DC MOTOR (Part 2) E2063/ Unit 5/ 1

5.1 BACK ELECTROMOTIVE FORCE

When the motor armature rotates, its conductors cut the magnetic flux. Therefore, the e.m.f of
rotation Er is induced in them. In case of a motor, the e.m.f of rotation is known as back e.m.f
or counter e.m.f. The back e.m.f opposes the applied voltage. Since the back e.m.f is induced
due to generator action its magnitude is, therefore, given by the same expression as that for the
generated e.m.f in a d.c. generator. That is,

2ΦN r p
E=
60

where
Φ = useful flux per pole in webers
Nr = the speed in revolution per minute
P = the number of pairs of poles

When a DC motor rotates, an e.m.f. is induced in the armature conductors. By Lenz’s law this
induced e.m.f. E opposes the supply voltage V and is called a back e.m.f. and the supply
voltage, V is given by :
V = E + I a Ra
or
E = V − I a Ra

Example 5.1
A DC motor operates from a 240 V supply. The armature resistance is 0.2 Ω . Determine the
back e.m.f. when the armature current is 50 A.

Solution to Example 5.1

For a motor, V = E + I a Ra
Hence back e.m.f. E = V − I a Ra
E = 240 − (50 )( 0.2)
E = 240 −10 )

E = 230 V

5.2 FACTORS THAT INFLUENCE SPEED CONTROL OF DC MOTOR

Accurate speed control is a requirement in many industrial and process control systems. The
main characteristics of such a system are its steady state error and disturbance rejection
properties. Speed control of a d.c. motor is also one of the basic systems covered in a first
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course on automatic control system. The present unit, built around a small permanent magnet
d.c. motor, is designed to bring out the salient features of such a system.
A motor whose speed can be controlled is called a variable-speed motor; dc motors are
variable-speed motors. The speed of a dc motor is changed by changing the current in the field
or by changing the current in the armature. When the field current is decreased, the field flux is
reduced, and the counter e.m.f. decreases. This permits more armature current. Therefore, the
motor speeds up. When the field current is increased, the field flux is increased.
More counter e.m.f. is developed, which opposes the armature current. The armature
current then decreases, and the motor slows down. When the voltage applied to the armature is
decreased, the armature current is decreased, and the motor again slows down. When the
armature voltage and current are both increased, the motor speeds up.
In a shunt motor, speed is usually controlled by a rheostat connected in series with the
field windings, as shown in figure 5.1. When the resistance of the rheostat is increased, the
current through the field winding is decreased. The decreased flux momentarily decreases the
counter e.m.f.. The motor then speeds up, and the increase in counter e.m.f. keeps the armature
current the same. In a similar manner, a decrease in rheostat resistance increases the current
flow through the field windings and causes the motor to slow down.

Figure 5.1 Controlling motor speed.

In a series motor, the rheostat speed control may be connected either in parallel or in
series with the armature windings. In either case, moving the rheostat in a direction that lowers
the voltage across the armature lowers the current through the armature and slows the motor.
Moving the rheostat in a direction that increases the voltage and current through the armature
increases motor speed.
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Activity 5A

5.1 The armature of a DC machine has a resistance of 0.1Ω and is connected to a 250 V supply.
Calculate the generated e.m.f. when it is running
(a) as a generator giving 80 A;
(b) as a motor taking 60 A.
5.2 A DC motor operates from a 350 V supply. If the armature resistance is 0.4 Ω determine the
back e.m.f. when the armature current is 60 A.
5.3 A 350 V shunt motor runs at its normal speed of 12 rev/s when the armature current is 90 A.
The resistance of the armature is 0.3 Ω.
(a) Find the speed when the current is 45 A and a resistance of 0.4 Ω is connected in
series with the armature, the shunt field remaining constant.
(b) Find the speed when the current is 45 A and the shunt field is reduced to 75 % of its
normal value by increasing resistance in the field circuit.
5.4 How to change the speed of DC motor?

Feedback to the Activity 5A

5.1 (a) 258 V

(b) 244 V
5.2 326 V
5.3 (a) 11.83 rev/s
(b) 16.67 rev/sec
5.4 The speed of a dc motor is changed by changing the current in the field or by changing the
current in the armature

5.3 REVERSE DIRECTION METHOD

The direction of rotation of a dc motor depends on the direction of the magnetic field and the
direction of current flow in the armature. If either the direction of the field or the direction of
current flow through the armature is reversed, the rotation of the motor will reverse. However, if
both of these factors are reversed at the same time, the motor will continue rotating in the same
direction. In actual practice, the field excitation voltage is reversed in order to reverse motor
direction.
Ordinarily, a motor is set up to do a particular job that requires a fixed direction of rotation.
However, there are times when it is necessary to change the direction of rotation, such as a
drive motor for a gun turret or missile launcher. Each of these must be able to move in both
directions. Remember, the connections of either the armature or the field must be reversed, but
not both. In such applications, the proper connections are brought out to a reversing switch.
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5.4 EFFICIENCY AND POWER LOSSES

As stated in the previous unit, the efficiency of a DC machine is given by:

output power
efficiency , η = ×100 %
input power

Also, the total losses = I a Ra + I f V + C (for a shunt motor) where C is the sum of the iron, friction
2

and windage losses.

For a motor,
The input power = VI
And the output power = VI – losses
= VI - I a Ra + I f V + C
2

Hence efficiency
VI − I a2 Ra − I f V − C
η =( ) × 100%
VI
The efficiency of a motor is a maximum when the load is such that:
I a2 Ra = I f V + C

Example 5.2

A 320 V shunt motor takes a total current of 80 A and runs at 1000 rev/min. If the iron, friction
and windage losses amount to 1.5 kW, the shunt field resistance is 40 Ω and the armature
resistance is 0.2 Ω, determine the overall efficiency of the motor.

Solution to Example 5.2

The circuit is shown in Fig.

Field current, If = V/Rf = 320/40 = 8 A

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Armature current, Ia = I – If = 80-8 = 72 A

C = iron, friction and windage losses = 1500 W.
VI − I a2 Ra − I f V − C
Efficiency, η = ( ) × 100 %
VI
(320 )(80 ) − (72 ) 2 (0.2) − (8)( 320 ) −1500
η =( ) ×100 %
(320 )(80 )

20503 .2
= ( ) ×100 %
25600
= 80.1 %

Activity 5B
5.5 How to reverse the direction of a DC motor?
5.6 A 250 V series motor draws a current of 40 A. The armature resistance is 0.15 Ω and the
field resistance is 0.05 Ω. Determine the maximum efficiency of the motor.
5.7 A DC series motor drives a load at 30 rev/s and takes a current of 10 A when the supply
voltage is 400 V. If the total resistance of the motor is 2 Ω and the iron, friction and
windage losses amount to 300 W, determine the efficiency of the motor.
5.8 A 300 V series motor draws a current of 50 A. The field resistance is 40mΩ and the armature
resistance is 0.2Ω. Determine the maximum efficiency of the motor.

Feedback to the Activity 5B

5.5 The direction of rotation of a DC motor 5.6 93.6 %
can be reversed by changing the 5.7 87.5%
polarity of either the armature coil or 5.8 92%
the field coil.

KEY FACTS
1. For a DC generator E = V + I a R a and for a DC motor V = E + I a R a
2. Several methods can be used to control the speed of DC motor :
(a) vary the voltage supplied to the speed of DC motor
(b) vary the field current while holding the armature supply voltage constant
(c) insert resistance in series with armature current.
3. The direction of a DC motor can be reversed by reversing the direction of the current
through the field or reversing the direction of the current through the armature.
4. The efficiency of a motor is given by η = Pout/Pin x 100%
SELF-ASSESSMENT 5
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Question 5-1
(a) The armature of a DC machine has a resistance of 0.5 Ω and is connected to a 200 V
supply. Calculate the e.m.f. generated when it is running
(i) as a motor taking 50 A, and
(ii) as a generator giving 70 A
(b) Determine the generated e.m.f. of a DC machine if the armature resistance is 0.1 Ω and it
(i) is running as a motor connected to a 230 V supply, the armature current being 60A
(ii) is running as a generator with a terminal voltage of 230 V, the armature current
being 80 A
(c) A shunt DC shunt motor operates from a 120 V supply. If the armature resistance is 0.25
Ω and voltage drop across brush is 3V, calculate
(i) armature current when Eb = 110 V
(ii) armature current when Eb drops to 105 V
(iii) percentage the changing of Eb and armature current
(d) The effect of inserting a resistance in series with the field winding of a shunt motor is to:
a. increase the magnetic field
b. increase the speed of the motor
c. decrease the armature current
d. reduce the speed of the motor

Question 5-2
(a) State the principle losses in DC machines.
(b) The efficiency of a DC machine is given by the ratio (……….) per cent.
(c) A 230 V shunt motor takes 5 A at no load. The resistances of the armature and field
circuit are 0.25Ω and 115Ω respectively. If the motor is loaded so as to carry 40 A, determine :
(i) iron and friction losses.
(ii) efficiency.

FEEDBACK TO SELF-ASSESSMENT 5
Answer of Question 5-1
Answer of Question 5-2
(a) (i) 175 V (a) armature losses, commutator losses,
(ii) 235 V excitation losses, bearing friction and
(b) (i) 224 V windage losses.
(ii) 238 V VI − I a2 Ra − I f V − C
η =( ) × 100 %
(c) (i) 28 A VI
(ii) 48 A (c) (i) 687.75 W
(iii) 4.5 %, 71.5 A (ii) 83.25 %
(d) (b)