Interpretation of Results

The experiment is about DC shunt generators. Within this experiment, the external
characteristics of the self-excited shunt wound generator and obtaining its voltage regulation
would be displayed. In the experiment, the output voltage, output current, and field current is
observed by having the motor connected and locked for safety measures.

In Run I, it is observed that increasing the field current increases the output voltage, and
the output voltage decrease when the field current is also decreased. It can be concluded that the
field current is directly proportional to the output voltage. In Run II, when speed and field current
is constant, varying the R1 rheostat will affect the output voltage and output current. In Run III,
when field current is decreasing, as the output voltage decreases, the output current will increase.

Conclusion

The group was able to accomplish the objectives given in the experiment. A self-excited
generator, as the field winding is connected is parallel with the armature, thus the armature voltage
supplied the field current. Therefore, this type of generator supplies its own field excitation. The
load resistance can be decreased up to a certain limit, after which the terminal voltage decreases
due to excessive armature reaction at very high armature current. Decreasing the resistance of the
field circuit reduces the slope of the field resistance line resulting in a higher voltage. Increasing
the resistance of the field circuit increases the slope of the field resistance line, resulting in a lower
voltage. In this experiment, the terminal voltage is recorded every time when the field current is
gradually increasing.

Answers to Questions
1. Why is it important to maintain the open circuit characteristics of a DC shunt Generator?
The open circuit characteristics of a DC shunt Generator is used to determine the
variation of generated emf on no-load with field current for different fixed speeds of
the armature.

2. The equation for no-load voltage of a shunt generator is E= kῳn where E is the no-load
voltage, ῳ is the flux per pole and n is the armature in rpm. What does the constant k
represent?
The constant k represents the total number of conductors involved.

3. Explain why the flux per pole is not a linear function of the field current?
Both hysteresis and saturation effects in the iron of the machine will make the flux
per pole not a linear function of the field current.
4. Why is it important to maintain the speed n when obtaining the open circuit characteristics
of a shunt generator?
Maintaining the speed makes the curve of the open circuit characteristic stiffer.

5. The voltage et when the field current is zero is due to the so-called residual flux or residual
magnetism. What is residual magnetism and how was it formed?
Residual magnetism is the magnetization left behind in a ferromagnetic material after
an external magnetic field is removed.

6. The curve for increasing values of field current will not coincide with the curve for
decreasing values. This failure to retrace flux paths is hysteresis. What is hysteresis and
how does it occur?
Hysteresis is the loss that occurs in the core. It occurs in the armature winding due to
reversal of magnetization of the core.

7. The compensating windings of a dc generator will eliminate armature reaction. Based on

the graphs plotted from the results of Run I and Run II, state whether or not the test machine
used has compensating windings or none.
Yes, it has compensating windings.

8. What could cause failure of voltage build-up on starting to occur in self-excited shunt
generator? How can this problem be remedied?
In compound generator, the armature voltage decreases automatically, when load
current increases, due to which magnetic field produced by shunt winding decreases.
But the same increase in load current flows through the series winding causes an
increase in the magnetic field.
9. From the definition of % Voltage Regulation, explain fully how to attain rated current at
rated voltage when starting at no-load. If an increase in generated voltage cannot be
obtained by an increase of prime mover speed, what is the alternative solution?
The voltage at an isolated generator is varied by adjusting the rotor field current -
same as a car alternator. But there still has to be sufficient power from the prime
mover to support the kilowatts output.
10. Explain why the external characteristics curve for Run II is more drooping than that of Run
I.
Run II is more drooping, because the former supplies the voltage from the armature.