DC GENERATOR

An electric generator is a device that converts mechanical energy to electrical energy, usually via electromagnetic induction. A generator forces electric charge (usually carried by electrons) to flow through an external electrical circuit. The generator is based on the principle of electromagnetic induction discovered in 1831 by Michael Faraday. Faraday discovered that if an electric conductor, like a copper wire, is moved through a magnetic field, electric current will flow in the conductor. So the mechanical energy of the moving wire is converted into the electric energy of the current that flows in the wire. Faradays law of electromagnetic induction: The phenomenon whereby an e.m.f and hence current is induced in any conductor which is cut across or is cut by a magnetic flux is known as electromagnetic induction. Faradays first law: It states as follows: Whenever the magnetic flux linked with a circuit changes, an e.m.f is always induced in it. Or Whenever a conductor cuts magnetic flux, an e.m.f induced in that conductor.

Voltage induced across a wire moving downward

Voltage induced across a wire moving upward

No voltage is induced in a wire moving parallel to the field.

Figure: When a conductor is moved across a magnetic field a voltage is induced in the conductor.

Faradays second law: It states as follows: The magnitude of induced e.m.f is equal to the rate of change of flux-linkages. Mathematically, Where, e = -N volts

e = induced e.m.f = rate of change of flux, and

N = number of turns of the coil [Usually, a minus sign is given to the right-hand side expression to signify the fact that the induced e.m.f sets up current in such a direction that magnetic effect produced by it opposes the very cause producing it.] Voltage induced in a conductor: According to Faradays law in order to have a voltage induced in a conductor we must have 1. A conductor 2. Line of magnetic flux 3. Motion that produces cutting of the magnetic lines. Remember, this three condition is must for voltage generation With an increase in flux density and the conductor is moving at the same velocity, it then follows that the induced voltage is also increased. If the length of the conductor is short, the number of lines of flux cut by the conductor will be small, and therefore the induced voltage will be small. If the conductor is made longer, the number of lines of flux cut will be greater. Hence the induced voltage depends directly upon both the flux density and the length of the conductor. The speed at which the conductor cuts the lines of a stationary magnetic field also determines the magnitude of the induced voltage. If the conductor is stationary, it is obvious that no lines of flux are cut regardless of the length of the conductor or the strength of the magnetic field. If the conductor moves very slowly, the number of lines of flux cut per unit of time will be very small, and therefore the voltage induced will be very low. If the conductor moves very fast, it will cut lines of flux at a much greater speed, and the induced voltage will be greater. The same relative voltages would be induced if the conductors were stationary and the magnetic fields were to move. In terms of a formula the above information is E = Blv Where B = flux density, lines per sq in l = length of that part of conductor that actually cuts flux v = speed of conductor

From figure we see that, if a conductor moves parallel to the lines of flux, no voltage will be induced in the conductor. If the conductor moves at right angles to the lines of flux, a voltage will be induced in the conductor in accordance with the formula E = Blv volts. However, suppose the conductor moves in a direction that is neither at right angle nor parallel to the lines, but instead moves at some angle , the value of voltage is given by the formula E = Blv sin Direction of the induced voltage: The polarity of the induced voltage depends upon the direction in which the conductor is moving. The polarity, however, also depends upon the direction of lines of flux. Taking these two factors into consideration, the polarity of the induced voltage may be determined in the following manner. Extend the thumb, index finger, and middle finger of the right hand so they are at right angles to each other. With the index finger pointing in the direction of the lines of flux (from north to south) and the thumb pointing in the direction of motion of the conductor, the middle finger will point the direction that current will flow in the conductor. This is known as Flemings right-hand rule.

The Internal Generated Voltage of a DC Machine: The induced voltage in any given machine depends on three factors 1. The flux in the machine 2. The speed of the machines rotor (in radian) 3. A constant depending on the construction of the machine The voltage out of the armature of a real machine is equal to the number of conductors per current path times the voltage on each conductor. The voltage in any single conductor under the pole face is E = Bvl

The voltage out of the armature of a real machine is thus Ea = Where Z is the total number of conductors and a is the number of current paths. The velocity of each conductor in the rotor can be expressed as v = r , where r is the radius of the rotor, so Ea = This voltage can be reexpressed in a more convenient form by noting that the flux of a pole is equal to the flux density under the pole times the poles area: = BAp The rotor of the machine is shaped like a cylinder, so its area is A = 2rl If there are P poles on the machine, then the portion of the area associated with each pole is the total area A divided by the number of poles P: Ap = The total flux per pole in the machine is thus = BAp = = =

Therefore, the internal generated voltage in the machine can be expressed as Ea = =( = Finally, Where Ea = K K = )( )

If we express the speed of a machine in revolutions per minute instead of radians per second. The conversion from revolutions per minute to radians per second is = So the voltage equation is Where N

Ea = K N K =