DC Machines

Overview

DC Generators
DC Motors
DC Generators
Generators
Electrical components that convert mechanical energy into electrical
energy by electromagnetic induction.
Supplies the needed electrical energy on electrical components for
aircraft operation.
Mechanical energy can be supplied from a waterfall, steam, wind,
gasoline or diesel, engine, or electric motor
Types:
DC Generator - also known as Dynamo, converts alternating current to
direct current using a commutator. Flows in one direction
AC Generator - also known as Alternators, converts mechanical
energy into electrical energy in the form of alternating current. Current
periodically reverses direction.
 DC Generators
Construction/Components
Yoke/Field Frame - outer frame of a dc
generator. Provides mechanical strength to
whole assembly. Carries the magnetic flux
produced by the field winding.
Electromagnet - produces the magnetizing
force
Wire Coil (Field Winding/Field Coil) -
produces the flux cut by the armature.
Made up of many turns of wire fastened
over the iron core of the pole shoes.
Core - Pole/Pole Shoe/Field Pole - joined to
the yoke with the help of bolts. Supports
the field coils and spreads out the flux in air
gap uniformly.
 DC Generators
Construction/Components
Armature Assembly
Armature Core - rotor of the generator. Acts
as a conductor as it is rotated in the
magnetic field. May be provided with air
ducts for cooling purposes.
Armature Coil/Armature Winding - rests in
armature slots.
Lap Winding
Simplex
Duplex
Triplex
Wave Winding
 DC Generators
Construction/Components
Lap Winding - One end is attached to a
commutator, while one end is soldered to the
adjacent segment. Each coil laps over the
preceding one.
Simplex - connected in series
Duplex - two separate sets of coils,
connected to each other by the brushes
Triplex - three sperate sets of series-
connected coils
Wave Winding - Connected to commutator
segments two pole spans apart
 DC Generators
Construction/Components
Armature Assembly
Commutator - used to convert the
alternating current flowing in the armature
into direct current. Located on one end of
the armature.
Brushes - rides on the surface of the
commutator and acts as the electrical
contact between the circuit and the
alternator. Made of high-grade carbon and
held in place by spring-loaded insulated
brush loaders.
DC Generators
Operation of a DC Generator
DC Generators
Field Excitation
DC Generators take their names from the type of field excitation used.
Separately Excited - generator’s field coils are energized or excited
from an independent source (ex: battery)
Self-Excited - generator supplies its own excitation, field coils are
energized from the current produced by the generator itself.
Series-Wound - field winding is series with armature winding
Shunt-Wound - field winding is parallel with armature winding
Compound-Wound - combination of the two. Used more
extensively than other types due to a variety of characteristics
Short-Shunt - parallel only with the armature
Long-Shunt - parallel in both armature and series field
 DC Generators
Generator Voltage
Average generated voltage of a generator
may be calculated using:
Voltage Regulation

Where:
Vg = average generated voltage Where:
p = number of poles NL voltage = no-load voltage
Z = total number of conductors on FL voltage = full-load voltage
armature (inductors)
∅ = flux per pole
n = speed of armature
b = number of parallel paths
through armature
DC Generators
Losses and Efficiency of a DC Machine
The losses consists of copper losses in the electric circuits and
mechanical losses due to the rotation of the machine.
Copper losses are present due to the used power when a current flows
through a resistance.
As the armature rotates in a magnetic field, the emf induced causes eddy
currents to flow which heats the iron and wastes energy.
Hysteresis loss - due to magnetic material being magnetized in one
direction and then the opposite direction.
Efficiency is calculated using the formula:
DC Motors
Construction
In terms of construction, DC motors and generators are very similar, however their
functions are different. Generators are used to generate voltage as conductors are
moved through a field, while motors are used to develop a turning effort, or torque, in
order to produce mechanical rotation.
Basic Parts:
Stator - used to carry field winding and poles. Together with the rotor, constitutes
the magnetic circuit or core of the machine.
Rotor - used to carry armature winding.
DC Motors
Construction
Basic Parts:
Armature Winding - used as a load carrying member mounted on the motor.
Continuous winding, and composed of a number of coils in series.
Field Winding - exciting system which may be an electrical winding or a permanent
magnet
Commutator - serves to rectify the induced voltage and current in the armature.
Coils in the armature are interconnected through the commutator.
DC Motors
Construction
Basic Parts:
Brushes - rides the commutator, made up of carbon graphite. Acts as interface
between external circuit and armature winding
Poles - provided to place field winding, determined by the voltage and current of the
machine
Slot/Teeth - magnetic material used for mechanical support, protection, and
insulation
Motor Housing - supports the iron core, brushes, and bearings
DC Motors
Construction
DC Motors
Torque
Starting twist or force that produces rotation, which is necessary to get
motors started.
Types of torque that affect a motor connected to a load:
Full-Load Torque- necessary to produce the rated horsepower at full
speed
Pull-Up Torque - required to bring motor up to the rated speed
Breakdown Torque - maximum torque the motor will develop with rated
voltage applied at rated frequency without an abrupt drop in speed
Locked-Rotor Torque - developed when full power is applied when
rotor is stationary. Most common type of torque considered by electric
installers when wiring electric motors.
DC Motors
Torque
Torque developed is proportional to the strength of the magnetic field
and the armature current.

Where:
T = torque in ft-lb
kₜ = constant depending on the physical dimensions of motor
∅ = total number of lines of flux entering the armature from one pole
Iₐ = armature current
DC Motors
Motor Types
Shunt Motor
Most common type of dc motor
Torque increases linearly with an increase in armature current,
while speed drops slightly as armature current increases
Basic speed is at full-load speed, and can be adjusted by
inserting resistance in the field circuit with a rheostat
In contrast to other motors, the shunt motor maintains an
average constant speed in the face of load and voltage
variations
DC Motors
Motor Types
Series Motor
Connected in series with the armature
Speed varies from very high speed at light load to lower speed at
full load
Suitable for starting with heavy, connected loads as it develops
high torque at high armature current and operates at low speed
At no load, the speed of the series will increase without limit until
the motor destroys itself
Usually used in railway, automobile, and other traction applications
due to very high torque
DC Motors
Motor Types
Compound Motor
Combines the characteristics of a shunt and series
motor
May be operated safely at no load
As load is added, the speed decreases and torque is
greater compared to that of a shunt motor
Varying the polarization and current in the field windings
can make the motor behave like a series motor, a shunt
motor, or a motor that exhibits characteristics from both
DC Motors
Speed of Motor
Designated by the number of revolutions of the shaft with respect to
time, expressed in revolutions per minute (rpm)
Reduction in field flux can cause the motor speed to increase
Varies with field excitation, which means a convenient means to
control speed is to vary the field flux by adjusting the resistance in
the field circuit
Speed regulation is expressed in percentage using the formula:
DC Motors
Starting Requirements for Motors
Two starting requirements:
Both motor and supply lines are protected from flow of excessive
current during the starting period by placing external resistance in
series with the armature circuit.
Motor-starting torque should be made as large as possible to bring the
motor up to full speed in minimum time.
The amount of starting resistance needed to limit the armature starting
current to the desired value is:
Where:
Rₛ = starting resistance
Vₜ = motor voltage
Iₛ = desired armature starting current
rₐ = armature resistance
ACTIVITY
Activity 2
1. Explain the operation of DC
Generators
2. List down the parts of a DC Motor
and give their function