Characteristics Of DC Generators

These characteristics of DC generators are Open Circuit Characteristic (O.C.C.), Internal or Total
Characteristic and External Characteristic.

Open Circuit Characteristic (O.C.C.) (E0/If)

Open circuit characteristic is also known as magnetic characteristic or no-load saturation
characteristic. This characteristic shows the relation between generated emf at no load (E 0) and
the field current (If) at a given fixed speed. The O.C.C. curve is just the magnetization curve and
it is practically similar for all type of generators. The data for O.C.C. curve is obtained by
operating the generator at no load and keeping a constant speed. Field current is gradually
increased and the corresponding terminal voltage is recorded. The connection arrangement to
obtain O.C.C. curve is as shown in the figure below. For shunt or series excited generators, the
field winding is disconnected from the machine and connected across an external supply.

Now, from the emf equation of dc generator, we know that 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 is generated
(represented by OA in the figure below). 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 I f further, ɸ remains constant and
hence, Eg also remains constant. Hence, the O.C.C. curve looks like the B-H characteristic.
On plotting the relation between the E0 and If, we obtain the open circuit characteristics as
shown in the figures.

The above figure shows a typical no-load saturation curve or open circuit characteristics for all
types of DC generators.

Following points can be observed from the open circuit characteristics curve −

 Initially the field current is zero, there being some generated emf OA, which is due to the
residual magnetism.
 From point A to B, the curve is linear. It is because in this range, the reluctance of iron
core is negligible as compared to the air gap. The reluctance of air gap is constant and
hence it has linear relationship.
  After point B, the reluctance of iron also comes into picture. Since, at higher flux
densities, the relative permeability (μr) of the iron decreases and hence the reluctance of
iron is no longer negligible. This results in the deviation of the curve from the linear
relationship.
 After point C, the pole cores begin to saturate magnetically and the generated emf (E0) at
no-load tends to level off.

The critical resistance Rc, for the rated speed of the machine, can be determined from the
magnetization curve. To do this, a tangent line is drawn to the magnetization curve starting
from the origin. The slope of the tangent line represents the critical field resistance Rc

EXPERIMENT
OBJECTIVE
To obtain the open circuit characteristics curve (O.C.C) of separately excited D.C generator.

APPARATUS

1. Control rheostat 5000 ohm,500w

2. DC ammeter
3. DC voltmeter
4. DC motor Machine mod.M-4
5. Prime mover
 CIRCUIT DIAGRAM

U1
3PH FIXED LINE

L1

L2 U2

M
3
U3
L3

RHEOSTAT 5000Ω
F1 F2
+
VARIABLE DC LINE
- A

PROCEDURE

1.
Connect the shunt field to dc supply (variable outlet) through the ammeter and rheostat.
2.
Connect the multi-range voltmeter across the terminals of generator.
3.
couple the ac motor and dc generator
4.
start the AC Induction Motor.
5.
Supply the voltage to the motor by the help of AC fixed supply
6.
Note the reading of voltmeter (voltage due to residual magnetism).
7.
Excite the field at the low current and note the voltage again.
8.
Take care to increase the current without going back to the values already indicated
by the instruments to avoid small cycles due to the magnetic hysteresis.
9. Increase the field current in steps of 20mA until the saturation of the field is reached
and note the voltage each time.
10. Take at least 10 readings.
11. After reaching the maximum voltage generated, decrease the field current If in the
same manner in 20 mA decrements until 0 mA is reached. At each If, measure and
record the voltage Vt. Turn off AC/DC power of the circuit.
12. Tabulate the reading and draw the curve between armature induced e.m.f
and exciting current for ascending and descending field currents
13. Compute the value of the critical resistance Rc.
 FIELD TERMINAL VOLTAGE TERMINAL VOLTAGE VT
CURRENT VT (V) Descending If
‘IF Ascending If
1 ’
(A)
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9

1. Under what conditions does the DC generator fail to self - excite?

2. OCC is also known as magnetization characteristic, why?

3. What is critical field resistance?

4. What are the applications of dc generators

External Characteristic (V/IL)

The external characteristic of a separately excited generator is the curve between the terminal
voltage (V) and the load current IL. External characteristics are very important to determine the
suitability of a generator for a given purpose.

As the load current increases, the terminal voltage falls due to two reasons:
The armature reaction weakens the main flux so that actual e.m.f. generated E on load is less than
that generated (E0) on no load.
There is voltage drop across armature resistance (= IL*Ra = Ia*Ra).
Due to these reasons, the external characteristic is a drooping curve [curve 3]

Note that in the absence of armature reaction and armature drop, the generated e.m.f. would have
been E0 (curve 1).
The internal characteristic can be determined from external characteristic by adding IL*Ra drop
to the external characteristic. It is because armature reaction drop is included in the external
characteristic.
Curve 2 is the internal characteristic of the generator and should obviously lie above the external
characteristic.
 EXPERIMENT

OBJECTIVE

To draw the external characteristics (performance characteristics) of separately excited

D.C generator.

APPARATUS

1. Load rheostat RL-1/EV

2. DC Ammeter
3. DC Voltmeter
4. Excitation rheostat
5. DC motor Machine mod.M-4
6. Prime mover

CIRCUIT DIAGRAM

U1
3PH FIXED LINE

L1

L2 U2

M
3
U3
L3

A G
V

LOAD RHEOSTAT

RHEOSTAT 5000Ω
F1 F2
+
VARIABLE DC LINE
- A
PROCEDURE

1. Make the connections according to the circuit diagram.

2. Run the generator at a constant speed and the exciting current.
3. Connect the load across the generator armature.
4. Increase the load current gradually by the help of load rheostat and note the readings
of ammeters and voltmeter.
5. Plot VT(V) against IL(A)

OBSERVATION TABLE

S.No IL(A) VT(V)