NAME: MBURU GRANTON NYANGE
REGISTRATION NUMBER: EMMQ/00404/2019
CLASS CODE: EMMQ/2019
LAB REPORT: CHARACTERISTICS OF DC GENERATORS
LAB REPORT ON CHARACTERISTICS OF DC GENERATORS
OBJECTIVES
To perform magnetic or open circuit test on a separately excited d.c generator.
To perform load test on a compound wound d.c generator.
BACK GROUND INFORMATION
The curves or graphs giving the relationship between various quantities such as excitation (or field
current), generated voltage, terminal voltage, load current etc. are known as generator characteristics.
There are three most important characteristics of a d.c generator:
The magnetic or open circuit characteristic also known as no-load saturation characteristic
It gives the relationship between the generated voltage in the armature on no-load E 0 and field or
exciting current, If, at a given fixed speed. The shape of this characteristic curve is practically the same
for all types of d.c generators.
Internal or total characteristic
It gives the relation between the emf (E) actually induced in the armature (after allowing for the
demagnetizing effect of armature reaction) and the armature current Ia. This characteristic is of interest
mainly to the generator designer.
External Characteristic
It is also referred to as performance characteristic or sometimes voltage-regulating curve. This curve
gives the relation between the terminal voltage V and the load current I under the given conditions of
speed and excitation. The terminal voltage is always less than the generated voltage on account of
voltage drop in the armature. This characteristic is of utmost importance for determining the suitability
of a generator for a particular service.
EQUIPMENT AND INSTRUMENTS
Power supplies: Armature of the synchronous motor: three-phase fixed line 380 V; Field of the
synchronous motor: fixed line 220 V D.C.; Field of the d.c generator: D.C. variable line 0 to 500 V
2 moving-iron ammeters 2-4 A
2 moving-iron voltmeters 250-500 V
RC: resistive loading banks, model RL-1/EV
2 excitation rheostats 5000 Ω – 500 W
Starting rheostat: 3 x 50 Ω -300W
IC: switch for the load separation
Three phase Synchronous Machine, model M-3/EV
D.C Machine, model M1-2/EV
MEDIA: Interactive Lab Assistant; D.C & A.C Machines
PROCEDURE
1. Couple the a.c motor with the generator and connect the circuit as shown, the voltmeter across
points A1-A2 (include a starting rheostat for the synchronous motor in the circuit), jumper the terminals
F1-F2 of the synchronous motor; excitation and starting rheostats fully inserted.
2. Start the motor turning the switch of the three-phase line on. When the motor has reached certain
speed stability, disconnect the jumper and connect them to the fixed D.C. line; then, activate the switch.
3. By the help of excitation rheostat RE, increase the armature terminal voltage in the steps shown in
the table until the rated terminal voltage value is reached.
Table 1: open circuit characteristic
Voltage RVV= 50 75 100 125 150 175 200 225
4.645
Field 0.056 0.081 0.104 0.127 0.156 0.187 0.218 0.263
current
4. Switch off the circuit and connect the d.c machine in compound configuration mode.
5. Repeat procedure 2 above then by acting on the load separation switch IC, connect the load; one at a
time until the rated current of the generator is reached (see name plate) recording corresponding values
of terminal voltage and load current.
Table 2: external characteristic
Terminal VOCC = 220 225 230 235 205
Voltage
Load current IL 0.012 O.106 0.306 0.707 1.257
6. Reduce the load on the generator and finally unload it completely, reduce the field current of the
generator to zero then switch off the a.c motor.
DISCUSSION
i. How should a generator be started?
This is through the devices running them in this case a motor which drives the armature of the
generator. The motor and the three-phase line switch are turned on. The jumper is hence disconnected
only when the generator reaches a stable speed, they are then connected to the field d.c line. Its switch
is turned on and the armature terminal voltage is adjusted until the rated terminal voltage.
ii. Plot the magnetic and the external characteristic curves on a graph paper.
(ON THE GRAPH PAPERS)
iii. Explain the nature of the graphs in ii above.
Open Circuit Characteristics
From the emf equation of dc generator, Eg = kɸ. Hence, the generated emf should be directly
proportional to field flux (and hence, also directly proportional to the field current). However, even
when the field current is zero, some amount of emf RVV is generated. This initially induced emf is due to
the fact that there exists some residual magnetism in the field poles. Due to the residual magnetism, a
small initial emf is induced in the armature. This initially induced emf aids the existing residual flux, and
hence, increasing the overall field flux. This consequently increases the induced emf. Thus, O.C.C.
follows a straight line. However, as the flux density increases, the poles get saturated and the ɸ
becomes practically constant. Thus, even we increase the If further, ɸ remains constant and hence, Eg
also remains constant. Hence, the O.C.C. curve looks like the B-H characteristic.
External Characteristics
An increase in IL, increases the terminal voltage.
When the terminal voltage reaches the maximum value it drops drastically with an increase in I L.
This is because as the machine is loaded, the terminal voltage decreases.
iv. Describe under compounded, flat compounded and over compounded d.c generator
characteristics.
Over compounded- If series winding amp-turns are adjusted so that, increase in load current causes
increase in terminal voltage then the generator is called to be over compounded. The external
characteristic for over compounded generator is shown by the curve AB in above figure.
Flat compounded- If series winding amp-turns are adjusted so that, the terminal voltage remains
constant even the load current is increased, then the generator is called to be flat compounded. The
external characteristic for a flat compounded generator is shown by the curve AC.
Under compounded- If the series winding has lesser number of turns than that would be required to be
flat compounded, then the generator is called to be under compounded. The external characteristics for
an under compounded generator are shown by the curve AD.
v. A differentially compounded d.c generator is delivering full load current at a terminal voltage of
220 V. Explain what happens to the terminal voltage if the series field winding is short circuited.
The terminal voltage will become less than 220 V
vi. A d.c shunt generator when driven without connecting field winding shows an open circuit
terminal voltage of 12 V. When field winding is connected and excited the terminal voltage
drops to zero because:
Field winding is wrongly connected.
vii. Explain your answer in (vi) above
If field winding is connected wrongly then residual flux will be eliminated and voltage will drop to
zero.
CONCLUSION
From the emf equation of dc generator, Eg = kɸ. Hence, the generated emf should be directly
proportional to field flux (and hence, also directly proportional to the field current). However, even
when the field current is zero, some amount of emf RVV is generated.
If series winding amp-turns are adjusted so that, increase in load current causes increase in terminal
voltage then the generator is called to be over compounded.
If series winding amp-turns are adjusted so that, the terminal voltage remains constant even the load
current is increased, then the generator is called to be flat compounded.
If the series winding has lesser number of turns than that would be required to be flat compounded,
then the generator is called to be under compounded.
When a differentially compounded d.c generator is delivering full load current at a given terminal
voltage the terminal voltage will become less than the initial if the series field winding is short circuited.