Compound Wound Generator

In case of a series generator the voltage regulation is very poor but the ability of the
series field to produce additional useful magnetization in response to increased load
cannot be denied. This useful characteristic of the series field, combined with the
relatively constant voltage characteristic of the shunt generator, led to the compound
generator.
The generated voltage, Egs if of a compound generator is the result of the combination
of m.m.f.s .produced by the series (IseTse) and shunt (IshTsh) ampere-turns due to currents
which flow in their field windings. In a compound generator, the shunt field
predominates and is much stronger of the two. When the series field m.m.f. aids the
shunt field m.m.f., the generator is said to be cumulatively compounded [see Fig. 43
(a)]. When the series field m.m.f. opposes the shunt field m.m.f., generator is said to be
differentially compounded [see Fig. 43 (b)].

a. Cumulatively compound generator

These types are called:

(i)

Over-compound

(ii)

Flat-compound

(iii)

Under-compound.

Over compound generator. An over-compound generator is one whose terminal

voltage rises with the application: of load so that its full-load voltage exceeds its no-load
voltage (negative regulation).

Flat-compound generator. A flat compound generator has a load-voltage

characteristic in which the no-load and full-load voltages are equal (zero per cent
regulations.

Under-compound generator. An under-compound generator has a load characteristic

in which the full load voltage is somewhat less than no-load voltage, but whose aiding
series-field ampere-turns cause its characteristic to have better regulation than an
equivalent shunt generator.

Most commercial compound D.C. dynamos, whether used as generators or

motors, are normally supplied by the manufacturer as over-compound machines.
The degree of compounding (over, flat or under) may be adjusted by means of
divertor which shunts the series field.

b. DIFFERENTIALLY COMPOUNDED GENERATOR

The differential compound generator is defined as that compounding produced
when the series field magnetomotive force opposes the shunt field
magnetomotive force. The difference in current direction of the two windings is
shown in Fig. 43 (b).

The terminal characteristics of a differentially compounded DC

generator
In the differentially compounded dc generator, the same two effects
occur that were present in the cumulatively compounded dc generator.
This time, though, the effects both act in the same direction. They are:
1. As Ia increases ,the Ia(Ra + Rs) voltage drop increases as well. This
increase tends to cause the terminal voltage to decrease VT = Ea Ia(Ra Rs).
2. As Ia increases, the series field magnetomotive force m.m.f se = NsaIa
increases too. This increase in series field magnetomotive force reduces
the net magnetomotive force on the generator Ftotal = NfIf - NseIa, which in
turn decreases VT.
Since both these effects tend to decrease terminal voltage, the voltage
drops drastically as the load is increased on the generator. A typical
characteristic for a differentially compounded dc generator is shown.

Voltage control of differentially compounded dc generator

Even though the voltage drop characteristics of a differentially
compounded dc generator are quite bad, it is still possible to adjust the
terminal voltage at any given load setting. The techniques available for
adjusting terminal voltage are exactly the same as those for shunt and
cumulatively compounded dc generators:
1. Change the rotation wm.
2. Change the field current If.
Application of differentially compounded dc generator
1. It is used on some wind electric generator plants because of its current
limiting characteristics at high speeds.
2. Some direct current welding generators are differential compound.