Construction and Working Principle of DC Generators | DC Generator | Principle of Operation, Construction, Types of Generators & Application

DC Generators

A DC generator or electrical generator is a machine that converts mechanical energy or power into electrical energy.

Principle of Operation

Basically, the principle of a DC Generator is based on dynamically induced emf i.e. Faraday’s Law of Electromagnetic Induction. This law states that :

“Whenever the magnetic flux linking with a conductor changes, an Electromagnetic Force (EMF) is set up in that conductor.”

Dynamically induced emf, e=dϕdtThe direction of flux is given by the Right-Hand Thumb Rule which states that “if the thumb of the right hand represents the direction of current then the direction of the curled fingers represent the direction of flux”.

Now the question arises, how do we change the flux? The answer is relative motion between the conductor and the flux. So there are two ways to do that:

1) Keep the conductor stationary and move the flux
2) Keep the flux stationary and move the conductor

In a DC generator, we keep the flux stationary and move the conductor. The device that moves this conductor is called Prime Mover. Some examples of Prime Mover are diesel engines, diesel turbines, steam turbines, etc.

Now the next question arises, what is the direction of this induced emf? For that we have Fleming’s Right-Hand Rule:

“If the three fingers of the right hand, namely thumb, index finger, and middle finger are outstretched so that each one of them is at right angles with the remaining two and if in this position the index finger is made to point in the direction of flux, thumb in the direction of the relative motion of conductor w.r.t. flux then the outstretched middle finger gives the direction of induced emf in the conductor”

While in DC Motors, the rule used is Fleming’s Left Hand Rule (not the right-hand rule).

The emf induced is alternating in nature. So the question arises: if the induced emf is alternating, how is it a DC Generator? The answer is a rectifier called a Commutator. This device is not electronic, instead its entirely mechanical.

“Commutator is a device used in DC Generator to convert alternating induced emf to unidirectional DC emf”

Construction

The construction remains the same for both the generator and the motor.

Yoke : It is the outermost protective cover of the machine. It protects all the components from dust, moisture, etc. It serves as mechanical support to the parts. It also provides a low reluctance path for the flux, so it’s made up of Cast Iron as it is a magnetic material.

Pole: The pole has two parts:

Pole Core: It carries field windings which are responsible for the production of magnetic flux.

Pole Shoe: It covers the maximum armature conductor to cut flux so that we have maximum induced emf.
As flux passes through it, it should provide a low reluctance path so it is made up of Cast Iron.

Field Winding: It is the coil or wire that carries the current which is responsible for the production of flux. It is made up of Copper.

Armature: That part where the emf is induced. It is made up of Cast Iron.

Armature Conductor: That part which takes the voltage or current out of the armature to the commutator

Commutator: That part which rectifies AC emf to DC.

Brushes: It takes out the voltage or current from the Commutator to the terminals. It is made up of Carbon.

Emf Equation of DC Generator

Before we derive the emf equation, let’s define some terms:
Let P = number of poles in the generator
φ = flux produced by each pole
N = speed of armature of generator (in rpm)
Z = total number of conductors in armature
A = number of parallel paths in which armature conductors are distributed
So by Faraday’s Law of Electromagnetic Induction:
e = Rate of cutting of the flux

e=dϕ/dt

Total flux = Flux produced by each pole × number of poles
So, total flux = φ × P
Time required to complete one revolution = 60/N
e=ϕP/60/N

e=ϕPN/60

This emf is for one conductor
As Z conductors are distributed in A parallel paths, the effective number of conductors will be Z/A, so

E=ϕPN/60xZ/A

E=ϕPNZ/60A

Types of Generators

On the basis of the Excitation of the field winding, there are two types of generators:
1) Separately Excited Generator
2) Self-Excited DC Generator

Seperately Excited Generator

A DC Generator whose field winding or coil is energised by a seperate or external DC source is called a seperately excited DC Generator.

Self Excited Generator

Self-excited generators are the generators which get excited with the initial current in the field coils.

What actually happens is: there is a small amount of magnetism present in the rotor iron. This residual magnetic field of the main poles, induces an emf in the stator coils, which produces initial current in the field windings.

Due to flow of small current in the coil, an increase in magnetic field occurs. As a result, voltage output increases,which in turn, increases the field current. This process continues as long as the emf in the armature is more than the voltage drop in the field winding. But after at certain level, field poles get saturated and at that point electric equilibrium is reached, and no further increase in armature emf and increase in current takes place.

Based on the connection of field winding to the armature, there are 3 types of generator

1) Series Generator
2) Shunt (Parallel) Generator
3) Compound Generator: Of 2 types
a) Long Shunt Compound Motor
b) Short Shunt Compound Motor

Series Wound Generator

In series wound generators, the field winding and the armature winding are connected in series so that the current that passes through an external circuit and through field windings, passes from the armature.

The field coil of the series-wound generator has low resistance and consists of a few turns of thick wire. If the load resistance decreases, then the current flow increases. As a result magnetic field and output voltage increase in the circuit. In such generators, the output voltage varies directly with respect to load current which is not required in most the applications. Due to this, it is not used a lot.

I_se = I_a= I_L

Applying KVL we get,

E_g − I_aR_A− I_se R_se−V_t = 0

E_g = V_t + I_aR_A + I_se R_se+ V_brush

E_g=V_t+I_a(R_a+R_se)+V_brush

where I_aR_a is Armature resistance drop, E_b is back emf and V_brush is brushed resistance drop

Shunt Wound DC Generators

In this type of generator, the field winding is wired parallel to the armature winding so that the voltage is the same across the circuit.

Here, field winding has many numbers of turns for the desired high resistance so that fewer armature current can pass through the field winding and the remaining passes through a load.

In a shunt-wound generator, the output voltage is almost constant and if it varies then it varies inversely with respect to the load current.

I_a = I_sh+ I_L

E_g− T_a R_a − V_t = 0

E_g=V_t+I_a R_a+ V_brush

I_sh = V_t /R_sh = E_g− I_aR_a/R_sh

Compound Generator

Compound Wound Generator is the best of both worlds i.e. series and shunt wound generators. On the basis of their connection they are of two types:

1) Long Shunt Compound Generator
2) Short Shunt Compound Generator

Long Shunt Compound Generator

The connection is made as shown in the diagram:

I_se = I_a = I_sh = I_L

E_g = V_t + I_a R_a + I_seR_se+V_brush

=V_t + I_aR_a + I_aR_se + V_brush

E_g = V_t + I_a(R_a+R_se)+V_brush

I_sh = V_t R_sh = E_g− I_a(R_a+R_se)R_sh

Short Shunt Compound Generator

The connection is made as shown in the diagram:

dc generator, dc machines, basic electrical engineering, btech first year

I_se = I_L

I_a = I_sh + I_se

E_g−I_aR_a−I_seR_se−V_t=0

E_g = V_t + I_a R_a + I_se R_se+V_brush

I_sh = V_t /R_sh = E_g − I_a R_a − I_se R_se /R_sh

Advantage

Electrical energy entails the following advantages.

very clean type of energy.
cheaper than other forms of energy.
very flexible in use.
Easy operate.
It is not associated with fumes, smoke, or other poisonous gases, and therefore, safe to use.
can be easily handled.
special heating requirements.

Application

The followings are some of the important fields of application of electricity.

Domestic
commercial buildings
Industry
Medical
Defense.