4.

Induced EMF’s in a Series Motor

Transformer emf 𝐸𝑡 like in transformer

a. Due to the pulsating main flux Ф𝑚

rotational emf 𝐸𝑟 like in DC machines

Transformer emf 𝐸𝑡 like in transformer

b. Due to armature flux Ф𝑎

rotational emf 𝐸𝑟 like in DC machines

(c). Transformer and rotational emf induced in the coil under commutation ( coil which is shorted by brushes)

4.1 Transformer EMF Induced By the Main Flux

. Note: Any two windings are said to be mutually uncoupled if the same current produces perpendicular mmfs

When the armature is at standstill, the main flux induces emf in all armature coils except the coil which is mutually
uncoupled with the main flux. However, the net emf is depending on the brush positioning as shown the following figures

Correct brush position

Coil with
mutually
uncoupled
with the
main flux

Transformer EMF induced by excitation flux in the single-phase Commutator Machine

Coil with maximum mutual

coupling with the main flux
To investigate the property of this type of voltage: ˆ 𝑚 𝑠𝑖𝑛ω𝑡
𝐼𝑓 Ф𝑚 = Ф

The induced voltage by transformer action “𝑒𝑡 “ at α=0 (Max. mutual coupling) is given by

𝑒𝑡 = −𝑁𝑒𝑓𝑓
𝑑Ф𝑚 ˆ
= −ω𝑘𝑤 𝑁𝑝𝑎𝑡ℎ Ф𝑚 𝑐𝑜𝑠ω𝑡
𝑑𝑡

Where: Ф𝑚 𝑖𝑠 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑎𝑚𝑝𝑙𝑖𝑡𝑢𝑑𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑓𝑙𝑢𝑥 𝑝𝑢𝑙𝑠𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛; 𝑁𝑒𝑓𝑓 𝑖𝑠 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑒𝑓𝑓𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑣𝑒 𝑛𝑢𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟 𝑜𝑓 𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑛𝑠 𝑝𝑒𝑟 𝑐𝑢𝑟𝑟𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑝𝑎𝑡ℎ =𝑘𝑤 𝑁𝑝𝑎𝑡ℎ

𝑵𝒑𝒂𝒕𝒉 𝒊𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒂𝒄𝒕𝒖𝒂𝒍 𝒕𝒖𝒓𝒏𝒔 𝒑𝒆𝒓 𝒑𝒂𝒕𝒉 = 𝑵𝒂𝒓𝒎𝒂𝒕𝒖𝒓𝒆 Τ𝒂 = 𝒁Τ𝟐𝒂

𝒆 𝒅𝒊𝒂𝒎𝒆𝒕𝒆𝒓 𝟐
𝒌𝒘 𝒊𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒘𝒊𝒏𝒅𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒇𝒂𝒄𝒕𝒐𝒓 = = =
𝒏𝒆𝟏 𝒔𝒆𝒎𝒊𝒄𝒊𝒓𝒄𝒖𝒍𝒂𝒓 𝒂𝒓𝒄 𝒍𝒆𝒏𝒈𝒕𝒉 π

It is clear from the equation of “𝑒𝑡 ” that the frequency of the emf induced by transformer
action is the supply frequency “f” and its amplitude and rms value are given by

ˆ𝑡 = 2π𝑓 2 𝑁𝑝𝑎𝑡ℎ Ф
𝐸 ˆ 𝑚 = 4𝑁𝑝𝑎𝑡ℎ Фˆ 𝑚 𝑓 ˆ 𝑚𝑓
𝐸𝑡 = 2 2𝑁𝑝𝑎𝑡ℎ Ф
π

The instantaneous emf “𝑒𝑡 ” induced in the armature winding by the transformer action is lagging behind Ф𝑚 by 90° (in time).
When this voltage is referred to the primary, it will be ahead of Ф𝑚 by 90°.

For a correctly positioned series motor α= 90°, and therefore the resultant emf induced in the armature at the brushes is zero.
 4.2 Rotation EMF Produced By the Main Flux
In a dc machine the induced voltage in the armature when runs at “𝑛𝑟 ” revolutions per second is given by
𝑍 𝑍
𝐸𝑑𝑐 = 𝑝 Ф𝑛𝑟 = Ф 2𝑓𝑟 = 4𝑁𝑝𝑎𝑡ℎ Ф𝑓𝑟
𝑎 𝑎
where Ф is the flux per pole, Z = number of armature conductors, p = number of poles, a = number of parallel current paths
through the armature, 𝑓𝑟 = 𝑛𝑟 𝑝Τ2, and 𝑁𝑝𝑎𝑡ℎ = number of turns per current paths through the armature = Z / 2a. 𝑛𝑟 is revolution
per second

𝒑𝒏𝒓
It should be noted that in each coil an alternating emf is produced with a frequency 𝒇𝒓 = and the frequency of this voltage
𝟐

as produced at the brushes (𝐸𝑑𝑐 ) is zero.

This situation is corresponding to the flux Ф stationary in space and constant in time. At a given speed of rotation, 𝐸𝑑𝑐 is at
its maximum value if the brushes are placed in the geometrical neutral plane (i.e., at α = 90° where the armature is
perpendicular to field). Otherwise the voltage is given by 𝐸𝑑𝑐 = 𝐸𝑑𝑐 𝑠𝑖𝑛α.

ˆ 𝑚 𝑠𝑖𝑛ω𝑡, ω = 2π𝑓𝑡, the instantaneous rotational induced emf at the brushes is given by
Let Ф𝑚 = Ф

ˆ 𝑚 𝑓𝑟 𝑠𝑖𝑛 2π𝑓𝑡
𝑒𝑟 = 4𝑁𝑝𝑎𝑡ℎ Ф

Thus, the frequency of the rotational emf as produced at the brushes is the frequency of flux pulsation, or the supply frequency
(𝑓 = ωΤ2πf ), but the amplitude of this emf is dependent on the rotational speed 𝑛𝑟 𝑜𝑟𝑓𝑟 as shown by last equation. The
amplitude and rms value of the rotational emf are:

ˆ ˆ 𝑚 𝑓𝑟 𝑠𝑖𝑛 2π𝑓𝑡
𝐸𝑟 = 4𝑁𝑝𝑎𝑡ℎ Ф ˆ 𝑚 𝑓𝑟
𝐸𝑟 = 2 2𝑁𝑝𝑎𝑡ℎ Ф

The rotational emf produced at the brushes, 𝐸𝑟 , is characterized by:

1. Having a fixed frequency (the supply frequency “f”) regardless of speed of rotation.
2. Its value is proportional to the speed of rotation 𝑛𝑟 𝑜𝑟𝑓𝑟 .
3. It is in time phase with the producing flux Ф𝑚 .
 Correct position

Rotation EMF Produced by the Main Flux

Summary at correct position :

Due to main flux:
Et =0 in the armature, Et (UT)is maximum in coil under commutation, Et always 90 degree apart from flux.
Er = maximum at the armature, Er= 0 at coil under commutation, Er always in phase with the flux responsible for it.
Due to armature flux:
Et = maximum at the armature, Et= 0 at coil under commutation, Et always 90 degree apart from flux.
Er =0 in the armature, Er (UR)is maximum in coil under commutation, Er always in phase with the flux responsible for it

4.3 EMF’s Produced by the Armature Flux

The flow of current in the armature conductors establishes what is known as the armature flux Ф𝑎 which is in time phase
with the current. The direction of this flux is along the brush axis. For the same reasons explained in sections 4.2 and 4.3 the
induced emf’s by the armature flux Ф𝑎 at the brushes of the series motor with correctly positioned brushes are:

1. A transformer emf 𝐸𝑡 = 2 2𝑁𝑝𝑎𝑡ℎ Ф𝑎 𝑓 lagging behind Ф𝑎 phasor. When 𝐸𝑡 is referred to the

primary, it will be ahead of Ф𝑎 by 90°.
2. The rotational emf due to Ф𝑎 at the brushes is zero.

in correct position
 5. Commutation

Although the coil undergoing commutation is located at a position where the rotational emf induced in it by the main flux is
zero, three types of emf are induced in it. The coil involved in commutation is short-circuited by the brush during this period and
a small induced voltage in it can circulate a huge current and may cause sparking at the commutator.

5.1 The Inductive Emf

In a dc machine the full conductor current 𝐼𝑐 (where 𝐼𝑐 =I/a) is reversed during the period of commutation, 𝑇𝑐 , and the average
rate of change of the current in the short-circuited coil is (2𝐼𝑐 / 𝑇𝑐 ). If 𝐿𝑐 is the inductance of this coil then the induced inductive
2𝐼𝑐
voltage is given by 𝑈𝐿 = 𝐿𝑐
𝑇𝑐

Variations of the commutated current

(𝒊𝒄 = 𝒊/𝒂 in a DC and in a 50 Hz DC
Series Motors for the same Speed and
Effective (rms) current at 𝒇𝒓 = 𝟑𝒇

The commutation time 𝑇𝑐 is very small and let 𝑖𝑐1 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑖𝑐2 are the currents at the start and end of the commutation.
Assuming linear commutation then 𝑈𝐿 is given by

𝑖𝑐1 + 𝑖𝑐2
𝑈𝐿 = 𝐿𝑐
𝑇𝑐
This voltage in phase with I (or Ф𝑚 )

Thus, the maximum possible inductive voltage is 2 times greater than in dc machines since for the same effective (rms) coil
current in dc and ac machines, the peak ac current equals 2 𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑒𝑠 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑎𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑔𝑒 𝑑𝑐 𝑐𝑢𝑟𝑟𝑒𝑛𝑡:

𝐼ˆ𝑐 = 2𝐼𝑐

Note: The letter “U” is used, only, to distinguish the induced voltages in the coil under commutation from other voltages.
 1 2 3

1 2 3

2
1

5.2 Transformer Emf of the Main Flux

A pulsating emf UT is induced in the coil undergoing commutation due to the pulsation of the main excitation flux per pole Ф𝑚 ,
and lags Ф𝑚 by 90°. If 𝑁𝑐 is the number of turns per coil in the armature then the induced voltage is given by:

ˆ 𝑚𝑓
𝑈𝑇 = π 2𝑁𝑐 Ф

5.3 Rotation Emf of the Armature Flux

Due to the pulsating armature flux Ф𝑎 , a rotational emf 𝑈𝑅 is induced in the coil undergoing commutation. 𝑈𝑅 is in time-phase
with Ф𝑎 (or Ф𝑚 and 𝐼𝑚 ) and given by:

ˆ 𝑎 𝑓𝑟
𝑈𝑅 = 2 2𝑁𝑐 Ф
Note that the frequency of both emf’s 𝑈𝑇 and 𝑈𝑅 is the supply frequency and for a fully compensated motor 𝑈𝑅 = 0, since
Ф𝑎 is zero.
5.4 Short-circuit Current

The resultant emf generated in the coil undergoing commutation will circulate a “short circuit” current since a closed loop is
formed by this coil is series with the commutator segments and the brush. The resultant emf is determined from:

𝑈𝑠𝑐
𝑈𝑠𝑐 = 𝑈𝐿 + 𝑈𝑅 2 + 𝑈𝑇2 𝐼𝑠𝑐 =
𝑍𝑠𝑐

where 𝑍𝑠𝑐 is the impedance of the short-circuit current path (namely; the coil, commutator segments and brush).
𝜭𝑠𝑐 is the phase angle of 𝑍𝑠𝑐 .

The coil acts as a secondary of a transformer under short circuit. This current can be
referred to the primary side (the main field winding) on the equal mmf basis and
hence it will reverse direction, as shown in the diagram. The current drawn by the
motor is therefore increased from “𝐼𝑚 ” to “I” as shown in the phasor diagram.

5.5 Minimization of Commutation Emf’s and Short-circuit Current

(A). In some designs, the resistance of the short-circuit current path is increased by using thin brushes and the connection
between armature coils and commutator segments are made of high resistance material.
(B). To minimize commutation emf’s (𝑈𝑇 , 𝑈𝑅 , 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑈𝐿 ) it is necessary to keep the number of turns of armature coils as low as
possible and therefore single-turn coils are widely used in ac series motors. This requires high number of commutator segments
for a given number of armature conductors and thus the segments are narrow and the brushes are short and this will shorten the
period 𝑇𝑐 . Otherwise the diameter of the commutator has to be increased.
(C). Using lower number of turns per pole and/or operating the motor at reduced frequency (as mentioned earlier in section 2)
will reduce 𝑈𝑇 .
(D). Using Interpoles: Although interpoles serve as compensating winding in neutralization of armature mmf in a narrow zone,
they serve mainly in aiding the commutation process. An interpole introduces a reverse flux in the armature where coil become
under commutation to assist the current reversal and thus 𝑈𝐿 can be eliminated.
(E). Using Compensating Windings: They can neutralize armature mmf (set up by the armature current) and set Ф𝑎 = 0. In a
fully-compensated motor 𝑈𝑅 is eliminated as well as 𝐸𝑡 .
Notes:
1. Even though the aim of using interpoles is to assist the current reversal in the coil
under commutation, they contribute in reducing the induced emf 𝑈𝑇 . However, this
emf is inherent in the motor (being generated by the main excitation flux) and the
complete elimination of 𝑈𝑇 is not possible.
Sparking at the commutator may occur even in a fully compensated motor fitted with
compensating windings and interpoles, which is attributed to the transformer emf of
the main flux, 𝑈𝑇 . The phasor diagram shown in section 5.4 will be modified as
shown.
2. Obviously employing one or more of the above techniques of reducing the short –
circuit current will improve the power factor of the drawn current as can be seen from
the phasor diagram of the motor (section 6).

6. Motor Phasor Diagrams

The following table gives the equations of the various emf’s that could be induced in a single phase series motor with the
inducing quantities and the location. The exact phasor diagram is developed which includes the various voltages of the motor.

Inducing Field winding Armature at Brushes Commutating Coil

Quantity

Ф𝑚 𝐸𝑡𝑓 = π 2𝑁𝑓 ˆ
Ф𝑚 𝑓 ˆ 𝑚 𝑓𝑟
𝐸𝑟 = 2 2𝑁𝑝𝑎𝑡ℎ Ф ˆ 𝑚𝑓
𝑈𝑇 = π 2𝑁𝑐 Ф

Ф𝑎 --------- ˆ 𝑎𝑓
𝐸𝑡 = 2 2𝑁𝑝𝑎𝑡ℎ Ф ˆ 𝑎 𝑓𝑟
𝑈𝑅 = 2 2𝑁𝑐 Ф
𝑖𝑐1 + 𝑖𝑐2
di/dt ---------- ------- 𝑈𝐿 = 𝐿𝑐
𝑇𝑐
Ф𝑚 : the main magnetic flux and mutually linked with armature and field windings.
Ф𝑎 : the flux produced by armature current and mutually linked with armature. In time phase with Ф𝑚 but they are displaced in
space by half a pole pitch.
𝐼𝑚 : the magnetizing current corresponding to Ф𝑚 . It is relatively
much larger than that of transformer due to small number of field
windings and the presence of two air gaps in the magnetic circuit.
𝐼𝑒ℎ : the current equivalent to eddy current and hysteresis losses.
𝐼𝑠𝑐 : the short circuit current of the coil(s) undergoing commutation.
This current is determined, at least in a fully-compensated motor,
by the transformer emf of the main flux 𝑈𝑇 .
𝐸𝑡 : Armature emf produced by transformer action of the armature
flux, Ф𝑎 .
𝐸𝑟 : Armature emf produced by rotation inside the main flux, фm. 𝐼𝑜
𝐼𝑒ℎ
𝑅𝑎 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑋𝑎 : resistance and reactance of the armature, respectively.
𝑉𝑎 : Armature terminal voltage

𝐼𝑜 = 𝐼𝑒ℎ + 𝐼𝑚 𝐼 = 𝐼𝑜 + 𝐼𝑠𝑐

𝐸𝑡𝑓 : Field winding emf produced by transformer action of the main flux. 𝑁𝑓 is the number of turns of the field windings =
number of turns/pole x number of poles.
𝑅𝑓 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑋𝑓 : Resistance and reactance of the field winding ( and any other winding).
𝑉𝑓 : Field winding terminal voltage.
V : Terminal voltage applied to the motor
𝜭 : The power factor angle.

Various approximations can be made to simplify the phasor diagram.

If the short-circuit current and the iron loss are ignored, the
phasor diagram will appear as shown. In this diagram, the resistances
and the reactances of the armature, field winding and any additional
motor winding and external impedance in series with the motor are
lumped together and denoted as R and X which are called “the
equivalent total resistance and reactance of the motor”.
Since 𝐸𝑡 and 𝐸𝑡𝑓 are alternating at frequency “f” and proportional with Ф𝑎 and Ф𝑚 , respectively, and both of these fluxes are,
in many cases, proportional to the current “I”, then the sum of (𝐸𝑡 , 𝐸𝑡𝑓 and jXI) is proportional with I, too. The constant of
proportionality is called the apparent reactance of the motor and it is given by:

𝐸𝑡 + 𝐸𝑡𝑓
𝑋𝑎𝑝𝑝 = 𝑋 +
𝐼

The sum of (𝐸𝑡 , 𝐸𝑡𝑓 and jXI) is ahead of the current by 90°, and
usually called the reactance voltage drop of the motor.
Using 𝑋𝑎𝑝𝑝 for representing the reactance voltage drop will
simplify the phasor diagram furthermore, as shown in the
adjacent diagram. It should be noted that this is the diagram
with which the motor analysis has been started in section 2.