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DC Generator – Formulas and Equations

Electrical Engineering Electronics & Electrical Electron Digital Electronics

In this article, we have listed all the important formulas and equations related to DC generators
used in different electrical practices like design, simplify, and analysis. This page can serve as a DC
generator formula handbook for electrical engineering students and professionals.

DC Generator De nition
An electromechanical energy conversion machine that converts rotational mechanical energy into
DC electrical energy is referred to as a DC generator. A DC generator consists of two parts namely
stator and rotor. The stator forms the field system of the machine, while the rotor acts as the
armature.

Types of DC Generator
Based on armature and field winding connections, generators are classified into the following three
types −

Series DC Generator − The field winding is connected in series with the armature winding.
Shunt DC Generator − The field winding is connected in parallel with the armature winding.
Compound DC Generator − It has both series and shunt field windings connected with the
armature winding.

Main Parts of a DC Generator

A typical DC generator consists of three-main parts namely – magnetic field system, armature, and
commutator and brushgear.

EMF Equation of DC Generator

The mathematical expression which helps to determine the induced or generated EMF of the DC
generator is known as the EMF equation of the DC generator. It is given by,

NPϕZ
Eg =
60A

Where, N is the speed of armature in RPM, P is the number of poles in the machine, ϕ is the
magnetic flux per pole, Z is the number of armature conductors, and A is the number of parallel
paths in armature winding.

The emf equation for wave wound DC generator (A = 2) is given by,

NPϕZ
Eg =
120

The EMF equation for lap wound DC generator (A = P) is given by,

NϕZ
Eg =
60

Generated Power and Load Power of DC Generator

The power developed in the armature of a DC generator is called generated power. The generated
power by a DC generator is given by,

P g = E gI a

The amount of power that is supplied to the load by a DC generator is called load power. The load
power of a DC generator is given by,

P L = V TI L

Where, VT is the terminal voltage, and IL is the load current.

Terminal Voltage of DC Generator

The part of total emf induced available at the load terminals of a DC generator is known as the
terminal voltage of the DC generator.

Terminal Voltage of Series DC Generator

For a series DC generator, the terminal voltage is given by,

(
V T = E g − I a R a + R se )
Where, Eg is the total generated emf, Ia is the armature current, Ra is the armature winding
resistance, and Rse is the series field resistance.

Terminal Voltage of Shunt DC Generator

For a shunt DC generator, the terminal voltage is given by,

V T = E g − I aR a

Armature Current of DC Generator

The total current that flows through the armature winding when a load is connected to a DC
generator is known as the armature current of a DC generator.

Armature Current of Series DC Generator

The armature current of a series DC generator is given by,

Eg − VT
I a = I se =
R a + R se

Armature Current of Shunt DC Generator

The armature current of a shunt DC generator is given by,

I a = I sh + I L

Where, Ish is the shunt field current, and IL is the load current.

Field Current of Shunt DC Generator

In the shunt DC generator, the electric current that flows through the shunt field winding to produce
the working magnetic flux is known as its field current.

VT
I sh =
R sh

Where, Rsh is the resistance of shunt field winding.

Total Output Power of DC Generator

The amount of electrical power that is delivered to the load by the DC generator is known as the
total output power of the DC generator.

The output power of a DC generator is given by,

P out = P in − (core losses + copper losses + mechanical losses + stray losses)

Where, Pin is the total input mechanical power, and Pout is the total output electrical power.

DC Generator Losses
The amount of generated power which is wasted in the form of heat and does not delivered to the
load is called power loss. In a DC generator, the total power loss is given by,

Losses = P cu + P i + P m + P stray

Where, Pcu is the copper loss in armature and field windings, Pi is the iron losses in iron cores of
generator, Pm is the mechanical loss (friction and windage losses), and Pstray is the stray loss
such as power loss in metal body due to induction.

Ef ciency of DC Generator
The ratio of the output power to the input power to a DC generator is known as efficiency of the DC
generator.

Output power
Efficiency, η =
Input power

For a DC generator, we have defined three efficiencies namely, mechanical efficiency, electrical
efficiency, and overall efficiency.

Mechanical Efficiency of DC Generator

The ratio of mechanical power in the armature to the total input mechanical power is referred to as
the mechanical efficiency of the DC generator. It is given by,

Mechanical power developed in armature

η mech =
Input mechanical power

E gI a
⇒ η mech =
ωτ

Where, ωτ is the mechanical power input through the shaft.

Electrical Efficiency of DC Generator

The ratio of output electrical power to the armature power is known as electrical efficiency of the
DC generator.

(
Output electrical power V TI L )
η elect =
Armature power E gI a ( )
Overall Efficiency of DC Generator
The ratio of output electrical power to the input mechanical power is known as the overall efficiency
of the dc generator.

Output electrical power V TI L( )

η overall =
Input mechanical power(ωτ)

V TI L
⇒ η overall =
V TI L + Losses

Condition for Maximum Ef ciency of DC Generator

For the maximum efficiency of a DC generator, the variable losses (copper losses in field and
armature windings) and the constant losses (core losses and mechanical losses) must be equal,
i.e.,

Variable losses = Constant losses

Conclusion
In this article, we listed all the important formulae of DC generators used for design and analysis of
the DC generator. All these formulae are very important for electrical engineering students and
practicing electrical professionals.

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. DC . AC
The essential
. AC generator has an generator generator . AC generator has
difference between
electromagnet while a will will slip rings while the
an AC generator (a) (b) (c) (d)
DC generator has a generate a generate a DC generator has
and a DC generator
permanent magnet. higher higher a commutator.
is that:
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Action of Commutator in DC Generator

Armature Reaction in a DC Generator

Critical Resistance of a DC Shunt Generator

 Open Circuit Characteristics of a DC Generator

Voltage Build-Up in a Self-Excited DC Generator

Efficiency of DC Generator & Condition for Maximum Efficiency with Examples

Power Flow Transfer Equations for a Synchronous Generator

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