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Hopkinsons Test | Electrical4u

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Hopkinsons Test
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Electrical Objective Questions MCQs

Alternator or Synchronous Generator

Working Principle of Alternator
Construction of Alternator
Rating of Alternator
Armature Winding
Armature Winding of Alternator
Winding Factor
Armature Reaction of Alternator
Phasor Diagram for Synchronous Generator
Induction Generator
Working Principle of DC Generator
Construction of DC Generator
Commutation in DC Machine
Methods of Improving Commutation
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Frog Leg, Drum and Gramme Ring Winding

Types of DC Generators
Magnetization Curve of DC Generator
Characteristic of Separately Excited DC Gen
Characteristic of DC Shunt Generator
Characteristics of DC Series Generator
Characteristic of DC Compound Generators
Armature Reaction in DC Machine
DC Generators Performance Curves
Applications of DC Generators
Testing of DC Machine
Swinburnes Test of DC Machine
Hopkinsons Test
Connection Diagram of Hopkinsons Test
Calculation of Efficiency
Efficiency of Generator
Efficiency of Motor
Advantages of Hopkinsons Test
Disadvantages
Hopkinsons test is another useful method of testing the efficiency of a dc machine. It
is a full load test and it requires two identical machines which are coupled to each other.
One of these two machines is operated as a generator to supply the mechanical power
to the motor and the other is operated as a motor to drive the generator. For this
process of back to back driving the motor and the generator, Hopkinsons test is also
called back-to-back test or regenerative test.

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If there are no losses in the machine, then no external power supply would have
needed. But due to the drop in the generator output voltage we need an extra voltage
source to supply the proper input voltage to the motor. Hence, the power drawn from
the external supply is therefore used to overcome the internal losses of the motorgenerator set.
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Connection Diagram of Hopkinsons

Test

Here is circuit connection for the Hopkinsons test shown in figure below. A motor and a
generator, both identical, are coupled together. When the machine is started it is started
as motor. The shunt field resistance of the machine is adjusted so that the motor can
run at its rated speed. The generator voltage is now made equal to the supply voltage
by adjusting the shunt field resistance connected across the generator. This equality of
these two voltages of generator and supply is indicated by the voltmeter as it gives a
zero reading at this point connected across the switch. The machine can run at rated
speed and at desired load by varying the field currents of the motor and the generator.

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Power engineering
Aluminium GIS Systems

Calculation of Efficiency by Hopkinsons

Test
Let, V = supply voltage of the machines.
Then, Motor input = V(I1 + I2)
I1 = The current from the generator
I2 = The current from the external source
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And, Generator output = VI1(1)

Let, both machines are operating at the same efficiency .
Then, Output of motor = x input = x V(I1 + I2)
Input to generator = Output of the motor = X V(I1 + I2)
Output of generator = x input = x [ x V(I1 + I2)] = 2
V(I1 + I2)(2)
From equation 1 an 2 we get,
VI1 = 2 V(I1 + I2) or I1 = 2 (I1 + I2)

Now, in case of motor, armature copper loss in the motor = (I1 + I2 I4)2 Ra.
Ra is the armature resistance of both motor and generator.
I4 is the shunt field current of the motor.
Shunt field copper loss in the motor will be = VI4
Next, in case of generator armature copper loss in generator = (I1 + I3)2Ra
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I3 is the shunt field current of the generator.

Shunt field copper loss in the generator = VI3
Now, Power drawn from the external supply = VI2
Therefore, the stray losses in both machines will be
W = VI2 (I1 + I2 I4)2 Ra + VI4 + (I1 + I3)2 Ra + VI3
Let us assume that the stray losses will be same for both the machines. Then,
Stray loss / machine = W/2

Efficiency of Generator
Total losses in the generator, WG = (I1 + I3)2 Ra + VI3 + W/2
Generator output = VI1
Then, efficiency of the generator,

Efficiency of Motor
Total losses in the motor, WM = (I1 + I2 I4)2 Ra + VI4 + W/2
Motor input = V(I1 + I2)
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Then, efficiency of the motor,

Advantages of Hopkinsons Test

The merits of this test are
1.This test requires very small power compared to full-load power of the motorgenerator coupled system. That is why it is economical.
2.Temperature rise and commutation can be observed and maintained in the limit
because this test is done under full load condition.
3.Change in iron loss due to flux distortion can be taken into account due to the
advantage of its full load condition

Disadvantages of Hopkinsons Test

The demerits of this test are
1.It is difficult to find two identical machines needed for Hopkinsons test.
2.Both machines cannot be loaded equally all the time.
3.It is not possible to get separate iron losses for the two machines though they are
different because of their excitations.
4.It is difficult to operate the machines at rated speed because field currents vary
widely.
Objective Questions on DC Generator (MCQs)
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