Rotating Electrical Machines are widely used for converting
energy from one form to another. Types of Electrical Machines: 1. Rotary Converter- electrical energy of one form is changed into electrical energy of another. Ex. Converting AC to DC The input is first converted into mechanical energy, so that the rotating part functions as an electric motor; the resulting rotation then causes the machine to become a generator, thereby converting mechanical energy into DC electrical energy. 2. Frequency Converter- it changes AC electrical energy at one frequency into AC electrical energy at another frequency. 3. Generator- converts mechanical energy to electrical energy. Generator is driven by mechanical machine usually called a prime mover. Prime mover may be a steam turbine, a gasoline engine or an electric motor. NOTE: Generator action can take place when and only when there is a relative motion between the conducting wires and magnetic lines of force. 4. Motor converts electrical energy to mechanical energy. ( To be discussed further after DC Generator) GENERATOR
All rotating electric motors consist essential of
two important parts. 1. An even set of electromagnets or permanent magnets. 2. Laminated steel core containing currentcarrying copper wires or so-called the armature winding. In the DC generator, the armature winding is mechanically rotated through the stationary magnetic fields created by electromagnets or the permanent magnets. ( In the AC generator, the electromagnets or the permanent magnets and their magnetic fields are rotated with respect to the stationary armature winding.) ARMATURE WINDING
Armature winding of all types of motors and
generators, whether of direct or alternating current, are always wound on laminated steel cores of good magnetic permeability. Current in the armature windings of all motors and generators whether of direct or alternating current is always alternating. Explanation: Alternating voltages are always generated in the windings of ac and dc generators. In AC generator, the generated alternating emf is transmitted directly to the load; In DC generator, the generated alternating emf is first rectified by a commutator and its brushes, that is changed to direct current, before it is transmitted to its load. FIELD POLES
The electromagnets ( called field poled ) used in
all DC generators and motors are very simple in construction.
generator. If the excitation is produced by a single
winding connected to the positive and negative bus bars fed by another dc generator it is called a separately excited shunt generator.
NOTE: There are always an even number of field
poles in a given machine and each one consists of a laminated steel core, of rectangular cross-section, surrounded by one or more copper coils.
COMPOUND GENERATORS- It has two complete
sets of field windings for excitation purposes. 1.) Shunt Field 2.) Series Field
The spread-out portion of the pole core or shoe
permits the magnetic flux to enter the armature core over a wider area than would be possible with a core having straight sides.
Both windings are placed over one set of pole cores
and act together to create a common set of magnetic fluxes.
When the field structure is assembled for a
stationary-field type of machine, the electromagnets are bolted to a yoke ring so that they project radially inward toward the rotating armature. TYPES OF DC GENERATOR There are only two types of DC generator. They are distinguished by the way in which the flux is produced by the electromagnets. The type of generator is however, absolutely independent of the manner in which the armature winding is placed on the armature core and connected to the commutator. SHUNT GENERATOR if the excitation is produced by a single winding connected to its own positive and negative brushes, the machine is called a self-excited shunt generator or simply shunt
Its shunt field is, in every respect, exactly like that
used in the shunt generator. Its series field winding, however, differs greatly from the shunt-field wingding because it contains very few turns of heavy wire, has an extremely low resistance, and is excited by the comparatively large load current. NOTE: Since the two types of generator differ only by the addition or omission of a series field, it is quite possible to operate a compound generator as a shunt generator by completely disconnecting the series field from the machine or to change a shunt generator into a compound generator by properly winding a series field directly over the shunt field. VOLTAGE CHARACTERISTICS OF DC GENERATORS
The most important characteristic of a generator is
its voltage behavior with respect to loading. When the armature of a machine is delivering no current to a consuming device, it is said operating at no load. ( It will of course, be sending a comparatively low value of current into its own shunt if it is a self-excited shunt generator. If the armature is delivering rated ( name-plate ) current to one or more electrical consuming device, the machine is said to be operating at full load. Now then, if a shunt generator is operating at full load at a given voltage and the load is suddenly removed so that the machine is performing at no load, the voltage will always rise above the full-load value. SPEED OF DC GENERATORS It is customary for a DC generator, whether shunt or compound, to operate at a speed that remains substantially constant at all times.
Obviously, the speed of a generator is determined
and controlled by the machine that drives it, that is the prime mover. Therefore, if the prime mover is a constant-speed machine such as a turbine, a steam engine, a gas engine, a water wheel, or a synchronous motor, the generator speed will be constant. If, for some reason, a DC generator is operated at a speed much higher or lower than that intended by the manufacturer, it will usually not perform with complete satisfaction unless corrective measures are taken to forestall faulty operation. For example, a lower speed will cause a generator to overheat, while a higher speed will give rise to poorer commutation that is, sparking at the commutator, and wider voltage changes with variations in load. Furthermore, the fields of DC generators operating at speeds other than those recommended by the manufacturer would have to be modified to accommodate such changes; for example, if the speed of a generator were to be increased without a change in voltage, it would be necessary to weaken the field. COMMUTATING POLES FOR DC MACHINES