Title: Open circuit test and load test of a separately excited D.C Generator.

Aim: To obtain the open circuit and load circuit characteristics of a separately excited
D.C generator.
Apparatus:
1) Separately excited D.C generator.
a) Direct current generator.

Serial number and specifics.

Power rating: 3KW
Rated terminal voltage: 200V
Rated current: 15 Amps
Rotation: 1500 R.P.M

b) Direct Current Motor.

3.5/7 Hp
2220V
17.2/34 Amps

2) Voltmeter
3) Ammeters

Range: 0 - 300V

4) Tachometer
5) Rheostat
6) Resistive Load.
7) Variable resistive load.
Theory:
R.M.1a) The open circuit characteristics also known as the no load saturation
characteristics shows the relationship between no load generated emf and the field current
at a given fixed speed. The field current is obtained from an external Direct Current
source. The variation of the current is achieved by the help of the variable resistor
(rheostat.).It is known that the voltage and the current are directly proportional. The
increase in the current will result in increased flux because:

The increase in flux with speed kept constant will also result in an increased generated
voltage:

R.M.1.b)
This test shows the actions of the generator under differential load conditions. Under load
conditions the voltage will decrease due to demagnetizing effects of the armature
reaction. As the load increase there is a further drop in armature winding voltage.
ProcedureR.M.1.a.
1) The connections were made as shown in the figures below.
2) The motor supply was switched on and the D.C compound motor was brought to its
rated speed. This was checked using a tachometer.
3) The field current of the generator was brought to 125% of its rated value.
4) The filed current was reduced to a minimum and the switch was opened .Terminal
Voltage= 9Volts.
5) The switch was closed and the current was increased in gradual steps of 0.1 till it got
125% of its rated value. Each time the corresponding terminal voltage was noted.
6) The Current was the reduced in gradual steps of 0.1 back to zero and the corresponding
terminal voltage recorded.

Open circuit characteristics circuit diagram

Procedure for R.M.1.b.
1) The circuit was set up as seen below.
2) The motor supply was switched on and the motor started.
3) The generator field current was switched on and adjusted to obtain the rated voltage at
no load.
4) The motor speed was kept constant and the load increased in steps up to 125% of rated
load and the corresponding terminal voltage and load current noted.

Load characteristics circuit diagram

Observations (Comments)
The graphs follow the normally expected nature. The difference observed is as a result of
instrumental, human and experimental errors. We observe in the Open circuit
characteristics graph that it rises almost linearly up to a point and starts to bend. We also
see that as we take readings decreasingly that it does not exactly follow the same path. (It
moves like the B-H curve).
In the load characteristic graphs we observe that the increase in load results in reduction
or decrease in the terminal voltage.
Conclusion:
We thus see that the open circuit characteristics are affected by the magnetization of the
magnets thus it follows the magnetization curve (B-H curve)
Furthermore, in the
loaded characteristics we observe the decrease in the terminal voltage with increase in the
load. We thus see the behaviour of the generator with increased load.
.. These characteristics are very essential that is they are needed by the users of the
machine. It enables one predict the general behaviour of the machine.