Lab #Experiment No.

3-1

Magnetization Characteristics of DC Generators

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 Lab #Experiment No. 3-1

Magnetization Characteristics of DC Generators

Table of Content

i. Introduction …………………………………………………. 3

ii. Abstract/Theory ………………..…………………………… 3

iii. Procedures ………………………….……………………….. 4

iv. Experimental Data ………………………………………….. 6

v. Results …………………………….………………………... 6

vi. Conclusion ………………………………………………….. 11

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 Lab #Experiment No. 3-1

Magnetization Characteristics of DC Generators

Introduction:

In this laboratory experiment we learn about the nature of magnetization characteristics of

separately excited DC generator. A magnetization characteristic is the relation between induced
voltage and the Field current. We also learn about the speed and voltage characteristics of DC
generator which tells how induced voltage changes with speed variation.

Abstract/Theory:

There are four basic variables in the dc generator operation.

1. Armature terminal voltage (VA)

2. Armature current (IA)

3. Field current (Ifg )

4. Speed (n)

To investigate the operating characteristics the generator has to run (by a prime mover) at rated
speed (n constant). Out of the remaining three variables, one is held constant and the last two one
is varied to study its relationship with the other.

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Procedure:

1. Connect the DC Dynamometer as a Separately-Excited generator as shown in Figure 1.

Start the motor. Adjust the speed to 2600-RPM. Measure VM and speed. The speed is to
remain constant at 2600 RPM for this procedure by adjusting the motor field rheostat. Put
the circuit breaker at the bottom of the DC dynamometer to ON. Record țhe armature
volțage VA What is this voltage called? Turn a second DC power supply ON. Slowly
increase field current Ifg of the DC dynamometer in steps until the current becomes 0.5 A,
or the voltage VA reaches 125 volts, whichever occurs first. DO NOT BACK UP WHILE
INCREASING THIS FIELD CURRENT, Record VA and Ifg at each step. When the top
has been reached, slowly decrease the field current in steps to zero. AGAIN DO NOT
BACK UP WHILE DECREASING THE FIELD CURRENT. Record VA, Ifg, and speed
at each step.

Figure 1: Separately-Excited Generator

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 2. Start with motor rheostat in full counter-clockwise position and V M= 120 volts. Readjust
the Dynamometer field current, Ifg, until VA =l20 volts and speed = 3200 RPM. Record
the three measurements. Decrease the speed in 200 RPM steps to 2000 RPM. Record the
three measurements at each step. Increase the speed in 200 RPM steps to 3200 RPM.
Record the same three measurements at each speed. At each speed the Dynamometer
field current, Ifg, should be maintained constant. Stop the DC Motor. Turn both power
supplies OFF.

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Experimental Data:

Part 1: Magnetization Curve for the Dynamometer, Ifg is the abscissa.

The Armature terminal voltage VA and Field current Ifg are as follows for speed n=2600rpm

Table 1.

Armature terminal Field current Ifg (A) Speed(n)

voltage VA (Volt)

3 0 2600

3.5 0.02 2600

17 0.04 2600

25 0.06 2600

35 0.08 2600

52 0.1 2600

57 0.12 2600

77 0.14 2600

81.5 0.16 2600

100 0.18 2600

105 0.2 2600

111 0.22 2600

125 0.24 2600

125 0.24 2600

116 0.22 2600

107 0.20 2600

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 97 0.18 2600

87 0.16 2600

73 0.14 2600

64 0.12 2600

53 0.10 2600

47 0.08 2600

32 0.06 2600

22 0.04 2600

8 0.02 2600

0 0 2600

Magnetizing characterstics
140

120
Induced Voltage Va(VOLTS)

100

80

60

40

20

0
0 0.05 0.1 0.15 0.2 0.25
Field current Ifg((A)

Part 2: Voltage/speed characteristics, speed is abscissa

Ifg =Constant
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 Speed (n) and Armature terminal voltage VA are as follows:

Table-2

Speed (n) RPM Armature terminal voltage Ifg

VA

3200 120

3000 118 Keep constant

2800 112 Keep constant

2600 104 Keep constant

2400 95 Keep constant

2200 No reading Keep constant

2000 No reading Keep constant

2200 No reading Keep constant

2400 93 Keep constant

2600 102 Keep constant

2800 110 Keep constant

3000 117 Keep constant

3200 - Keep constant

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 Voltage/Speed Characteristics
120

115
Armature voltage Va(VOLTS)

110

105

100

95

90
2400 2500 2600 2700 2800 2900 3000 3100 3200
Speed(rpm)

Part 3:

1. At Ifg =0 voltage is 3V and it is known as residual voltage. Magnetization curve of a DC

generator does not start from Zero.
2. Reason of residual magnetism: In Ferromagnetic materials magnetic power and induced
voltage increase with the increase of current flow. When the current reduced to zero
magnetic power left in coils core. This phenomenon is known as residual magnetism.
3. When the dynamometer field circuit is energized this residual voltage helps to Voltage
build-up. Residual voltage is necessary for the self-excitation of generator.

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Part 4

1. Reasons for the shape of magnetization curve.

a. When Ifg change in both forward direction and backward direction curve would
exhibit local hysteresis loops.
b. The machine would have been previously subjected to magnetization; a small residual
voltage would be present with field unexcited known as residual voltage.
c. Ea =Kфwm;
At constant speed Ea=kф;
If field current increase, flux(ф) increase;
And if flux increase Ea increase
d. Above certain point it become very difficult to further increase in pole flux. This
point is known as saturation point. That is why the upper portion of the curve is bend
as find in figure-3

2. Reasons for the shape of Speed voltage characteristics.

a. Ea =Kфwm
For constant field current Ifg ,Flux will also remains constant.
If flux is constant then induced voltage is directly proportional to the speed.
That’s why when we decreased the speed induced voltage also decreased.

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Conclusion:

In this laboratory experiment we learn the magnetization characteristics and the speed /voltage
characteristics of the DC generator. We learn how voltage is changed with field current at
constant speed. We also learn how voltage is changed with speed at constant field current. We
have drawn the graphs for these characteristics with observed values during experiment. We
achieve the objective of this laboratory experiment.

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