EXPERIMENT 8: DC MOTORS

OBJECT :
1. To locate the neutral brush position.
2. To learn the basic motor wiring connections
3. To observe the operating characteristics of series and shunt connected motors.

DISCUSSION :

In order for a DC motor to run, current must flow in the armature winding. The stator must develop a
magnetic field (flux), either by means of a shunt winding or a series winding (or both).

The torque developed by a DC motor is directly proportional to the armature current and the stator flux.
On the other hand, motor speed is mainly determined by the armature voltage and the stator flux. Motor
speed increases when the voltage applied to the armature increases. Motor speed will also increase when
the stator flux is reduced. As a matter of fact, the speed can attain dangerous proportions if, accidentally,
there is complete loss of the stator field. DC motors have been known to fly apart under these over speed
conditions. However, your Dc motor has been carefully designed to withstand possible over speed
conditions.

INSTRUMENTS AND COMPONENTS :

DC Motor/Generator Module EMS 8211

Power Supply Module (0-120Vac, 120 Vdc,0-120 Vdc EMS 8821
AC Metering Module (0-100 V) EMS 8426
DC Metering Module (0-200 V) EMS 8412
Hand Tachometer EMS 8920
Connection Leads EMS 8941

PROCEDURE :

Caution: 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!

FINDING THE NEUTRAL

1. You will now determine the neutral brush position for your DC motor by using alternating current.
Using your EMS Power Supply, AC Metering and Motor/Generator Modules, connect the
circuit shown in Fig. 12-1.Terminals 4 and N on the power supply will furnish variable 0-120 Vac
as the voltage output control is advanced.
 Do not apply power at this time!

2. Unlock the DC Motor/Generator Module and move it forward approximately 4 inches. Reach
behind the front face of the module and move the brush-positioning lever to its maximum clock-
wise position. Do not slide the module back in wise position. Do not slide the module back in
place.( you will later move the brushes again)
3. Turn on the power supply. Place the power supply voltmeter switch to its 4-N position. Slowly
advance the voltage output control until the ac voltmeter connected across the shunt field winding
indicates approximately 80 Vac. (The ac voltage across the shunt field is induced by the ac current
through the armature.
4. a) Carefully reach behind the front face of the module (preferably keeping one hand in your pocket)
and 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
counter-clock-wise position.
b) Leave the brushes at the position where the induced voltage is zero. This is the neutral point 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. Slide your DC Motor/Generator
Module back in place and disconnect your circuit.

SERIES MOTOR CONNECTIONS

5. Using your EMS Power Supply, DC Metering and DC motor/Generator Modules, connect the circuit
shown in Fig. 12-2. Notice that the armature is connected in series with the series field winding,
across the input voltage.

6. Turn on the power supply. Place the power supply voltmeter switch to its 7-N position. Adjust the
output voltage to 120 Vdc.
7. a) Does the motor turn fast? ……………………
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 motor speed. Comments:
b) Reduce the voltage until you can determine the direction of rotation (clockwise or counter
clockwise)
c) Reduce the voltage zero and turn off the power supply.
9. Reconnect your circuit as shown in Fig. 12-3 (the only change made to the circuit of Fig. 12-2 is that
the connections to the armature have been reversed)
10. Repeat Procedures 6 through 8 (using the reversed armature connections shown in Fig. 3-3)
Series speed reversed = …………………………..r/min
Rotation = ………………………………………….

11. State a rule for changing the direction of rotation of a series connected dc motor.

SHUNT MOTOR CONNECTIONS

12. Connect the circuit shown in Fig 12-4. Notice that the rheostat is in series with the shunt field, and
that this combination is in parallel with the armature, across the input voltage.

13. a) Adjust the rheostat for minimum resistance ( approximately zero ohms, when turned fully
clockwise)
b) Turn on your power supply and adjust for 120 Vdc
c) Using your tachometer measure the motor speed.
Shunt speed zero ohms = ……………………..r/min
d) Adjust the rheostat for maximum resistance (approximately 500 ohms)
Shunt speed 500 ohms = ……………………..r/min
e) Determine the direction of 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 13 and compare your results:
a) Did the rotation change direction? ………………………….
b) Did the speed change?………………….
c) Return the voltage zero and turn off the power supply.
16. Connect the circuit shown in Fig 12-4. Change either the polarity of armature terminals (or)
the polarity of segment consisting of shunt field winding & rheostat by reversing its terminals.
17. Repeat procedure 13 and compare your results:
a) Did the rotation change direction? ………………………….
b) Did the speed change?………………….
c) Return the voltage zero and turn off the power supply.

18 a) While the motor is still running, momentarily open the shunt field circuit by
removing the connection lead from one of the terminals of the shunt field winding(5 or 6).
Be extremely careful not to touch any of the other 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 thing occur in a series field connected dc motor?
19. Connect the circuit shown in Fig 12-5. Note that the armature is connected to the variable 0-120 Vdc
output ( terminals 7 and N ) while the shunt field is now connected to the fixed 120 Vdc output
(terminals 8 and N)

20. a) Turn on the power supply. Adjust the armature voltage to 30 Vdc as indicated by
the meter.
b) Use your hand tachometer and measure the motor speed at 0,30,60,90 and 120 volts. Record your
speed measurement. (Wait until the motor speed stabilizes before you take your measurement).
c) Repeat (b) for each of the voltage to zero and turn off the power supply.
d) Plot a graph Armature volts Vs speed. Draw a smooth curve through your plotted
e) Does varying the armature voltage (with the shunt field voltage held constant) offer a good
method of speed control?……………………………..
TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE :

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

2. Would the motor turn if only the armature were excited (had voltage applied across it?)
3. Why is it dangerous to supply power to an unloaded series connected dc motor?
4. In what two ways may the rotation of a series connected dc motor be reversed?
5. In what two ways may the rotation of a shunt connected dc motor be reversed?
6. In procedure 20:
a) Does the motor speed double when the armature voltage is doubled?……………..
Explain.
b) Would it be correct to say “ with a fixed field voltage, the speed of a shunt motor is proportional
to its armature voltage?…………………
7. Draw a circuit showing how you would connect
a) a shunt motor to a dc supply.
b) a shunt motor to a dc supply, using a field rheostat.
c) a series motor to a dc supply.
8. In what two ways can the speed of a dc motor varied?
9. Of the two methods given in (8):
a) Which method gives the greatest speed range?
b) Which method is the most economical (uses fewer parts)?