Load Characteristics Of D.C. Compound Generator

The characteristics depends on whether generator is cumulatively compound or differentially compound generator. In cumulatively compound, ?_2r = ?_2r + ?_2r. As load current increases,  I_a increases hence  I_se  also increases producing more flux. But as  I_a increases, the various voltage drops and armature reaction drop also increases. Hence there is drop in the terminal voltage.

If drop in V_t due to increasing  I_L is more dominating than increase in V_t due to increase in flux then generator is called under compounded and its characteristics is dropping in nature, as shown in the Fig. 1.

If drop in V_t due to armature reaction and other drops is much less than increase in V_t due to increase in flux then generator is called over compound and its characteristics is rising in nature, as shown in the Fig. 1. If the effects of the two are such that on full load current V_t is same as no load induced e.m.f. i.e. the effects are neutralizing each other on full then then generator is called flat compounded or level compound. Its characteristics is shown in the Fig. 1.

In differentially compound, ?_T = ?_sh ~ ?_se.. The net flux is difference between the two. As I_L increases, ?_sh  is almost constant but ?_se increases rapidly. Hence the resultant flux ?_T reduces. There is drop due to armature resistance, series field resistance, armature reaction due to which terminal voltage drops further. Thus we get the characteristics of such differentially compound generator as shown in the Fig. 1.