ALDERSGATE COLLEGE ELECTRICAL MACHINES

COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING, INFORMATICS AND TECHNOLOGY

MODULE 5:
DC GENERATOR: VOLTAGE REGULATION, EFFICIENCY/ MAXIMUM EFFICIENCY AND PARALLEL OPERATION

OVERVIEW

This module discusses the different losses of direct current generator which affect the efficiency of its operation. It
also includes the voltage regulation and the advantages and of parallel operation of dc generators.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

At the end of this module, the student should be able to:

1. Identify the different losses in a DC generator.
2. Perform solutions related to generator’s voltage regulation.
3. Illustrate the circuit diagrams of a DC generator connected in parallel.
4. Perform problem solving related to efficiency of a given type of construction of the generator.

LEARNING FOCUS

LESSON 1: VOLTAGE REGULATION

 A convenient standard of reference used to measure the performance of a DC generator is referring the
change in voltage between full-load and no-load to the full-load voltage. This ratio is represented as a
percent and is called the percent voltage regulation.

% V.R.= x 100

LESSON 2: EFFICIENCY OF DC GENERATOR

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TOTAL LOSSES IN A DC GENERATOR

The various losses occurring in a generator can be sub-divided as follows:

I. Copper Losses
a. Armature Copper Loss, Pa = Ia2 Ra
where: Ra = resistance of armature and interpoles
* This loss is about 30 to 40% of full-load losses.

b. Field Copper Loss,

In case of shunt generators, it is practically constant, Pf = If2 Rf
In case of series generator, Pf = Is2 Rs
. * This loss is about 20 to 30% of full-load losses

c. The loss due to brush contact resistance. It is usually included in the armature copper losses.

II. Magnetic Losses ( also known as the iron or core losses)

a. Hysteresis Loss is caused by the magnetization and demagnetization of the core as the current flows in the
forward and reversed directions. As the magnetizing forces (current) increases, the magnetic flux
increases.
b. Eddy Current Loss is conductive power loss produced by circulating current induced in response to AC flux
linkage, flowing against the internal resistance of the core.
*These losses are practically constant for shunt and compound-wound generators, because in their case,
field current is approximately constant.
*Both of these losses total up to about 20-30% of full-load losses.

III. Mechanical Losses

a. Friction Loss at bearings and commutator
b. Air-friction or windage loss of rotating armature
*These are about 10-20% of full-load losses.
IV. Stray Losses (spl)
Usually, magnetic and mechanical losses are collectively known as stay losses. These are also known as rotational
losses for obvious reasons.

Diagram of the Total Losses in a DC Generator

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LESSON 3: MAXIMUM EFFICIENCY OF A DC GENERATOR

The efficiency of a dc generator is maximum when,

variable loss = constant loss

 For DC shunt generator

Variable losses = Ia’2 (Ra + Rbc)

Constant losses = If2 Rf + spL

Hence,
ηmax =

where:
ηmax = maximum efficiency
Po’ = output power at maximum
IL’ = load current at maximum efficiency
Ia’ = armature current at maximum efficiency

 Since for DC shunt generator, Ia = IL + If

but If is negligible compared to IL, therefore neglecting If makes Ia = IL. Hence at maximum efficiency,

variable losses = constant losses

Ia’2 (Ra + Rbc) = If2 Rf + spL

where:
Ia’ = IL’ by neglecting If,
IL’2 (Ra + Rbc) = If2 Rf + spL

Thus,

IL’ = √

LESSON 4: PARALLEL OPERATION OF A DC GENERATOR

Advantages of Parallel Operation

1. For greater efficiency of operation
2. For reliable and continuous service
3. For repair and maintenance problem
4. Serve as an added capacity as the service demands change

Procedures in Paralleling DC Generator

1. The generator which is to be connected in parallel is called incoming generator. Start the prime mover of incoming
generator and adjust speed to rated value.
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2. Close the disconnected switch of the incoming generator.

3. The excitation of the incoming generator is then adjusted till it is few volts more than bus bar voltage.
4. Close the breaker of the incoming generator.
5. The shunt field rheostat of the incoming generator is adjusted to increase its voltage while the field rheostats of
already connected generator are adjusted to lower their voltages till the load distribution which is indicated in
amperes is achieved.

Conditions to be met in Parallel Operation

A. Shunt DC Generator
1. same voltage ratings
2. same polarities
B. Compound DC Generator
1. same voltage ratings
2. same polarities
3. with equalizer connections

EQUALIZER – a low resistance connected on identical terminals of the series field winding of a generator.

Effects/Consequences if these conditions are not met

1. If condition 1 is not met, the generator will not deliver power in proportion to the kW ratings
2. If condition 2 is not met, there will be a big current that will circulate in the armature windings of the generator that
may damage the windings
3. If condition 3 is not met, the generator will operate in unstable equilibrium. One may become motor to be supplied
by the other generator, and is called “motorization.”

OPERATING CHARACTERISTIC TRIANGLE

NOTE: Normally, as the DC generator load increases, the terminal voltage of the said generator decreases ( except
on a DC series generator).

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SAMPLE PROBLEMS:

VOLTAGE REGULATION
1. The voltage of a 100-kW, 250-V shunt generator rises to 260volts when the load is removed. What is the full-load
current does the machine deliver and its percent voltage regulation?

Solution:

2. A 50 kW, 220 V dc generator has a voltage regulation of 10%. It is connected in parallel with a battery of 115 cells,
each with an emf of 2 volts and internal resistance of 0.01Ω. What current will the battery carry if by accident the
load is trip-off from the bus?

Solution:

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EFFICIENCY
1. A DC shunt generator has a full-load output of 10 kW at a terminal voltage of 240 V. The armature and shunt field
winding resistances are 0.6 and 160 ohms, respectively. The su of the mechanical and core-losses is 500 W.
Calculate the power required, in kW, at the driving shaft at full-load, and the corresponding efficiency.

Solution:

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ALDERSGATE COLLEGE ELECTRICAL MACHINES
COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING, INFORMATICS AND TECHNOLOGY

2. A long-shunt compound generator gives 240 V at full-load output of 100 A. The resistances of various windings of
the machine are: armature (including brush contact) 0.1Ω, series field 0.02 Ω, interpole field 0.025 Ω, shunt field
(including regulating resistance) 100 Ω. The iron loss at full-load is 1000 W; windage and friction losses total 500
W. Calculate full-load efficiency of the machine.

Solution:

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3. A shunt generator delivers 195 A at 250 V. The armature resistance and shunt field resistance are 0.02 Ω and 50
Ω, respectively. The iron and friction losses equal to 950 W. Find the generated emf; copper loss; power input ;
commercial, mechanical and electrical efficiencies.
Solution:

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COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING, INFORMATICS AND TECHNOLOGY

MAXIMUM EFFICIENCY
1. A shunt generator has a full-load current of 196 A at 220 V. The stray losses are 720 W and the shunt field
resistance IS 55 Ω. If it has a full-load efficiency of 88%, find the armature resistance. Also, find the load current
corresponding to maximum efficiency.

Solution:

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ALDERSGATE COLLEGE ELECTRICAL MACHINES
COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING, INFORMATICS AND TECHNOLOGY

2. A 230 V shunt generator has an armature circuit resistance of 0.05 Ω and a shunt field resistance of 57.5 Ω. When
the generator operates at rated voltage, it has a total core and mechanical losses of 1880 watts. At what load does
the generator operate so as to achieve maximum efficiency?
Solution:

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ALDERSGATE COLLEGE ELECTRICAL MACHINES
COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING, INFORMATICS AND TECHNOLOGY

PARALLEL OPERATION
1. Two shunt generators A and B, with ratings of 250 and 400 kW, respectively, and having identical straight-line
voltage characteristics vs. percent kW-output external characteristics, are connected in parallel. If no-load voltage is
260 volts and the full-load voltage is 240, calculate the terminal voltage when the total output is 575 kW.
Solution:

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ALDERSGATE COLLEGE ELECTRICAL MACHINES
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2. Two 220 V dc generators, each having a linear characteristics operate in parallel. One machine has a terminal
voltage of 270 V on no-load and 220 V at a load current of 35 A, while the other has a voltage of 280 V on no-load
and 220 V at 50 A. Calculate the output current of the machine if the total load current is 60 A.
Solution:

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