Speed Control of DC Machines

Results: 1. Plot the Speed Vs Ra

Ra (ohms) 50 100 150 200 250 300

Speed (rpm) 960 914 624 477 332 270

Speed (rpm)
1200

1000

800

Speed (rpm)

600

400

200

0 0 50 100 150 Ra (ohms) Speed (rpm) 200 250 300 350

2. Plot terminal voltage Vs field current.

Terminal Voltage (V)

Field Current I (A)

200 198 196 194 192

0.54 0.52 0.50 0.49 0.48

Field Current
0.55

0.54

0.53

0.52

Field Current I (A)

0.51

0.5

0.49

0.48

0.47 191 192 193 194 195 196 197 198 199 200 201

Terminal Voltage (V) Field Current

Discussion: 1. Discuss importance of starting method of a DC motor. At the starting of a DC motor the back emf of the armature is zero. Therefore, the motor tends to draw a large current from the DC source. So it is necessary to reduce the armature voltage and keep the armature current within a safe upper limit or else the large current would burn out the armature winding. The starter is a physical device that limits the staring current during initial acceleration. In this practical we have used a 3 point starter. It is like a variable resistor connected in series between the armature and the DC source. First the starter will have a high resistance so that the armature current is low, so the motor is accelerated and gets a steady speed and at the same time the back emf gets generated. After that the resistance of the starter is reduced letting the motor to accelerate while it generates a back emf proportional to speed. Once the motor reach the full speed the starter is disconnected from the motor. So, it is important to have a starting method for a DC motor in order to protect the motor.

2. Discuss the other starting methods of a DC motor.

a. Star/delta (wye/mesh) starter

Star/ delta starter is the simplest and the most widely used method of starting. It provides of the windings of the motor to be connected in star to begin with, thereby reducing the voltage applied to each phase to 58% (1/3) of its direct-on-line value. Then, when the motor speed approaches its running value, the windings are switched to delta connection. The main advantage is its simplicity while the main drawbacks are that the starting torque is reduced and the sudden transition from star to delta gives rise to a second shock.

b. Autotransformer starter

In a 3-phase Autotransformer starter each phase consists of a single winding on a laminated core. The main supply is connected across the ends of the coils, and one or more tapping points provide a reduced voltage output. The motor is first connected to

the reduced voltage output, and when the current has fallen to the running value, the motor leads are switched over to the full voltage. The switchover from the starting tap to the full voltage inevitably results in mechanical and electrical shocks to the motor.

c. Resistance or Reactance starter By inserting three resistors or inductors of appropriate value in series for each phase with the motor, the starting current can be reduced by any desired extent, but only at the expense of a disproportionate reduction in starting torque. When the motor is up to speed, the added impedance is shorted-out by means of a contactor.

3. Explain the other methods used in speed control in a DC motor. In this practical we have used the armature control and the field control, which are the typical methods of speed controlling of a DC motor. Other than that we can use several methods to control the speed of a DC motor such as, varying the voltage by electronic devices. Using of a chopper circuit where it varies the average voltage is applied to the motor by switching the supply voltage at a rapid rate. The ratio of switching (ON and OFF) controls the speed of the motor.

4. Explain the other method of breaking a DC motor. In this practical we have used the Dynamic breaking system. Rather than the Dynamic breaking system there are two other breaking systems namely, Plugging Braking and Regenerative Braking.

a. Plugging Braking To initiate plugging braking, two armature terminals are interchanged via an external braking resistor (Ra) and the field circuit is left behind without any change. As the armature terminals are interchanged a the direction of the voltage drop across the armature gets interchanged hence providing a negative torque. So the speed of the armature quickly slows down.

b.

Regenerative Braking An adjustable voltage, bidirectional power converter is needed to implement regenerative braking. To initiate regenerative braking we lower the armature voltage by some so that goes below the back emf . This reduces the armature current () to be reversed and hence braking torque to be developed. The extent of braking torque can be regulated by adjusting .