Introduction

Equivalent
DC Machines
Circuits
(Electrical Principles 1 - Section B)
Efficiency

Farzad Ghayoor

Electrical Electronic and Computer Engineering

University of KwaZulu-Natal

May 3, 2024
 Introduction

Electric machines are electromechanical energy

Introduction
converters which can be used to continuously translate
Equivalent
Circuits electrical power to mechanical power and vice versa.
Efficiency

If the conversion is from mechanical to electrical energy,

then the machine is said to act as a generator.

If the conversion is from electrical to mechanical energy,

then the machine acts as a motor.

The conversion of energy in electric machines is based

on Faraday’s Law of electromagnetic induction.
 Conversion of Energy in DC Generators

Introduction
Generator action happens when a moving conductor is
Equivalent
Circuits placed in a magnetic field, and so an emf/voltage is induced
Efficiency in the conductor with the magnitude of

E = Bvl

where:
B = Magnetic flux density
v = Velocity of the conductor
l = Length of the conductor subject to the field
 Conversion of Energy in DC Motors

Introduction

Equivalent Motor action happens when a current carrying conductor

Circuits
is placed in a magnetic field, and so it experiences a force of
Efficiency

F = Bil

where:
B = Magnetic flux density
i = Current in the conductor
l = Length of the conductor subject to the field
 DC Machines Properties

Introduction
DC machines can operate as motors or generators.
Equivalent
Circuits

Efficiency The DC machine needs a rectifying action to produce

DC current. This can be done mechanically with the
commutator or electronically with semiconductors as
in Brush-less DC Machines.

DC machines have high initial cost (require more Cu),

and need more maintenance (on commutators and
brushes) when compared to AC machines.
 DC Machines Applications

DC machines are useful for applications where speed

Introduction
needs to be varied over a wide range, this is due to its
Equivalent
Circuits production of constant torque over the range, although
Efficiency this is becoming increasingly less necessary due to
modern control of AC machines.

Large DC motors are used in machine tools, printing

presses, fans, pumps, cranes, paper mill, traction,
textile mills and so forth. Small DC machines
(fractional horsepower rating) are used primarily as
control device-such as tachogenerators for speed sensing
and servomotors for position tracking.
 Construction of DC Machine

Introduction Each field poles carry a

Equivalent field winding (in this case a
Circuits 4-pole machine)
Efficiency
The rotating shaft carries
the armature with it’s
winding.

The armature winding is interconnected with the

commutator and brushes which perform the rectifying
action. EMF induced in one conductor of the armature is
AC. Commutator converts AC to DC.
Inter poles help to prevent sparking between the
commutator and brushes.
 Operation of DC Generators

The field windings provide a magnetic field across the

air gap between the field poles and the armature which
Introduction
induces a voltage in the moving conductors of the
Equivalent
Circuits armature winding (Faraday’s law)
Efficiency The magnitude of the induced voltage E is a function of
the magnetic field intensity, the type of winding on the
armature (e.g. lap winding, wave winding) and the
rotational speed of the armature.

E = Kωφ

where:
K = constant dependent on type of armature winding
ω = armature rotational speed [rad.s−1 ]
φ = pole flux [Wb]
 Types of DC Machines

Introduction DC machines are classified according to the method of

Equivalent their field excitation. These groupings are:
Circuits

Efficiency
Separately-excited machines, where the field winding
is connected to a source of supply other than the
armature of its own machine.

Self-excited machines, where the field winding receives

its supply from the armature of its own machine, and
which are sub-divided into shunt, series and
compound wound machines.
 Equivalent Circuits

Separately-excited DC Generator
Introduction I ∝φ Ra Ia
f
Equivalent
+
Circuits +
Efficiency
G E V = E − Ia Ra
−
−
T, ω
T : Applied mechanical torque

Input Mechanical Power = T ω

Output Electrical Power = V Ia
No mechanical loss condition: T ω = EIa
 Equivalent Circuits

Separately-excited DC Motor
Introduction
If ∝ φ
Equivalent
Circuits
+ Ia
Efficiency
Ra
+
M E − V
−

T, ω
No mechanical loss condition: T ω = EIa = KφωIa

T = KφIa
 Equivalent Circuits

Self-excited Shunt DC Generator

Introduction

Equivalent
Circuits
It If
Efficiency Rf c Pin = T ω
Ia
+
Ra Pout = V It

V V = E −Ia Ra = If (Rf c +Rf w )

+
G E Rf c : The field control rheostat
− − Rf w : Field winding resistance

ω, T
 Equivalent Circuits

Self-excited Shunt DC Motor

Introduction

Equivalent
Circuits
It If
Efficiency Rf c

Ra Pin = V It

+ Ia Pout = T ω
− V
M V = E +Ia Ra = If (Rf c +Rf w )

ω, T
 Equivalent Circuits

Self-excited Series DC Generator

Introduction
Ra I
Equivalent a
Circuits

Efficiency −
G
V

+ ω, T
Pin = T ω

Pout = V Ia
 Equivalent Circuits

Self-excited Series DC Motor

Introduction
Ra I
Equivalent a
Circuits

Efficiency

M
+
− V

ω, T
Pin = V Ia

Pout = T ω
 Efficiency

The efficiency of the DC machine may be calculated by

Introduction determining all the losses including:
Equivalent
Circuits
Armature loss: Ia2 Ra heat loss in the armature.
Efficiency Field loss: If2 Rf w heat loss in the field winding.
Core loss: which is a function of the magnetic flux
density and the speed of rotation (this includes the
hysteresis and eddy current losses)
Mechanical or rotational loss: friction and windage
losses
Brush and commutator contact loss which is a function
of armature current and speed (normally in the form of
a voltage drop of approx. 2 V)
 Efficiency

The power flow diagram for a generator is shown below.

Introduction
η = PPout
in

Equivalent
Circuits

Efficiency
Pout = V I
Pin = T ω

Copper losses

Core losses

Mechanical or rotational losses

 Efficiency

The power flow diagram for a motor is shown below.

η = PPout
in
Introduction

Equivalent
Circuits

Efficiency
Pout = T ω
Pin = V I

Mechanical
losses
Core losses

Copper losses