would increase as the load is removed and
decrease as the load increases as shown by the graph.
DISADVANTAGE - At low torque (no load conditions) the motor is liable to over speed and become
damaged.
ADVANTAGE - At low speed there is a high torque (starting torque) which is ideal for servo applications.

WORKED EXAMPLE No. 3

A series wound motor produces 30 kW of mechanical power and is connected to a 250 V supply. The
motor runs at 800 rev/min when under load. The load is reduced to 200 N m and a resistance of 0.5  is
connected in series with the motor. Assuming no energy losses, calculate the speed.

SOLUTION

Initial conditions.
Motor current I = Power/Volts = 30 000/250 = 120 A
Mechanical power = 2NT/60 = 30 000 W
T = (30 000 x 60)/(2  x 800) = 358 N m.
T = K1 Ia Since flux is proportional to current and the field current is the armature current then T =
K Ia2
358 = K x 1202 K = 0.02486

Final conditions. Use the same value for K. T = 200 = 0.02486 Ia2
Ia = 89.7 Amps Input Power = V Ia = 250 x 89.7 = 22 423 Watts

Loss in 0.5 resistance is Ia2 R = 89.72 x 0.5 = 4 023 W

Useful Power = 22 423 - 4 023 = 18 400 Watts = 2NT/60

N = (18 400 x 60)/(2 x 200) = 878.5 rev/min

© D.J.Dunn www.freestudy.co.uk 5
 SELF ASSESSMENT EXERCISE No.1

1. A series motor is connected to a 500 V supply. The motor power output is 10 kW at 1200 rev/min. The
efficiency of the motor is 92 %.
Determine the current and torque. (21.74 A and 79.58 N m)

2. A series motor has an armature resistance of 0.5 ohms and a field resistance of 1 ohm. It is connected to
a 300 V supply and draws 50 Amperes from it. The motor runs at 1000 rev/min. The flux per pole is
0.03 Wb. The current is dropped to 25 Amperes and the flux per pole drops to 0.02 Wb. Determine the
speed of the motor under these conditions. (1 750rev/min)
3. A 250 V, 30 kW series motor runs at 800 rev/min on full load. A resistance of 0.5  is connected in
series with the motor and an output torque of 200 Nm is produced. Calculate the speed at this condition.
It may be assumed that there are no energy losses and that the field flux is directly proportional to
current.
(Ans. 878.5 rev/min)

4. The armature of a 200 V d.c. motor has a resistance of 0.4 . The no load armature current is 2.0 A.
When a torque is applied, the armature current increases to 50 A, and the speed is 1200 rev/min. Find
the no load speed stating any assumptions made.

(Ans.33200 rev/min)

© D.J.Dunn www.freestudy.co.uk 6
2.3 SHUNT MOTOR

In this case the field winding is connected in parallel

with the armature as shown. The field current is
constant so flux  cannot be changed except by
changing the supply voltage and so is regarded as
constant.

Ea = V - IaRa
T = k1 Ia so Ia = T/k1
Ea = V - TRa/k1 = k N
 is constant so everything is a constant except T and N.
For constant electrical power it follows that T = C1 - C2 N

This shows that at zero speed the starting torque is C 1 and as speed increases, the torque drops off. The
ideal Torque - Speed characteristic is as shown. In reality the line is curved down due to other effects not
considered.

WORKED EXAMPLE No. 4

A D.C. motor is shunt wound and is supplied with 400 V. The armature resistance is 1.2  and the field
winding has a resistance of 300 . When running with a torque of 70 Nm, the motor takes 19 Amps.
Determine the speed of the motor assuming the electrical power is converted into mechanical power
with 100% efficiency.

SOLUTION

The field is connected across the supply. The current taken by the field winding is
If = 400/300 = 1.333 amp
The current taken by the armature is hence 19 - 1.333 = 17.666 A

Ea = V - IaRa = 400 - 17.666 x 1.2 = 378.8 V

Electric power converted into mechanical power = E aIa = 378.8 x 17.666 = 6692 Watts
Assuming the conversion process is 100% the Mechanical power = 6692 W
2NT = 6692
N = 6692/(2T) = 6692/(2 x 70) = 15.21 rev/s or 912.9 rev/min

WORKED EXAMPLE No. 5

It is observed that the same motor as in the previous example has a torque of 105 Nm when it stalls.
Assuming the torque speed relationship is linear of the form T = C 1 - C2 N determine the constants c1
and C2.

SOLUTION

When N = 0, T = C1 = 105Nm
When N = 15.21 rev/s, T = 70 = 105 - C2(15.21) hence C2 = 2.3 Nm s/rev

© D.J.Dunn www.freestudy.co.uk 7
 WORKED EXAMPLE No. 6

Part 1. A D.C. motor is shunt wound and is supplied with 500 V. The armature resistance is 1.0 
and the field winding has a resistance of 500 . When running with a torque of 100 Nm, the motor
takes 21 Amps. Determine the speed of the motor.

SOLUTION

The field is connected across the supply. The current taken by the field winding is
If = 500/500 = 1 amp
The current taken by the armature is hence 21 - 1 = 20 amps.
Ea = V - IaRa = 500 - 20x1 = 480 V
Electric power converted into mechanical power = E aIa = 480 x 20 = 9600 Watts
Assuming the conversion process is 100% the Mechanical power = 9600
2NT = 9600

N = 9600/(2T) = 9600/(2 x 100) = 15.27 rev/s or 916.6 rev/min

Part 2. The field current remains unchanged and the torque is increased to 120 Nm. Determine the new
speed.

SOLUTION

Torque = K1 Ia Since the flux is constant then T = KIa

From the first set of data we have 100 = K x 20 so K = 5
For the second set of data we have 120 = kIa = 5 x Ia
Ia = 24 amps. E = 500 - 24 x 1 = 476 V
Electric Power = 476 x 24 = 11 424 Watts
Equating to mechanical power 11 424 = 2NT = 2N x 120
N = 11 424/(2 x 120) = 15.15 rev/s or 909 rev/min

© D.J.Dunn www.freestudy.co.uk 8
2.4 COMPOUND MOTOR

The compound motor is a cross between the other two with both a
parallel and series field winding. For constant electric power, the
Torque - speed characteristic is between that of the other two.

SELF ASSESSMENT EXERCISE No. 2

1. A 230 V d.c. motor has a separate field coil with a constant current of 2.2 A. The armature resistance is
0.15 . The motor was tested with no load applied to the shaft. The armature current was found to vary
with armature voltage as follows.

Current 4.9 A 4.5 A 4.0 A 3.6 A

Volts 230 180 130 80

The speed at 230 V was 1150 rev/min. Determine the speeds at the other voltages.
(Ans. 890, 650, 400 rev/min)

2. The armature resistance of a 250 V d.c. shunt wound motor is 0.7  and the armature current is 2.0 A
when operating under no load conditions. A torque is then applied to the shaft and the armature current
rises to 60 A and the speed falls to 1000 rev/min. Determine the no load speed.
(Ans. 1200 rev/min)

3. Sketch the Speed - Torque characteristic for a series motor and shunt motor. Explain why the series
motor is more suited to traction and winching operations.

© D.J.Dunn www.freestudy.co.uk 9
2.5 STARTING LARGE D.C. MOTORS

Consider a basic D.C Motor. The terminal voltage is V. The back e.m.f
on the armature is E. The armature resistance is Ra. The field
resistance is Rf. The flux per pole is . N is the motor speed.

From earlier work it was shown that V = Ea + Ia Ra

Ea = K1 N
T = K2  If
When the motor is started, the speed is zero so there is no back e.m.f.

It follows that V = Ia Ra
The starting current without protection would be V/R a and this would be very large. In addition to this,
there will be a load with inertia connected to the motor and a large current is needed to provide the torque.

WORKED EXAMPLE No. 7

A motor with a separate field coil has a terminal voltage V = 400 V and an armature resistance of 0.2
Ω. Calculate the starting current in the armature.

SOLUTION

Ia = V/ Ra = 400/0.2 = 2000 Amps.

In order to limit the current, it is normal to insert a variable resistance in series with the armature which is
gradually reduced as the motor speeds up and then latched in place in the zero resistance position. In the
event of an interruption to the power, the starting resistance is unlatched and springs back to the starting
position. We should consider how the starting resistance is used with different motor field configurations.
The three types or configurations are shown below.

SERIES MOTOR
In the case of a series wound motor, the starting resistance is placed in series as shown.

SHUNT MOTOR
In the case of a shunt wound motor, the starting resistance is placed as shown so that the field is initially
connected to the supply and the armature is in series with it. As the motor speeds up the field resistance is
gradually increased and the resistance in series with the armature is reduced.

COMPOUND MOTOR
Compound motor has a starting resistance as shown.
© D.J.Dunn www.freestudy.co.uk 10
 SELF ASSESSMENT EXERCISE No. 3

1. Identify which of the diagrams shows a series, shunt and compound wound motor.

A B C

2. Identify which torque - speed graph represents series and shunt wound motors.

3. A 500V shunt wound d.c. motor has an armature resistance of 0.5 and a field coil resistance of 250.
Calculate the total current taken from the source at start up. What value resistance must be placed in
series with the armature to reduce the starting current to 50A? (9.917 )

© D.J.Dunn www.freestudy.co.uk 11
 3. THE GENERATOR PRINCIPLE

3.1 EMF IN A CONDUCTOR

Let's start by revising the basic principle. Consider a conductor

crossing a flux as shown. As it moves a voltage is generated in it. If
current is produced then the voltage will be reduced slightly by the
resistance of the conductor. The ELECTRO MOTIVE FORCE or
E.M.F. is the theoretical voltage as though the conductor had no
resistance and this is denoted with the symbol e. Note that e is used for e.m.f. when the values are
instantaneous and changing. E is used for a constant value.

The E.M.F. is directly proportional to the flux density B, the velocity v and the length of the conductor
within the flux ℓ. It follows that the e.m.f. is given by:
e=Bℓv
B = /A (tesla).  is the magnetic flux (Weber). A is the cross sectional area of the flux path (metres
squared).

3.2 CONSTRUCTION OF A SIMPLE GENERATOR

A simple generator may be produced by rotating a simple loop

of conducting wire in magnetic field as shown. In the
position shown one side of the loop is moving up and the other
down cutting the flux at a right angle. A voltage is
generated across the end of the loop. The current flowing from
the terminals is governed by the resistance connected
between them (e.g. the resistance of a light bulb). Two slip rings
and brushes are needed to connect the loop to the external circuit. At any other position of the loop the
conductors cut the flux at an angle. The voltage generated is directly proportional to the angle of the loop to
the flux ‘θ’. The output voltage is hence sinusoidal and alternating and given by the formula
V = Vmax Sin 
V max is the maximum voltage and  is the angle of rotation.

3.3 D.C. GENERATION

If the loop is connected to a split ring as shown, the polarity at the brushes is reversed every half revolution
and the output is a series of half sinusoidal waves.

© D.J.Dunn www.freestudy.co.uk 12
If many loops are used, the rotor becomes an armature. The split ring becomes a commutator. Each loop is
connected to a segment of a commutator. The output from the brushes will be a series of peaks from
successive loops and the output is a direct current with a ripple.

The single loops illustrated may be replaced by more complex arrangements of conductors in slots
connected to the segments of the commutator.

CROSS SECTION THROUGH TYPICAL GENERATOR AND A TYPICAL SMALL ARMATURE.

The diagram shows the construction and main parts of a d.c. generator. The yolk and frame form the body.
End caps have bearings in them to support the rotor shaft. In most cases the armature contains the slots and
conductors. The poles produce the flux and this could be from permanent magnets but much more likely
that they have field coils to produce the flux. The yolk carries the pole pieces and the field coils. There are
many types of construction and it is quite possible for the yolk to contain the conductors and the armature
the poles which may be permanent magnets or have field coils.

3.4 POWER LOSS

There are four internal losses that contribute to lower efficiency of a DC generator. - Copper losses -
Eddy-current losses - Hysteresis losses - Mechanical losses. The pole pieces and the armature are
constructed from laminated steel sheets to reduce energy loss through the generation of eddy currents in the
iron.

© D.J.Dunn www.freestudy.co.uk 13
3.5 THEORY SECTION

In theory the e.m.f. generated is e = B ℓ v

n is the number of conductors connected in series cutting the flux that connect to the brushes at any instant.
ℓ is the total length of conductors cutting the flux so ℓ= ℓ' n
ℓ' = length of one conductor within the flux.
B = /A
P = number of pole pairs so 2P is the number of poles.
p = pole width usually called the pitch.
Many text books will describe p as the circumference of the path divided by the number of poles which
implies that the flux entirely fills the air gap surrounding the circumference. In this case:
p = πD/2P
A is the area of the flux path from each pole so A = p ℓ'
N = speed in rev/min and D = mean diameter of the path of the conductor.

v = velocity of the conductor = circumference x speed = πDN/60

 πDN  πDN
e = B ℓ v  x ' n x  x ' n x
A 60 p' 60
 n πDN
e x p = πD/2P
p 60
2  P n πDN 2 n P N
E x  E is used in this context as the constant e.m.f. produced.
πD 60 60
The total number of conductors of length ℓ' is often designated Z.
Z = number of slots x number of conductors per slot.

The conductors are formed by loops or coils placed in the slots in either wave or lap formation (not
described here). For wave winding there are 2 parallel conductors in each slot. For lap winding there are 2P
parallel conductors in each slot. It follows that n = Z/2 for wave winding and n = Z/2P for lap winding.
Z P N Z N
E for wave winding. E for lap winding. For both, the only variables for a given
60 60
generator are the speed N and the flux . We could say E = k N 

WORKED EXAMPLE No. 8

A d.c. generator has 8 poles and the armature is wave wound. There are 48 slots in the armature with 6
conductors in each slot. The flux per pole is 0.02Wb. Calculate the e.m.f. produced at 300 rev/min.

SOLUTION

Z P N 288 x 4 x 300 x 0.02

Z = 6 x 48 = 288 P=4 E   115.2 V
60 60

© D.J.Dunn www.freestudy.co.uk 14
 SELF ASSESSMENT EXERCISE No.4

1. A d.c. generator has 8 poles and it is required to produce an e.m.f. of 260 V at 350 rev/min. The flux per
pole is 0.05 Wb and the armature has 120 slots. Calculate the number of conductors required in each slot
for wave and lap windings. (Answer 2 and 8 rounded up)

2. A 4 pole d.c. generator with separate excitation gives 410 V when on no load (open terminals) and
running at the design speed of 900 rev/min. Calculate the flux per pole if the armature is wave wound
with 39 slots each with 16 conductors. (0.0219 Wb)

4. GENERATOR CONFIGURATIONS

The schematic for a basic dc generator is shown with a load across the terminals. The armature resistance
represents the resistance of the loops or coils and the brushes.

The magnetic flux may be created by a permanent magnet but

field coils are the normal for large generators. The current to
energise the field coils could be supplied by the generator but
this means that a certain amount of permanent magnetism
would be needed to get the process started; otherwise an
external source of electricity would be needed.

There are four ways that the field coils may be arranged as
shown in the diagram below.

The e.m.f. produced can be controlled by the current supplied to the field coils. To do this some way of
controlling the field current is needed (such as a variable resistance). In the case of the series winding, the
current in the field coil is the same as the load current and this implies that the e.m.f will vary with load.

4.1 SEPARATELY EXCITED

If the field current and speed is constant then E is a constant. The voltage
over the load is smaller because of the voltage loss in the armature and
brushes so the terminal voltage is:
V = E - Ia Ra
When I = 0, E = V (the open terminal voltage).
The terminal voltage will fall with load current as shown.

© D.J.Dunn www.freestudy.co.uk 15
4.2 SHUNT WOUND

The current supplied to field coil governed by the resistance of the field coil R f. When the generator is
running at constant speed an e.m.f. will be generated and the value depends on the current flowing in the
field coil. This can be controlled by placing a variable resistance in series with the field coil.
V = E - Ia Ra = E - (I + If)Ra

At zero load when I = 0, V = E - IfRa

As load current is drawn, V will fall so the field current and flux
will fall. This results in an even larger fall in V. The diagram
shows how the voltage and current varies compared to the
separately excited generator of the same rated capacity.

4.3 SERIES WOUND

When the field winding is connected in series the armature current, load and field current are the same.
V = E - Ia Ra

At zero current V = E but if there is no current the flux is

small so V is small. When the current is large, the flux is
large and V is large. This form of winding is not suitable
for most applications where a stable voltage is required.

4.4 COMPOUND WINDING

This involves two sets of field windings, one in series and one in
parallel (shunt). The shunt winding can be controlled by a series
resistance. When load current increases we see a reduction in the
flux from the shunt winding due to the drop in voltage but we get
an increase in flux from the series winding. By careful design one
can off set the other. The resulting characteristic is closer to a
constant voltage. When the flux produced by the field winding at
the rated load is just enough to keep the terminal voltage the
same as at no load, the machine is said to be level compounded.

© D.J.Dunn www.freestudy.co.uk 16
 WORKED EXAMPLE No. 9

A d.c. generator with level compound windings has a rated load of 200 A and 440 V. At no load, the
shunt current is 4.1 A. The shunt has 1200 turns per pole. The series windings are shorted out and the
machine is run full load at the same speed. The current to the shunt is then 5.8 A.
Calculate the armature resistance and the number of turns per pole on the series winding for level
compounding.

SOLUTION

The flux produced by is directly proportional to the ampere turns per pole. For a given speed and set of
constants it follows that E = k (I T). I = current in the winding and T the number of turns.

With no load V = E - Ia Ra I = Ia = 4.1A T = 1200 V = 440

440 k(4.1 x 1200) - 4.1 Ra
440 = 4920 k - 4.1 Ra……..(1)

At full load with the field coils shorted I = 5.8 Ia = 205.1 A T = 1200 V = 440
V = E - Ia Ra
440 = k(5.8 x 1200) - 205.1 Ra
440 = 6960 k - 205 Ra……..(2)

(2)- (1) 0 = 2040 k - 209.2 Ra Ra = 9.951 k

Substitute into (1) and 440 = 4920 k - 4.1(9.951k)

440 = 4879.2 k k = 0.0902 and hence Ra = 0.897 Ω
This should be confirmed by substituting into (2)

With the shunt and series coil in use and level compound achieved, the current in the shunt coil will be
4.1 A. I = 4.1 A Ia = 204.1 A The ampere turns is unknown.

V = E - Ia Ra
440 = (0.0902)(I T) - 204.1 (0.897)
440 = (0.0902)(I T) - 183.08
IT = 623.08/0.0902 = 6908 Ampere turns per pole.
The shunt winding takes 1200 x 4.1 = 4920 AT per pole.
The series winding must provide 6908 - 4920 = 1988 AT/pole
The number of turns must be 1988/200 = 9.94

Note we could have arrived at this answer quickly by just saying :

No load ampere turns = 1200 x 4.1 = 4920

Full load ampere turns = 1200 x 5.8 = 6960
The ampere turns to be added by the series winding = 6960 - 4920 = 2000 AT
No of turns = 2000/200 = 10

© D.J.Dunn www.freestudy.co.uk 17
 WORKED EXAMPLE No. 10

A dynamo uses compound winding. The armature resistance is 0.8 Ω, the shunt winding has a resistance
of 45 Ω and the series winding has a resistance of 0.6 Ω. The machine supplies 5 kW at 250 V. Calculate
the e.m.f. of the armature.

SOLUTION

I = 5000 W/250 V = 20 A
The voltage before the field coil = V1 = 250 + (20 x 0.6) = 262 V
If = 262/45 = 5.822 A Ia = 25.822 A
E = 262 + (25.822 x 0.8) = 282.66 V

SELF ASSESSMENT EXERCISE No.5

1. Describe the construction and purpose of the following parts of a d.c. generator.

Commutator
Armature
Yoke
Pole piece

2. With the aid of suitable circuit sketches, explain the difference between d.c. generators that are:

Shunt wound
Series wound
Compound wound
Show with the aid of suitable graphs how the terminal voltage varies with load current for a given
running speed.

3. How may the flux per pole be changed in a shunt wound d.c. generator? Why would such control be
used?

4. A dynamo uses compound winding. The armature resistance is 1.2 Ω, the shunt winding has a resistance
of 40 Ω and the series winding has a resistance of 1 Ω. The machine supplies 8 kW at 400 V. Calculate
the e.m.f. of the armature. (456.6 V)

© D.J.Dunn www.freestudy.co.uk 18