Department of Electrical Engineering Laboratory Manual for Electrical Machines 1
Experiment No. 1
THE DC SHUNT GENERATOR
OBJECTIVES
1. To investigate the relationship between the open circuit voltage and the field current for a
DC shunt generator with the shunt field windings separately excited and the armature driven
at constant speed
2. To determine the external characteristics of the separately excited shunt wound generator
and to obtain its voltage regulation.
3. To determine the external characteristics of the self-excited shunt wound generators and to
obtain its voltage regulation
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Although the generated voltage is a linear function of flux, the variation in generated voltage
with a change in current in the shunt field windings depend upon the characteristics of the
magnetic circuit, since the flux is not a linear function of the field current. The curve that shows
the variation in voltage with shunt field current is called the open circuit characteristics,
magnetization curve, or open circuit saturation curve.
The data needed for the magnetization curve at no-load is obtained experimentally by
operating the generator at constant speed at no-load. Changes in terminal voltage as the field
current is varied are obtained from the circuit diagram in Fig. 1.1 and the expected shape of the
curves for increasing and decreasing values of field current are shown in Fig. 1.2.
Since the terminal voltage is the difference between the generated voltage and the armature
resistance drop, or
VL = Eg – IaRa Eq. 1.1
and since the armature current is negligible at no-load (being only the very small voltmeter
current), the no-load terminal voltage is equal to the generated voltage. The curve as shown in
Fig. 1.2 is therefore a plot of terminal voltage versus field current. When the field current is zero,
the smallest voltage generated is due to the residual flux or residual magnetism in the magnetic
circuit.
The magnetization curve for one speed, say n1 can be made to serve as the basis for curves
applying to say other speed say n 2 without additional data. Since at no-load, the flux is a
function of the field current, the generated voltage for a given field current is directly proportional
to the speed. Thus, for a given field current, the generated voltage E 2 at some speed n2 is given
by
E2 = E1(n2/n1) Eq. 1.2
where E1 is the generated voltage at speed n1 for the same field current. If calculations are
made for a sufficient number of field currents, the data for a magnetization curve at speed n 2
can also be obtained.
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Department of Electrical Engineering Laboratory Manual for Electrical Machines 1
In the selection of a generator for a particular duty, the external characteristics, the
relationship between terminal voltage and load current, are probably the most important aspect
of their other characteristics. When plotted, the external characteristic curve indicates how the
terminal voltage varies as the load current changes, the field circuit condition and speed
remaining the same.
The bases for the development of the external characteristics are two relations of the
generator, namely,
VL = Eg – IaRa Eq. 1.3
and
EG = kφn Eq. 1.4
The two equations may be combined to give
VL = kφn – IaRa Eq. 1.5
If the flux and therefore, the generated voltage of a separately excited shunt generator are
assumed to be constant (since the field current is to be held constant), the terminal voltage
varies linearly with load current, as indicated by the broken line in Fig. 1.4. The difference
between terminal voltage under load and the terminal voltage at no-load is the I aRa drop.
Actually, as the load current increases, the flux and therefore, the generated voltage will
decrease because of armature reaction and the characteristic curve drops away from the linear.
Therefore, for a separately excited shunt generator, the I aRa drop and the effect of armature
reaction cause the difference between the terminal voltage under load and the terminal voltage
at no-load.
In a self-excited shunt generator, there is still a further decrease in flux because the field
current decreases as the terminal voltage decreases. This can be seen from the equation of the
field current
VL
If = Eq. 1.6
R f + RBH
The result is the widely drooping curve as shown in Fig. 1.6 which shows the difference
between the terminal voltage under load and the terminal voltage at no-load due to IARA drop,
the effect of the weakened field due to the decrease in If and the effect of armature reaction.
The change in terminal voltage of a generator between full-load and no-load is called the
voltage regulation, usually expressed as a percentage of the full-load voltage. Thus, if the
voltage regulation is given as 10%, it means that the voltage increases by 10% as the load is
changed from full-load to no-load. Expressed mathematically,
V NL−V FL
Voltage Regulation= Eq. 1.7
V FL
where VNL is the voltage at no-load and V FL is the voltage at full-load. The voltage regulation of a
generator is determined with a field-circuit-condition and speed held constant.
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Department of Electrical Engineering Laboratory Manual for Electrical Machines 1
EQUIPMENT INITIAL SETTINGS (double check)
FH2 MkIV Test Bend Speed Range: 1800 rev/min
DC Supply: 110 V
Armature Rheostat: Infinite
START/STOP/RUN: Switch to Run
FH50 DC Compound Machine Test Machine – DC Generator
FH50 DC Compound Machine Prime Mover – DC Motor
FH2 MkIV Instrumentation Frame
V2 DC Voltmeter 150 V Range
A2 DC Ammeter 250 mA (Af) Range/1.5 A Range (AL)
R1 Resistive Load 50 ohms Rheostat set to zero
2000 ohms Rheostat set to infinity
R2 General Purpose Rheostat ‘Full-in’ position, giving 110 V on Vf
FH210 Automatic Constant
Speed Unit 1500 rev/min (FH210 is optional)
PROCEDURES FOR RUN 1
Increasing values of field current If
1. Open the Simulink as circuit simulator that can be found in MATLAB, click the “Blank
Model” to create the necessary circuit.
2. Set up the equipment and connect the wiring diagram that can be found in Fig. 1.1(a) or
Fig. 1.1(b). All of the necessary equipment for this experiment can be found in library
browser (upper left of the Simulink): The following are the requirement apparatus for this
experiment: dc voltage source, resistor, voltage and current measurement, constant, DC
machine, powergui, scope, display and bus selector.
3. For the DC machine, double click it to change the properties, change the mechanical
input from Torque TL to Speed W click apply and ok. Then connect the constant
equipment to the DC machine having a constant value of 25 rps.
4. For the bus selector, connect the arrow indicated as “m” on the DC machine to the bus
selector, double click the bus selector remove the “???signal1 and ???signal2” and
select the “Speed, armature current, field current and electrical torque” that can be found
on the left tab of the block parameters: Bus selector.
5. For the constant of the DC machine set the constant to 25 rps. Set the DC voltage
source to 110V, and the powergui to continuous as simulation type. Make sure that
following equipment are properly connected.
6. Set both controls on R1 to maximum resistance (∞) to make If equal to zero and record
the small voltage due to residual magnetism. These are the results of trial number 1
7. Take a set of reading of output voltage for increasing values of field current by varying
both R1 and R2 for control of field current. Set a specific resistance value to the both
resistor and run the circuit. Tally the data gathered to the Table 1.1 run 1.
Decreasing values of field current If
1. With same precaution of run 1, however unlike the run1 this time the field current will be
decrease by reducing the value of R1 until it is zero with the voltage Vf equal to zero by
varying the resistance for R2.
2. Record the results for reducing the field current If in table 1.1
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Department of Electrical Engineering Laboratory Manual for Electrical Machines 1
Wiring Diagram
Figure 1.1(a)
SCHEMATIC DIAGRAM CURVES
Generator Speed = 1500 rpm (constant)
R1 EG
+ Af
Decreasing If
R2 Shunt Ia
110 V DC Field VG
WInding
Vf Armature
Increasing If
-
Figure 1.1(b)
If
Fig. 1.2. Open Circuit Saturation Curves
For Increasing and Decreasing Values of If
PROCEDURES FOR RUN II
1. For the second run of the experiment create a new blank model in order to create a
new circuit.
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Department of Electrical Engineering Laboratory Manual for Electrical Machines 1
2. Set up the equipment and connect the wiring diagram as shown in Fig. 1.3(a) or Fig.
1.3(b). In the library browser look for the following equipment: dc voltage source,
resistor, voltage, and current measurement, constant, DC machine, powergui, scope,
display and bus selector.
3. Click the constant equipment and set the value to 25 rps, setup the DC voltage
source to 110v and the powergui to continuous as simulation type. Make sure that
the necessary connection attained.
4. Run the circuit to obtain the results, increase the output current by increasing the
resistance of R1. Records the results in Table 1.2
WIRING DIAGRAM
Figure 1.3(a)
SCHEMATIC DIAGRAM CURVES
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Department of Electrical Engineering Laboratory Manual for Electrical Machines 1
R1
+ Af AL
No-load Voltage
VL
R2 Shunt IARA drop
Ia R1 as
110 V DC Field VL
WInding load
Effect of Armature
Vf Reaction
External Characteristic
Figure 1.3(b)
IL
Figure 1.4 – External Characteristic Curve for Run II
Applicable Equations:
VL = Eg – IARA IA = IL If = Vf/(Rf + R1)
PROCEDURES FOR RUN III
1. Create a new blank model and set up and connect the equipment as shown in Fig1.5(a)
or Fig. 1.5(b). In the library browser look for the following equipment: dc voltage source,
resistor, voltage, and current measurement, constant, DC machine, powergui, scope,
display and bus selector.
2. Setup the constant to 25 so that the machines will rotate at 1500 rpm. Apply a 110 volts
DC to the shunt field windings.
3. Increase the output currents in steps by increasing the R1. Record the results in Table
1.3.
4. Plot graphs of output voltage as ordinate against output current for the self-excited shunt
generator. Use separate sheets.
WIRING DIAGRAM
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Department of Electrical Engineering Laboratory Manual for Electrical Machines 1
Figure 1.5(a)
SCHEMATIC DIAGRAM CURVES
If IL
No-load Voltage
Af AL VL
IARA drop
IA Effect of Weakened
External Characteristic Field
For a Self-Excited
Shunt Shunt Generator Effect of Armature
Field Ia R1 as Reaction
VL
Winding load
IL
Imax
Figure 1.5(b)
Figure 1.6 – External Characteristic Curve for Run III
Applicable Equations:
VL = Eg – IARA IA = IL + If
QUESTIONS AND PROBLEMS
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Department of Electrical Engineering Laboratory Manual for Electrical Machines 1
1. Why is it important to maintain the open circuit characteristics of a DC shunt Generator?
2. The equation for the no-load voltage of a shunt generator is E = kφn where E is the no-
load voltage, φ is the flux per pole and n is the armature in rpm. What does the constant
k represent?
3. Explain why the flux per pole is not a linear function of the field current.
4. Why is it important to maintain the speed n when obtaining the open circuit
characteristics of a shunt generator?
5. The voltage eT when the field current is zero is due to the so-called residual flux or
residual magnetism. What is residual magnetism and how was it formed?
6. The curve for increasing values of field current will not coincide with the curve for
decreasing values. This failure to retrace flux paths is hysteresis. What is hysteresis and
how does it occur?
7. The compensating windings of a dc generator will eliminate armature reaction. Based on
the graphs plotted from the results of Run I and Run II, state whether or not the test
machine used has compensating windings or none
8. What could cause failure of voltage build-up on starting to occur in self-excited shunt
generator? How can this problem be remedied?
9. From the definition of % Voltage Regulation, explain fully how to attain rated current at
rated voltage when starting at no-load. If an increase in the generated voltage cannot be
obtained by an increase of prime mover speed, what is the alternative solution?
10. Explain why the external characteristics curve for Run II is more drooping than that of
Run I.
PRELIMINARY DATA SHEET
Experiment 1 - THE DC SHUNT GENERATOR
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Department of Electrical Engineering Laboratory Manual for Electrical Machines 1
NAME: ______________________________ DATE: ________________
COURSE/SECTION: __________________ GROUP NO.: __________
Table 1.1 - RUN 1
Increasing Field Current Decreasing Field Current
Field Current Output Voltage Field Current Output Voltage
If (mA) Eg (V) If (mA) Eg (V)
0 250
10 240
20 220
40 200
60 180
80 160
100 140
120 120
140 100
160 80
180 60
200 40
220 20
240 10
250 0
Table 1.2 - RUN II (Separately Excited Shunt Generator)
Output Voltage Output Current Field Current
Trial Rev/min
VL IL If
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Table 1.3 - RUN III (Self-Excited Shunt Generator)
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Department of Electrical Engineering Laboratory Manual for Electrical Machines 1
Output Voltage Output Current Field Current
Trial Rev/min
VL IL If
1 1500
2 1500
3 1500
4 1500
5 1500
6 1500
7 1500
8 1500
9 1500
10 1500
_________________________
Instructor’s Signature
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