Working operation of DC Motor

Stated very simply, a dc motor rotates as a result of two magnetic fields

interacting with each other. Since the armature is located within the magnetic field of the
field poles, these two magnetic fields interact each other. Like magnetic poles repel
each other, and unlike magnetic poles attract each other.

As in the dc generator, the dc motor has field poles that are stationary and an
armature that turns on bearings in the space between the field poles.

The armature of a dc motor has windings on it just like the armature of a dc

generator. These windings are also connected to commutator segments. A dc motor
consists of the same components as a dc generator. In fact, most dc generators can be
made to act as motors, and vice versa. Look at the simple dc motor shown in the above
figure. It has two field poles, one a North Pole and one a South pole. The magnetic lines
of force extend across the opening between the poles from north to south.
 View A of the figure shows the field poles and the main magnetic field. The
armature is shown in a simplified view in views B and C with the cross section of its coil
represented as little circles. The symbols within the circles represent arrows. The dot
represents the point of the arrow coming toward you, and the cross represents the tail,
or feathered end, going away from you. When the DC source is connected, right side
conductor will have current flowing toward you, as indicated by the dot. The left side
conductor will have current flowing away from you, as indicated by the cross. The field
generated around each side of the coil is shown in view B of figure.

Now you have two fields the main field, view A, and the field around the
armature coil, view B. View C of figure shows how the armature field distorts the main
field. This sets up lines of flux around the conductor in a clockwise direction.

The interaction between the conductor field and the main field weakens the field
above the conductor and strengthens the field below the conductor. The main field
consists of lines that now act like stretched rubber bands. Thus, an upward reaction
force is produced in the right side conductor and downward reaction force is produced
in the left side armature conductor. If the current in the conductor increases, the reaction
force increases. Therefore, more force must be applied to the conductor to keep it
rotating in anticlockwise direction.

Also, the direction of force on each conductor can be determined by Flemings

left hand rule. This rule says that if we extend the index finger, middle finger and thumb
of our left hand in such a way that the current carrying conductor is placed in a magnetic
field (represented by the index finger) is perpendicular to the direction of current
(represented by the middle finger), then the conductor experiences a force in the
direction (represented by the thumb) mutually perpendicular to both the direction of field
and the current in the conductor.

Fleming Left Hand rule is mainly applicable for motor and Fleming Right Hand
rule is mainly applicable for electric generator.

Back or Counter E.M.F.

When the armature of a d.c. motor rotates under the influence of the driving
torque, the armature conductors move through the magnetic field and hence
e.m.f. is induced in them as in a generator The induced e.m.f. acts in opposite
direction to the applied voltage V(Lenzs law) and in known as back or counter
e.m.f. Eb. The back e.m.f. Eb(= P ZN/60 A) is always less than the applied
voltage V, although this difference is small when the motor is running under
normal conditions.

Voltage Equation of D.C. Motor

Let in a d.c. motor (See Fig. 4.3),

V = applied voltage
Eb = back e.m.f.
Ra = armature resistance
Ia = armature current
Since back e.m.f. Eb acts in opposition to the applied voltage V, the net voltage
across the armature circuit is VEb. The armature current Ia is given by;
Torque Equation of DC motor
Necessity of Starters
TYPES OF D.C MOTOR STARTER

Two point starter

Three point starter

Four point starter

2 point starter is used for starting a DC series motor

3 point starter is used for starting a DC shunt motor.

4 point starter is used for starting a DC shunt and compound motors.