Speed Control of DC Machines

Observations

1. Speed vs. Field resistance ( Rf )

Rf (Ω) Speed (rpm )

0 1133.3

44.7 1177

96.9 1235

144.6 1298

198.9 1370
2. Speed vs. Armature resistance (Ra)

Ra (Ω) Speed (rpm)

0 1133.3

52.1 900
95.7 745
149.3 580
248.7 346

297 242
3. Terminal Voltage vs. Field Current (If)

Terminal Voltage ( V ) Field ( If ) ( A )

6.6 0.00

192 0.46

200 0.50

201 0.52

208 0.55

209 0.59
Discussion

The Importance of Having a Starting Method of a DC Motor

When a DC motor starts to revolove, a counter-emf is generated. When the motor starts, there is no
such counter emf. Then at start up the limiting factor of the armature winding is only the resistance
in armature winding, counter emf is absent since there is no rotation. Moreover, the resistance of
aramature winding is so small. Therefore, the armature current reaches the maximum when the
motor starts. Therefore, damages might be caused in the armature winding due to the high current
flowing throuh the starting time. To avoid this phenomenon a starter is introduced to the motor.

There are several methds of starting methods in DC motors. In our practical, we focused on 3-point
starter method. It contains 3 point L, A and F. Therefore, it is called as 3-point starter.

L - Live supply
A - Armature winding
F - Field winding

To turn the motor on the starter must be slowly turned until it is held by the No volt coil. When
turned gradually the current flowing in the armature winding increases slowly. In case the power
supply disconnects the field become zero and holding coil releases the starting arm.

In overload situations overload relay (OC) operates and short circuits, the holding coil providing
safety of armature winding.

Experimentally we checked the functionality of holding coil by increasing the shunt field resistance
of the shunt DC motor. This increases the armature current. Therefore, after the armature current
exceeded a particular amount the holding coil is short circuited releasing the holfding arm. This
interrupts the power supply protecting armature winding from high currents.
Other Starting Methods of DC Motors
There are several methods of starting methods found in DC motors.

 Manual starting rheostat

 4 - point starter

Manual Starting Rheostat

Early DC motor-starters were manual. It took a while for the operator to increase the input power
gradually to operating speed. There were two main types of rheostats for starting only and for both
starting and stopping. The cheaper one was the first. Rheostats do not includ no-voltage magnetic
holding feature, causesing it to spring to the off position if power is lost. However, it offers
functionality of tripping in overcurrent conditions.

4 – Point Starter

Drawback of 3point starter has made it quite unpopular. To increase the speed of the motor the
armature winding current should be increased. But in the process of doing so, we reduce both field
winding current and HC (holding coil) current causing it to weaken the magnetism. The outcome
would be the release of the holding arm disconnecting the DC supply. Therefore, slight fluctuations
in the dc supply would these unscheduled stops.

This drawback is eliminated in 4-point starter. The coil of the holding magnet is connected across
the line when the arm is moved from the off position. The holding magnet and the resistors
function in the same way that of the 3-point starter

4point starter provides the motor with no voltage protection. The holding magnet will release the
arm when the vlotage drops below a specific value.
Methods of Speed Control in DC Motors

Wherever there is an electric motor, there is some way to control it. Some applications only require
a switch. However, as the complexity of requirements increases it may need speed control and
direction control.

Rheostat

Using a rheostat provides infinitely many speeds available. The rheostat method suffers from the
high wattage heat problem as the due to its functionality using resistive properties. Therefore, this
method is not suited for large motor control, but can work fine for small ones.

Transistor Linear Amplifier

In this method rheostat is replaced by a transistor. Semiconductors are much

cheaper than the usual wire-wound rheostat and can accomplish same
results. A transistor can be arranged in an amplifier configuration so that the
current through the collector and emitter is controlled by a much smaller
current through the transistor base. The transistor will now effectively drop
the unwanted voltage across itself and the connected motor's speed will vary
proportionally. This method too is not effective very much since heavy
loads might heat up transistor.

PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) / Chopper Drives

The most efficient of all schemes of DC motor speed controlling is pulse width modulated (PWM)
control. A transistor is used to drive the load, but the signal controlling the transistor is much
different. Instead of applying a signal to control the continuous current through the transistor, the
signal switches the transistor from completely ‘off’ to full ‘on’. If the switching is done fast
enough, the output load will assume a continuous signal at a lower current or voltage. So the motor
speed is controlled by the duty cycle of the signal. That is how long the transistor is on compared to
how long it is ‘off’. If the signal is ‘on’ more higher average currents spins the motor faster, the
less the signal is on, the lower the average current flow slows down the motor speed. When the
transistor is full on, it is in saturation, and there is a much lower voltage drop across it and neither it
dissipate as much power nor get nearly as hot compared to previous method.

The main disadvantages of this method are its complexity and the
possibility of generating radio frequency interference.
Other Methods of Electrical Breaking in DC Motors
 Plugging – reversal of polarity
 Regenerative Braking

Plugging – Reversal of Polarity

This is the quickest method to stop a motor. In this method, the polarity of the supply voltage is
reversed. Sudden reverse of the terminals of the source, makes the net voltage acting on the
armature circuit becomes (Ec-e + Es) where Ec-e is counter-emf and Es supply voltage. The counter-
emf Ec-e of the armature is no longer has counter effect but adds to the supply voltage Es. This net
voltage would produce an enormous reverse current many times the original maximum current.
This current would cause severe damages so swiftly. To avoid this resistor is used in series with the
reversing circuit. The motor will start to turn the other way when it stops due to the reverse voltage.
Therefore, when the motor stops an automatica null-speed device is introduced to motor shaft for
circuit interruption.

Regenerative Braking (Regen for short)

Regeneratrive braking is used reduces motor speed by converting some of its kinetic energy into
another useful form of energy. But in dynamic braking without storing the energy, it is dissipated
across a resistor. In regenerative braking, supply voltage of the motor is lower than counter emf
fascilitating the motor work as a generator and charge the battery. Mostly in electric and hybrid
cars, this method is used to store energy wasted at times of applying brakes. However, traditional
friction brakes are used with regen braking in ocasions where,

 motor is running lower speed

 the supplying battery is fully charged
 in case of failures in regen braking system

The following diagram shows the stooping time of dynamic and regen braking