16

DC Machines
Objectives : After completing this Chapter, you will be able to :
State the importance of dc machines.
Describe the basic construction of a dc machine.
Describe the principle of working of a dc machine.
Explain the process of commutation in dc machines.
State the difference between lap winding and wave winding and state the number of
parallel paths in these two types of windings.
Derive the emf equation for a dc machine.
State the difference between the dc generator and dc motor, in respect of the induced
emf and the terminal voltage.
State different ways of establishing magnetic field in dc machines.
State the two effects of the armature reaction on the magnetic flux.
State different types of losses occurring in a dc machine and the factors on which
these losses depend.
State three types of efficiency of a dc generator.
Derive the condition for maximum efficiency.
State and explain the open-circuit characteristic (OCC) and load characteristic of a dc
generator.
Explain how the voltage builds up in a self-excited generator.
State the meaning of critical resistance and critical speed in relation to voltage buildup in a dc generator.
Draw the load characteristic of a compound dc generator, and explain how it depends
on the relative ampere-turns of shunt and series fields.
Draw the equivalent circuit of a dc motor.
Derive the expression for the torque developed in a dc motor.
Draw the torque and speed characteristics of shunt, series, and compound motors.
State the need of a starter in a dc motor, and explain the working of the three-point
starter.

16.1 IMPORTANCE
The dc machines were the first electrical machines invented. An elementary dc motor drove
an electric locomotive in Edinburgh in 1839, although it took another forty years before dc
motors were commercially used. It is still the best motor to drive trains and cranes.
The dc machine can be used either as a motor or a generator. However, because
semiconductor rectifiers can easily convert ac into dc, dc generators are not needed except
for remote operations. Even in the automobiles, the dc generator has been replaced by the
alternator plus diodes for rectification. Nevertheless, the generator operations must be
discussed because motors operate as generators in braking and reversing.
Portable devices powered by batteries require dc motors, such as portable tape players,
walkman, window-lifters, etc. Also, the dc motor is readily controlled in speed and torque
and hence is useful for control systems. Examples are robots, elevators, machine tools,
rolling mills, etc.
16.2 CONSTRUCTION OF A DC MACHINE
Figure 16.1 shows the basic structure of a dc machine (a motor or a generator). The machine
has following important parts.
Stator Magnetic Structure
Figure 16.1a shows the magnetic structure of a four-pole dc machine. Its main components
are described below.
(i) Yoke : It is the outermost cylindrical part which serves two purposes. First, it acts as a
supporting frame for the machine, and secondly, it provides a path for the magnetic flux. It is
made of cast iron, cast steel, or forged steel. Usually, small machines have cast-iron yokes.
(ii) Poles : The machine has salient poles. The pole cores are fixed inside the yoke,
usually by bolts. The cross-section of the pole core is rectangular. By attaching a pole shoe,
the end of the pole is made to have a cylindrical surface. The cross-sectional area of the pole
shoe is considerably larger than that of the pole core to leave as little inter-pole space as
practical. This is done to reduce the leakage flux. The poles are made of cast steel, or forged
steel. Each pole carries a field coil (or exciting coil). Small machines usually use permanent
magnets.
(iii) Field Coils : The field coils are wound on the pole cores and are supported by the
poles shoes. All coils are identical and are connected in series such that on excitation by a dc
source, alternate N and S poles are made. Thus, a machine always has even number of poles.
The magnetic flux distribution approximates a square wave, as shown in Fig. 16.2 for the
four-pole structure shown in Fig. 16.1. The flux is taken positive in the radially inward
direction. Note that the yoke carries one-half of the pole flux . Therefore, the cross-section
of the yoke should be selected accordingly.

Fig. 16.1 Main parts of a dc machine.

Fig. 16.2 Magnetic flux distribution for four-pole dc machine.

Rotor
The rotor is the inner cylindrical part having armature and commutator-brush arrangement. It
is mounted on the shaft of the motor.
(i) Armature : The armature core consists of steel laminations, each about 0.4 0.6 mm
thick, insulated from one another. The purpose of laminating the core is to reduce the eddycurrent loss. Slots are stamped on the periphery of the laminations to accommodate the
armature winding. The top of the slot have a groove in which a wedge can be fixed. After
the winding conductors are put into the slots, the wedge is inserted. The wedge prevents the
conductors from flying out due to the centrifugal force when the armature rotates. The axial
length of the armature is the same as that of the poles on the yoke. The term conductor refers
to the active portion of the winding, namely that part which cuts the flux when the rotor
rotates, thereby generating an alternating emf.
(ii) Commutator : It consists of a large number of wedge-shaped copper segments or
bars, assembled side by side to form a ring. The segments are insulated from one another by
thin mica sheets. Each segment is connected to a coil-end of the armature winding, as shown
schematically in Fig. 16.3. The radial lines represent the active lengths of the rotor
conductors. The commutator is a part of the rotor and participates in its rotation.

Brush-commutator
system

Fig. 16.3 A two-pole dc motor with a brush-commutator system.

(iii) Brushes : Two stationary brushes, made of carbon, are pressed against the
commutator with the help of a spring fitted in a brush-gear. The brush-commutator system
provides two related functions : (i) electrical connection is made with the moving rotor, and
(ii) a steady or direct voltage is obtained from the alternating emf generated in the rotating
conductors.
Process of Commutation
The width of a brush is made a little more than the width of a commutator segment and the
mica insulation. Whenever, a brush spans two commutator segments, it short-circuits the two
coils connected to these segments. On the two sides of the magnetic neutral axis (MNA), the
conductors of the armature winding carry currents in opposite directions. The brushes are
aligned along the MNA, so that they make contact with conductors which are moving
midway between the poles and therefore have no emf induced in them. Thus, the reversal of
current directions in the two short-circuited coils can take place with least sparking.
Commutation means the process of current collection by a brush, or the changes that take
place in the coils during the period of short-circuit by a brush. The reversal of current in a
coil during the commutation period sets up a self-induced emf in the coil undergoing
commutation. This emf, called reactance voltage, opposes the reversal of current.

16.3 ARMATURE CURRENT AND FLUX

In the two-pole dc motor shown in Fig. 16.3, If is the field current (or exciting current)
supplied to the field winding from the source Vf. Current Ia is the current supplied to the
armature from the dc mains of voltage V. Because of the brush-commutator system, the
currents in the conductors on the right side are into the paper and in the conductors on the left
side are out of the paper.
The currents in the armature conductors produce their own flux. According to right-hand
thumb rule, the flux produced will be upwards. This is equivalent to making the bottom of
4

the rotor a south pole and the top a north pole. These poles are attracted to their opposites on
the stator. Thus, a clockwise torque is produced on the rotor.
16.4 ARMATURE WINDING
When the armature rotates, a small emf is induced in each conductor. Large emf can be
obtained if a number of conductors are connected in series such that their emfs add up as we
travel along the circuit. Thus, a conductor under N-pole has to be connected to a conductor
under S-pole. To make all the coils identical, it is most convenient and practical to connect
conductors housed in slots one pole-pitch1 apart.
Double-Layer Armature Winding
Normally, the armature winding is arranged in double layer, as shown in Fig. 16.4a for a
four-pole armature with 11 slots. First, a coil is wound in the correct shape and then it is
assembled on the core. For making all the coils similar in shape, it is necessary that if side 1
of a coil occupies the outer half of a slot under N1 pole, the other side 1 occupies the inner
half of another slot in similar position under S1 pole. This brings in a kink in the end
connections so that the coils may overlap one another as they are assembled. Figure 16.4b
shows three coils 1-1, 2-2 and 3-3, are arranged in the slots so that their end connections
overlap one another.

P
(a) Arrangement of
double-layer winding

(b) Arrangement of overlap

of end connections.

(c) Ends of a coil.

Fig. 16.4 Double-layer armature winding.

Note that a coil may have a number of turns. The two ends of a coil are brought out to P
and Q. As far as the connections to the commutator segments are concerned, the number of
turns on each coil is of no consequence.
With 11 slots, it is impossible to make the distance between 1 and 1 exactly a pole pitch.
In Fig. 16.4a, one side of coil 1-1 is shown in slot 1 and the other side is in slot 4. Thus, the
coil span is 4 1 = 3. In practice, the coil span must be a whole number and is
approximately given as

Pole-pitch is number of conductors per pole.

Coil span

Total number of slots

Total number of poles

(a whole number)

In the example shown in Fig. 16.4, we had taken a very small number of slots (only 11)
for the sake of simplicity. In actual machines, the number of slots per pole is 10 15.
Two Types of Winding
Once the coils are formed, they are to be connected in series through the commutator
segments so that more emf is made available. The end of one coil is connected to the start of
another coil. There are two ways of making such connections resulting in two types of
windings described below.
(1) Lap Winding : As shown in Fig. 16.5a, finishing end of one coil is connected via the
commutator segment to the starting of the adjacent coil under the same pole. This winding is
called lap winding because the sides of the successive coils overlap each other. A lap
winding has as many parallel paths between the positive and negative brushes as there are
poles.
(2) Wave Winding : In wave winding, as shown in Fig. 16.5b, one side of a coil under
one pole is connected to the other side of a coil which occupies approximately the same
position under the next pole, through back connection. The second coil-side is then
connected forward to another coil-side under the next pole. (In lap winding, the second coilside is connected back through the commutator segment to a coil-side under the original
pole.) A wave winding has only two paths in parallel, irrespective of the number of poles.
Thus, if a machine has P poles, the number of parallel paths in armature winding is
A= P

(for lap winding)

and
A=2
(for wave winding)
Hence, it may be said that, in general, lap windings are used for low-voltage, heavy-current
machines, and wave windings are used for high-voltage, low current machines.

(a) Lap winding.

(b) Wave winding.

Fig. 16.5 Types of armature windings.

Example 16.1 The armature of an eight-pole dc generator has 480 conductors. The
magnetic flux and the speed of rotation are such that the average emf generated in each
conductor is 2.1 V, and each conductor is capable of carrying a full-load current of 200 A.
6

Calculate the terminal voltage on no load, the output current on full load and the total power
generated on full load, when the armature is (a) lap-wound, and (b) wave-wound.

Solution : (a) With the armature lap-wound, the number of parallel paths, A = P = 8 .
Therefore, the number of conductors per path is
Z 480
=
= 60
A
8
Therefore, the terminal voltage on no load,
Z
E = e = 2.1 60 = 126 V
A
The output current on full load,
I L = Full-load current per conductor no. of parallel paths
= 200 8 = 1600 A
The total power generated on full load,
Po = I L E = 1600 126 = 201 600 W = 201.6 kW
(b) With the armature wave-wound, the number of parallel paths, A = 2 . Therefore, the
terminal voltage on no load,
480
Z
= 504 V
E = e = 2.1
2
A
The output current on full load, I L = 200 2 = 400 A
The total power generated on full load,
Po = I L E = 400 504 = 201 600 W = 201.6 kW
Note that the total power generated by a given machine is the same whether the armature
is lap-wound or wave-wound.

16.5 EMF EQUATION FOR A DC GENERATOR

Let there be P number of poles and let be the magnetic flux per pole in the dc generator.
Let Z be the total number of conductors and let A be the number of parallel paths on the
armature winding. Let the rotational speed of the rotor be N rpm.
Consider one revolution of the rotor. As the rotor makes N revolutions in one minute, it
makes N/60 revolutions in one second. In other words, the speed of rotation is N/60 rps.
Therefore, the time (in seconds) taken in making one revolution is
1
60
t =
=
N / 60 N
As is the magnetic flux per pole and there are P poles, the total flux traversed in one
revolution by a conductor on the armature is P. That is, for a single conductor the change
in flux in one revolution is
= P
Therefore, the induced emf per conductor is given by Faradays law as

e=

P
NP
=
=
60
t 60 / N

...(16.1)
The conductors are connected to make coils, and the coils are connected to form parallel
paths. The brushes collect the emf from all these identical parallel paths. The net emf E
generated in the machine is same as the total emf in one parallel path. As the armature has Z
number of conductors, and there are A number of parallel paths, the number of conductors
per parallel paths is Z/A. Therefore, using Eq. 16.1 we can write the expression for the net
emf E generated in the dc machine as
Z NP Z
E = e =

60 A
A
ZNP
or
E=
60 A
...(16.2)
Remember, the number of parallel paths,
A= P
(for lap winding)
and

A=2

(for wave winding)

Example 16.2 A 4-pole, 1200-rpm dc generator has a lap-wound armature having 65 slots
and 12 conductors per slot. If the flux per pole is 0.02 Wb, determine the emf induced in the
armature.
Solution : The total number of conductors, Z = 65 12 = 780
For lap winding, the number of parallel paths, A = P = 4 .
Therefore, using Eq. 16.2, the total emf induced is given as
E=

ZNP 0.02 780 1200 4

=
= 312 V
60 A
60 4

Example 16.3 The induced emf in a dc machine while running at 500 rpm is 180 V.
Assuming constant magnetic flux per pole, calculate the induced emf when the machine runs
at 600 rpm.
Solution : The induced emf is given by Eq, 16.2 as
ZNP
E=
= KN
60 A
where K is a constant for the machine. Therefore, we have
E2 N 2
N
600
=
or
E2 = 2 E1 =
180 = 216 V
E1 N1
N1
500
Example 16.4 The induced emf in a dc generator running at 750 rpm is 220 V. Calculate
(a) the speed at which the induced emf is 250 V (assume the flux to be constant), and (b) the
8

required percentage increase in the field flux so that the induced emf is 250 V, while the
speed is only 600 rpm.

Solution : (a) From Eq. 16.2, if the flux is constant, we have

E = KN
where K is a constant for the machine. Therefore, we have
E2 N 2
E
250
or
N 2 = 2 N1 =
=
750 = 852 rpm
E1 N1
E1
220
(b) Here, neither the speed nor the flux remains constant. Therefore, from Eq. 16.2, we can
write
E = K ' N
where K is a constant. Thus, we have
E2 2 N 2
=
E1 1 N1

or

2 E2 N1 250 750
=

= 1.42
1 E1 N 2 220 600

Thus, the required percentage increase in flux is

(1.42 1.00) 100 = 42 %

16.6 TYPES OF DC MACHINES

There are several ways of exciting the stator field winding of a dc machine. Each method of
field connections gives different characteristics.
Consider a four-pole dc machine shown in Fig. 16.6a. The four brushes B make contact
with the commutator. The brushes are situated in between the north and south poles. The
positive brushes are connected to the positive terminal A and the negative brushes to the
negative terminal A1. The terminals A-A1 are used to make connection to the armature
winding. Note that the brushes are situated half-way between the north and south poles.
This position enables them to make contact with conductors in which little or no emf is being
generated. As a result, least sparking is produced when the contact of a brush changes over
from one segment to the next during the rotation of the armature.
The four exciting or field coils C are connected in series and the ends are brought out to
terminals F and F1. The four coils are so connected as to produce N and S poles alternately.
The arrowheads on the coils indicate the direction of the field current If when a dc supply is
connected to the terminals F-F1.
Symbolically, a dc machine is represented as shown in Fig. 16.6b. The circle represents
the armature and the commutator. Only two brushes, placed diametrically opposite, are
shown. The field winding is shown separately. Some machines are designed to have more
than one field-winding.

(a) Armature and field connections.

F1

A1

(b) Symbolic representation.

Fig. 16.6 A dc machine.

A DC Machine as Generator or Motor

There is no difference of construction between a dc generator and a dc motor. In fact, the
only difference is that in a generator the generated emf is greater than the terminal voltage,
whereas in a motor the generated emf is less than the terminal voltage.
Let us consider a dc machine D whose field winding is connected in shunt across the
armature terminals, through a regulator resistor R, as shown in Fig. 16.7. Such machine is
called shunt-wound machine. Let it be driven by an engine and be connected through a
centre-zero ammeter A to a battery B. If we adjust the field regulator R such that the reading
on A is zero, then the emf ED generated in D is exactly equal to the emf EB of the battery.

Fig. 16.7 Shunt-wound machine as generator or motor.

Next, let us reduce R to increase the field current If and hence the magnetic flux . This
results in an increased emf ED generated in machine D (see Eq, 16.2). Now, since the emf ED
exceeds emf EB, the excess emf is available to circulate a current ID through the resistance Ra
of the armature circuit, and the battery. Since the current ID is in the same direction as the
10

emf ED, the machine D is working as a generator of electrical energy. Note that the battery
B is getting charged and hence working as a load on the generator.
Next, suppose that we cut off the supply of oil to the engine driving machine D. The
speed of the machine falls, the emf ED decrease, current ID gets reduced, until when ED = EB,
there is no circulating current ID. But ED continues to decrease and becomes less than EB.
Therefore, the current IM through the ammeter A flows in the reverse direction. The battery B
is now supplying electrical energy to drive machine D as an electric motor.
Note that the direction of field current If is the same whether the machine D works as a
generator or as a motor. The relationship between the emf, the current and the terminal
voltage can now be expressed when the machine D works as a generator or as a motor. Let E
be the emf generated in the armature of the machine2, V the terminal voltage, Ra the
resistance of the armature circuit, and Ia the armature current.
As Generator : The current Ia flows in the same direction as the generated emf E, and the
terminal voltage V is less than the emf E due to the armature-circuit voltage-drop. Thus, we
have
V = E I a Ra
...(16.3)
As Motor : The current Ia flows in the opposite direction to that of the generated emf E,
and the terminal voltage V is more than the emf E due to the armature-circuit voltage-drop.
Thus, we have
V = E + I a Ra
...(16.4)

Types of DC Generators
The type of dc machine depends on the way the magnetic flux is established in it. Though
equally applicable to motors, let us describe different types of dc generators. There can be
three ways of establishing magnetic flux in a dc generator :
(1) Using a permanent magnet,
(called permanent magnet generators).
(2) Using some external source to excite the field coils,
(called separately excited generators).
(3) Using the armature supply to excite the field coils,
(called self-excited generators).
In describing various relations for a dc generator, following notations for different
quantities are used :
Ia
= armature current
2

Note that the emf in the armature is generated both in the generator as well as in the motor. In the generator, it
is due to this emf that the current flows in the external electric circuit. In a motor, this emf opposes the applied
voltage V, and hence it is called back emf.

11

Ra
E
Ise
Rse
Ish
Rsh
IL
V
RL

= net resistance of the armature circuit

= emf generated in the armature winding
= current through series field coil
= resistance of the series field coil
= current through shunt field coil
= resistance of the shunt field coil
= current supplied to the load
= terminal voltage across the load
= load resistance

(1) Permanent Magnet Generators : These do not find many applications in the
industry, because of their low efficiency. However, low-power, low-cost, small size
machines do use permanent magnet.
(2) Separately Excited Generators : As shown in Fig. 16.8, the field coils are excited
from a storage battery or from a separate dc source.

Fig. 16.8 Separately excited dc generator.

(3) Self-Excited Generators : The field coils are excited by the dc voltage generated by
the generator itself. Such generators are further subdivided into following three categories :
(a) Series-Wound Generators : The field coils are connected in series with the
armature circuit (Fig. 16.9a).
(b) Shunt-Wound Generators : The field coils are connected across the armature
circuit (Fig. 16.9b).

12

(a) Series wound.

(b) Shunt wound.

(i) Ise = IL
(ii) Ish = (V + IseRse)/Rsh

(c) Short-shunt compound wound.

(d) Long-shunt compound wound.

Fig. 16.9 Self-excited dc generators.
13

(c) Compound-Wound Generators : There are two windings on each pole, one
connected in series and the other in parallel with the armature circuit. The
compound-wound generators may again be of two types :
(i) Short-Shunt in which the shunt field winding is connected in parallel with the
armature (Fig. 16.9c).
(ii) Long-Shunt in which the shunt field winding is connected in parallel with
both the armature and series winding (Fig. 16.9d).
The compound-wound generators can also be classified, from another point of
view, in two classes, viz., differential compound generators and cumulative
compound generators depending on the fact whether the series field opposes or
supports the shunt field, respectively.

Example 16.5 A shunt-wound dc generator delivers 496 A at 440 V to a load. The

resistance of the shunt filed coil is 110 and that of the armature winding is 0.02 .
Calculate the emf induced in the armature.
Solution : The current through the shunt-field coil is given as
V
440
=
=4 A
I sh =
Rsh 110
Armature current, I a = I L + I sh = 496 + 4 = 500 A .
Therefore, the generated emf is
E g = V + I a Ra = 440 + (500 0.02) = 450 V
Example 16.6 A 4-pole shunt generator with lap connected armature has armature and field
resistances of 0.2 and 50 , respectively. It supplies power to 100 lamps, each of 60 W,
200 V. Calculate the total armature current, the current per path and the generated emf.
Allow a brush drop of 1 V at each brush.
P 60
=
= 0.3A
V 200
Since all the lamps are connected in parallel, the total load current is
I L = 100 I l = 100 0.3 = 30 A
V
200
Shunt field current, I sh =
=
=4 A
Rsh
50

Armature current, I a = I sh + I L = 30 + 4 = 34 A
For lap winding, the number of parallel paths, A = P = 4. Thus,
I
34
The current per path, I c = a =
= 8.5 A
A 4
The generated emf, E g = V + I a Ra + brush-drop = 200 + 34 0.2 + 2 1 = 208.8 V

Solution : The current taken by each lamp, I l =

14

Example 16.7 A short-shunt compound-wound dc generator supplies a load current of 100

A at 250 V. The generator has following winding resistances :
Shunt field = 130 , armature = 0.1 , and series field = 0.1
Find the emf generated, if the brush drop is 1 V per brush.
Solution : Refer to Fig. 16.9c. The series-field current, I se = I L = 100 A
The voltage drop across the series field, Vse = I se Rse = 100 0.1 = 10 V
The voltage drop across the shunt field, Vsh = V + Vse = 250 + 10 = 260 V
V
260
= 2A
The shunt-field current, I sh = sh =
Rsh 130
The armature current, I a = I L + I sh = 100 + 2 = 102 A
The generated emf,

E g = V + Vse + I a Ra + brush-drop
= 250 + 10 + 102 0.1 + 2 1 = 272.2 V

16.7 ARMATURE REACTION

The effect of armature ampere-turns upon the value and distribution of the magnetic flux
entering and leaving the armature core is called armature reaction. Let us, for simplicity,
consider a two-pole dc machine, as shown in Fig. 16.10a. The brushes A and B are placed in
the Geometric Neutral Plane (GNP). For the sake of clarity, we have omitted the slots on the
armature and shown the conductors uniformly distributed. The figure shows the flux
distribution due to the field current alone (i.e., when there is no armature current). Note that
the flux in the air gap is practically radial and uniformly distributed.

(a) Flux due to

field current alone.

(b) Flux due to

armature current alone.

(c) Resultant flux due to

field and armature currents.

Fig. 16.10 Flux distribution in a dc machine.

Now, suppose that the dc machine is to work as a motor rotating in counterclockwise
direction. To produce a counterclockwise torque, the current is made to flow through the
armature conductors in direction shown in fig. 16.10b. The figure also shows the flux
distribution due to this current alone (assumed no flux due to the field winding). Note that at
the centre of the armature and in the pole shoes, the direction of this flux is at right angles to
that due to the field winding. For this reason, the flux due to the armature current is called
cross flux.
15

The pole tip which is first met by a point on the armature during its revolution is known as
the leading tip and the other as trailing tip.
Figure 16.10c shows the resultant distribution of the flux due to the combination of the
fluxes in Figs. 16.10a and b. We find that over the trailing halves of the pole faces the cross
flux is in opposite direction to the main flux, thereby reducing the flux density. On the other
hand, over the leading halves of the pole faces the cross flux is in the same direction as the
main flux, thereby strengthening the flux density. However, if the teeth are strongly
saturated under no load, the strengthening of the flux at the leading pole tips would not be as
much as the weakening of the flux at the trailing pole tips. Therefore, the total flux would be
somewhat reduced. Hence, the demagnetization effect is one of the consequences of the
armature reaction.
Another important consequence of the armature reaction is to distort the flux distribution.
As shown in Fig. 16.10c, the Magnetic Neutral Plane (MNP) is shifted through an angle
from AB to CD, in a direction opposite to rotation3.
Thus, the armature reaction has two components, namely, the demagnetizing component
and the distorting component. With the increase in the armature current (or load), both these
components increase. At times, when the machine is working as a generator and if the
short-circuit or excessive-overload condition occurs, the demagnetizing component may
even reverse the polarity of the main poles.
Remedy : The adverse effect of armature reaction can be neutralized by shifting the
brushes to the magnetic neutral plane and by increasing the air gap at pole tips.

16.8 LOSSES IN A DC MACHINE

Various losses occurring in a dc machine are as follows.

(1) Copper losses

Copper loss occurs in armature winding, in field winding and brush contacts.
(i) Armature Copper Loss : It is given as I a2 Ra . This loss amounts to about 30 to 40 %
of the full-load losses.
(ii) Field Copper Loss : It is given as I sh2 Rsh for shunt-wound machine and as I se2 Rse for
series wound machine. This loss amounts to about 20 to 30 % of the full-load losses.
For shunt-wound machine, it remains practically constant; but for a series-wound
machine, it increases with the load.
(iii) Brush Contact Loss : This loss occurs due to the resistance of the brush contact with
the commutator. This is usually included in armature copper loss.

(2) Magnetic (or Iron) losses

Since the current in the armature winding is alternating at a frequency f, the flux produced is
also alternating. Some of this flux also enters the pole cores. The magnetic loss, therefore,
3

If the machine works as a generator, the magnetic neutral plane shifts by angle in the direction of rotation.

16

mainly occurs in the armature core. This loss amounts to about 20 to 30 % of the full-load
losses. There can be two types of magnetic (or iron) losses :
(i) Hysteresis Loss

1.6
= Bmax
f

2
f2
(ii) Eddy-current Loss = Bmax

(3) Mechanical Losses

There are two types of mechanical losses.
(i) Air Friction (or Windage) Loss : It occurs due to rotation of the armature.
(ii) Bearing Friction Loss : It occurs at the ball-bearing fixed on the rotor.
Mechanical losses are about 10 to 20 % of the full-load losses. Mechanical losses taken
together are also called stray losses.

16.9 EFFICIENCY OF A DC GENERATOR

Following types of efficiencies can be defined for a dc generator.
Total watts generated in armature
Mechanical power supplied at the input
EI
=
hp 746

(1) Mechanical Efficiency, m =

...(16.5)
Total watts available to the load
Total watts generated
VI
=
EI

(2) Electrical Efficiency, e =

...(16.6)
Total watts available to the load
Mechanical power supplied
VI
=
hp 746

(3) Commercial or Overall Efficiency, c =

...(16.7)
It is obvious that c = m e .

Condition for Maximum Efficiency

Due to the losses occurring in the generator, its efficiency is not cent percent. The total losses
Pt can be divided in to two categories : (i) constant losses, Pc, and (ii) variable losses, Pv. The
copper loss in armature winding (i.e., I a2 Ra ) is the only loss that varies with the load current.
Other losses remain almost constant. Now,
17

Output
VI
VI
=
=
Output + Total losses VI + ( Pv + Pc ) VI + I a2 Ra + Pc
VI
=
(Since, I a I )
VI + I 2 Ra + Pc
1
=
P
IR
1+ a + c
V VI

Efficiency, =

For efficiency to be maximum, the denominator of the above expression should be minimum,
for which we must have
d IRa Pc
Ra Pc
+ = 0
or

=0
1 +
dI V VI
V VI 2
I 2 Ra = Pc

or

...(16.8)
This shows that maximum efficiency is obtained when the variable loss equals constant loss.
Thus, the load current corresponding to the maximum efficiency is given by
I 2 = Pc / Ra
or
I = Pc / Ra
...(16.9)

Example 16.8 A shunt generator gives full-load output of 30 kW at a terminal voltage of

200 V. The armature and shunt-field resistances are 0.05 and 50 , respectively. The iron
and friction losses are 1000 W. Calculate (i) the emf generated, (ii) the copper losses, and
(iii) the efficiency.
30 kW
200 V
= 150 A; I sh =
= 4 A; I a = I L + I sh = 150 + 4 = 154 A
200 V
50
The emf generated, E g = V + I a Ra = 200 + 154 0.05 = 207.7 V

Solution : (i) I L =

(ii) The copper losses = I sh2 Rsh + I a2 Ra = 4 2 50 + 1542 0.05 = 1985.8 W

(iii) The efficiency, =

Output
30 000
=
= 0.9095 pu = 90.95%
Output + Losses 30 000 + (1000 + 1985.8)

Example 16.9 A dc shunt generator, with shunt-field resistance of 52.5 , supplies fullload current of 195 A at 210 V. Its full-load efficiency is 90 % and it has stray losses of 710
W. Determine its armature resistance and the load current corresponding to maximum
efficiency.
Solution : The output power of the generator, Po = Vo I L = 210 195 = 40.95 kW
P 40.95 kW
The input power, Pin = o =
= 45.5 kW

0.90
Total losses = Pin Po = 45.5 40.95 = 4.55 kW
18

V
210 V
=
= 4A
Rsh 52.5
Armature current, I a = I L + I sh = 195 + 4 = 199 A
Shunt-field current, I sh =

Shunt-field copper loss = I sh2 Rsh = 42 52.5 = 840 W

Constant losses = 840 + 710 = 1550 W
Thus, the armature copper loss, I a2 Ra = 4550 1550 = 3000 W
Aramture copper loss 3000
=
= 0.0757
Hence, the armature resistance, Ra =
I a2
1992
For maximum efficiency, we must have
Variable losses = Constant losses
or
I a2 Ra = Pc

Ia =

Pc
1550
=
= 143.1 A
Ra
0.0757

16.10 CHARACTERISTICS OF DC GENERATORS

There are following three important characteristics of a dc generator.
1. Open-Circuit, Magnetization, or No-Load Characteristic : It provides the
relationship between the no-load emf E generated in the armature and the field (or
exciting) current If.
2. Load (or External) Characteristic : It shows the relationship between the terminal
voltage V and the load current IL. It is also called the performance characteristic or
voltage regulation curve.
3. Internal Characteristic : It gives the relationship between the emf E generated in the
armature (after considering the demagnetizing effect of armature reaction) and the
armature current Ia.
The first two characteristics, which we shall be discussing, are more important to know the
performance of the generator.
Open-Circuit Characteristic (OCC)
To understand how the self-excitation process takes place, we must know the magnetization
curve of the machine. This curve is sometimes called the saturation curve. Strictly
speaking, the magnetization curve represents a plot of magnetic flux (in the air gap) versus
field winding mmf. However, if the speed N is fixed, the magnetization curve represents a
plot of the open-circuit induced emf Eg (in the armature) as a function of field-winding
current If. This is why this curve is called open-circuit characteristic (OCC) of the machine.
For plotting the OCC of a self-excited generator, the generator is separately excited by a
battery of emf Ef. The generator is driven by a motor or any other prime-mover at a fixed
19

speed and its armature terminals are left open. A voltmeter (of high resistance) is used for
measuring the induced emf Eg, as shown in Fig. 16.11a.

(a) The circuit arrangement.

(b) The characteristic curve.

Fig. 16.11 Open-circuit characteristic (OCC) of a dc generator.

Figure 16.11b shows a typical magnetization curve or OCC of a generator, for a constant
speed of rotation of the armature. Note that the emf Eg is not necessarily zero for If = 0. It
happens because the machine has been previously used and some residual magnetism is left.
If that were not the case, the magnetization curve would start from the origin. As the
exciting current If is increased (by decreasing the rheostat Rh in the field circuit), the flux per
pole increase and consequently the induced emf Eg increases.
The magnetic path in a dc generator consists of partly the air gap and partly iron (the pole
shoes and the armature core). For low flux density, the iron has high permeability and
therefore offers negligible reluctance. Hence, the total reluctance of the magnetic path is
almost that of the air gap. Consequently, the flux (and hence the induced emf Eg) varies
linearly with the exciting current If. The OCC curve is a straight line. However, for high flux
densities, the permeability of iron reduces due to magnetic saturation and hence its reluctance
is no longer negligible. A stage is reached when the flux does not proportionately increase
with increase in the current If. The curve starts levelling off.
The Field Resistance Line : In Fig. 16.11b, the straight line OA represents the field
resistance line. It is a plot of the current caused by the voltage Ef applied to the field circuit.
Since, we are drawing the OCC of a self-excited generator, when the generator is actually put
to use, the voltage Ef would be the same as the armature voltage Eg. The slope of this line is
Eg/If is a constant and is equal to the total resistance RF of the field circuit. Note that the
resistance RF represents the sum of the field winding resistance Rf and the active portion of
the rheostat resistance Rh.
Building Up of Voltage : Let us now examine how voltage is built up in the self-excited
generator. Assume that the generator has been used previously and hence has some residual
magnetism left at its poles. If the machine is running at constant speed, a small emf Oa is
induced in the armature due to the residual magnetism, even if the field current If is zero in
the beginning. The small emf Oa causes a feeble current Ob in the field winding, as given by
20

the field resistance line OA. This field current produces more flux and a larger emf bc is
induced. This increased emf causes an even larger field current Od. This produces more emf
de, which in turn causes more field current Of, and so on. This process of voltage build up
continues until the induced emf is just enough to produce a field current to sustain it. This
corresponds to the point A, the point of intersection of the OCC curve and the field resistance
line.
Note that for the voltage to build up, following three conditions must be satisfied :
(i) There must be residual magnetism.
(ii) The field winding mmf must act to aid this residual flux.
(iii) The field resistance line must intersect the OCC curve at some point.
Critical Field Resistance : Let us consider the third point given above, in some detail.
Corresponding to field resistance line OA, the emf induced is E1. For a larger value of the
field resistance, the slope of the line increases (line OB in Fig. 16.12a). This line cuts the
OCC curve at a lower voltage E2. Hence, the larger the field resistance, the smaller is the
emf generated. Now suppose that the field resistance is increased to a value corresponding to
line OC, which just touches the initial straight part of the OCC curve. When the generator is
run, the final emf induced will be low, as the voltage build-up process cannot start. Thus, we
conclude that voltage build-up takes place only if the field resistance is less than that given
by line OB. This resistance is called the critical field resistance.

(a) Defining critical field resistance.

(b) Defining critical speed.

Fig. 16.12 The OCC curves for a dc generator.

Critical Speed : We know that the emf induced in a dc generator is directly proportional
to the speed N. Therefore, a generator has different OCC curves for different speeds. Figure
16.12b shows two OCC curves---one for speed N1 and the other for a lower speed N2. It is
evident that if the field resistance corresponds to line OA, the voltage builds up if the
generator runs at speed N1. However, if the generator runs at speed N2, the same line OA
becomes tangential to the initial part of the OCC curve for N2. This means that the generator
will fail to build up voltage.
21

The line OA gives the critical field resistance for speed N2. Or, in other words, we can say
that the speed N2 is the critical speed for the field resistance given by OA. Thus, for a given
value of field resistance, the lowest speed at which the generator can just build up the voltage
is called the critical speed.
Load (or External) Characteristics of DC Generators
These characteristics depict the variation of the terminal voltage V with the load current IL,
when the speed and the exciting current are kept constant. Load characteristics of different
type of generators are described below.
(1) Separately Excited Generator : This can be experimentally determined by using the
circuit of Fig. 16.13a. The generator is driven at constant speed N and the field current If is
kept constant at a value that gives an emf Eo with no load connected. The load is then
gradually increased by connecting more lamps in parallel. For each load the terminal voltage
V and load current IL are measured and plotted. Figure 16.13b shows ideal and practical
characteristics. Ideally, we would like that the terminal voltage V remains constant with the
variation of load current IL. But in practice, because of the drop in the armature circuit, the
terminal voltage drops as the load is increased. For larger load currents, the drop in terminal
voltage becomes more pronounced due to the demagnetizing effect of armature reaction.

(a) The circuit arrangement.

(b) The load characteristic.

Fig. 16.13 Separately excited dc generator.

(2) Shunt Generator : The circuit arrangement is shown in Fig. 16.14a, and the load
characteristic is shown in Fig. 16.14b. The terminal voltage is maximum at no load. As the
load is increased, the terminal voltage gradually decreases. Within the normal limits of the
load, the terminal voltage falls by about 5 %. If an attempt is made to increase the load
beyond the rated value, the fall in voltage becomes very rapid. Sometimes the fall becomes
so fast that the characteristic curve turns backward. The dotted part of the curve indicates the
unstable region of operation of the generator. There are two reasons why the voltage falls on
increasing the load :
(i) Due to the armature resistance voltage drop, and
(ii) Due to the demagnetizing effect of the armature reaction.
22

As shown in Fg.16.14b, if the shunt generator is designed with a strong field, the load
characteristic curve becomes comparatively flat.

(a) The circuit arrangement.

(b) The load characteristic.

Fig. 16.14 Shunt dc generator.

(3) Series Generator : The circuit connection is shown in Fig. 16.15a, and the load
characteristic is shown in Fig. 16.15b. Here, the field current If is the same as the load
current IL. Therefore, at no load (IL = 0), the field current and hence the flux is zero. As a
result, the emf E induced in the armature too is zero. Up to a point a, the terminal voltage V
increases proportionately to the load current IL. This property makes a series generator
suitable to work as a booster, which boosts up the supply voltage. From point a to point b,
the increase in terminal voltage with load current is much less due to the magnetic saturation.
Beyond point b, the terminal voltage starts falling due to the demagnetizing effect of the
armature reaction. After point c, the voltage falls steeply as the armature reaction becomes
prominent. In this region, the series generator may be used as a constant current but variable
voltage source.

(a) The circuit arrangement.

(b) The load characteristic.

Fig. 16.15 Series dc generator.

(4) Compound-Wound Generators : Ideally, we would like to have load characteristic
of a generator as shown by the horizontal straight line A, in Fig. 16.16. This is possible
neither from a shunt generator (Fig. 16.14b) nor from a series generator (Fig. 16.15b).
However, a compound generator, either short-shunt or long-shunt as shown in Figs. 16.9c
and d, respectively, can be designed to achieve a characteristic very near to ideal. It utilizes
23

opposing effects of both (i) the falling characteristic of a shunt generator, and (ii) the rising
characteristic of a series generator.
A : Ideal
B : Level-compounded
C : Over-compounded
D : Under-compounded
E : Differential-compounded

Fig. 16.16 Load characteristics of compound dc generators.

Case I : We can have a combination of shunt and series excitations in such a way that the
resultant terminal voltage varies very little over a range of load current (curve B in Fig.
16.16). The generator is then said to be flat or leve- compounded. The terminal voltage V
remains almost constant between the no-load and full-load.
Case II : In case the series field supports the shunt field (i.e., if the generator is
cumulative compounded), and the series ampere turns are more than the shunt ampere turns,
the terminal voltage V can be made to rise with load current (curve C in Fig. 16.16). Such a
generator, known as over-compounded, can be used for supplying power over long distances.
Whenever the load increases, the terminal voltage falls due to large voltage drops in
transmission lines. The terminal voltage at load end can easily be re-adjusted by the over
compounded generator.
Case III : In case the series ampere turns are less than the shunt ampere turns, the
terminal voltage V falls as the load increases (curve D in Fig. 16.16). Such generators are
said to be under-compounded. Under-compounding is useful where a short might occur,
e.g., in an arc welding machine.
Case IV : If the series ampere turns oppose the shunt ampere turns, the generator is said to
be reverse or differential-compounded. For such generators, the terminal voltage V falls
very rapidly as the load current increases (curve E in Fig. 16.16).
Example 16.11 A dc shunt generator is to be converted into a level-compounded generator
by adding a series field winding. From a test on the machine with shunt excitation only, it is
found that the shunt current is 4 A to give 440 V on no load and 6 A to give the same voltage
when the machine is supplying its full load of 100 A. The shunt winding has 1500 turns per
pole. Find the number of series turns required per pole.
Solution : Ampere turns per pole required on no load
Ampere turns per pole required on full load

= 4 1500 = 6000 At
= 6 1500 = 9000 At

Hence, ampere turns per pole to be provided by the series winding

= 9000 6000 = 3000 At
24

Since, the full-load current is 100 A, the number of turns per pole needed in the series
3000
winding,
se =
= 30
100

16.11 DC MOTORS
In construction, a dc motor is no different from a dc generator. As in case of dc generators,
there are three types of dc motors : (i) shunt, (ii) series, and (iii) compound. Unlike the series
generators, the dc series motors find wide applications, especially for traction type of loads.
When the motor terminals are connected to dc mains supply, a current flows in the field
winding as well as in the armature winding. In a shunt motor, the two currents have different
values. But in a series motor, the two currents are the same.

Equivalent Circuit of a DC Motor

Like a dc generator, a dc motor too has induced emf E in the armature, given by the same
equation (Eq. 16.4):
ZNP
E=
60 A
...(16.10)
However, this induced emf opposes the supply voltage V and hence it is treated as counter or
back emf, and is usually designated as Eb. The equivalent circuit of a dc shunt motor is
depicted in Fig. 16.17. Note that the terminal voltage V must be equal to the sum of induced
emf Eb and voltage drop in the armature. Similarly, the line current IL is equal to the sum of
the armature current Ia and field current If. That is,
V = Eb + I a Ra
...(16.11)
and
I L = Ia + I f
...(16.12)

Fig. 16.17 Equivalent circuit of a dc shunt motor.

Speed Regulation of a DC Motor

For a given machine, A, Z and P are fixed, so that the expression for induced emf Eb (Eq.
16.10) can be written as
25

E = kN
ZP
(a constant)
60 A
Substituting for E in Eq. 16.11, we get
where

k=

V = kN + I a Ra

N=

V I a Ra
k

...(16.13)
The value of the voltage drop IaRa is usually less than 5 % of the terminal voltage V, so that
the above equation can be written as
V
V
N
or
N
k

...(16.14)
It means that the speed of a dc motor is approximately proportional to the applied voltage V
and inversely proportional to the flux . All methods of controlling the speed involve the use
of either or both of these relationships.
When a motor is mechanically loaded, its speed decreases. If N0 represents the no-load
speed and Nf the full-load speed, the percentage speed regulation is defined as
N0 N f
% speed regulation =
100 %
Nf
...(16.15)

Example 16.10 A 250-V dc shunt motor takes 41 A current while running at full load. The
resistances of motor armature and of field windings are 0.1 and 250 , respectively.
Determine the back emf generated in the motor.
Solution : The shunt-field current, I sh =

V
250
=
=1 A
Rsh 250

Therefore, the armature current, I a = I L I sh = 41 1 = 40 A

Back emf, Eb = V I a Ra = 250 40 0.1 = 246 V

Example 16.11 A 4-pole, 440-V dc motor takes an armature current of 50 A. The resistance
of the armature circuit is 0.28 . The armature winding is wave-connected with 888
conductors and the useful flux per pole is 23 mWb. Calculate the speed of the motor.
Solution : From Eq. 16.11, the generated emf is given as
Eb = V I a Ra = 440 50 0.28 = 426 V
Using Eq. 16.10, we get the speed of the motor as
60 AEb
60 2 426
N=
=
626 rpm
ZP
0.023 888 4

26

Example 16.12 A dc motor runs at 900 rpm from a 460-V supply. Calculate the
approximate speed when the machine is connected across a 200-V supply. Assume the new
flux to be 0.7 times the original flux.
Solution : If is the original flux, then from Eq. 16.14 we have
460
900 =
or
k = 0.511
k
When the supply voltage changes to 200 V, the new speed is given as
V'
V'
V'
200
N' =
=
=
=
559 rpm
'
k k (0.7) 0.7 k 0.7 0.511
16.12 TORQUE DEVELOPED BY A DC MOTOR
If we multiply each term of Eq. 16.11 by Ia, namely, the total armature current, we get
VI a = Eb I a + I a2 Ra
Here, VIa represents the total electric power supplied to the armature, and I a2 Ra represents the
loss due to the armature resistance. The difference between these two quantities,
namely Eb I a , represents the electrical power that is converted to mechanical power by the
armature. If d is the torque, in newton-metres, exerted on the armature to develop the
mechanical power (= Eb I a ), and N is the speed of rotation in rpm, then we have
2 d N
Mechanical power developed, Pm =
watts
60
Hence, we have
2 d N
= Eb I a
60
ZNP
=
I a (replacing E by the expression of Eq. 16.10)
60 A
Thus, the torque developed by the armature is given as
Z P
d =
Ia
2 A
...(16.16)
Since, for a given machine, Z, P and A are fixed, we can write
d Ia
...(16.17)
It means that the torque developed in a given dc motor is proportional to the product of the
armature current and the flux per pole.
Note that all of the mechanical power developed, namely Eb I a , by the armature is not
available externally. Some of it is absorbed as friction loss at the bearing and at the brushes
and some is wasted as hysteresis loss and in circulating eddy currents in the core. The useful
torque available at the shaft, namely sh , is less than the torque developed d , because of these
losses.
27

Example 16.13 A 6-pole, dc motor takes an armature current of 110 A at 480 V. The
resistance of the armature circuit is 0.2 , and flux per pole is 50 mWb. The armature has
864 lap-connected conductors. Calculate (a) the speed, and (b) the gross torque developed
by the armature.
Solution : (a) The generated emf, Eb = V I a Ra = 480 110 0.2 = 458 V
Using Eq. 16.10, we have
ZNP
60 AEb
60 6 458
Eb =
or
N=
=
636 rpm
60 A
ZP
0.05 864 6
(b) Torque developed by the armature,
Z P
0.05 864 6
d =
110
Ia =
2 A
2
6

756 Nm

Example 16.14 A dc generator runs at 900 rpm when a torque of 2 kNm is applied by a
prime mover. If the core, friction and windage losses in the machine are 8 kW, calculate the
power generated in the armature winding.
Solution : The power required to drive the generator,
2 N 2 2000 900
Pin =
=
= 188562 W = 188.6 kW
60
60
Therefore, the power generated in the armature,
Pd = Pin Plosses = 188.6 8 = 180.6 kW
16.13 TORQUE AND SPEED CHARACTERISTICS
OF A DC MOTOR
When no load is connected to the shaft of a dc motor, it develops only that much torque
which overcomes the rotational (frictional) losses and the iron losses. How does the motor
react to the application of a shaft load ? To answer this question, we require knowing the
performance characteristics of the motor.

Speed Characteristics of DC Motors

The speed characteristic of a motor represents the variation of speed with the input current.
Its shape can be easily derived from expression of Eq. 16.13, namely
V I a Ra
N=
k
(1) Shunt Motor : The field winding of a shunt motor consists of many turns of thin wire
and is connected in parallel with the armature. The flux , therefore, remains constant.
Since the drop I a Ra at full load rarely exceeds 5 % of V, the speed N is almost constant. Its
speed characteristic may be represented by curve A in Fig. 16.18a. Thus, a dc shunt motor is
a constant speed motor. In actual practice, the drop in speed with current is even less than
28

that shown in figure. This is because as the armature current increases, the armature reaction
tends to slightly reduce the main flux . This reduction in flux causes an increase in speed
that partially compensates the drop due to I a Ra .
(2) Series Motor : In a series motor, the field winding is made of a few turns of thick wire
and is connected in series with the armature. If Rse represents the resistance of this winding,
the back emf is given as
Eb = V I a ( Ra + Rse )
Therefore, Eq. 16.13 modifies to
V I a ( Ra + Rse )
N=
k
The flux increases first in direct proportion to the armature current Ia and then less rapidly
due to the magnetic saturation. Hence, the speed is roughly inversely proportional to the
current, as indicated by the curve B in Fig. 16.18a. Thus, a dc series machine is a variable
speed motor.
Note that if a dc motor is started with no load, the current (and hence the flux) is very low,
and the speed may become dangerously high. It may fly to pieces due to such high speed.
For the same reason, a series motor should never be used when there is a risk of the load
becoming very low. For instance, the load should never be belt-connected, as it has the risk
of breaking or slipping. The load to a dc series motor is either directly connected or geared
to the shaft.
(3) Compound Motor : A compound motor has both a shunt winding and a series
winding. The flux due to shunt field remains fixed, but that due to the series field increases
with the current. Therefore, the total flux increases with the current, but not as rapidly as in a
series motor. Hence, the speed characteristic (curve C in Fig. 16.18a) is in between those of
the shunt and series motors. Depending upon the ratio of the shunt and series ampere-turns,
any desired characteristic can be obtained.
In many cases, enough shunt field is provided to guarantee a safe no-load speed. Such
motors are called stabilized series motors. Large shunt motors operating at high speeds face
large fluctuations in speed due the line-voltage fluctuations. This problem can be reduced by
adding a few series-field turns to the machine.

(a) Speed characteristic.

(b) Torque characteristic.

29

Fig. 16.18 Performance characteristics of dc motors.

Torque Characteristics of DC Motors

The torque characteristic of a motor represents the variation of the developed torque d with
the input current. Its shape can be easily derived from expression of Eq. 16.17, namely

d Ia

or

d = kt I a

where, kt is a constant for a machine.

(1) Shunt Motor : Since the flux in a shunt motor is practically independent of the
armature current, d I a , and hence the torque characteristic is represented by the straight
line A in Fig. 16.18b.
(2) Series Motor : In a series motor, the flux is approximately proportional to the
armature current up to full load, so that d I a2 . Above full-load, magnetic saturation
becomes more prominent and the torque does not increase so rapidly. The torque
characteristic is represented by curve B in Fig. 16.18b.
(3) Compound Motor : The torque characteristic of a compound motor is in between
those of the shunt and series motors, and is represented by curve C in Fig. 16.18b. The exact
shape of curve C depends upon the relative value of the shunt and series ampere-turns at fullload.
From Fig. 16.18b, it is evident that for a given current below the full-load value, the shunt
motor exerts the largest torque. But for a current above the full-load value, the series motor
exerts the largest torque.
The maximum permissible current at starting is usually about 1.5 times the full-load value.
Therefore, where a large starting torque is required such as for hoists, cranes, electric trains,
etc., the series motor is the most suitable choice.

Example 16.17 A series motor runs at 600 rpm when taking a current of 110 A from a 230
V supply. The useful flux per pole for 110 A is 24 mWb and that for 50 A is 16 mWb. The
The armature resistance and series-field resistance are 0.12 and 0.03 . Calculate the
speed when the current has fallen to 50 A.
Solution : The emf generated when the current is 110 A,
E1 = V I a ( Ra + Rse ) = 230 110 (0.12 + 0.03) = 213.5 V
But for a given machine, the emf is given as
ZNP
E1 =
= k 1 N1
60 A
Hence, with 110 A, we have
213.5 = k 0.024 600
or
k = 14.83 .
The emf generated when the current is 50 A,

30

E2 = V I a ( Ra + Rse ) = 230 50 (0.12 + 0.03) = 222.5 V

Hence, with 50 A, we have
222.5 = k 2 N 2
Therefore, new speed is
222.5
222.5
N2 =
=
938rpm
k 2 14.83 0.016

Example 16.18 A dc shunt motor has an armature resistance of 0.2 . Calculate the
current drawn by the machine when connected to 250-V dc supply, in each of the following
cases :
(a) When the machine is at rest.
(b) When the machine is generating an emf of 200 V and is connected to the supply
with correct polarities.
(c) When the machine is generating an emf of 250 V and is connected to the supply
with correct polarities.
(d) When the machine is generating an emf of 250 V and is connected to the supply
with reversed polarities.

Solution : (a) When machine is at rest, Eb = 0.

V Eb 250 0

=
= 1250 A
Ia =
Ra
0.2
(b) When Eb = 200 V.
V Eb 250 200

Ia =
=
= 250 A
Ra
0.2
(c) When Eb = 250 V.
V Eb 250 250

Ia =
=
=0
Ra
0.2
It means the machine is not consuming any power from the supply. The prime mover
supplies power to meet the frictional and other losses in the machine.
(d) When Eb = -250 V (the negative sign is taken because the machine is connected to the
supply with reversed polarities).
V Eb 250 (250)

Ia =
=
= 2500 A
Ra
0.2

Example 16.19 A 6-pole, lap-connected dc series motor, with 864 conductors, takes a
current of 110 A at 480 V. The armature resistance and the series-field resistance are 0.18
and 0.02 , respectively. The flux per pole is 50 mWb. Calculate (a) the speed, and (b) the
gross torque developed by the armature.
Solution : (a) The generated emf is given as
Eb = V I a ( Ra + Rse ) = 480 110 (0.18 + 0.02) = 458 V
31


(b) Since,

N=

60 AEb
60 6 458
=
= 636 rpm
0.05 864 6
ZP

2 d N
= Eb I a , we have
60
60 Eb I a 60 458 110
d =
=
= 756 Mm
2 N
2 636

Example 16.20 A 220-V, shunt motor, running at 700 rpm, has an armature resistance of
0.45 and takes armature current of 22 A. What resistance should be placed in series with
the armature to reduce the speed to 450 rpm ?
Solution : For speed, N1 = 700 rpm :
E1 = V I a Ra = 220 22 0.45 = 210.1 V
In a shunt motor, the flux remains constant. Hence,
E2 N 2
E2
450
=
or
=

E2 = 135.06 V
E1 N1
210.1 700
If R is the additional resistance placed in series with the armature, we have
E2 = V I a ( Ra + R )
or
135.06 = 220 22 (0.45 + R )
On solving the above, we get
R = 3.411

Example 16.21 A 230-V, dc series motor has an armature circuit resistance of 0.2 and
series field resistance of 0.1 . At rated voltage, the motor draws a line current of 40 A and
runs at a speed of 1000 rpm. Find the speed of the motor for a line current of 20 A at 230 V.
Assume that the flux at 20 A line current is 60 % of the flux at 40 A line current.
Solution : The back emf when the line current is 40 A is given as
E1 = V I a ( Ra + Rse ) = 230 40 (0.2 + 0.1) = 218 V
The back emf when the line current is 20 A is given as
E2 = V I a ( Ra + Rse ) = 230 20 (0.2 + 0.1) = 224 V
The flux, 2 = 0.61 . Here, in the two cases, only the flux and speed changes. Hence,
E = k N

E2 N 2 2 N 2 0.61 0.6 N 2
=
=
=
E1 N11
N11
N1
EN
224 1000
N2 = 2 1 =
1713 rpm
E1 0.6 218 0.6

16.14 STARTING OF DC MOTORS

When a dc motor is at rest, there is no back emf generated. Hence, if the motor is directly
connected to the supply mains, a heavy current flows through the armature. This may result
32

in a damage to the armature. It therefore becomes necessary to include a high resistance in

series with the armature at the start. Once the motor picks up speed, the back emf is
generated and then the series resistance can be gradually cut out. Ultimately, when the motor
attains its normal (rated) speed, the entire resistance may be disconnected from the circuit.
The device that provides this facility is called a starter.
Only small dc motors (say, up to 2-3 watts) can be started by directly connecting to the
supply mains, because of the following reasons :
(i) The resistance and inductance of the armature winding are generally quite high to
limit the rush of the current.
(ii) Because of the low inertia of the rotor, the motor picks up speed quickly. Hence, the
high current does not last long to cause any damage.
For heavy duty motors, we have to use either a three-point starter or a four-point starter.
Here, we discuss only the three point starter

Three-Point Starter
It consists of a series starting resistance divided into several sections, each connected to a
brass stud. As shown in Fig. 16.19, the starter is also provided with no-volt release and
overload release facilities.

Fig. 16.19 Three-point starter for a dc machine.

33

Initially, the starter arm is at OFF position towards the left. After switching ON the dc
supply, the starter arm is moved towards right. When connected to stud 1, the field circuit is
directly connected to the supply through the brass arc. At the same time, the entire resistance
is inserted in the armature circuit. Some current flows in the armature, developing a torque.
The motor starts running, and an emf is generated. As the motor picks up speed, the starter
arm is slowly moved towards right across studs 2, 3 , etc. cutting out parts of the series
resistance. Finally, when the arm is brought to ON position the motor attains the rated speed.

No-Volt Release : When brought to ON position, the starter arm is held by the no-volt
release magnet against the pull of the spiral spring. The magnet is energized by the field
current. Whenever the pull of this magnet weakens or becomes zero, the arm is released to go
back to OFF position, automatically.
If this arrangement were not provided, the starter arm would remain in ON position even
when the supply goes off. When the supply is restored, the armature gets directly connected
to the supply. This may cause heavy damage.
Another reason for putting no-voltage release is this. Suppose that due to some reason the
field circuit becomes open. The flux and hence the back emf reduces to zero. The motor
therefore starts drawing dangerously high current. This situation is avoided, as the no-volt
release magnet de-energizes to release the arm to go back to OFF position, whenever the field
current becomes zero.

Overload Release : This is provided to protect the motor against the flow of excessive
current due to overloads. The coil is connected in series with the motor. It carries full-load
current. Whenever the machine is overloaded, it draws heavy current. This current flows
through the coil of the electromagnet which then pulls the armature A A1 upwards. This
action short-circuits the no-volt release coil. The coil de-energizes and the starter arm is
released to go back to OFF position.

ADDITIONAL SOLVED EXAMPLES

Example 16.22 A four-pole, lap-wound, dc shunt generator has a useful flux per pole of
0.08 Wb. The armature winding consists of 260 turns, each of resistance 0.006 .
Determine the terminal voltage of the generator when it is running at 1000 rpm and
supplying a load current of 55 A.
Solution : Total number of conductors, Z = 260 2 = 520
For lap-wound, number of parallel paths, A = P = 4
Therefore, the emf generated,
ZNP 0.08 520 1000 4
Eg =
=
= 693.34 V
60 A
60 4
The total resistance of the winding, Rw = 260 0.006 = 1.56
34

There are four parallel paths, and the resistance of one path, R1 =

Rw 1.56
=
= 0.39
4
4

R1 0.39
=
= 0.0975 .
4
4
Hence, the terminal voltage, V = E g I a Ra = 693.34 55 0.0975 = 687.98 V

Thus, the net armature resistance, Ra =

Example 16.23 An eight-pole, dc shunt generator has 778 wave-connected conductors on

its armature. While running at 500 rpm, it supplies power to a load of 12.5 at 250 V. The
armature and the shunt-field resistances are 0.24 and 250 , respectively. Determine the
armature current, the emf induced, and the flux per pole.
V
250
=
= 20 A
RL 12.5
V
250
=
=1 A
The shunt-field current, I sh =
Rsh 250
Armature current, I a = 20 + 1 = 21 A

Solution : The load current, I L =

The emf induced, E g = V + I a Ra = 250 + 21 0.24 = 255.04 V

Since,
Therefore,

ZNP
60 A
60 AEg 60 2 255.04
=
=
= 0.00983 Wb = 9.83 mWb
ZNP
778 500 8

Eg =

Example 16.24 Estimate the percentage reduction in speed of a dynamo working with
constant excitation on 500-V bus bars to decrease its load from 500 kW to 250 kW. The
resistance between the terminals is 0.015 . Neglect the armature reaction.
Solution : For the first case, the armature current, I a =

Po 500 1000
=
= 1000 A
V
500

Therefore, the induced emf is given as

E1 = V + I a Ra = 500 + 1000 0.015 = 515 V
In the second case, the armature current, I a =

Po 250 1000
=
= 500 A
V
500

Therefore, the induced emf is given as

E2 = V + I a Ra = 500 + 500 0.015 = 507.5 V
Since the excitation remains constant in the two cases, we have
ZNP
E=
or
N = KE ,
where K is a constant.
60 A
Hence, the fractional reduction in speed is given as
N1 N 2 K ( E1 E2 ) 515 507.5
=
=
= 0.01456 pu = 1.456 %
N1
KE1
515
35

Example 16.25 A dc series generator has external characteristic given by a straight line
through zero to 50 V at 200 A. It is connected as a booster between a station bus-bar and a
feeder of 0.3 resistance. Calculate the voltage between the far end of the feeder and the
bus-bar at a current of (a) 160 A, and (b) 50 A.
Solution : The electrical energy is transmitted from station bus-bar to the feeder through a
transmission line or an underground cable. A dc generator can work as a booster to
compensate for the voltage drop in the transmission lines.
(a) For IL = 160 A :
Voltage drop in the transmission lines, Vt = I L Rt = 160 0.3 = 48 V
From the external characteristic of the dc generator, the boost-in voltage supplied at
160 A is Vb = (50 / 200) 160 = 40 V . Hence, the voltage difference between the far end
of the feeder and bus-bar is
Vd = Vt Vb = 48 40 = 8 V
(b) For IL = 50 A :
Voltage drop in the transmission lines, Vt = I L Rt = 50 0.3 = 15 V
The boost-in voltage supplied by the booster at 50 A is Vb = (50 / 200) 50 = 12.5 V .
Hence, the voltage difference between the far end of the feeder and bus-bar is
Vd = Vt Vb = 15 12.5 = 2.5 V

Example 16.26 A dc long-shunt compound generator delivers a load current of 50 A at 500

V, and has armature, series-field and shunt-field resistances of 0.05 , 0.03 and 250 ,
respectively. Calculate the generated emf and the armature current. Allow 1.0 V per brush
for contact drop.
V
500
=
=2 A
Rsh 250

Armature current, I a = I L + I sh = 50 + 2 = 52 A
The generated emf is given as
E g = V + I a ( Ra + Rse ) + brush drop = 500 + 52(0.05 + 0.03) + 2 = 506.16 V

Solution : The shunt-field current, I sh =

Example 16.27 An 8-pole, dc generator has 500 conductors on its armature, and is
designed to have 0.02 Wb of magnetic flux per pole crossing the air gap with normal
excitation.
(a) What voltage will be generated at a speed of 1800 rpm, if the armature is (i) wavewound, (ii) lap-wound ?
(b) If the allowable current is 5 A per path, what will be the kW generated by the
machine in each case ?
Solution : (a) (i) For wave-wound, A = 2.
ZNP 0.02 500 1800 8

=
= 1200 V
Eg =
60 A
60 2
(ii) For lap-wound, A = P = 8.
36

Eg =

ZNP 0.02 500 1800 8

=
= 300 V
60 A
60 8

(b) (i) For wave-wound, A = 2. The current in armature path,

I a = A 5 = 2 5 = 10 A

Power generated, Pd = Eg I a = 1200 10 = 12 000 W = 12 kW

(ii) For lap-wound, A = 8. The current in armature path,

I a = A 5 = 8 5 = 40 A

Power generated, Pd = Eg I a = 300 40 = 12 000 W = 12 kW

Example 16.28 A shunt dc generator delivers 195 A at the terminal voltage of 250 V. The
armature resistance and shunt-field resistance are 0.02 and 50 , respectively. The iron
and friction losses are 950 W. Find (a) the emf generated, (b) the copper losses, (c) the
output of the prime mover, and (d) the commercial, mechanical, and electrical efficiencies.
V
250
=
= 5 A.
Rsh
50
I a = I L + I sh = 195 + 5 = 200 A

Solution : (a) I sh =

The generated emf, E g = V + I a Ra = 250 + 200 0.02 = 254 V

(b)

The armature copper loss = I a2 Ra = 2002 0.02 = 800 W

The shunt-field copper loss = V I sh = 250 5 = 1250 W

The total copper losses = 800 + 1250 = 2050 W

(c) The output power supplied to the load, Po = VI L = 250 195 = 48750 W
Total losses = Total copper losses + Stray losses = 2050 + 950 = 3000 W

The output of the prime mover = The input to the generator, Pin
= The output + Total losses
= 48 750 + 3000 = 51 750 W = 51.75 kW
(d) The electrical power produced in the armature is given as
Pe = Pin Stray losses = 51750 950 = 50800 W
Total watts generated in the armature
Mechanical power supplied at the input
50800
=
= 0.982 pu = 98.2%
51750

Mechanical Efficiency, m =

Total watts available to the load

Total watts generated in the armature
48750
=
= 0.959 pu = 95.9 %
50800

Electrical Efficiency, e =

37

Total watts available to the load

Mechanical power supplied
48750
=
= 0.942 pu = 94.2 %
51750

Commercial or Overall Efficiency, c =

Example 16.29 A 4-pole, dc shunt motor working on 250 V takes a current of 2 A when
running light (i.e., at no load) at 1000 rpm. Armature resistance and shunt-field resistances
are 0.2 and 250 , respectively. (a) How much back emf is generated ? (b)What will be
its back emf, speed and percentage speed drop if the motor takes 51 A at a certain load ?
V
250
=
=1 A
Rsh 250
Therefore, armature current, I a1 = I L1 I sh = 2 1 = 1 A

Solution : (a) The shunt-field current, I sh =

Back emf, E1 = V I a1 Ra = 250 1 0.2 = 249.8 V

(b) The armature current, I a 2 = I L 2 I sh = 51 1 = 50 A

Back emf, E2 = V I a 2 Ra = 250 50 0.2 = 240 V

As the motor is shunt wound, the flux remains constant. The emf generated is directly
proportional to the speed. Hence, the new speed is given as
E
240
N 2 = N1 2 = 1000
= 961 rpm
E1
249.8
N N2
1000 961

% speed drop = 1
100 =
100 = 3.9 %
N1
1000

Example 16.30 Calculate the value of the starting resistance for the following shunt motor :
Output = 14 920 W; Supply = 240 V; Armature resistance = 0.25 ;
Efficiency at full load = 86 %
The starting current is to be limited to 1.5 times full-load current. Ignore the current in shunt
winding.
14920
= 17 349 W

0.86
P 17 349

Full-load line current, I L = in =

= 72.3 A
V
240
The permitted starting current, I st = 1.5 I L = 1.5 72.3 = 108.45 A
Required total resistance in the armature circuit at the starting is given as
V
240
Rt =
=
= 2.213
I st 108.45
Therefore, extra resistance required at starting is
Rst = Rt Ra = 2.213 0.25 = 1.963

Solution : The input power, Pin =

Po

38

Example 16.31 A 500-V, dc shunt motor takes 4 A on no load and runs at 1000 rpm. The
armature resistance (including that of the brushes) is 0.2 , and the field current is 1 A. On
loading, if the motor takes a current of 100 A, determine its speed and estimate the efficiency
at which it is working.
Solution : At no load, I a1 = I L1 I sh = 4 1 = 3 A
Back emf, E1 = V I a1 Ra = 500 3 0.2 = 499.4 V
Under loaded condition, I L 2 = 100 A; and I a 2 = I L 2 I sh = 100 1 = 99 A

Back emf, E2 = V I a 2 Ra = 500 99 0.2 = 480.2 V

For a shunt motor, the flux remains constant and hence E N = kN . Therefore,
E
480.2
N 2 = 2 N1 =
1000 962 rpm
E1
499.4
At no load, the power taken by the motor mainly meets the constant losses (iron and
frictional losses). Hence,
Constant losses, Pc = VI L1 = 500 4 = 2000 W
On loading, the copper loss in shunt field winding is negligible compared to the copper loss
in armature winding. Thus,
The variable losses, Pv = I a22 Ra = 992 0.2 = 1960 W

The total input power, Pin = VI L 2 = 500 100 = 50 000 W

P ( Pv + Pc ) 50 000 (2000 + 1960)

Efficiency, = in
=
= 0.92 pu = 92 %
Pin
50 000
Example 16.32 A dc shunt generator running at 500 rpm delivers 50 kW at 250 V. It has
an armature resistance of 0.02 and a field-winding resistance of 50 . Calculate the speed
of the machine running as a shunt motor and taking a power of 50 kW at 250 V.

Solution : The field current in both cases, I sh =

V
250
=
=5 A
50
Rsh

When working as a generator, the machine supplies a load of 50 kW at 250 V. Therefore,

the load current,
50 kW
IL =
= 200 A ; and I a1 = I L + I sh = 200 + 5 = 205 A
250 V
Hence, the induced emf, Ea1 = V + I a1 Ra = 250 + 205 0.02 = 254.1 V
When working as a motor, the machine takes a power of 50 kW at 250 V. The line current
IL is still 200 A. Out of this current, 5 A goes to the shunt field winding. Therefore, the
armature current,
I a 2 = I L I sh = 200 5 = 195 A

Hence, the induced emf, Ea 2 = V I a 2 Ra = 250 195 0.02 = 246.1 V

As the field current and hence the flux per pole is the same in the two cases, we should
have
39

N 2 E2
=
N1 E1

or

N2 =

E2
246.1
N1 =
500 = 484 rpm
E1
254.1

Example 16.33 A series motor takes 20 A at 400 V and runs at 250 rpm. The armature and
field resistances are 0.6 and 0.4 , respectively. Find the applied voltage and the current
to run the motor at 350 rpm, if the torque required varies as the square of the speed.
Solution : In a series motor, I a2 . But here it is given that N 2 . Hence, we conclude
that
I a N = kN
Ia2 N2
N
350

=
or
I a 2 = 2 I a1 =
20 = 28 A
I a1 N1
N1
250
The back emfs generated in the two cases are
E1 = V1 I a1 ( Ra + Rse ) = 400 20 (0.6 + 0.4) = 380 V
and

E2 = V2 I a 2 ( Ra + Rse ) = V2 28 (0.6 + 0.4) = (V2 28) V

In a series motor, as the flux I a , the back emf generated is given as

ZNP
N I a N
60 A
Therefore, we must have
E2 I a 2 N 2
=
E1 I a1 N1
V2 28 28 350
or
=

380
20 250

E=

V2 = 772.8 V

SUMMARY
1.

There are two types of armature-windings in a dc machine : (i) Lap winding (A = P), and
(ii) Wave-winding (A = 2); A is the number of parallel paths.

2.

The emf generated in a dc machine, E =

3.

For a generator, V = Eg I a Ra ; and for a motor, V = Eg + I a Ra

4.

Types of dc machines : (1) Permanent magnet, (2) Separately excited, and (3) Selfexcited : (a) Series, (b) Shunt, and (c) Compound : (i) Short-shunt, and (ii) Long-shunt.

5.

The armature reaction is the effect of armature ampere-turns upon the value and
distribution of the magnetic flux entering and leaving the armature core. The flux due to
armature reaction is called cross flux. It weakens and distorts the main flux.

ZNP
.
60 A

40

6.

Different losses in dc machines : (1) Copper losses : (i) Armature copper loss, (ii) Field
copper loss, and (iii) Brush contact loss; (2) Magnetic or iron losses : (i) Hysteresis loss,
and (ii) Eddy-current loss; (3) Mechanical losses : (i) Air friction (or windage) loss, and
(ii) Bearing friction loss.

7.

The condition for maximum efficiency of a dc generator is that the constant losses (iron
losses) must be equal to the variable losses (copper losses).

8.

Important characteristics of a dc generator : (1) Open-circuit, Magnetic, or No-load

Characteristic, (2) Load, or External Characteristic, (3) Internal Characteristic.

9.

Critical field resistance for a dc generator running at a given speed is the minimum
value of field resistance for which the voltage build-up is possible.

10. Critical speed for a dc generator for given field resistance is the minimum speed for
which the voltage build-up is possible.
11. Due to the armature voltage drop and the demagnetization effect of the armature
reaction, the terminal voltage of a dc shunt generator slightly decreases as the load is
increased.
12. In a dc series generator, the terminal voltage increases proportionately to the load
current.
13. Ideally, we prefer a generator whose terminal voltage remains constant even on
increasing the load. This can be achieved in a level-compounded generator. Depending
upon whether the series ampere-turns are less than or more than the shunt ampere-turns,
the generator may be under-compounded or ove- compounded.
14. The torque developed in a dc motor, d =

Z P
I a , or d I a
2 A

15. A dc shunt motor is almost a constant speed motor, and the torque, d I a .
16. A dc series motor is a variable speed motor, and the torque, d I a2 . For loads requiring
large starting torque, the series motor is the best choice. For example, hoists, cranes,
electric trains, etc.
17. If a dc motor is directly connected to the supply, a heavy damaging current flows
through the armature. To avoid this, we use a starter.

41

CHECK YOUR UNDERSTANDING

Before you proceed to the next Chapter, take this Test. Give yourself two marks for each
correct answer and minus one for each wrong answer. If your score is 12 or more, go to the
next Chapter; otherwise study this Chapter again.

No.

Statement

True False Marks

1.

The yoke of a dc machine has two-fold purposes --- first,

it acts as a supporting frame, and secondly it provides a
path for the magnetic flux.

2.

In lap winding, the number of parallel paths is always

two, irrespective of the number of poles the machine has.

3.

The curve drawn between the induced emf and the

armature current of a dc generator is known as its opencircuit characteristic.

4.

In order that the voltage may build up in a dc shunt

generator, the value of the field resistance should be
more than the critical value.

5.

In a dc shunt generator, for a given value of field-circuit

resistance the lowest speed at which a generator can just
build up the voltage, is called the critical speed.

6.

The copper loss in a dc machine occurs only in the

armature winding and not in the field winding.

7.

In a series motor, the field flux does not remain constant

but it depends on the mechanical load coupled to the
motor.

8.

The commutator segments of a dc machine are insulated

from each other by a thin layer of mica.

9.

For low values of armature current Ia, the torque

produced by a dc series motor is proportional to I a2 .

10.

A torque is developed not only in a dc motor but also in a

dc generator.
Your Score

Answers
1. True
6. False

2. False
7. True

3. False
8. True

4. False
9. True

5. True
10. True
42

REVIEW QUESTIONS
1.

Explain the principle of working of a dc generator.

2.

Explain the constructional features of a dc machine.

3.

Name the main parts of a dc machine and state the material of which each part is made.

4.

Explain why a commutator and brush arrangement is necessary for the operation of a dc
machine.

5.

Derive the emf equation for a dc generator.

6.

Explain why the armature core of a dc machine is made of laminated silicon sheet steel.

7.

Explain why the air gap between the pole-pieces and the armature is kept very small.

8.

What will be the effect on the emf induced in the armature conductors, if the armature
core of a dc generator is made of wood instead of iron ?

9.

What do you understand by no-load saturation curve for a dc generator ?

10. Describe how a self-excited dc shunt generator builds up its terminal voltage as it is run
by a prime mover. Clearly bring out the importance of (a) the residual magnetism in the
field core, (b) the value of the shunt field resistance, and (c) the speed of rotor, in the
process of building the terminal voltage.
11. Explain the terms critical resistance and critical speed of a dc shunt generator with
reference to its relevant characteristics.
12. Explain in brief the different methods of excitation of a dc generator.
expression for the terminal voltage in each case.

Write the

13. A dc generator fails to build up voltage when it is run at rated speed. What may be the
possible reasons ?
14. Explain the principle of operation of a dc motor.
15. Derive the expression for the back emf in a dc motor. Briefly explain the role it plays in
starting and running of the motor.
16. Explain why the induced emf in a dc motor is called back or counter emf.
17. Explain how the torque is produced in a dc motor.
18. Explain the speed and torque characteristics of (a) a dc shunt motor, and (b) a dc series
motor.
19. Explain why a series dc motor is best suited for electric traction service.
20. Explain what the term speed regulation of a dc motor means.
21. Enumerate the various losses that occur in a dc machine.
22. Explain why the starting current is high in a dc motor.
23. Why is it necessary to use a starter for starting a dc motor ? Draw a diagram of a threepoint starter and explain the function of each component.
43

24. Explain why the no-voltage release coil is provided in the starter of a dc motor.
25. How will you reverse the direction of rotation of a dc motor ?

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS

Here are some incomplete statements. Four alternatives are provided below each. Tick the
alternative that completes the statement correctly :

1.

The armature of a dc machine is made up of laminated sheets in order to

(a) reduce armature copper-loss
(b) reduce eddy-current loss
(c) reduce hysteresis loss
(d) increase the dissipation of heat from the armature surface

2.

The purpose of having the commutator-brush arrangement in a dc motor is

(a) to produce a unidirectional torque
(b) to produce a unidirectional current in the armature
(c) to help in changing the direction of rotation of the armature
(d) none of the above

3.

The number of parallel paths in the armature winding of a four-pole wave-connected dc

machine having 28 coils-sides is
(a) 28
(b) 14
(c) 4
(d) 2

4.

Which one of the following equations does not apply to a shunt-wound dc generator ?
V
(a) I sh =
(b) I L = I a I sh
Rsh
(c) E = V + I a Ra
(d) V = E + I a Ra

5.

A dc series motor should always be started with load connected, because

(a) at no load it will rotate at dangerously high speed
(b) at no load it will not develop high starting torque
(c) it cannot start without load
(d) it draws a small amount of current at no load

6.

The emf generated by a given dc generator depends upon

(a) the flux only
(b) the speed only
(c) both the flux and speed
(d) the terminal voltage

7.

The speed of a dc motor is

(a) directly proportional to both its back emf and flux
(b) inversely proportional to both its back emf and flux
(c) directly proportional to flux but inversely proportional to its back emf
(d) directly proportional to its back emf but inversely proportional to flux

8.

For reversing the direction of rotation of a dc motor,

(a) the connections of both the armature and field windings are required to be reversed
44

(b) the connections of either the armature or the field winding are required to be
reversed
(c) only the field flux need be weakened
(d) only the armature current need be reduced
9.

If the field current of a dc generator keeps on increasing, the emf generated

(a) also increases indefinitely
(b) increases till the winding is burnt
(c) increases till the magnetic saturation takes place
(d) first increases, reaches a maximum value and then starts decreasing till it reduces to
zero

10. The emf induced in each conductor of the armature in a dc machine is

(a) alternating in nature
(b) direct in nature
(c) pulsating in nature
(d) has a random waveshape
11. A dc machine having an armature-resistance of 0.1 is connected to a 230-V dc supply.
What should be the emf generated in the machine so that it may feed a current of 80 A to
the supply ?
(a) 8 V
(b) 222 V
(c) 230 V
(d) 238 V
12. The yoke of a dc machine
(a) is always laminated
(c) may or may not be laminated

(b) is never laminated

(d) none of the above

13. The back emf in a dc motor is given as

(a) V + I a Ra
(b) V I a Ra

(c) V

(d) I a Ra

14. Normally, a large number of commutator segments are used in a dc generator to

(a) increase the magnitude of the output voltage
(b) increase the output current
(c) increase the kW power output
(d) make the dc output wave more smooth
15. The residual magnetism is necessary for the operation of
(a) a dc shunt generator
(b) a dc shunt motor
(c) a dc series motor
(d) a separately excited generator
16. At the moment of starting a dc motor, its back emf is
(a) zero
(b) maximum
(c) minimum

(d) optimum

17. A 220-V dc machine has an armature-resistance of 1 . If the full-load current is 20 A,

the difference in the induced emf when the machine is running as a generator and as a
motor, is
(a) zero
(b) 20 V
(c) 40 V
(d) 220 V
18. The difference between the no-load and full-load speeds of a dc shunt motor is of the
order of
(a) 1 %
(b) 10 %
(c) 20 %
(d) 50 %

45

19. In a dc series motor, the torque developed is 20 Nm at a current of 20 A. If the current is

doubled, the torque developed becomes
(a) 20 Nm
(b) 40 Nm
(c) 80 Nm
(d) 160 Nm
20. In a dc shunt motor, the torque developed is 20 Nm at a current of 20 A. If the current
is doubled, the torque developed becomes
(a) 20 Nm
(b) 40 Nm
(c) 80 Nm
(d) 160 Nm
Answers
1. b
11. d

2. a
12. c

3. d
13. b

4. d
14. d

5. a
15. a

6. c
16. a

7. d
17. c

8. b
18. a

9. c
19. c

10. a
20. b

PROBLEMS
(A) Simple Problems
1. A four-pole, wave-connected armature in a dc generator has 51 slots with 12 conductors
per slot. It is driven at 900 rpm. If the useful flux per pole is 25 mWb, calculate the
value of the generated emf.
[Ans. 459 V]
2. An eight-pole, dc generator running at 1200 rpm, and with a flux of 25 mWb per pole
generates 440 V. Calculate the number of conductors, if the armature is (i) lap-wound,
(ii) wave-wound.
[Ans. (i) 880; (ii) 220]
3. A 4-pole, dc shunt generator has a useful flux per pole of 0.07 Wb. The armature has 400
lap-wound conductors, each of resistance 0.002 , and is rotating at 900 rpm. If the
armature current is 50 A, calculate the terminal voltage.
[Ans. 417.5 V]
4.

An 8-pole dc generator has 500 armature conductors and a useful flux of 0.05 Wb. (a)
What will be the emf generated, if it is lap-connected and runs at 1200 rpm ? (b) What
must be the speed at which it is to be driven to produce the same emf, if it is wavewound ?
[Ans. (a) 500 V; (b) 300 rpm]

5.

A separately-excited, 4-pole, 900-rpm, wave-wound, dc generator has an induced emf of

240 V at rated speed and rated field current. When connected to a load, the terminal
voltage is observed to be 220 V. If the armature resistance is 0.2 and the flux per pole
is 10 mWb, compute the armature current and the number of conductors.
[Ans. 100 A, 800]

6.

An 8-kW, 250-V, 1250 rpm, dc shunt motor has armature resistance of 0.7 . The field
current is adjusted so that the armature draws a current of 1.6 A on no load while
running at 1250 rpm. On applying the load torque to the motor shaft, the armature
current rises to 40 A, and the speed falls to 1150 rpm. Determine the percentage
reduction in flux per pole due to the armature reaction.
[Ans. 3.04 %]

(B) Tricky Problems

46

7. Find the power output of a dc armature having 1152 lap-wound conductors. The
armature carries a current of 120 A and rotates at 250 rpm in a 12-pole field, the flux per
pole being 75 mWb.
[Ans. 43.2 kW]
8.

A 4-pole, shunt generator with lap-connected armature has field and armature resistances
of 50 and 0.1 , respectively. It supplies power to sixty 100-V, 40-W lamps.
Calculate the total armature current, the current per armature path, and the generated
emf. Allow a contact drop of 1 V per brush.
[Ans. 26 A, 6.5 A, 104.6 V]

9.

A shunt generator has an induced voltage of 254 V. When the machine is loaded, the
terminal voltage drops down to 240 V. Neglecting armature reaction, determine the load
current, if the armature resistance is 0.04 and the field resistance is 24 .
[Ans. 340 A]

10. A 4-pole, dc shunt generator with wave-connected armature has 41 slots and 12
conductors per slot. Ra = 0.5 and Rsh = 200 , and flux per pole is 125 mWb. When
the generator is driven at 1000 rpm, calculate the voltage across a 10- load resistance
connected across the armature terminals.
[Ans. 1947.5 V]
11. A 4-pole, long-shunt, lap-wound, dc generator supplies 25 kW at a terminal voltage of
500 V. The armature resistance is 0.03 , series-field resistance is 0.04 and the shuntfield resistance is 200 . Taking contact drop as 1 V per brush, determine the emf
generated. Calculate also the number of conductors if the speed is 1200 rpm and the flux
per pole is 0.02 Wb. Neglect the armature reaction.
[Ans. 505.67 V, 1264]
12. A 220-V, dc shunt motor runs at 1000 rpm, when the armature current is 35 A. The
resistance of the armature circuit is 0.3 ohm. Calculate the additional resistance required
in the armature circuit to reduce the speed of the motor to 750 rpm, assuming that the
armature current then is 25 A.
[Ans. 2.256 ohms]
13. A 4-pole, 500-V, dc shunt motor has 720 wave-connected conductors on its armature.
The full-load armature current is 60 A and the flux per pole is 0.03 Wb. The armature
resistance is 1.2 and the contact drop is 1 V per brush. Calculate the full-load speed of
the motor.
[Ans. 675 rpm]
14. A 230-V, dc shunt motor runs at 1000 rpm on full-load, drawing a current of 10 A. The
armature resistance is 0.5 and the shunt field resistance is 230 . Calculate the
resistance to be inserted in series with the armature so that the full-load speed reduces to
950 rpm.
[Ans. 1.253 ]
15. A 250-V, dc shunt motor having armature resistance of 0.5 is excited to give constant
main field. At full load, the motor runs at 400 rpm and takes an armature current of 30
A. If a resistance of 1 is placed in series with the armature, find (i) the speed at the
full-load torque, (ii) the speed at double the full-load torque, and (iii) the stalling torque.
[Ans. (i) 350 rpm; (ii) 272 rpm; (iii) 5.55 times fl ]
16. A 4-pole, 250-V dc shunt motor has a lap-connected armature with 960 conductors. The
armature and field resistances are 0.12 and 125 , respectively. The flux per pole is
20 mWb, and the rotational losses amount to 825 W. Calculate (a) the torque developed
47

by the armature in Nm, and (b) the useful torque in Nm, when the current taken by the
motor is 30 A.
[Ans. (a) 85.6 Nm; (b) 75.3 Nm]
17. A dc series motor with series field and armature resistances of 0.06 and 0.04 ,
respectively, is connected to 220 V mains. The armature takes a current of 40 A and its
speed is 900 rpm. Determine its speed when the armature takes 75 A and excitation is
increased by 15 % due to saturation.
[Ans. 770 rpm]
18. A 240-V, series dc motor takes 40 A when giving its rated output at 1500 rpm. Its
resistance is 0.3 . Calculate the value of the resistance that must be added to obtain
rated torque at (i) starting, and (ii) 1000 rpm.
[Ans. (i) 5.7 ; (ii) 1.9 ]
(C ) Challenging Problems
19. A 500-V, 10-pole, dc shunt generator running at 750 rpm, supplies a load at rated
voltage. The armature has 600 conductors and is lap-wound. If the armature current is
200 A and the armature resistance is 0.15 , find the useful flux per pole.
[Ans. 70.7 mWb]
20. A separately excited generator, when running at 1000 rpm, supplies 200 A at 125 V.
What will be the load current when the speed drops to 800 rpm, if If is unchanged ?
Given that the armature resistance is 0.04 and the drop at the brushes is 2 V.
[Ans. 159.4 A]
21. A 250-V, dc shunt motor has a shunt-field resistance of 250 and armature resistance
of 0.5 ohm. While running at a speed of 1500 rpm on no load, it takes 5 A current from
the mains. Calculate its speed when loaded so that it takes 50 A current from the mains.
[Ans. 1364 rpm]
22. A 220-V, dc shunt motor takes a full-load current of 32 A while running at 850 rpm. It
has an armature resistance of 0.5 and shunt field resistance of 110 . Calculate the
speed at which the machine runs, if (a) a 1.5- resistor were introduced in series with
the armature, (b) a 30- resistor were connected in series with the field winding.
Assume that the torque remains constant throughout and the field flux is proportional to
the field current.
[Ans. (a) 663 rpm; (b) 1061 rpm]
23. A 200-V, dc series motor runs at 1000 rpm and takes 20 A. Combined resistance of
armature and series field windings is 0.4 . Calculate the resistance to be inserted in
series to reduce the speed to 800 rpm, assuming that the torque varies as square of the
speed.
[Ans. 4.42 ]

EXPERIMENTAL EXERCISE 16.1

Magnetization Characteristics of a DC Shunt Generator

OBJECTIVES :
1. To plot the magnetization characteristics of a dc shunt generator.
2. To plot the field resistance line.
48

APPARATUS : A dc shunt generator (with armature and field terminals); A three-phase

induction motor; 220-V, dc supply; Three-phase, 440-V, ac supply; One 80-, 5-A, rheostat;
Two dc voltmeters (0 - 300 V); One dc ammeter (0 - 2 A).
CIRCUIT DIAGRAM : The circuit arrangement is shown in Fig. 16.20.

Fig. 16.20.

BRIEF THEORY : Strictly speaking, the magnetization curve represents a plot of magnetic
flux (per pole) versus the field winding mmf. However, as the emf generated in a dc
machine is given as
ZNP
Eg =
60 A
Since Z, P and A are constant for a machine, if we keep the speed N constant, the
emf Eg . Further, if the number of turns in the field winding remains constant, its mmf is
directly proportional to the field current If. Hence, a plot between the induced emf E (i.e., the
open-circuit terminal voltage) and the field current If represents the magnetization
characteristic. That is why this curve is often called Open Circuit Characteristic (OCC)
curve.
For plotting the OCC of a shunt generator, its field winding is separately excited, as
shown in Fig. 16.20. The generator is driven by a three-phase induction motor (or any other
prime-mover) at a fixed speed and its armature terminals are left open to measure the induced
emf E by a high-resistance voltmeter V2.

49

The field resistance line (the line OA in Fig. 16.21) can be plotted by noting the readings
of ammeter A and voltmeter V1.

PROCEDURE :
1. Make the connections as shown in Fig. 16.20. The dc generator is mechanically
coupled to the 3-phase induction motor. Field winding terminals F-F1 are connected
to 220-V dc supply through a rheostat. The voltmeter V2 is connected across the
armature terminals A-A1.
2. By putting on the switch S2, connect the induction motor to 3-phase ac supply. The
induction motor drives the generator at a constant speed.
3. Note the reading of voltmeter V2. This small voltage gives the measure of the
residual magnetism.
4. Now, put on switch S1 by keeping the rheostat Rh at the minimum.
5. Gradually increase in steps the field current If (as measured by ammeter A), by
increasing the rheostat Rh, and note the corresponding values of induced emf E (as
given by the voltmeter V2) and the voltage across the field-winding (as given by the
voltmeter V1).
6. Plot the magnetization curve between V2 and If, and the field-resistance line between
V1 and If.
7. Switch off first the dc supply and then the 3-phase ac supply to the induction motor.

Fig. 16.21 Magnetization curve and field resistance line for a dc shunt generator.

OBSERVATIONS :

50

No.

If
(in A)

V1
(in V)

V2
(in V)

1
2
3
4
5

RESULTS :
1. The magnetization curve and the field resistance line are plotted in Fig. 16.21
2. For larger values of the field currents, the magnetization curve bends towards
horizontal axis, due to magnetic saturation.

PRECAUTIONS :
1. Before switching on the supplies, the zero readings of the ammeter and voltmeters
should be checked.
2. The terminals of the rheostat should be connected properly.
3. The dc ammeter and voltmeters should be connected with correct polarity.

VIVA-VOCE :
1. Q. : What is the utility of plotting the magnetization curve of a dc machine ?
Ans. : It gives us an idea about the required field current to obtain a given emf at a
given speed.
2. Q. : From the curves of Fig. 16.21, how will you find the emf generated ?
Ans. : The point of intersection A of the magnetization curve and the field resistance
line gives the emf generated
3. Q. : Keeping the speed constant, how can you reduce the emf E induced in the
armature ?
Ans. : This can be achieved by increasing the resistance of the shunt-field circuit.
4. Q. : By doing so, can you reduce the value of E to any extent ?
Ans. : No. When the field resistance line becomes tangential to the initial straight
line portion of the magnetization curve, the emf E suddenly reduces to a very low
value.
5. Q. : Keeping If constant, if you increase the speed by 20 %, what will be the effect on
the emf E ?
Ans. : Since E N , the emf too will increase by 20 %.
6. Q. : Even though it is a dc machine, then why is the armature core laminated ?
Ans. : Although the current in the external circuit is dc, but the current in the
armature winding is ac. Hence, to reduce the eddy-current loss, we make the
armature core laminated.
51

7. Q. : Does it mean the pole core too has to be laminated ?

Ans. : No, it need not be laminated, as the flux is dc. However, the flux in pole shoes
is ac, and hence the pole shoes are made from laminated sheets.
8. Q. : How do you insulate the lamination sheets from one another ?
Ans. : A thin layer of varnish is coated over the surface of the laminations.
9. Q. : What purpose is served by putting the pole shoes ?
Ans. : Firstly, they provide support to the field winding, and secondly their shape
helps in making the flux radial in the air gap.
10. Q. : Name the common types of armature windings in dc machines.
Ans. : There are two types lap winding and wave winding.
11. Q. : Is the number of parallel paths same in the two types of windings ?
Ans. : No. For wave winding it is 2; and for lap winding it is same as the number of
poles.
12. Q. : Name the material of the brushes in dc machines. Why do you use this material?
Ans. : It is carbon or graphite. We choose this material because it is soft, self
lubricating and highly conductive.

EXPERIMENTAL EXERCISE 16.2

Speed Control of a DC Shunt Motor

OBJECTIVES :
1. To plot the speed versus field-current characteristic curve for a dc shunt motor.
2. To plot the speed versus armature voltage characteristic curve for a dc shunt motor.
APPARATUS : A dc shunt motor (with armature and field terminals); 220-V, dc supply; One
1000-, 2-A, rheostat; One 25-, 20-A, rheostat; One dc voltmeter (0 - 300 V); One dc
ammeter (0 - 2 A); One dc ammeter (0 - 20 A); One tachometer.
CIRCUIT DIAGRAM : The circuit arrangement is shown in Fig. 16.22.

52

Fig. 16.22 Circuit diagram for studying the speed control

of dc shunt motor.

BRIEF THEORY : The equation governing the speed of a dc shunt motor is given as
V I a Ra
N

where I a Ra is the voltage drop across the armature, which is usually not more than 5 % of the
terminal voltage V. Hence, we can say that
V
N

The speed is, therefore, inversely proportional to the flux (or field current If) and almost
directly proportional to the terminal voltage V.
By putting suitable rheostats in the field circuit and armature circuit, we can vary both the
field current and the armature terminal voltage, and plot the speed control characteristics.

PROCEDURE :
1. Make the connections as shown in Fig. 16.22.
2. Keep the armature-control rheostat Rac to its maximum and the field control rheostat
Rfc to its minimum value.
3. Switch on the dc supply. The motor starts running at slow speed.
4. Bring the armature-control rheostat Rac to its minimum value so that the armature
terminal voltage is at its rated value.
5. Gradually increase the rheostat Rfc to decrease the field current If in steps up to a level
where speed does not become exorbitantly high. Measure the corresponding speed
using the tachometer. Note down the values.
6. Draw the speed versus field-current characteristic curve.
7. Bring the field-control rheostat Rfc to its minimum value so that the field current If is
at its rated value.
8. Now, gradually increase the armature-control rheostat Rac to decrease the terminal
voltage V in steps. Measure the corresponding speed using the tachometer. Note
down the values.
9. Draw the speed versus terminal-voltage characteristic curve.
10. Switch off the dc supply.

53

(a) Speed versus field-current characteristic.

(b) Speed versus voltage characteristic.

Fig. 16.23 Speed control of dc shunt motor.

OBSERVATIONS :
Flux Control Method
No.

If
(in A)

N
(in rpm)

Armature Control Method

V
(in V)

N
(in rpm)

1
2
3
4
5

RESULTS :
1. The speed versus field-current characteristic curve and the speed versus armaturevoltage characteristic curve are plotted in Fig. 16.23.
2. As the field current If is decreased (and hence the flux is decreased), the speed N
increases (Fig. 16.23a).
3. As the armature voltage V is decreased, the speed N also decreases almost
proportionately (Fig. 16.23b).

PRECAUTIONS :
1. Before switching on the supplies, the zero readings of the ammeters and voltmeter
should be checked.
2. The terminals of the rheostat should be connected properly.
3. The dc ammeter and voltmeters should be connected with correct polarity.
4. Before starting the motor, the field-control rheostat should be at its minimum and the
armature-control rheostat should be at its maximum.

VIVA-VOCE :
1. Q. : What is the most important precaution in any experiment with a dc shunt motor ?
54

Ans. : Before switching on the dc supply, sufficient resistance should be put in series
with the armature of the dc shunt motor.
2. Q. : What will go wrong, if the above precaution is not observed ?
Ans. : At the start (N = 0), the back emf is zero. The armature resistance is very low
(less than 1 ohm). If the dc supply is directly switched on, the armature current may
become damagingly high.
3. Q. : If the rated speed of a dc shunt motor is 1500 rpm, which of the two methods do
you suggest for reducing the speed to 1000 rpm ?
Ans. : The armature-control method is suggested, as the armature voltage can be
easily reduced by increasing the rheostat Rac.
4. Q. : On the other hand, if you wish to increase the speed to 1600 rpm, which method
should be used and why ?
Ans. : Flux-control method should be used because the flux is to be reduced which
can easily be done by increasing the resistance of the rheostat in the field circuit. On
the other hand, the armature control method requires increasing the armature voltage
beyond the rated value, which may damage the armature.
5. Q. : Is there any limitation of the flux-control method of speed control of a dc motor ?
Ans. : Yes, speeds below the rated value cannot be achieved by this method.
6. Q. : What would you do to reverse the direction of rotation of the dc shunt motor ?
Ans. : The torque is given as = k I a . To reverse the direction of rotation, the
direction of torque is to be reversed. For this, we reverse the connections to either the
field or the armature.
7. Q. : What will happen if the field winding of a dc shunt motor running on no load is
suddenly opened ?
Ans. : The magnetic flux will reduce to almost zero (in fact, to the residual
magnetism value), and hence the speed will become dangerously high. The parts of
the motor may even fly apart.
8. Q. : What will happen if the shunt field winding of a loaded dc shunt motor
accidentally breaks ?
Ans. : The flux will reduce to a very low value, which results in a very low torque
( = k I a ). The motor sudden comes to a stop. As a result, the induced emf E
reduces to zero. Whole of supply voltage acts to force a very heavy current in
armature winding, because of which it may even burn.

55