6 DC Motor
6 DC Motor
6 DC Motor
TABLE OF CONTENTS
LIST OF FIGURES........................................................................................................................ ii
LIST OF TABLES.........................................................................................................................iii
REFERENCES............................................................................................................................... iv
OBJECTIVES.................................................................................................................................. v
DC MOTOR THEORY...................................................................................................................1
TYPES OF DC MOTORS.............................................................................................................. 8
DC Motor Connections....................................................................................................... 8
Shunt-Wound Motor Operation.......................................................................................... 9
Shunt-Wound Motor Applications...................................................................................... 9
Series-Wound Motor......................................................................................................... 10
Series-Wound Motor Applications....................................................................................10
Compounded Motor...........................................................................................................10
Summary............................................................................................................................ 11
DC MOTOR OPERATION.......................................................................................................... 12
Starting of DC Motors...................................................................................................... 12
DC Motor Ratings............................................................................................................. 13
Summary............................................................................................................................ 14
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Master Electrical Designing
DC MOTOR THEORY
There are two conditions which are necessary to produce a force on a conductor.
When these two conditions exist, a force will be applied to the conductor, which will attempt to
move the conductor in a direction perpendicular to the magnetic field. This is the basic theory
by which all DC motors operate.
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Theory of Operation
Above the conductor on the left, the field caused by the conductor is in the opposite direction
of the main field, and therefore, opposes the main field. Below the conductor on the left, the
field caused by the conductor is in the same direction as the main field, and therefore, aids the
main field. The net result is that above the conductor the main field is weakened, or flux density
is decreased; below the conductor the field is strengthened, or flux density is increased. A force
is developed on the conductor that moves the conductor in the direction of the weakened field
(upward).
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Above the conductor on the right, the field caused by the conductor is in the same direction as
the main field, and therefore, aids the main field. Below the conductor on the right, the field
caused by the conductor is in the opposite direction of the main field, and therefore, opposes the
main field. The net result is that above the conductor the field is strengthened, or flux density
is increased, and below the conductor, the field is weakened, or flux density is decreased. A
force is developed on the conductor that moves the conductor in the direction of the weakened
field (downward).
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The right-hand rule for motors shows the direction in which a current-carrying conductor moves
in a magnetic field. When the forefinger is pointed in the direction of the magnetic field lines,
and the center finger is pointed in the direction of current flow, the thumb will point in the
direction of force (motion).
Torque
Torque is defined as that force which tends to produce and maintain rotation. The function of
torque in a DC motor is to provide the mechanical output or drive the piece of equipment that
the DC motor is attached to.
It is evident from Figure 5 that if the armature current were reversed, but the field were the same,
torque would be developed in the opposite direction. Likewise, if the field polarity were reversed
and the armature remained the same, torque would also be developed in the opposite direction.
The force that is developed on a conductor of a motor armature is due to the combined action
of the magnetic fields. The force developed is directly proportional to the strength of the main
field flux and the strength of the field around the armature conductor. As we know, the field
strength around each armature conductor depends on the amount of current flowing through the
armature conductor. Therefore, the torque which is developed by the motor can be determined
using Equation (6-1).
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T = KIa (6-1)
where
T = torque, lb-ft
K = a constant depending on physical size of motor
= field flux, number of lines of force per pole
Ia = armature current
where
The CEMF opposes the applied voltage and functions to lower armature current. The effective
voltage acting in the armature of a motor is the applied voltage, minus the counter EMF.
Armature current can be found by using Ohm’s law, as shown in Equation (6-3).
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Master Electrical Designing
Et ECEMF
Ia (6-3)
R
a
where
Ia = armature current
Et = terminal voltage
ECEMF = counter EMF
Ra = armature resistance
DC Motor Speed
The field of a DC motor is varied using external devices, usually field resistors. For a constant
applied voltage to the field (E), as the resistance of the field (Rf) is lowered, the amount of
current flow through the field (If) increases as shown by Ohm’s law in Equation (6-4).
E
If (6-4)
Rf
An increase in field current will cause field flux (f) to increase. Conversely, if the resistance
of the field is increased, field flux will decrease. If the field flux of a DC motor is decreased,
the motor speed will increase. The reduction of field strength reduces the CEMF of the motor,
since fewer lines of flux are being cut by the armature conductors, as shown in Equation (6-5).
ECEMF K F N (6-5)
A reduction of counter EMF allows an increase in armature current as shown in Equation (6-6).
Et
I ECEMF (6-6)
a
Ra
This increase in armature current causes a larger torque to be developed; the increase in armature
current more than offsets the decrease in field flux as shown in Equation (6-7).
T K FI a (6-7)
T N
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This increase in speed will then proportionately increase the CEMF. The speed and CEMF will
continue to increase until the armature current and torque are reduced to values just large enough
to supply the load at a new constant speed.
Summary
The right-hand rule for motors states that when the forefinger is pointed in the
direction of the magnetic field lines, and the center finger is pointed in the
direction of current flow, the thumb will point in the direction of motion.
The function of the voltage that is developed in a DC motor (CEMF) opposes the
applied voltage and results in the lowering of armature current.
The speed of a DC motor may be changed by using resistors to vary the field
current and, therefore, the field strength.
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TYPES OF DC MOTORS
There are various types of DC motors found in industry today. Each type
contains various characteristics that makes it desirable for certain applications.
DC Motor Connections
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Figure 7b shows a shunt DC motor. The motor is called a "shunt" motor because
the field is in parallel, or "shunts" the armature.
Figure 7c shows a series DC motor. The motor field windings for a series motor
are in series with the armature.
Shunt-Woun d Motor
Operation
The characteristics of a shunt-wound motor give it very good speed regulation, and it is classified
as a constant speed motor, even though the speed does slightly decrease as load is increased.
Shunt-wound motors are used in industrial and automotive applications where precise control of
speed and torque are required.
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Series-Wound Motor
T KIa2 (6-8)
The advantage of a series-wound motor is that it develops a large torque and can be operated at
low speed. It is a motor that is well-suited for starting heavy loads; it is often used for industrial
cranes and winches where very heavy loads must be moved slowly and lighter loads moved more
rapidly.
Compounded Motor
The compounded motor is desirable for a variety of applications because it combines the
characteristics of a series-wound motor and a shunt-wound motor. The compounded motor has
a greater torque than a shunt motor due to the series field; however, it has a fairly constant speed
due to the shunt field winding. Loads such as presses, shears, and reciprocating machines are
often driven by compounded motors.
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Summary
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DC MOTOR OPERATION
DC motors require special starting resistors for operation due to their unique
design. A knowledge of the operation of these starting resistors is necessary to
understand DC motor operation.
Starting of DC Motors
At the moment a DC motor is started the armature is stationary and there is no counter EMF
being generated. The only component to limit starting current is the armature resistance, which,
in most DC motors is a very low value (approximately one ohm or less), as shown in Equation
(6-9).
Et ECEMF
Ia
R
a (6-9)
In order to reduce this very high starting current, an external resistance must be placed in series
with the armature during the starting period. To show why this is essential, let us consider a 10-
hp motor with an armature resistance of 0.4 ohms. If the motor were supplied by a 260 VDC
source, the resulting current would be as shown in Equation (6-9).
Et ECEMF
Ia
R
a
Ia 260VDC 0
0.4
Ia 650 amps
This large current is approximately twelve times greater than actual full-load current for this
motor. This high current would, in all probability, cause severe damage to the brushes,
commutator, or windings. Starting resistors are usually incorporated into the motor design to
limit starting current to 125 to 200 percent of full load current.
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The amount of starting resistance necessary to limit starting current to a more desirable value is
calculated using Equation (6-10.
Et
Rs = R a
(6-10)
Is
where
Rs = starting resistance
Et = terminal voltage
Is = desired armature starting current
Ra = armature resistance
Example: If the full load current of the motor mentioned previously is 50 amps, and it is
desired to limit starting current to 125% of this value, find the required resistance
that must be added in series with the armature.
Et
Rs R a
Is
Rs 260 VDC
0.4
125%(50 amps)
Rs 3.76
The starting resistors are used in a DC motor by placing them in the starting circuit of the motor
controller that is used to start the DC motor. Starting resistors are normally of variable
resistances, with the value of resistance in the circuit at any time being either manually or
automatically controlled. The maximum amount of resistance will always be inserted when the
motor is first started. As the speed of the motor increases, counter EMF will begin to increase,
decreasing armature current. The starting resistors may then be cut out, in successive steps, until
the motor reaches full running speed.
DC Motor Ratings
The nameplate ratings of a DC motor refer to the conditions of voltage, current, speed, and power
at which the motor is normally operated. The principal rating is known as the continuous rating,
which is the rating described on the nameplate of a motor. The continuous power rating is a
thermal rating. At this power, the motor can be operated for long periods of time without a large
rise in temperature and beyond the limits of the conductor insulating material, bearings and other
components, which are greatly affected by temperature.
The speed rating of a DC motor is often given on the nameplate. This speed is the upper limit
at which a motor can be operated without mechanical damage occurring.
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Summary
DC motor operation is summarized below.
- voltage
- current
- speed
- power
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