Self-excited DC shunt generator

Analysis:
This experiment intends to determine the characteristics of a self-excited DC shunt generator under
load. It also aims to obtain the external characteristic curve and voltage regulation of a self-excited DC shunt
generator. To conduct the experiment, LabVolt, DC Motor, synchronous motor, resistance module, DAI,
connecting wires and timing belt were used.
Most dc generators of the shunt type are self excited. A generator is called a shunt generator when its
field circuit's connected in parallel with the armature and load. In the field circuit, itself, a four-pole winding
may be connected in series, parallel, or series-parallel. In this experiment, the shunt terminals of the DC
generator were connected in series with the field rheostat. Then the series combination was connected across
the terminals of the armature where the field rheostat is in the full counterclockwise position. The value of the
armature voltage at no load yielded 5.77V.
Table 4.1 shows the behavior of the terminal voltage under load. Voltage regulation refers to automatic
changes in the terminal voltage due to reactions within the generator as the load current changes. Voltage
regulation is defined as the percent difference between the voltage output when there is no electrical load (EnL)
and the terminal voltage at full rated current capacity (EfL). Graph 4.1 shows the relationship of the terminal
voltage and the load current. It is observed that as the resistance is increased, the field current is reduced;
consequently, the generated voltage is also reduced. The voltage regulation was obtained using the given
formula using the yielded armature voltage at no load.

Conclusion:
A self-excited shunt generator has the field coils and the field rheostat shunted across the armature
connections. If there is residual magnetism left in the field iron, then spinning the armature will produce residual
voltage. Self-excited generators must have the field polarity correctly established and the armature spinning in
the proper direction to develop output voltage. The output voltage can be controlled by adding or removing
resistance to the shunt field circuit.
In conclusion, any increase in load causes a decrease in the terminal or output voltage, and any decrease
in load causes an increase in terminal voltage; since the armature and the load are connected in series, all current
flowing in the external circuit passes through the armature winding. Because of the resistance in the armature
winding, there is a voltage drop (IR drop = current x resistance). As the load increases, the armature current
increases and the IR drop in the armature increases. The voltage delivered to the terminals is the difference
between the induced voltage and the voltage drop; therefore, there is a decrease in terminal voltage. The
terminal voltage of a shunt generator can be controlled by means of a rheostat inserted in series with the field
windings. As the resistance is increased, the field current is reduced; consequently, the generated voltage is
reduced also.