
7.12 Problems 397
Dc generators are a simple solution to the problem of converting mechanical
energy to electric energy in dc form, although ac generators feeding rectifier systems
are certainly an option which must be considered. Among dc generators themselves,
separately-excited and cumulatively-compounded, self-excited machines are the most
common. Separately-excited generators have the advantage of permitting a wide range
of output voltages, whereas self-excited machines may produce unstable voltages at
lower output voltages where the field-resistance line becomes essentially tangent
to the magnetization curve. Cumulatively-compounded generators may produce a
substantially flat voltage characteristic or one which rises with load, whereas shunt-
or separately-excited generators may produce a drooping voltage characteristic unless
external regulating means (such as a series field winding) are added.
Among dc motors, the outstanding characteristics of each type are as follows. The
series motor operates with a decidedly drooping speed as load is added, the no-load
speed usually being prohibitively high; the torque is proportional to almost the square
of the current at low flux levels and to some power between 1 and 2 as saturation
increases. The shunt motor at constant field current operates at a slightly drooping
but almost constant speed as load is added, the torque being almost proportional
to armature current; equally important, however, is the fact that its speed can be
controlled over wide ranges by shunt-field control, armature-voltage control, or a
combination of both. Depending on the relative strengths of the shunt and series field,
the cumulatively-compounded motor is intermediate between the other two and may
be given essentially the advantages of one or the other.
In a wide variety of low-power applications in systems which are run from a
dc source (automotive applications, portable electronics, etc.), dc machines are the
most cost-effective choice. These dc machines are constructed in a wide-range of
configurations, and many of them are based upon permanent-magnet excitation. In
spite of the wide variety of dc machines which can be found in these various applica-
tions, their performance can readily be determined using the models and techniques
presented in this chapter.
7.12 PROBLEMS
7.1 Consider a separately-excited dc motor. Describe the speed variation of the
motor operating unloaded under the following conditions:
a. The armature terminal voltage is varied while the field current is held
constant.
b. The field current is varied while the armature terminal voltage is held
constant.
c. The field winding is connected in shunt directly to the armature terminals,
and the armature terminal voltage is then varied.
7.2 A dc shunt motor operating at an armature terminal voltage of 125 V is
observed to be operating at a speed of 1180 r/min. When the motor is operated
unloaded at the same armature terminal voltage but with an additional
resistance of 5 f2 in series with the shunt field, the motor speed is observed to
be 1250 r/min.