Basic Construction And Working Of

A DC Generator.
By Kiran Daware DC Machines 31 Comments

DC Generator
A dc generator is an electrical machine which converts mechanical energy into direct
current electricity. This energy conversion is based on the principle of production of
dynamically induced emf. This article outlines the basics of construction and working of a
DC generator.

Construction Of A DC Generator:
Note: A DC generator can be used as a DC motor without any constructional changes.
Thus, a DC generator or a DC motor can be broadly termed as a DC machine. These basic
constructional details are also valid for a DC motor. Hence, let's call this point
as construction of a DC machine.

Above figure shows the constructional details of a simple 4-pole DC generator. A DC

generator consists two basic parts, stator and rotor. Basic constructional parts of a DC
generator are described below.
1.

Yoke: The outer frame of a generator or motor is called as yoke. Yoke is made up of
cast iron or steel. Yoke provides mechanical strength for whole assembly of the
generator (or motor). It also carries the magnetic flux produced by the poles.

2.

Poles: Poles are joined to the yoke with the help of screws or welding. Poles are to
support field windings. Field winding is wound on poles and connected in series or
parallel with armature winding or sometimes separately.

3.

Pole shoe: Pole shoe is an extended part of the pole which serves two purposes,
(i)to prevent field coils from slipping and (ii)to spread out the flux in air gap uniformly.

Armature core (rotor)

4.

Armature core: Armature core is the rotor of a generator. Armature core is

cylindrical in shape on which slots are provided to carry armature winding. Armature
winding can be wound by one of the two methods known as lap winding and wave
winding. You can learn more about armature winding here.

5.

Commutator and brushes: As emf is generated in the armature conductors

terminals must be taken out to make use of generated emf. But we can't directly solder
wires to commutator conductors, cause the commutator conductors will be rotating and
the wires will get twisted and break. Thus commutator is connected to the armature
conductors and mounted on the same shaft as that of armature core. Conducting
brushes rest on commutator and they slides over when rotor (hence commutator)
rotates. Thus brushes are physically in contact with armature conductors hence wires
can be connected to brushes.

Commutator

Working Principle:

According to Faraday's law of electromagnetic induction, 'when a conductor moves

in a magnetic field (thereby cutting the magnetic flux lines), an emf gets induced in the
conductor'. The magnitude of generated emf can be given by emf equation of DC
generator. If a closed path is provided to the moving conductor then generated emf
causes a current to flow in the circuit.

One of the main functions of commutator is to convert generated AC emf into DC. As
you can see in the above image, direction of generated emf will change across every
conductor when it rotates (see the direction across conductor conductor ABCD in case

1 and case 2 in above image). It can be understood from the image, comparing both
cases, that even though the generated emf across the conductors is alternating, the
output of a DC generator is converted to DC with the help of commutator. The output
voltage waveform of a DC generator is as shown below.

Types Of A DC Generator:
DC generators can be classified in two main categories, viz; (i) Separately excited and (ii)
Self excited.
(i) Separately excited: In this type, field coils are energized from an independent external
DC source.
(ii) Self excited: In this type, field coils are energized from the current produced by the
generator itself. Initial emf generation is due to residual magnetism in field poles. The
generated emf causes a part of current to flow in the field coils, thus strengthening the field
flux and thereby increasing emf generation. Self excited dc generators can further be
divided into three types (a) Series wound - field winding in series with armature winding
(b) Shunt wound - field winding in parallel with armature winding
(c) Compound wound - combination of series and shunt winding

What are the differences between a generator and an alternator?

Generator and alternator are two devices, which convert mechanical energy into electrical energy.
Both have the same principle of electromagnetic induction.
What are the differences?
According to the almighty Wikipedia, which I shall shamelessly quote with nary a paraphrasing, while
still properly citing my source:

"Alternators are used in automobiles to charge the battery and to power all the car's electric systems
when its engine is running. Alternators have the great advantage over direct-current generators of
not using a commutator, which makes them simpler, lighter, and more rugged than a DC generator.
The stronger construction of alternators allows them to turn at higher speed, allowing an automotive
alternator to turn at twice engine speed, improving output when the engine is idling. The availability
of low-cost solid-state diodes from about 1960 allowed auto manufacturers to substitute alternators
for DC generators. Automotive alternators use a set of rectifiers (diode bridge) to convert AC to DC.
To provide direct current with low ripple, automotive alternators have a three-phase winding."
When you put electricity (current) down a wire, the wire will have a magnetic field around it.
Conversely, if you move a wire through a magnetic field, a small current (electricity) is created in the
wire. The more wires you use and/or the greater the strength of the magnetic field, the greater the
effect becomes.
These two inverse principles are the basis for electric motors, generators, alternators, and even
things like the solenoid inside of a relay. If you have one item (movement or electricity), you can
convert it into the other.
Also tied in here is the fact that magnets repel and attract each other - that's part of how you make
an electric motor move. You can use more turns of wire (windings) to generate a stronger effect.
Principle wise, both work on same electromagnetic induction, generator generates D.C while
alternator A.C. In generator poles are on stator and winding on rotor, A.C generates in winding,which
converts to D.C through commutator segments , connected at the ends of each winding, is collected
through brushes, mounted on neutral axis.
In alternator winding is on stator and poles are on rotor, hence simple in construction, absence of
commutator makes it more simple in construction, hence all high rating machines used for
generating electricity, are alternator, are having less maintenance and manufacturing cost than
generator, and are more economical mainly used in power generation..
It is better to call, it as D.C or A.C machines. As it gives electrical output when input is mechanical,
and mechanical output (D.C motor and synchronous motor) when input is electrical. Use of D.C
machines have increased tremendously, with the advent in electrical car( to run the car and to charge
the battery) lot of research is going on in this field..