ECE-P 352

Experiment 7: Pre-Lab
Direct Current Machines
Modifed date: 02-11-05

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Pre-Lab
Due before performing the experiment.
1.

How many types of DC motors do we have? Provide their names.

2.

Draw the equivalent circuit of a shunt DC motor and derive the following equation which describes the torquespeed characteristic of a shunt DC motor:

R
A

( K) 2

ind

3.

What are the methods used to control the speed of the shunt DC motor? Explain the method where the field
resistance is adjusted to control the speed of a shunt DC motor.

4.

Why do you think that the slope of the torque-speed curve of a DC shunt motor remains constant when an
armature voltage speed control method is used?

5.

Explain the difference between the cumulatively compounded motor and the differentially compounded motor?
What happens if the direction of the armature current flow in cumulatively compounded motor reverses? Will it
become a cumulatively compounded or differentially compounded generator? Explain your reasoning.

C.N./S.A/S.C.

04/12/13

ECE-P 352
Experiment 7: Lab
Direct Current Machines
Modified date:04-12-13

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Lab 7: Direct Current (DC) Machines Experiment

Below are the instructions for lab 7. All the theory needed for this experiment should be available to you in the
textbook.

Objectives:
This experiment is designed to develop a basic understanding of DC machine operation. Tests are performed to
obtain the characteristics of the machines in the lab and to obtain parameters for modeling the machines. Open
circuit tests, load and no load tests will be performed similar to the previous labs to obtain the required parameters
of the machine. At the end of the experiment, compound generators can be used to show what they do.
Before starting each test make sure that the Professor or TA has looked over your circuit. Make sure you know
what measurements are required by creating a data table to record your results.

Rating:
Each electric machine is designed by a manufacturer to operate in a certain range of voltages and currents. The
parameter quoted by the manufacturer are known as rating of the machine. Based on the real machine in the power
lab, the following rating are used.
Rated power: 5HP
Rated voltage: 120V
Rated current: 36.8A
Rated speed: 1750RPM
Rated field current: 1.08A

1. Open Circuit Voltage Characteristics Test.

In this test, the motor will be operated as a shunt motor while the generator will be separately excited. In this
experiment you want to keep the speed of the m-g set constant. This test will reveal the magnetization curve, also
called the saturation curve. Ideally, the flux crossing the air-gap would be plotted versus the field current.
However, it is not possible to measure the air-gap flux. A plot of the open circuit voltage versus the field current
will exhibit the same characteristics shown in the flux versus current graph.
You can use a rheostat or a potentiometer for control of the generator field current although, the potentiometer will
give you finer control. Note during the test, it is not important what speed you use as long as it is kept constant.
The machines in the laboratory are safe up to 120% of their rated rpm.
Connect the DC machines as shown in Figure 1. In the interest of saving time, the circuit may already be connected
for you. If this is the case, take a few moments to familiarize yourself with the connections and be able to identify
the following equipment/accesories:
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
6)
7)

Control Panel (120V DC source)

Visible Disconnect Switch
1 100A Shunt
2 10A Shunts
Table Rheostat
DC Motor
DC Generator

If you cannot identify any of the above equipment please ask your TA for assistance.

C.N./S.A./S.C./J.J.

ECE-P 352
Experiment 7: Lab
Direct Current Machines
Modified date:04-12-13

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(Iin)
Vt

(If,motor)
10A Shunt(If,gen)

Figure 1.
a)

Make sure the power supply is off and the visible disconnect switch is open and that the motor-generator
(m-g) set is coupled.
b) Close the visible disconnect switch and close the DC breaker to turn on the power for the DC supply.
c) Start the machines by pulling the black button on the control panel.
d) Slowly take the generator field current (If,gen) up to approximately 120% of the rated value by controlling
the rheostat. Record generator field current (If,gen), the open circuit generator terminal voltage (Vt) and the
machine speed at this value.
e) Keeping the motor speed constant, slowly reduce the current and take 7 or 8 readings in even steps
between 120% rated and zero. Once you have begun to reduce the field current, do not increase it at any
point. Your data will not follow the appropriate curve if the field current is adjusted up and down.
f) Stop the machines by pressing the black button. Then turn off power by opening the DC breaker and then
open the visible disconnect switch.
Open Circuit Test Data
Decreasing Gen. If

Generator
If

Vt

RPM

2. Machine Losses Test.

(Iin)

(If,motor)
Figure 2A) Uncoupled DC Motor

C.N./S.A./S.C./J.J.

ECE-P 352
Experiment 7: Lab
Direct Current Machines
Modified date:04-12-13

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(Iin)

(If,motor)
10A Shunt(If,gen)

Figure 2B) Coupled DC Motor and Generator

In this part you will need to keep the speed constant and read the line voltage and current into the motor, the field
currents of both machines and the generator terminal voltage.
a)
i.
ii.
iii.

iv.
v.

Uncoupled DC motor. The DC shunt motor is operated at no load and constant speed as shown in Fig. 2A.
Uncouple the m-g set.
Close the visible disconnect switch and close the DC breaker to turn on the power for the DC supply.
Measure the field current, the input voltage and current to the motor. Also record the RPM reading.
Motor
If
Vin
Iin
RPM

Turn off power by opening the DC breaker and then open the visible disconnect switch.
Calculate the input power to the motor. This power is equivalent to:
Pin= [RaIa2 + RfIf2 + Prot]m= Vin* Iin
Where Prot is the rotational losses, mechanical and core losses. The m-subscript stands for motor.
If Ra(m), Rf(m), If(m), Iin(m), and the armature current (Ia(m)) values are known then Prot(m) can be
determined. Calculate Prot(m) using Ra(m), Rf(m) values that will be determined from the armature
winding and field winding tests in section 4.

b) Coupled m-g set without excitation on the generator. The m-g set is operated at no load, constant speed and
zero generator field current.
i.
Couple the DC generator to the DC shunt motor as shown in Fig. 2b without excitation on the generator.
ii.
Close the visible disconnect switch and close the DC breaker to turn on the power for the DC supply.
iii.
Repeat the measurements as in part (a) and record generator field current
Motor
Generator
If
Vin Iin
If
RPM

iv.

Turn off power by opening the DC breaker and then open the visible disconnect switch.
The power into the motor is now:
Pin= [RaIa2 + RfI2f + Prot]m + [Prot]g = Vin* Iin
Where [Prot]g is the generator rotational losses. Note that If and Ia of the generator are zero in this case.
Calculate [Prot]g . [Prot]m is calculated in part a) above.

C.N./S.A./S.C./J.J.

ECE-P 352
Experiment 7: Lab
Direct Current Machines
Modified date:04-12-13

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c)

Coupled m-g set with excitation on the generator. With the same operating condition as in part (b), excite the
generator from the DC supply using a field rheostat or a potentiometer to control the generator field current.
i.
Close the visible disconnect switch and close the DC breaker to turn on the power for the DC supply.
ii.
Excite the generator from the DC supply using the table rheostat to control the generator field current.
Slowly increment the generator field current and take 8 or 9 readings in even steps between zero to 120%
of rated field current.
iii.
Measure the field current, the input voltage and current to the motor. Also record generator field current
and armature voltage (terminal voltage since Ia is zero).
Motor Values
Gen.
RPM If
Vin
Iin
If
Vt

iv.
v.

Turn off power by opening the DC breaker and then open the visible disconnect switch.
The power into the motor is: Pin=[RaIa2 + RfI2f + Prot]m + [Prot]g = Vin* Iin
Using measurements in part iii) plot a curve of the generator rotational losses vs. armature induced
voltage at the speed of your test.

3. Load Characteristics Test.

120V
DC

100A Shunt L1

(Iin)

L2

DC
Motor

S2

DC
Gen

100A Shunt

Lamp

(IL)

A2 +

Transfer Panel
Visible
Disconnect
Switch

Armature
current

A1

S1

Rheostat
+

F2
+

shunt field
F2
10A Shunt(If,motor)

R1
10A Shunt (If,gen)

Figure 3.
A "load characteristic" of an electrical machine is a set of curves showing the important dependent variables of
operations as a function of load. Usually, power out is the independent variable (abscissa) but for DC generators we
often use load current as the independent variable. "Interesting" dependent variables (ordinates) may be speed,
voltage, input power, efficiency, current etc.
It is important that, when you prepare a load characteristic, you indicate what machine it refers to, what the rating of
that machine is, and what the conditions of operation were. For example, if a constant terminal voltage test is made
for a shunt generator, it would be meaningless to plot a curve of the terminal voltage but the field current would be
an important variable.
DC Machine Load Test
With the machine's field winding connected in parallel to the armature winding (shunt connected), the DC shunt
generator is self-excited. In order to start the self-excitation or "build-up" process, there must be some residual flux
trapped inside the armature circuit (or iron) of the machine. Consequently, the corresponding electromotive force
will then be imposed on the parallel field winding and cause a field current to flow in this winding. This induced
field current will then produce additional flux which will induce a larger emf. The process repeats until a state of
equilibrium has been reached. This equilibrium point occurs when the field resistance line intersects the opencircuit magnetization curve or when the armature induced emf produces just enough field current to sustain it.
(Explain this process using the experimental open circuit voltage and field resistance line in your report).

C.N./S.A./S.C./J.J.

ECE-P 352
Experiment 7: Lab
Direct Current Machines
Modified date:04-12-13

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a) Connect the DC machines setup as shown in Fig. 3.

b) Close the visible disconnect switch and close the DC breaker to turn on the power for the DC supply. Then
start the machines.
c) Keeping the speed constant (by adjusting the rheostat) vary the load (light bank) to obtain 10 data points
over the range of 0 Amps to 120% of rated current. This will give you a load characteristic for the shuntexcited generator. For each reading, record the following
Load Test Data
Motor
Generator
RPM Vin Iin
If
Vt
IL
Vf
If

d) Unload the circuit (turn off light banks) and stop the machines.
e) Turn off power by opening the DC breaker and then open the visible disconnect switch.
The principle dependent variable is load voltage. Obtaining the value of the mechanical power input to calculate
efficiency requires some calculations. (See the power-flow chart for these calculations).

4. Machine Resistance Tests.

Figure 4A) Armature Winding Test

Figure 4B) Field Winding Test

Measure the values of armature resistance and field resistance of both DC machines in the m-g set by the drop of
potential method. Resistances that are independent of current will require about three data points since three points
will determine a straight line with some estimate of error. Resistances that are a function of current will require six
or eight data points to plot the curve. Explain (by theory and curves) any resistances that are non-linear.
Armature Winding Test
a) Connect the setup as shown in Fig. 4A.
b) Close the visible disconnect switch and close the DC breaker to turn on the power for the DC supply.
c) Vary the load to take 3 data points, one at rated current, one slightly above and one slightly below. Be
careful not to exceed the 120% rating of the winding. It is recommended that you record the rating of
the winding prior to conducting the actual experimentation.
d) Turn off power by opening the DC breaker and then open the visible disconnect switch.

C.N./S.A./S.C./J.J.

ECE-P 352
Experiment 7: Lab
Direct Current Machines
Modified date:04-12-13

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Field Winding Test

a) Connect the setup as shown in Fig. 4B.
b) Close the visible disconnect switch and close the DC breaker to turn on the power for the DC supply.
c) Vary the load to take 3 data points, one at rated field current, one slightly above and one slightly below. Be
careful not to exceed the 120% rating of the winding. It is recommended that you record the rating of
the winding prior to conducting the actual experimentation.
d) Turn off power by opening the DC breaker and then open the visible disconnect switch.
Resistance Data
Field Winding
If
Vf

Armature Winding
Va
Ia

Lab Report
Draw a schematic of all connections used in the experiment and label all the elements.
From the data collected:

Calculate armature winding resistance and field winding resistance .

Plot the open-circuit voltage characteristic of the seperately excited generator (Vt vs If) and the
load characteristic of the shunt generator (terminal voltage as ordinate and load current as
abscissa) on the same curve sheet.
Plot generator rotational losses vs armature induced voltage.
Plot the speed, the efficiency and current input as a function of Horse-power output (abscissa) on
the same curve sheet for the DC shunt motor.
Calculate the voltage regulation and efficiency of the DC shunt generator for the rated load
condition.
Calculate the efficiency of the DC shunt motor from zero load to rated load.
Explain how the speed of a DC shunt motor is changed and why the change in speed occurs.

C.N./S.A./S.C./J.J.