Electrical Machines 1

EXPERIMENT NO 11
Bonachita, Qkee Banch B. EE_3C

DC GENERATOR WITH SERIES EXCITATION

Purposes:
• Record the external characteristic
• Recording of the regulation characteristic
• Determination of the conventional efficiency Components:
• 1 dc machine stator with assembled commutator rotor and brushes
• 1 AC machine stator with ring rotor and connected brushes
• 1 DL 10281 Supply Module
• 1 DL 10282 Measurement module
• 1 DL 10283 Loads and rheostats
• 1 Starting Rheostat and synchronizer
Electrical diagram

Procedure
Assemble the group synchronous motor – dynamo by using the stator of the alternating current
machine, completed with ring rotor and brushes, and stator of the direct current machine,
completed with commutator rotor and brushes.

Carry out the circuit shown in the previous topographical diagram.

Set the supply module DL 10281 for a fixed alternating voltage 24V/14A (selector “a0b” to
position “a” and switch L1/L2/L3 to position “0) and set selector “c0d” to position “0” with
control knob to 0%.

Set on the measurement module DL 10282 the voltmeter and the ammeters for direct current
measurements and observe the polarity (+ at red terminal).

Set the module DL 10283 with the selector R to position “0” and the adjustment knob of the
rheostat RA= (1ohms+2ohms) to position “b” (maximum resistance).
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EXPERIMENT NO 11
Set on the module DL 10125 the starting rheostats switch to the position R 1A and the control
knob of the direct source to 80% supply the module.

Activate the supply module and start the motor by setting the switch L1/L2/L3 to position “1”.
Gradually accelerate the motor by setting the starting rheostat switch in sequence to the
positions R2A, R3A and short circuit (last clockwise position but one): the motor turns now
with a speed next to the synchronism.

Finally synchronize the induction motor by setting the starting rheostat switch to the last
clockwise position: the induction motor is in this way synchronized and it turns with the
synchronous speed.

Record the external characteristic of the generator by measuring the voltage U at the terminals
as a function of the load current I

After having measured the no-load voltage by using the most suitable range for the voltmeter,
switch on the switch R (connected to position “1”) and measure the voltage for every value of
the load current delivered by the generator, obtained by suitably and carefully adjusting the
load rheostat RA

NOTE

Because of high value of contact resistance between the collector and brushes, autoexcitation
could not occur. In this case, a small pressure on brushes to push against the collector, reduce
the contact resistance and allows the autoexcitation.

WARNINGS

During this test the load rheostat R A result in overload and it warms up: it is advised to carry
out the test with a certain promptness to avoid their damaging.

In the table the approximate current values are shown that can be carried out by combining the
selector R and the rheostat RA.

Load I (A) U(V) P=UI (W)

∞ 0 0.8 0
RA 1.5 2.5 3.75
RA 3 5.2 15.6
RA 4.5 7.8 35.1
RA 6 10.4 62.4
RA 7.5 12.2 91.5
RA 9 14.5 130.5
RA 10.5 16.2 170.1
RA 12 17.5 210
RA 13.5 19.5 263.2

Calculate the delivered power and write the values in the table.
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EXPERIMENT NO 11

On the diagram, show the delivered voltage U and the power P as a function of the load current
I.

- U
- P

Stop the group by passing in sequence from the synchronous operation of the motor to the
asynchronous one and then by setting the switch L1/L2/L3 to position “0”.

Finally, in base to the previous results, we can determine the conventional efficiency of the
dynamo by supposing a rated current equal to 10A with delivered voltage of 15V.

The calculation procedure is synthesized in the following table.

Load I (A) 0 2.5 5 7.5 10 12.5

U (V) 0.7 4 8.3 12 15 18
P = UI (W) 0 10 41.5 90 150 225
Ps = RsI2 (W) 0 1.53 6.125 13.78 24.5 38.28
Po (W) 35 35 35 35 35 40
Pa = RaI2 (W) 0 2 8 18 32 50
Pw = RwI2 (W) 0 1.875 7.5 16.875 30 46.88
Pb = 0.6I (W) 0 1.5 3 4.5 6 7.5
Pad = 1%P (W) 0 0.1 0.415 0.9 1.5 2.25
Pd (W) 35 42 60 89 129 179.9
Pin = P + Pd(W) 35 52 101.5 179 279 404.9
0 19.2 40.9 50.3 53.8 55.6
η= 100 𝑃 %
𝑃𝑖𝑛
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EXPERIMENT NO 11
The resistance values are the ones determined in experiment N°38 and referred to 75 °C again.
The constant losses Po are the ones determined in experiment N°39 in correspondence of U =
15V.
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From a visual examination the brushes are of metal-carbon.
The power Pd represents the sum of all the losses,
Draw on the same diagram the power Pd and the efficiency η as a function of the output power
P.

- Pd
- n

Post Laboratory Questions

1. What was the relationship between the field current and the terminal voltage of the
generator?
- The terminal voltage increases with the field current since a stronger magnetic
field enhances electromagnetic induction. However, at higher currents, the
increase slows due to magnetic saturation.

2. How did the generator's performance change when the load was varied?
- As the load increases, the terminal voltage rises initially due to the series
excitation but drops at very high loads due to internal resistance. This makes
the generator perform best under moderate loads.

3. Was the generator able to maintain a steady voltage output under different loads?
- The generator struggles to maintain steady voltage under varying loads since
the output depends directly on the load current. This behavior limits its use in
applications requiring stable voltage.

4. How did the measured values compare to the theoretical values for the generator's
performance?
- Measured values are typically lower than theoretical ones due to losses like
resistance, friction, and heat.

5. Were there any sources of error in the experiment that could have affected the results?
 - Errors include inaccurate readings, aging of the generator, and technical
mishandling during operation. These factors could significantly affect
performance results.

6. How could the experiment be improved to obtain more accurate results?

- Regular maintenance of the generator and the use of precise instruments can
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reduce errors.

7. What are some practical applications of series DC generators?

- Series DC generators are ideal for arc welding and boosting systems in electric
locomotives. Their ability to generate high voltage under heavy load is useful in
such tasks.

8. How does the performance of a series DC generator compare to that of other types of
generators?
- Series DC generators are better suited for heavy, fluctuating loads compared to
shunt generators but lack the stable voltage output of compound generators.
They are less versatile than other types.

9. What are some potential limitations or drawbacks of using a series DC generator in a

real-world application?
- Series DC generators cannot maintain voltage at low loads, making them
unsuitable for steady applications. Their performance also relies heavily on load
conditions.

10. How does the generator's efficiency change with load and field current, and what is the
significance of this for real-world applications?
- Efficiency improves with increasing load up to a certain point but decreases with
excessive load due to higher losses. This makes it crucial to operate them within
an optimal range for maximum efficiency.