Experiment 4 Lab Manual

American International University- Bangladesh

Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering
EEE 2207: Electrical Machines 1 Laboratory
Title: Study of Direct Current Motor Part II.
Introduction:
The objectives of this experiment are to:
1. Locate the neutral position of the brush,
2. Illustrate the basic motor wiring connections,
3. Study the operating characteristics of the series and shunt- connected motors.
Theory and Methodology:
In any electric motor, operation is based on simple electromagnetism. A current-carrying
conductor generates a magnetic field; when this is then placed in an external magnetic field, it
will experience a force proportional to the current in the conductor, and to the strength of the
external magnetic field. The internal configuration of a DC motor is designed to harness the
magnetic interaction between a current-carrying conductor and an external magnetic field to
generate rotational motion.
The neutral position of the brush is determined by positioning the brush lever in the
maximum clockwise position. The power supply to the armature of the motor is turned on
and the supply voltage is gradually increased until the voltmeter connected across the shunt
winding indicates 150V. The brush positioning lever is moved from one extreme position to
another. It will be observed that the induced ac voltage across the shunt field drops to zero
and then increases again as the other extreme position is reached. The brush lever should be
placed at the position where the induced voltage is zero. This is the neutral position of the DC
motor.
In series motors stator windings and field windings are connected in series with each other.
As a result the field current and armature current are equal. Heavy currents flow directly from
the supply to the field windings. To carry this huge load, field windings are very thick and
have few turns. Usually copper bars form stator windings. These thick copper bars dissipate
heat generated by the heavy flow of current very effectively. In a series motor electric power
is supplied between one end of the series field windings and one end of the armature. When
voltage is applied, current flows from power supply terminals through the series winding and
armature winding. The large conductors present in the armature and field windings provide
the only resistance to the flow of this current. Since these conductors are so large, their
resistance is very low. This causes the motor to draw a large amount of current from the
power supply. When the large current begins to flow through the field and armature
windings, the coils reach saturation that result in the production of strongest magnetic field
possible. The strength of these magnetic fields provides the armature shafts with the greatest
amount of torque possible. The large torque causes the armature to begin to spin with the
maximum amount of power and the armature starts to rotate.
In Shunt DC motor, the field windings of the stator are connected in parallel with the
armature. The field windings of a Shunt DC motor are made of fine coil of wire with large
number of turns. As small gauge wire cannot handle heavy currents, shunt windings of a
shunt motor require large number of turns to produce strong magnetic field. As a Shunt DC
Motor cannot carry high currents, it is unsuitable for applications requiring a high starting
Dept. of EEE, Faculty of Engineering, American International University-Bangladesh (AIUB)

Experiment 4 Lab Manual

torque. So, it requires its shaft load to be small to start functioning. The resistance of the
shunt windings in a Shunt DC motor is very high. As a result, when electric voltage is
supplied to the Shunt DC motor, very low amount of current flows through the shunt coil.
Armature draws enough current to produce a strong magnetic field. Due to the interaction of
magnetic field around armature and the field produced around the shunt field, the motor starts
to rotate. When the armature starts turning, it produces a back EMF. The theory behind the
generation of back EMF is the simple electromagnetic principle, which states that when a
conductor (armature in this case) rotates in a magnetic field, electricity is induced in it. The
polarity of this generated back EMF is such that it opposes the armature current. So, as the
motor turns, armature current is controlled by the back EMF and is kept low.
Every DC motor has six basic parts -- axle, rotor, stator, commutator, series and shunt field
and brushes. The stator is the stationary part of the motor -- this includes the motor casing
and the series and shunt field. The rotor together with the axle and attached commutator
rotates with respect to the stator. The rotor consists of windings (generally on a core), the
windings being electrically connected to the commutator. The geometry of the brushes,
commutator contacts, and rotor windings are such that when power is applied, the polarities
of the rotor winding and the stator field winding are misaligned, and the rotor will rotate until
it is almost aligned with the stator's magnetic field. As the rotor reaches alignment, the
brushes move to the next commutator contacts, and energize the next winding.

Figure: 1

Figure: 2

In real life, though, DC motors will always have more than two poles. In particular, this
avoids "dead spots" in the commutator. Disadvantage of such a simple motor is that it would
exhibit a high amount of torque "ripple" (the amount of torque it could produce is cyclic with
the position of the rotor). The use of an iron core armature is quite common, and has a
number of advantages. First, the iron core provides a strong, rigid support for the windings -a particularly important consideration for high-torque motors. The core also conducts heat
away from the rotor windings, allowing the motor to be driven harder than might otherwise
be the case. Iron core construction is also relatively inexpensive compared with other
construction types. But iron core construction also has several disadvantages. The iron
armature has a relatively high inertia which limits motor acceleration. This construction also
results in high winding inductances which limit brush and commutator life.
Pre-Lab Homework:
The students are advised to go through Lab Experiment no-3 (Study of Direct Current MotorPart I) properly for better understanding of Part II. Students are also advised to go through
relevant reference material before carrying out the experiment.

Dept. of EEE, Faculty of Engineering, American International University-Bangladesh (AIUB)

Experiment 4 Lab Manual

Apparatus:
DC Motor/Generator
DC Voltmeter/Ammeter
AC Voltmeter
Power Supply
Hand Tachometer
Connection Leads

8211
8412
8426
8821
8920
8941

Precautions:
High voltages are present in this Laboratory Experiment! Do not make any connections with
the power on! The power should be turned off after completing each individual measurement!
Be extremely careful not to touch any of the outer terminal connections or any metal during
this procedure.
Figures and Circuit Diagrams:
4

1
5

ARMATURE

+
SHUNT
FIELD

0-240 V ac

0-250
Vac

6
2

Figure 3

ARMATURE

SERIES
FIELD

0-240 V
dc
N

Figure 4

Dept. of EEE, Faculty of Engineering, American International University-Bangladesh (AIUB)

Experiment 4 Lab Manual

ARMATURE

SERIES
FIELD
0-240 V dc

Figure 5
7

2
8

RHEOSTAT
1000

0-240 V dc
6

SHUNT
FIELD

ARMATURE

Figure 6

ARMATURE
0-240 V dc

SHUNT
FIELD

0-240 V dc
(FIXED)

Figure 7

Dept. of EEE, Faculty of Engineering, American International University-Bangladesh (AIUB)

Experiment 4 Lab Manual

Experimental Procedure:
Finding the Neutral Brush Position
1. You will now determine the neutral brush position for your dc motor by using alternating
current. Using your Power Supply, AC Voltmeter and DC Motor/Generator, setup the circuit
shown in Figure 3. Terminals 4 and N on the Power Supply will furnish variable 0-240 V ac
as the voltage output control is advanced.
2. Move the brush positioning lever, on the DC Motor/Generator, to its maximum clockwise
position. DO not slide the module back in place (you will later move the brushes again).
3. Turn on the Power Supply. Set the Power Supply voltmeter switch in the 4-N position.
Slowly advance the voltage output control until the AC Voltmeter connected across the
shunt-field winding indicates approximately 150 V ac. (The ac voltage across the shunt field
is induced by the ac current through the armature. This will be covered in a later Laboratory
Experiment.
4. a) Move the brushes from one extreme position to another. You will notice that the induced
ac voltage across the field drops to zero and then increases again as you approach the other
extreme position.
b) Leave the brushes at the position where the induced voltage is zero. This is the neutral
position of your DC Motor/Generator
Each time you use the DC Motor/Generator the brushes should be set at the neutral
position.
c) Return the voltage to zero and turn off the Power Supply. Disconnect your circuit and slide
your DC Motor/Generator back in place.
5. Series Motor Connections.
Using your Power Supply, DC Voltmeter/Ammeter and DC Motor\Generator, set the circuit
shown in Figure 4. Notice that the armature is connected in series with the series field
winding, across the input voltage.
6. Turn on the Power Supply. Set the Power Supply voltmeter switch in the 7-N position.
Adjust the output voltage to 240 V dc.
7. a) Does the motor turn fast?
Yes

No

b) Using your Hand Tachometer, measure the motor speed in revolutions per minute.
Series speed = __________ r/min
Note: The operating instructions are enclosed within the tachometer container
8. a) Reduce the Power Supply voltage and note the effect on the motor speed
b) Reduce the voltage to zero and determine the direction of rotation (clockwise or
counterclockwise) when looking from the open end of the motor.
Rotation = __________
c) Turn off the Power Supply.
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Experiment 4 Lab Manual

9. Reconnect the circuit as shown in Figure 5. The only change made to the circuit if Figure
4 is that the connections to the armature and the commutator winding have been reversed.
10. Repeat procedure steps 6 through 8 using the reversed armature and commutation
connections shown in Figure 5
Series speed (reversed) = __________ r/min
Rotation = __________
11. State a rule for changing the direction of the rotation of a series-connected dc motor.
12. Shunt Motor Connections.
Set the circuit shown in Figure 6. Notice that the field rheostat is in series with the shunt
field, and that this combination is in parallel with the armature and its commutating winding,
across the input voltage.
13. a) Adjust the field rheostat for minimum resistance (approximately zero ohms when
turned fully clockwise).
b) Turn on your Power Supply and adjust for 240 V dc
c) Using your hand Tachometer, measure the motor speed.
Shunt speed (nominal) = __________ r/min
d) Adjust the field rheostat for maximum resistance. Use Hand Tachometer and measure the
motor speed.
Shunt speed = __________ r/min
e) Determine the direction of rotation.
Rotation = __________
14. a) Return the voltage to zero and turn off the Power Supply.
b) Reverse the polarity of the input voltage by interchanging the Power Supply connection
leads only.
15. Repeat procedure step 13 and compare your results:
a) Did the direction of rotation change?
Yes

No

b) Did the speed change?

Yes

No

c) Return the voltage to zero and turn off the Power Supply.
16. Interchange the connection leads to the Power Supply. Your circuit should be the same as
the one shown in Figure 6. Now reverse the connections to the armature only.
17. Repeat procedure step 13 and compare the direction of rotation to that found in procedure
step13.
Rotation = __________
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Experiment 4 Lab Manual

18. a) While the motor is still running, momentarily open the shunt-field circuit by removing
the connection lead of one of the terminals of the shunt-field winding (5 or 6).
Warning: Be extremely careful not to touch any of the outer terminal connections or any
metal during this procedure.
Be prepared to immediately cut power to the motor by turning off the Power Supply.
b) Explain what happens when a dc motor loses power to its shunt field.
c) Could the same things occur in a series-connected dc motor?
Yes

No

Explain why?
19. Set the circuit shown in Figure 7. Note that the armature is connected to the variable 0240 V dc output (terminals 7 and N) while the shunt field is now connected to the fixed 240
V dc output (Terminals 8 and N).
20. a) Turn on the Power Supply. Adjust the armature voltage to 30 V dc as indicated by the
Power Supply meter.
b) Use your Hand Tachometer and measure the motor speed. Record your speed
measurement in Table 1. (Wait until the motor speed stabilizes before you take your
measurement).
c) Repeat (b) for each of the voltage values listed in the Table. Return the voltage to zero and
turn off the Power Supply.
d) Plot each of the points from Table 1 on the graph. Draw a smooth curve through your
plotted points.
e) Is varying the armature voltage (with the shunt-field voltage held constant) a good method
of speed control?
Yes

No

Table 1:Voltage vs Speed characteristics Data Table

0

60

120

180

240

E (Volts)
SPEED
(r/min)

Simulation and Measurement:

The value of the variable input voltage is increased from 0 volts to 240 volts by steps of 60
volts in each step. The values of the corresponding measured speed in rpm with the help of a
tachometer are recorded for each value of applied voltage. Students are asked to measure
these datas carefully and precisely while carrying out the observation.

Dept. of EEE, Faculty of Engineering, American International University-Bangladesh (AIUB)

Experiment 4 Lab Manual

Results and Discussion:
The result of the observation should be plotted on E (Volts) Vs Speed (r/min) axis. A smooth
curve through the plotted points is expected from the students. The students are asked to
observe the curve to come to a conclusion and decide whether varying the armature applied
voltage (by keeping the shunt-field voltage constant) is a good method of speed control.
Questions with answers for report writing:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
a)

Explain how to locate the neutral brush position in a dc motor.

Would the motor turn if only the armature were excited (had voltage applied across
it)?
Why is it dangerous to supply power to an unloaded series-connected dc motor?
In what two ways can the rotation of a shunt-connected dc motor be reversed?
Why are field loss detectors necessary in large dc motors?
In procedure step 20
Does the motor speed double when the armature voltage is doubled?
Yes

No

Explain why?
b) Would it be correct to say: with a fixed field voltage, the speed of a shunt motor is
proportional to its armature voltage?
Yes

No

Explain why?
7.
a)
b)
c)

Draw a circuit showing how you would connect:

A shunt motor to a dc supply.
A shunt motor to a dc supply, using field rheostat.
A series motor to a dc supply.

a)
b)

In what two ways can the speed of a dc motor be varied?

Of the two methods given in question 8:
Which one gives the greatest speed range?
Which one is the most economical (uses fewer parts)?

8.
9.

References:
[1] B.L.Theraja, A.K. Theraja. A Text Book Of Electrical Technology- Volume II. 23rd
Edition. S. Chand & Company Ltd, 2002.
[2] V.K. Mehta, Rohit Mehta. Principles of Electrical Machines. 2nd Edition. S. Chand &
Company Ltd, 2009.
[3] K. Murugesh Kumar. DC Machines & Transformers. 1st Edition. Vikas Publishing House,
1999.

Dept. of EEE, Faculty of Engineering, American International University-Bangladesh (AIUB)