ENERGY CONVERSION (Lab) - Experiment No.

1: The Separately Excited DC Shunt Generator

Experiment No. 1
The Separately Excited DC Shunt Generator

OBJECTIVE

1. To study the properties of the separately excited DC shunt generator under no-load and
full load conditions
2. To obtain the saturation curve of the generator
3. To obtain the armature voltage vs armature current load curve of the generator

DISCUSSION

A DC machine can run either as a motor or as a generator. A generator converts mechanical

power into electrical power. A generator must therefore be mechanically driven in order that it
may produce electricity.

Since the field winding is an electromagnet, current must flow through it to produce a magnetic
field. This current is called the excitation current, and can be supplied to the field winding in one
of two ways; it can come from a separate, external DC source, in which case the generator is
called a separately excited generator; or it can come from the generator’s own output, in which
case the generator is called a self-excited generator.

Assume that the shunt field is excited by a DC current, thereby setting up a magnetic flux in
the generator. If the rotor (or more correctly, the armature) is rotated by applying mechanical
effort to the shaft, the armature coils will cut the magnetic flux, and a voltage will be induced in
them. This voltage is AC and in order to get DC output out of the generator, a rectifier must be
employed. This role is carried out by the commutator and the brushes.

The voltage induced in the coils (and, therefore, the DC voltage at the brushes) depends
only upon two things – the speed of rotation and the strength of the magnetic field. If the
speed is doubled, the voltage doubles. If the field strength is increased by 20%, the voltage
also increases by 20%.

Although separate excitation requires a separate DC power source, it is useful in cases where
a generator must respond quickly and precisely to an external control source, or when the
output voltage must be varied over a wide range.

With no electrical load connected to the generator, no current flows and only a voltage appears
at the output. However, if a resistance load is connected across the output, current will flow and
the generator will begin to deliver electric power to the load.

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ENERGY CONVERSION (Lab) - Experiment No. 1: The DC Separately Excited Shunt Generator

EQUIPMENT REQUIRED

1 unit 8110: Mobile Workstation

1 unit 8211: DC Motor/Generator

1 unit 8241: Three-Phase Synchronous Motor/Generator (used as a driving

motor only for the generator)

1 unit 8311: Resistive Load

1 unit 8412: DC Voltmeter/Ammeter

1 unit 8425: AC Ammeter (to monitor only the input current to the driving motor)

1 unit 8942: Timing Belt

1 unit 8821: Power Supply

25 pcs Connection Leads

1 unit Electronic VOM

CHECKING ACTIVITIES
CAUTION!

High voltage is present in this experiment! Do not make any

connections with the power on! Make sure that the set is unplugged and
the main switch of the Power Supply is in the 0 position and its variable
supply knob is set to MINIMUM.

Connecting Wires
1. Check each wire for continuity

DC Motor/Generator Module
2. Perform continuity test for the Armature circuit (terminal pair 1-2) of the DC Generator
3. Perform continuity test for the Shunt circuit (terminal pair 5-6) of the DC Generator
4. Open the fibreglass panel. Press once the black reset/fuse button located at the
lower right portion to ensure that the fuse is not tripped.
5. Check smooth rotation of roller bearing assembly mounted at the right side of the
module. Close the fibreglass panel.

Three-Phase Synchronous Motor/Generator Module

6. Perform continuity test for the three windings (terminal pairs 1-4, 2-5, and 3-6) of
the Synchronous Motor
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 ENERGY CONVERSION (Lab) - Experiment No. 1: The Separately Excited DC Shunt Generator

7. Set EXCITER knob to minimum setting. Close switch S1 and connect the multi-meter
tester at terminal pair 7-8. Set instrument to measure resistance. Rotate rheostat knob
clockwise to decrease resistance. Observe multi-meter reading if resistance decreases.
Take note which direction (clockwise or counter clockwise) will cause the EXCITER to
decrease its resistance value.
8. Open the fibreglass panel. Check smooth rotation of roller bearing assembly mounted at
the right side of the module. Close the fibreglass panel.
9. Check if the pulley aligns with the pulley of the DC Motor/Generator Module by putting
the belt and rotating the shaft clockwise and counter clockwise. The belt should not
become loose. If it does, try to interchange the positions of the machines and repeat this
step.

Analog Meter Modules (DC Voltmeter/Ammeter and AC Ammeter)

10. Set all meter needles to zero. Adjust plastic screw on the front panel below the meter
view screen for each meter instrument using a screw driver if necessary.

Resistive Load Module

11. Using the resistance setting of the multi-tester, check the resistance of each switch

Power Supply Module

12. Set the control knob to zero (minimum)
13. Plug and turn on the Power Supply module. Observe uniformity of all three pilot lamps. If
not, inform the instructor.
14. Set meter selector switch to 7-N. Rotate control knob to 100 (maximum) and observe
meter if it will indicate a value of 120V dc thereabouts. If not, inform the instructor.
Return the control knob to zero (minimum)
15. Set meter selector switch to 8-N and observe meter if it will indicate a value of 120V
dc thereabouts. If not, inform the instructor.
16. Using an AC Voltmeter module, measure if the voltage across each pair terminals 1-2, 2-
3, and 3-1 is 208 V ac thereabouts. If not, inform the instructor.
17. Turn off the Power Supply Module and unplug the station.

PROCEDURE

No Load Characteristics

1. Perform procedure under Appendix A to find the neutral positions of the carbon brushes
of the DC Motor/Generator module before you proceed to the next procedure.

2. Because of its constant running speed, the synchronous motor will be used to
mechanically drive the DC generator. Using your Power Supply, AC Ammeter and

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ENERGY CONVERSION (Lab) - Experiment No. 1: The DC Separately Excited Shunt Generator

Three-Phase Synchronous Motor/Generator, connect the circuit shown in Figure 1.1.

This is the connection for the driving motor only and not yet for the DC generator.

Figure 1.1

CAUTION!

DO NOT APPLY POWER AT THIS TIME!

The toggle switch S1 in the synchronous motor should remain open (0 position)
before you energize the set. It should be closed (I position) only when the motor
is running at rated speed.

3. Terminals 1, 2 and 3 on the Power Supply provide fixed three-phase power for the three
stator windings of the synchronous motor. Terminals 8 and N on the Power Supply
provide fixed DC power for the rotor windings of the synchronous motor. Set the rheostat
control knob of the Synchronous Motor/Generator to its maximum resistance position.
Perform the procedure under Appendix B for this.

4. a. Using your DC Motor/Generator and DC Voltmeter/Ammeter, connect the circuit

shown in Figure 1.2.

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 ENERGY CONVERSION (Lab) - Experiment No. 1: The Separately Excited DC Shunt Generator

Figure 1.2

b. Connect the shunt field of the generator’s terminals 5 and 6 to the variable DC output
of the power supply terminals 7 and N, while connecting the 500 mA DC ammeter in
series with the positive terminal of the variable DC power supply.

c. Connect the 150V–range DC voltmeter across the generator output (armature

terminals 1 and 2). Inform the instructor if you do not have this voltmeter range.

d. Couple the Synchronous Motor and the DC Generator with the belt. FOR SAFETY
MAKE SURE THE POWER SUPPLY IS UNPLUG AND STILL TURNED OFF!

5. a. Plug the workstation and turn on the power supply. The synchronous motor should
start running.

b. Close the Switch S1 of the synchronous motor when it has accelerated to a constant
speed

c. In Table 1.1, record the armature voltage EA at zero shunt field current IF. Very slowly
vary the shunt field excitation current IF by rotating the voltage control knob on the
Power Supply. Note the effect on the generator output (armature voltage) EA as
indicated by the DC voltmeter.

d. Measure and record in Table 1.1 the armature voltage EA for each of the listed field
currents (increments of 50mA). Do not ever turn the variable voltage dial of the Power
Supply counter clockwise when you overshoot the target IF value indicated in Table
1.1. Just alter the indicated IF value if you overshoot it. Make sure you will not go
more than 400mA.

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ENERGY CONVERSION (Lab) - Experiment No. 1: The DC Separately Excited Shunt Generator

Shunt Field Armature Terminal

Current, IF Voltage, EA
(milliamperes) (volts)
0 12.5
50 28
100 52.5
150 75
200 100
250 115
300 130
350 145
400 155

Table 1.1 (4 points)

e. Return the voltage to zero, turn off the power supply, and open the S1 switch of the
Synchronous motor.

6. Plot EA vs IF characteristic curve for your DC shunt generator in this section. Use the
data from Table 1.1. Label axes properly. (5 points)

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 ENERGY CONVERSION (Lab) - Experiment No. 1: The Separately Excited DC Shunt Generator

7. a. Reverse the polarity of the shunt field by interchanging the leads to terminals 5 and 6
on the DC generator.

b. Turn on the power supply, close S1 switch in the Synchronous Motor, and adjust the
DC generator for a field current IF of 300 mA DC.

c. Did the armature voltage reverse its polarity? ___YES___ (1 point)

d. Return the voltage to zero, turn off the power supply, and open the S1 switch of the
Synchronous motor.

8. a. Interchange the leads to the 200 V DC meter.

b. Turn on the power supply, close S1 switch in the Synchronous Motor, and adjust the
DC generator for a field current IF of 300 mA DC.
c. Measure and record the armature voltage. EA = __ 130 ___ V DC (2 points)

d. Is the armature voltage approximately the same as in procedure 6 (at an IF of 300 mA)?
___YES___. (2 points)

e. Return the voltage to zero, turn off the power supply, and open the S1 switch of the
Synchronous motor.

9. a. Reverse the rotation of the driving motor by interchanging any two of the stator
lead connections (terminals 1, 2 and 3) to the synchronous motor.

b. Turn on the power supply, close S1 switch in the Synchronous Motor, and adjust the
DC generator for a field current IF of 300 mA DC.

c. Did the armature voltage reverse its polarity? __ YES___ (1 point)

d. Return the voltage to zero, turn off the power supply, and open the S1 switch of the
Synchronous motor.

10. a. Interchange the leads to the 200 V DC voltmeter

b. Turn on the power supply, close S1 switch in the Synchronous Motor, and adjust the
DC generator for a field current IF of 300 mA DC.

c. Measure and record the armature voltage. EA = ___130___ V DC (2 points)

d. Is the armature voltage approximately the same as in procedure 6 (at an IF of

300 mA)? __YES___ (2 points)
e. Return the voltage to zero, turn off the power supply, and open the S1 switch of the
Synchronous Motor.

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ENERGY CONVERSION (Lab) - Experiment No. 1: The DC Separately Excited Shunt Generator

Load Characteristics

11. Using your Resistive Load, connect the circuit shown in Figure 1.3. Please refer to
Figure 1.4 for the RL resistance bank. In the Resistive Load module, turn on
toggle switches 3, 5 and 6 so that the total load resistance is 120 Ω.

Figure 1.3

12. a. Turn on the power supply. The synchronous motor should start running.

b. Close the Switch S1 of the synchronous motor.

c. Adjust the shunt field current IF by adjusting the Power Supply module voltage
control knob until the generator is delivering an output voltage of 120 V DC. The
ammeter IA should indicate 1 A DC.

d. Record the shunt field current IF = ___300___ mA. This is the nominal IF at the rated
power output (120 V x 1 A = 120 W) of the DC generator. (1 point)

Figure 1.4. Resistive Load Bank

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 ENERGY CONVERSION (Lab) - Experiment No. 1: The Separately Excited DC Shunt Generator

13. a. Adjust the load resistance to obtain each of the values listed in Table 1.2 while
maintaining the nominal IF value found in procedure 13.d.

b. Measure and record EA and IA for each of the resistance values listed in Table 1.2

Note: Although the nominal output current rating of the generator is 1

A DC, it may be loaded up to 1.5 A DC (50% overload) without harm.

Load Switches Armature Terminal Output Power

Resistance turned on at Current Voltage Po
RL Resistor Bank IA EA (watts)
(ohms) (amperes) (volts)
infinite None 0 135 0
600 2 0.2 130 26
300 3 0.4 128 51.2
200 2, 3 0.6 125 75
150 1, 4, 5, 6 0.8 123 98.4
120 3, 5, 6 0.98 120 117.6
100 1, 3, 4, 5, 6 1.13 115 129.95
80 1, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 1.35 110 148.5
75 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 1.4 110 154

Table 1.2 (5 points)

14. a. Return the voltage to zero, turn off the power supply, and open the S1 switch of the
Synchronous motor. Unplug the workstation. Do not disconnect your set-up.

b. Calculate and record the power for each of the values listed in Table 1.2.

c. Plot the EA vs IA regulation curve in this section. Use the data from Table 1.2. (5
points)

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ENERGY CONVERSION (Lab) - Experiment No. 1: The DC Separately Excited Shunt Generator

REVIEW QUESTIONS

1. Explain why there is an armature voltage even when the field current is zero in
procedure 6. (3 points)

It is due to residual magnetism because, the core of a dc machine is made of

ferromagnetic material. So, when current is zero, there is still magnetic power left in
those coils core.

2. State two ways by which the output polarity of a shunt DC generator can be changed.
(2 points)

Reversing the polarity of the shunt field of the DC generator and reversing the
rotation of the armature. If the direction of armature rotation is reversed, the brush
polarity also is reversed.

3. From the plot of EA vs IF, the curve us expected to bend over as the field
current increases. Can you explain why this happens? (3 points)

It happens because of magnetic saturation. Up to a certain value of field current

the maximum molecules are arranged. As you start increasing the voltage, more and
more Magnetic Field lines start passing through the magnetic medium, the rising curve
with current up to a certain point where no more magnetic field lines can be
accommodated inside the medium, the number of field lines remain constant.

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 ENERGY CONVERSION (Lab) - Experiment No. 1: The Separately Excited DC Shunt Generator

4. Calculate the regulation from no-load to full-load (use the voltage at IA = 1 A DC in Table
1.2) (2 points)

香䁞
䁞䁞 〴 香㰍䁏

Voltage Regulation = 12.5 %

CONCLUSIONS

1. Make a general statement on the trend of the magnetization curve. (5 points)

The magnetization curve rises very steeply while the magnetic circuit is unsaturated.
As the magnetic circuit saturates the curve flattens out.

2. Make a specific statement on the reason for the existence of residual flux. (5 points)

In our experiment, a small voltage is present across the terminals of DC Shunt

Generator when the switch is closed, therefore a small current will start flowing through the
field circuit of DC Shunt Generator which in turn will produce magnetic flux and if the
produced magnetic flux adds the residual magnetic flux then net flux will increase and the
generated voltage will increase corresponding to a point the Magnetization curve.

3. Compose a general statement on the definition of magnetic saturation and how it is

manifested in the magnetization curve. (5 points)
According to the molecular theory of magnetism, the molecules of a magnetic
material, which is not magnetized, are not arranged or aligned in definite order. When
current passed through the magnetic material then its molecules are arranged in definite
order. Up to a certain value of field current the maximum molecules are arranged. In this
stage the flux established in the pole increased directly with the field current and the
generated voltage is also increased.

4. State the general effect on voltage build-up of reversing the connection of the shunt field
circuit and that of the rotation of the generator separately. (5 points)
Before loading a shunt generator, it is allowed to build up its voltage. Usually, there is
always present some residual magnetism in the poles, hence a small e.m.f. is produced

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ENERGY CONVERSION (Lab) - Experiment No. 1: The DC Separately Excited Shunt Generator

initially.This e.m.f. circulates a small current in the field circuit which increases the pole flux
(provided field circuit is properly connected to armature, otherwise this current may wipe off
the residual magnetism). When flux is increased, generated e.m.f. is increased which further
increases the flux and so on.

Considering, if field winding is reversed then current flowing through field winding
reverses so the effective flux will be reversed. And as we know that Torque is proportional to
flux. As there is reversal of flux I.e. from positive it becomes negative so torque generated
also becomes negative resulting motor to rotate in reverse direction.

If the direction of armature rotation is reversed, the brush polarity also is reversed.
The residual voltage now produces a field current which weakens the residual magnetism
and the generator voltage fails to build up. Therefore, a self-excited machine develops its
operating voltage for one direction of armature rotation only. The generator load switch may
be closed when the desired voltage is reached.

5. Make a general statement of the load-voltage characteristic curve of a

separately-excited shunt DC generator. (5 points)
The curve which gives the relation between field current (If) and the generated
voltage (E0) in the armature on no load is called magnetic or open circuit characteristic of a
DC generator. The plot of this curve is practically same for all types of generators, whether
they are separately excited or self-excited. This curve is also known as no load saturation
characteristic curve of DC generator. For higher value of constant speed, the steepness of
the curve is more. When the field current is zero, for the effect residual magnetism in the
poles, there will be a small initial emf.

6. Identify factors affecting the drop of terminal voltage as load increases for a separately
excited DC shunt generator. (5 points)
IA-RA drop - A part of the generated voltage is used to overcome the armature resistance
which leads to the decrease in the terminal voltage.
Armature Reaction - Whenever a load is connected to a DC generator, current starts
flowing through the armature conductors, as a result, these conductors produce their own
flux which opposes the main field flux. Thereby, the terminal voltage decreases.

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