Classification of DC Generator

CLASSIFICATION OF GENERATORS

Self-excited generators are classed according to the type of field connection they use. There are three general types of field connections — SERIES-WOUND, SHUNT-WOUND (parallel), and COMPOUND-WOUND. Compound-wound generators are further classified as cumulative-compound and differential-compound. These last two classifications are not discussed .

Series-Wound Generator

In the series-wound generator, shown in figure 1-15, the field windings are connected in series with the armature. Current that flows in the armature flows through the external circuit and through the field windings. The external circuit connected to the generator is called the load circuit.

                Series-wound generator.

A series-wound generator uses very low resistance field coils, which consist of a few turns of large diameter wire. The voltage output increases as the load circuit starts drawing more current. Under low-load current conditions, the current that flows in the load and through the generator is small. Since small current

means that a small magnetic field is set up by the field poles, only a small voltage is induced in the armature. If the resistance of the load decreases, the load current increases. Under this condition, more current flows through the field. This increases the magnetic field and increases the output voltage. A series-wound dc generator has the characteristic that the output voltage varies with load current. This is undesirable in most applications. For this reason, this type of generator is rarely used in everyday practice. The series-wound generator has provided an easy method to introduce you to the subject of self-excited generators.

Shunt Wound Generator

In a shunt-wound generator, like the one shown in figure 1-16, the field coils consist of many turns of small wire. They are connected in parallel with the load. In other words, they are connected across the output voltage of the armature.

             Shunt-wound generator.

Current in the field windings of a shunt-wound generator is independent of the load current (currents in parallel branches are independent of each other). Since field current, and therefore field strength, is not affected by load current, the output voltage remains more nearly constant than does the output voltage of the series-wound generator. In actual use, the output voltage in a dc shunt-wound generator varies inversely as load current

varies. The output voltage decreases as load current increases because the voltage drop across the armature resistance increases (E = IR). In a series-wound generator, output voltage varies directly with load current. In the shunt-wound generator, output voltage varies inversely with load current. A combination of the two types can overcome the disadvantages of both. This combination of windings is called the compound wound dc generator.

Compound-Wound Generators

Compound-wound generators have a series-field winding in addition to a shunt-field winding, as shown in figure  The shunt and series windings are wound on the same pole pieces.In the compound-wound generator when load current increases, the armature voltage decreases just as in the shunt-wound generator. This causes the voltage applied to the shunt-field winding to decrease,

which results in a decrease in the magnetic field. This same increase in load current, since it flows through the series winding, causes an increase in the magnetic field produced by that winding. 

            Compound wound dc generator

By proportioning the two fields so that the decrease in the shunt field is just compensated by the increase in the series field, the output voltage remains constant. This is shown in figure 1-18, which shows the voltage characteristics of the series-, shunt-, and compound-wound generators. As you can see,

by proportioning the effects of the two fields (series and shunt), a compound-wound generator provides a constant output voltage under varying load conditions. Actual curves are seldom, if ever, as perfect as shown.

Network Terminology

Network theorem are applied to analyse the electrical network wild discus these theorems one come across the following terms 

1. Electric network:- A combination of various electric element connected in any manner is called electric network.

2. Electric Circuit:- A electric circuit is a closed conducting path through which an electric current either  flows or intended to flow.

3. Parameters:- The various element in electric circuit are called its parameters such as resistor,  inductor capacitors.

4. Linear Circuit :- An electric circuit that contains parameters of constant value , thats their value did not changed with the voltage and current known Linear circuit.

5. Non Linear Circuit :-  An electric circuit that contains parameter  whose value changed with voltage or current known  Non Linear Circuit.

6. Bilateral Circuit:- An electric circuit that possesses the same properties of characteristics in either direction called bilateral circuit. A transmission line is bilateral because it can be made to perform both side equally well in either direction.

7. Unilateral circuit :- An electric circuit that whose properties or characteristics changed with the direction of flow of electric charge called unilateral circuit  a diode rectifier circuit is unilateral circuit .

8. Unilateral Element:- An element which conduct in any one direction called unilateral Element e.g.semiconductor diode.

9. Bilateral Element:- An element which conduct in both direction similarly  called bilateral element e.g. resistor , diac, triac.

10. Active Network:- An electric network that contains one or more source of emf called active network.

11. Passive Network:- An electric Network that does not contain any source of emf called passive network.

12. Node :- A node is a point in the network where two or more circuit element are joined .

13. Junction:- A junction is a point in the network where there or more circuit element are joined in fact it is a point where current is divided.

14. Branch :- The part of a network  that is lies between two junction point is called branch . 

15. Loop:- The closed path of the network is called loop.

16. Mesh:- The most elementary from of a loop that can not further divided is called Mesh .