BESIC ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING LAB

Experiment – 8
Open circuit characteristic of a separately excited DC
generator
Name- Rajesh Raj Tudu
Roll no. 120EE0521
Sec – S2
Aim of the Experiment:
To find open circuit characteristic of a separately excited DC generator.

Apparetus Required :
Sl.No. Name of the Apparatus Specification Quantity
1. Ammeter 0-300mA, PMMC 1
2. Voltmeter 0-300V,PMMC 1
3. Rheostat 0-290 Ohm ,2.8Amp 2
4. Rheostat 38 Ohm ,8.5 Amp 1
5. Tachometer 0-10000RPM,Digital 1
6. DC Generator coupled to DC 0.75KW,3000RPM,230V,3.4Amp 1
motor set
Theory:
The curve which gives the relation between field current (Ir) and the generator voltage (Eg) in
the ammeter on no load called magnetic or open circuit characteristic of a DC generator .The
plot of this practically same for all types generators ,whether they are separatly excited .This
curve is also known as no load saturation characteristic curve of DC generator .

Now, from the emf equation of DC –generator ,we know that Eg= K𝟇 .Hence ,the generated emf
should be directly proportional to the field flux (and hence ,also directly proportional to the
field current ). However ,even when the field current is zero ,same amount of emf is generated
(represented by OA in the figure ). This initially induced emf is due to some residential
magnetism exists in the field poles .This initially induced emf aids the existing residential flux ,
and hence , increasing the overall field flux . This consequently increases the induced emf . Thus
, OCC follows a straight line . However ,as the flux density increases , the poles get saturated and
the 𝟇 becomes practicallty constant . Thus , even we increase the If further , 𝟇 remain
constant and hence , Eg also remain constant . hence ,the OCC curve looks like the B-H
chareteristic .

Open circuit characteristic is also known as magnetic characteristic or no-load saturation

characteristic .This characteristic shows the relation between generated emf at no-load(E0) and
the field current (If) at a given fixed speed .We will perform this experiment in two way –

a) At constant speed
b) At constant excitation
Use of OCC :

• Calculate critical resistance

• Calculate critical speed
• Equation variation
• Charecteristics variation after rewinding .

Circuit description :

We know that the emf equation of DC-generator is,

𝑃𝜑𝑁 𝑍 𝑃𝑍𝜑𝑁
𝐸𝑔 = 60
×𝐴 = 60𝐴
volts

We can circuit that ,

𝐸𝑔 = 𝐾𝜑

Hence , the generated emf is directly proportional to the field and also directly proportional to
the field current(If,G) of the generator .However , even when the field current is zero , same
amount of emf is generated ,which is represented by OA in the fig(OCC curve ).

(O.C.C. of DC- Generator )

Here,

E0 = Generated emf at no-load condition

If.G = Field current of the generator

This OA line represents ,initially induced emf ,which is due to some residul magnetism exists in
the field poles of the generator .This residual magnetism consequently increases the induced
emf ,due to which OCC follows a straight line .However ,as the flux density incrases the poles get
saturated and flux(Φ) becomes particularly constant. Thus even we increases the field current
(If,G) further ,still then flux(Φ)remain constant and hence Eg also remains constant .
𝑃𝜑𝑁 𝑍 𝑃𝑍𝜑𝑁
𝐸𝑔 = × = volts
60 𝐴 60𝐴

𝐸𝑔 = 𝐾ΦN
 𝐸𝑔 ⍺ 𝜑𝑁

DC- Shunt Generator

Critical resistance:

• The maximum resistance of the field circuit above which no voltage build up is possible
is called the critical resistance.
• Here field circuit resistance ,

Rf = Rsh + Rf,G

• According to ohm’s law

𝐸0
Rf =
𝐼𝑓

Determination of Critical speed :

• The speed of the generator below which the generator doesn’t build up the voltage .
 𝑅𝑇
𝑁𝐶 = 𝑁1 ×
𝑅𝑆

Circuit digram :

Precaution :
1. Do not keep the external armature resistance of the DC-motor at a minimum
value at the time of starting .
2. Do not keep the external field rheostat position of the DC-motor at a maximum
value when starting .

Precations :
Run –I:-

1. Make connection as shown in digram . Run the motor and bring it up rated
speed . With zero excitation in the field circuit , take the voltmeter reading . This
voltage at this point is due to the residential magnetism . Increase the excitation
slowly and taken reading of ammeter and voltmeter after adjusting the speed
at constant . While making the field current adjustment do not retrace .
Continue till the induce voltage is more than the rated value .
2. Reduce the excitation and take reading of ammeter and at constant speed do
not retrac while reducing excitation .
 Run –II:-

Keep the excitation of the generator constant at a partial value and vary the speed of the
generator to get different voltage values.

Observations:-
Run I:- Speed constant

SL If – increasing Eg If – decreasing Eg
NO. (mA) (volt) (mA) (volt)
1. 0 3.1 160 229
2. 20 53 140 218
3. 40 96 120 205
4. 60 128 100 185
5. 80 158 80 160
6. 100 183 60 130
7. 120 202 40 96
8. 140 218 20 57
9. 160 229 0 3.1

Run II:- Excitation constant

SL Speed of Generator EMF

NO. generator (N) (Eg)
(RPM) (volt)

1. 3000 220
2. 2910 213
3. 2776 202
4. 2698 197
5. 2612 190
6. 2570 188
7. 2518 184
8. 2450 179
9. 2400 176
Graphs:
Conclusion:
• At constant speed ,no-load generator emf(E.g.) is directly proportional to the field
current of generartor .
• At constant excitation ,no-load generator emf(E.g.) is also directly proportional to the
speed of the generator .
• Some emf(3.1V) is present across the ammeter ,even when the field current is
zero,which id=s due to residual magnetism .
• Shunt field resistance must be less than the critical resistance of the DC-generator to get
the required amount of induced voltage .

Discussion Questions:
1. What do you mean by OCC & why it is called so ?
Ans:
OCC stands for Open circuit characteristic .It is also known as
magnetic characteristic or no-load saturation characteristic. This characteristic
shows the relation between generated emf at no load (E0) and the field current
(If) at a given fixed speed. The O.C.C. curve is just the magnetization curve and it
is practically similar for all type of generators. The data for O.C.C. curve is
obtained by operating the generator at no load and keeping a constant speed.
Field current is gradually increased and the corresponding terminal voltage is
recorded. The connection arrangement to obtain O.C.C. curve is as shown in the
figure below. For shunt or series excited generators, the field winding is
disconnected from the machine and connected across an external supply.

The emf equation of dc generator,

Eg = kɸ
Hence, the generated emf should be directly proportional to field flux .
However, even when the field current is zero, some amount of emf is generated.
This initially induced emf is due to the fact that there exists some residual
magnetism in the field poles. Due to the residual magnetism, a small initial emf
is induced in the armature. This initially induced emf aids the existing residual
flux, and hence, increasing the overall field flux.

This consequently increases the induced emf. Thus, O.C.C. follows a straight
line. However, as the flux density increases, the poles get saturated and the ɸ
becomes practically constant. Thus, even we increase the (If) further, ɸ remains
constant and hence, Eg also remains constant. Hence, the O.C.C. curve looks like
the B-H characteristic.
2. What is the different between a D.C. generator & D.C. motor ?
Ans:
Difference between DC generator and DC motor
DC generator DC motor
EMF is produced around the coil and Induced EMF is utilised by coil and
It is transmitted to the load and used useful for rotating axel .
by them.
Armature Back emf in DC generator is, Armature Back emf in DC motor is ,
Eb =v+IaRa Eb=v-IaRa
Armature current is more than Armature current is less than terminal
terminal voltage . voltage.
mechanical energy as an input and dc current as an input and provides
provides DC current as an output. mechanical output.
In generator they are used to cancel In motor uses cummulators for
the polarization effect. changing the magnetic field polarity .
Generator uses Fleming right hand Motor uses Fleming left hand rule .
rule.

3. What is B-H curve ?

Ans:
The B-H curve is the curve characteristic of the magnetic properties of a
material or element or alloy. It tells you how the material responds to an
external magnetic field, and is a critical piece of information when designing
magnetic circuits.

The slope of the B-H curve at some location on its curve is its incremental
permeability at that location. However, sometimes the permeability is
 measured from the origin to the location of interest, and that slope is called its
apparent permeability, µ.
i. For non-magnetic materials that do not saturate, the curve has a fixed
slope approximately equal to µ0

ii. Diamagnetic materials have a slightly smaller slope

Paramagnetic materials have a slightly greater slope

4. What is Faraday’s Law of electromagnetic induction ?

Ans:

Faraday's law states that electromotive force around a closed path is equal to
the negative of the time rate of change of the magnetic flux enclosed by the path
∆𝛷
𝑒𝑚𝑓 ∝ 𝑁
∆𝑡
∆𝛷
𝜀 = −𝑁
∆𝑡

Here,

𝜀 = induced voltage

𝑁 = No. of loops

∆𝛷 = Change in magnetic flux

∆𝑡 = Change in time