Lesson 41

Problem solving on D.C machines

Contents

41.1 Introduction ............................................................................................................... 4

41.2 Shunt motor problems ............................................................................................... 4
41.3 Problems on Series Motor …………………………………………………………. 8
41.4 D.C generator problems ............................................................................................ 12
41.5 Operation of d.c machine connected to d.c bus (fixed d.c voltage) ………………... 13
Introduction
In this lecture some typical problems on D.C machines are worked out not only to solve the
problems only but also to bring out important features of the motors involving its performance.
To begin with few problems on d.c motors have been solved and then problems on generator are
taken up.
For a beginner, it is suggested to follow the following guidelines for successful completion of
the problem.

1. Read the problem and note down the informations provided about the motor.
2. In general, some initial steady operating conditions are given in terms of armature
current, field current, speed etc.
3. Draw a circuit diagram showing the initial variable values.
4. Write down the back emf equation and the torque equation for the initial operating point,
it is reiterated here that these two equations hold the key for the gateway of correct
solution.
5. In the statement of the problem, with respect to the initial operating point, some variable
(like, armature resistance, field resistance, load torque, armature applied voltage etc.) will
be changed and you will be asked perhaps to calculate new armature current, speed etc.
6. Assume the variables to be calculated and write down once again the back emf equation
and the torque equation for the new operating point.
7. You have now four equations – 2 corresponding to initial operating point and the other 2
corresponding to the new operating point.
8. Take the ratio of the torque equations and the ratio of back emf equations.
9. Solve from the above equations the unknown.

Let us now solve some problems on shunt, separately excited and series motors.

41.2 Shunt motor problems

1. A 220 V shunt motor has armature and field resistance of 0.2 Ω and 220 Ω respectively.
The motor is driving a constant load torque and running at 1000 rpm drawing 10 A
current from the supply. Calculate the new speed and armature current if an external
armature resistance of value 5 Ω is inserted in the armature circuit. Neglect armature
reaction and saturation.
Solution

The circuit diagram of the shunt motor is:

Ia IL Ia IL +
+
If If
ra
M Te
V (supply) V (supply)
+ Rf
TL
Eb
-
n rps -
-
Figure 41.1: D.C shunt motor.

For initial operating point: IL1 = 10 A, ra = 0.2 Ω and supply voltage V = 220 V.

Field current If1 = 220/220 A = 1A

Armature current Ia1 = 10A – 1A = 9A

Now we write down the expressions for the torque and back emf.

Te1 = kt If1 Ia1 = kt × 1 × 9 = TL

Eb1 = kg If1 n = kg × 1 × 1000 = V – Ia1 ra = 220 – 9 × 0.2 = 218.2V
kg × 1 × 1000 = 218.2V

Since field resistance remains unchanged If2 = If1 = 1 A. Let the new steady armature current be
Ia2 and the new speed be n2. In this new condition the torque and back emf equations are

Te2 = kt ×1 × Ia2 = TL
Eb2 = kg × 1 × n2
= V – Ia2(ra + Rext)
∴kg × 1 × n2 = 220 – Ia2 × 5.2 V

Taking the ratios of Te2 and Te1 we get,

Te 2 kt × 1 × I a 2
=
Te1 kt × 1 × 9
Thus, Ia2 = 9A

Eb 2
Now taking the ratio emfs Eb 1 , we get,

k g ×1× n2 220 − I a 2 × 5.2

=
k g ×1×1000 218
 n2 220 − 9 × 5.2
=
1000 218.2
n 173.2
or, 2 =
1000 218.2
or, n2 = 173.2 × 1000
218.2
∴ n2 = 793.76 rpm

It may be noted that, for constant load torque the steady state armature current does not
change with change in the value of the armature resistance.

Let us consider the next problem whose data are similar to the first problem except the fact
that load torque is a function of speed.

2. A 220 V shunt motor has armature and field resistances of 0.2 Ω and 220 Ω respectively.
The motor is driving load torque, TL ∝ n2 and running at 1000 rpm drawing 10 A current
from the supply. Calculate the new speed and armature current if an external armature
resistance of value 5 Ω is inserted in the armature circuit. Neglect armature reaction and
saturation.

Solution

The field current and armature currents corresponding to the initial operating point are

If1 = 1 A and Ia1 = 9 A

Now torque and back emf equations are:

Te1 = kt ×1× 9 = TL1

Eb1 = k g ×1×1000 = V − I a1 ra = 220 − 9 × 0.2 = 218.2V
k g ×1×1000 = 218.2V

Let the new steady state armature current be Ia2 and the new speed be n2. In this new
condition the torque and back emf equations are

Te 2 = kt ×1× I a 2 = TL 2
Eb 2 = k g ×1× n2
= V – Ia2(ra + Rext)
∴ k g ×1× n2 = 220 − I a 2 × 5.2 V

Taking the ratios of Te2 and Te1 we get,

Te 2 TL 2 kt × 1 × I a 2
= =
Te1 TL1 kt × 1 × 9
 n22 Ia 2
=
10002 9
Ia 2 n22
=
9 10002
n2 Ia 2
or, =
1000 3

Taking the ratios of Eb2 and Eb1 we get,

k g ×1× n2 220 − I a 2 × 5.2

=
k g ×1×1000 218.2
n2 220 − I a 2 × 5.2
=
1000 218.2
Ia 2 220 − I a 2 × 5.2
substitution gives: =
3 218.2

simplification results into the following quadratic equation:

0.005 I a22 − 1.43 I a 2 + 9.15 = 0

Solving and neglecting the unrealistic value, Ia2 = 7A
Ia2
∴n2 = × 1000 rpm
3
= 7 × 1000 rpm
3
thus, n2 = 881.9 rpm

3. Initially a d.c shunt motor having ra = 0.5 Ω and Rf = 220 Ω is running at 1000 rpm drawing
20 A from 220 V supply. If the field resistance is increased by 5%, calculate the new steady
state armature current and speed of the motor. Assume the load torque to be constant.

Solution

As usual let us begin the solution by drawing the shunt motor diagram.
Ia IL Ia IL +
+
If If
ra
M Te
V (supply) V (supply)
+ Rf
TL
Eb
-
n rps -
-
Figure 41.2: D.C shunt motor.
 For initial operating point: IL1 = 20 A, ra = 0.5 Ω and supply voltage V = 220 V.

Field current If1 = 220/220 A = 1 A

Armature current Ia1 = 20 A – 1 A = 19 A
Now we write down the expressions for the torque and back emf corresponding to the initial
condition.

Te1 = ktIf1Ia2 = kt × 1 × 19 = TL1

Eb1 = kgIf1n1 = kg × 1 × 1000 = V – Ia1ra = 220 – 19 × 0.5 = 210.5V
kg × 1 × 1000 = 210.5V

In this problem the field Resistance is changed and new value of field resistance is Rf2 = 1.05
× 220 = 231 Ω. So new field current is I f 2 = 220
231 = 0.95
A. Let the new steady state armature
current be Ia2 and the new speed be n2. Since load torque remains constant, we have:

Te1 = Te2
kt I f 1 I a 1 = kt I f 2 I a 2
or, I f 1 I a1 = I f 2 Ia 2
or, 1×19 = 0.95 Ia2
or, Ia2 = 19
0.95
or, Ia2 = 20 A

To calculate the new speed n2, we have to calculate the new back emf:

Eb2 = kg If2 n2 = kg × 0.95 × n2 = 220 – 20 × 0.5 = 210V

kg × 0.95 × n2 = 210V
k g × 0.95 × n2 210.5
∴ =
k g × 1 × 1000 210
or, n2 = 210.5 × 1000
210 0.95
∴n2 = 1055.14 rpm

41.3 Problems on Series Motor

The steps to solve a series motor problem are δ similar to that of solving a shunt motor problem.
One has to write down the torque equations and back emf equations corresponding to steady
state operating points as before. However, the following points, which distinguishes a series
motor from a shunt motor should be carefully noted.

1. Field coil being in series with the armature, in general field current If and armature
current Ia are same.

2. The field coil resistance rse of a series motor is low and is of the order of armature
resistance ra.
 3. The back emf can be calculated as Eb = V – Ia(rse + ra)

4. The back emf Eb is also given by:

Eb = kφn
= kgIfn if saturation is neglected.
= kgIan

5. Torque developed by the motor is given by:

Te = kφIa
= k′If Ia if saturation is neglected.
= K t I a2

6. One should be careful for situations when field current and armature current may not be
same. One such situation occurs when a diverter resistance is connected across the field
coil for controlling speed.

1. A 220 V d.c series motor has armature and field resistances of 0.15 Ω and 0.10 Ω
respectively. It takes a current of 30 A from the supply while running at 1000 rpm. If an
external resistance of 1 Ω is inserted in series with the motor, calculate the new steady
state armature current and the speed. Assume the load torque remains constant.

Solution

The problem has first been be pictured in the following figure 41.3.
1Ω

n1 n2
Ia1=30A ra=0.1Ω Ia2 ra=0.1Ω
+ +
Supply 0.15Ω Supply 0.15Ω
V = 220V V = 220V
- -
Case 1 Case 2
Figure 41.3:
Since the load torque remains constant in both the cases, we have:

Te1 = Te 2 = TL
or, K t I a21 = K t I a22
or, 302 = I a22
∴ Ia 2 = 30A
Now equations involving back emfs:

Eb1 = V − I a1 ( rse + ra )
K g I a 1 n1 = 220 − 30(0.1 + 0.15)
K g 30 × 1000 = 212.5 V

In the second case:

Eb 2 = V − I a 2 ( rse + ra + rext )
K g I a 2 n2 = 220 − 30(0.1 + 0.15 + 1)
K g 30 n2 = 182.5 V

Thus taking the ratio of Eb2 and Eb1 we get:

k g × 30 × n2 182.5
=
k g × 30 × 1000 212.5
∴ n2 = 182.5 × 1000
212.5
or, n2 = 858.8 rpm

2. A 220 V d.c series motor has armature and field resistances of 0.15 Ω and 0.10 Ω
respectively. It takes a current of 30 A from the supply while running at 1000 rpm. If an
external resistance of 1 Ω is inserted in series with the motor, calculate the new steady
state armature current and the speed. Assume the load torque is proportional to the
square of the speed i.e., TL ∝ n2.

Solution

This problem is same as the first one except for the fact load torque is not constant but
proportional to the square of the speed. Thus:

Te 2 TL 2
=
Te1 TL1
Te 2 n22
=
Te1 n12
I a22 n22
=
I a21 n12
I a22 n22
=
30 2 1000
or, n22 = 1.11 × I a22
∴ n2 = 1.05 I a 2

Ratio of back emfs give:

 Eb 2 220 − I a 2 ×1.25
=
Eb 1 212.5
K g I a 2 n2 220 − I a 2 ×1.25
=
K g I a1 n1 212.5
K g I a 2 n2 220 − I a 2 ×1.25
=
K g × 30 × n1 212.5
I a 2 × 1.05 × I a 2 220 − I a 2 ×1.25
=
30 × 1000 212.5
1.05 I a22 = 141.18(220 − I a 2 ×1.25)

1.05 I a22 + 176.48 I a 2 − 31059.6 = 0

Solving we get, Ia2 ≈ 107.38 A
Hence speed, n2 = 1.05 × Ia2
= 1.05 × 107.38
or, n2 = 112.75 rpm.

Next let us solve a problem when a diverter resistance is connected across the field coil.

3. A 220 V d.c series motor has armature and field resistances of 0.15 Ω and 0.10 Ω
respectively. It takes a current of 30 A from the supply while running at 1000rpm. If a
diverter resistance of 0.2 Ω is connected across the field coil of the motor, calculate the
new steady state armature current and the speed. Assume the load torque remains
constant.

Solution

Following figure 41.4 shows the 2 cases in which the motor operate.

0.2Ω
n1 n2
Ia1=30A ra=0.15Ω Ia2 ra=0.15Ω
+ +
Supply 0.1Ω Supply If2
0.1Ω
V = 220V V = 220V
- -
Case 1 Case 2
Figure 41.4:

In the second case it may be noted that If2 ≠ Ia2. In fact, If2 is a fraction of Ia2. Since the
field coil and diverter are connected in parallel we have:

Rf
If2 = ×I
R f + Rd a 2
 = 0.1 × I
0.1 + 0.2 a 2
∴If2 = 1×I
3 a2

Since load torque remains constant, we have:

Te1 = Te 2 = TL
or, K t I a21 = Kt I f 2 Ia 2
or, 302 = I f 2 Ia 2

or, 302 = 1×I ×I

3 a2 a2
or, I a22 = 3 × 900
∴ Ia 2 = 51.96 A
and I f 2 = 17.32 A

Now we calculate the back emfs:

Eb1 = V − I a1 ( rse + ra )
K g I a 1 n1 = 220 − 30(0.1 + 0.15)
K g 30 × 1000 = 212.5 V
In the second case:
⎛ r ×r ⎞
Eb 2 = V − I a 2 ⎜ se d + ra ⎟
⎝ rse + rd ⎠
K g I f 2 n2 = (
220 - 51.96 0.1× 0.2 + 0.15
0.1 + 0.2 )
K g × 17.32 × n2 = 220 - 51.96(0.67 + 0.15)
K g × 17.32 × n2 = 177.39 V
Thus taking the ratio of Eb2 and Eb1 we get:
k g × 17.32 × n2 177.39
=
k g × 30 × 1000 212.5
∴ n2 = 177.39 × 1000
212.5
or, n2 = 858.8 rpm

41.4 D.C generator problems

1. The following data refer to the O.C.C of a D.C separately excited generator at 1000 rpm.

Field current in A: 0.0 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8 0.9 1.0 1.1 1.2
Armature voltage in V: 5 40 75 100 124 145 162 178 188 195 200 205
The machine is now connected as a shunt generator with a total field resistance of 200 Ω
and driven at 1000 rpm. Estimate graphically: (i) the voltage to which the generator will
 build up at no load. (ii) the armature, field and load currents when the terminal voltage is
found to be 150 V. Neglect the effect of armature reaction and brush drop and assume
armature resistance ra to be 0.8 Ω. (iii) Finally estimate the steady state armature current
when the machine terminals are shorted.

Solution
First of all the OCC of the generator is plotted in a graph paper as shown in figure 41.5.

Gen voltage in volts

OCC at 1000 rpm
Field resistance line
200
180 A

160 150 V
B
140
120
100
80
60
40

20
M
O Field current
0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.0 1.2 1.4 in A
Figure 41.5:

(i) The total field circuit resistance is given to be Rf = 200 Ω. The Rf line is now drawn
on the same graph paper passing through the origin. The point of intersection of the Rf
line and the OCC decides the final no load voltage and can be read from the graph as 192
V and the corresponding field current is 0.96 A.

(ii) Since the terminal voltage V is 150 V(= BM), field current If is OM = 0.77 A.
Generated voltage E is given by AM. But we know E = Iara + V. Hence Iara = E – V =
AM – BM = AB. Now from the graph AB = 25 V. ∴Ia = 25/0.8 = 31.25 A. So load
current IL = Ia – If = 31.25 – 0.77 = 30.48 A. Various currents are shown in the circuit
diagram (figure 41.6).

41.5 Operation of d.c machine connected to d.c bus (fixed d.c voltage)
Generally a d.c machine connected to fixed voltage source is expected to operate as a motor
drawing current from the source as shown in figure 41.7 (a). However, the same machine may
operate as a generator as well feeding power to the d.c bus as shown in figure 41.7 (b). That it
will act as a motor or generator is decided by the fact whether the generated emf E of the
machine is less than or more than the supply voltage V. In figure 41.7 (a), E < V so armature
will draw current given by Ia = (V – E)/ra and the machine acts as motor.

30.25 A 30.48 A +

0.77 A

0.8Ω
150V
+
E

-
Figure 41.6:

However by some means if E could be made greater than the supply voltage V, the direction of
armature current will be reversed and its value is given by Ia = (E – V)/ra i.e., a current IL = Ia – If
will be fed to the supply and the machine will act as a generator. Of course to achieve this, one
has to remove the mechanical load from the shaft and run it at higher speed with a prime mover
to ensure E > V. Remember E being equal to kg If n and If held constant, one has to increase
speed so as to make E more than V. The following problem explains the above operation,

Ia IL + Ia IL +

If If

ra ra
V V
+ +
M E E
G
E<V E>V

- -
(a) Motoring (b) Generating

Figure 41.7:

2. A 200 V, d.c shunt machine has an armature resistance of 0.5 Ω and field resistance of
200 Ω. The machine is running at 1000 rpm as a motor drawing 31 A from the supply
mains. Calculate the speed at which the machine must be driven to achieve this as
generator.
Solution

First draw the circuit diagrams showing the motoring and generating mode of operation
indicating the currents and their directions as in figure 41.8.

For motor mode:

Current drawn from supply, IL = 31 A

30 A 31 A + 32 A 31 A +

1A 1A

ra ra
200 V 200 V
+ +
M Eb Eg
G

- -
(a) Motoring (b) Generating

Figure 41.8:

Field current, If = 200/200 = 1 A

Armature current, Ia1 = 31 – 1 = 30 A
Back emf, Eb = 200 – 30 × 0.5
or, kIf n1 = 185 V
Since speed, n1 = 1000 rpm
so, k × 1 × 1000 = 185 V

Similarly for generator mode:

Current fed to supply, IL = 31 A

Field current, If = 200/200 = 1 A
Armature, Ia2 = 31 + 1 = 32 A
Generated emf, Eg = 200 + 32 × 0.5
or, k If n2 = 216V where n2 is the unknown speed

Now taking the ratio of Eg and Eb we get:

Eg k × 1× n2
= = 216
Eb k × 1× 1000 185
n2 = 216 × 1000 = 1167.5 rpm
185