DC Generator
1. Classification
Classification:
DC generators are classified based on how their fields are excited (i.e.
produced). There are three methods of excitation, and thus three main types of
DC generators:
1. Permanent Magnet DC Generators – Field coils excited by permanent
magnets
2. Separately Excited DC Generators – Field coils excited by some external
source
3. Self Excited DC Generators – Field coils excited by the generator itself.
Self-excited DC generators can further be classified depending on the position of
their field coils. The three types of self-excited DC generators are:
Series Wound Generators
Shunt Wound Generators
Compound Wound Generators
Classification:
Permanent magnet DC generators:
When the flux in the magnetic circuit is created through the use of permanent
magnets, then it is known as a Permanent magnet DC generator.
Permanent magnet DC machines:
Advantages:
• They are smaller in size.
• For smaller rating, Permanent Magnet reduces the manufacturing cost and thus
PMDC motor are cheaper.
• As these machines do not require field windings, they do not have field circuit
copper losses. This increases their efficiency.
Disadvantages:
• Permanent magnets cannot produce a high flux density.
• There is a risk of demagnetization of the poles which may be caused by large
armature currents.
• The magnetic field is present at all time, even when the machine is not being used.
• Extra ampere turns cannot be added to reduce the armature reaction.
Separately excited DC generator:
• Ia = Armature current
• IL = Load current
• V = Terminal voltage
• Eg = Generated EMF (Electromagnetic
Force)
Voltage drop in the armature = Ia × Ra (Ra is the armature resistance)
Self excited DC generator:
Self-excited DC generators are generators whose field magnets are energized by
the current supplied by themselves. In these type of machines, field coils are
internally connected with the armature.
According to the position of the field coils, self-excited DC generators may be
classified as:
1. Series Wound Generators
2. Shunt Wound Generators
3. Compound Wound Generators
Series wound DC generator:
In these type of generators, the field windings are connected in series with
armature conductors, as shown in the figure below.
Shunt wound DC generator:
In these type of DC generators, the field windings are connected in parallel with
armature conductors, as shown in the figure below. In shunt wound generators the
voltage in the field winding is same as the voltage across the terminal.
Rsh = Shunt winding resistance, Ish = Current flowing through the shunt field,
Ra = Armature resistance, Ia = Armature current, I= IL = Load current, V =
Terminal voltage, Eg = Generated EMF
Compound wound DC generator:
Compound wound generators have both series field winding and shunt field
winding. One winding is placed in series with the armature, and the other is
placed in parallel with the armature. This type of DC generators may be of two
types-
• short shunt compound-wound generator and
• long shunt compound-wound generator.
Short shunt compound wound DC generator:
Short Shunt Compound Wound DC Generators are generators where only the shunt
field winding is in parallel with the armature winding, as shown in the figure below.
Long shunt compound wound DC generator:
Long Shunt Compound Wound DC Generator are generators where the shunt field
winding is in parallel with both series field and armature winding, as shown in the
figure below.
Compound wound DC generator:
In a compound wound generator, the shunt field is stronger than the series field.
When the series field assists the shunt field, generator is said to be commutatively
compound wound.
On the other hand, if the series field opposes the shunt field, the generator is said to
be differentially compound wound.