A. An electric generator is a machine that converts mechanical energy into electrical energy. An electric generator is based on the principle that whenever flux is cut by a conductor, an e.m.f. is induced which will cause a current to flow if the conductor circuit is closed. The direction of induced e.m.f. (and hence current) is given by Fleming’s right hand rule.
A. The function of commutator is to facilitate the collection of current from armature conductors. It converts the alternating current induce in the armature conductors into unidirectional current in the external load circuit.
A. The purpose of brushes is simply to lead current from the rotating loop or winding to the external stationary load.
A. Generators are generally classified based on their methods of field excitation
(i) Separately excited d.c. generators
(ii) Self-excited d.c. generators
A. A d.c. generator whose field magnet winding is supplied from an independent external d.c. source (e.g., a battery etc.) is called a separately excited generator.
A. A d.c. generator whose field magnet winding is supplied current from the output of the generator itself is called a self-excited generator. There are three types of self-excited generators depending upon the manner in which the field winding is connected to the armature
(i) Series generator – , the field winding is connected in series with armature winding so that whole armature current flows through the field winding as well as the load.
(ii) Shunt generator – , the field winding is connected in parallel with the armature winding so that terminal voltage of the generator is applied across it.
(iii) Compound generator – there are two sets of field windings on each pole—one is in series and the other in parallel with the armature. A compound wound generator may be:
(a) Short Shunt in which only shunt field winding is in parallel with the armature winding
(b) Long Shunt in which shunt field winding is in parallel with both series field and armature winding
A. The losses in a d.c. machine (generator or motor) may be divided into three types1. Copper losses: These losses occur due to currents in the various windings of the machine.
2. Iron or core losses: These losses occur in the armature of a d.c. machine and are due to the rotation of armature in the magnetic field of the poles. They are of two types
a. Hysteresis loss: Hysteresis loss occurs in the armature of the d.c. machine since any given part of the armature is subjected to magnetic field reversals as it passes under successive poles.
b. Eddy current loss: The voltages induced in the armature conductors produce circulating currents in the armature core known as eddy currents and power loss due to their flow is called eddy current loss. The eddy current loss appears as heat which raises the temperature of the machine and lowers its efficiency.
3. Mechanical losses: These losses are due to friction and windage. These losses depend upon the speed of the machine. But for a given speed, they are practically constant.
A. constant losses: Iron losses, Mechanical losses, Shunt field losses
Variable losses: Copper loss.
A. Armature reaction is the effect of magnetic field setup by armature current on the distribution of flux under main poles of a generator. The armature magnetic field has two effects
a. It demagnetizes or weakens the main flux
b. It cross-magnetizes or distorts it.
The first effect leads to reduced generated voltage and second to the sparking at the brushes.
A. Compensation windings are used to neutralize the cross magnetizing effect of armature reaction.
A. In the absence of compensation windings the flux will be suddenly shifting backward and forward with every change in load inducing an e.m.f in the armature coils. The magnitude of this e.m.f may be so high as to strike an arc between the consecutive commutator segments. This may further develop into a flash-over around the whole commutator thereby short circuiting the whole armature.
A. The currents in the coils connected to a brush are either all towards the brush (positive brush) or all directed away from the brush (negative brush). Therefore, current in a coil will reverse as the coil passes a brush. The reversal of current in a coil as the coil passes the brush axis is called commutation.
A. Improving commutation means to make current reversal in the short-circuited coil as spark less as possible. This can be done using
(i) Resistance commutation
(ii) E.M.F. commutation
A. The change in terminal voltage of a generator between full and no load (at constant speed) is called the voltage regulation. It is usually expressed as a percentage of the voltage at full-load.%Voltage Regulation= (VNL-VFL)/VFL*100
VNL= Terminal voltage of generator at No load.
VFL= Terminal voltage of generator at full load.
A. 1. Continuity of service
2. Efficiency
3. Maintenance and Repair
4. Increasing plant capacity
5. Non availability of single large unit
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