INSTITUTION: JOMO KENYATTA UNIVERSITY OF AGRICULTURE AND

TECHNOLOGY

COLLEGE : COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY

SCHOOL: SCHOOL OF ELECTRICAL ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION

ENGINEERING

DEPARTMENT : B.Sc. TELECOMMUNICATION AND INFORMATION

ENGINEERING

UNIT CODE :

UNIT NAME :ELECTRICAL MACHINES I

YEAR OF STUDY: 2ND Year

NAME REGISTRATION NUMBER SIGNATURE

1. Amos Nankoris [ENE221-0134/2023] ___________

2. Caesar Mayienga [ENE221-0133/2023] ___________
3. Gibson Kiplimo [ENE221-0116/2023] ___________
4. Terrence Sadfa [ENE221-0132/2023] ___________
5. Fredrick Kiburi [ENE221-0092/2023] ___________
6. Wesly Musa [ENE221-0126/2023] ___________

TITLE :DC GENERATOR - MC2

DATE :15TH NOVEMBER 2024

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 TITLE: DC GENERATOR - MC2

OBJECTIVES:

1. To study the no load saturation characteristics of a separately excited generator.

2. To study the full load saturation characteristics of a separately excited generator.

3. To investigate the no load characteristics of a shunt generator.

4. To carry out load test on a shunt generator.

THEORY:
The practical experiment described in the laboratory manual is designed to study the no-load and fullload saturation
characteristics of separately excited and shunt generators. The experiment involves connecting the generators to
different loads and varying the field current to observe the effects on the terminal voltage and current.

The theory behind the experiment is based on the principles of electromagnetic induction and the behavior of DC
generators. The no-load saturation characteristic of a generator is the relationship between the generated voltage and
the field current when the generator is not connected to a load. The full-load saturation characteristic is the
relationship between the generated voltage and the field current when the generator is connected to a full-load

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resistor.

The experiment involves measuring the terminal voltage and current of the generator at different field currents and
loads. The results are then used to plot the no-load and full-load saturation characteristics curves for both
separately excited and shunt generators.

The no-load saturation characteristic curve of a separately excited generator is typically a straight line that passes
through the origin. This is because the generated voltage is directly proportional to the field current when the
generator is not connected to a load. The full-load saturation characteristic curve of a separately excited typically a
curve that starts at the rated voltage and increases with increasing field current.

The no-load saturation characteristic curve of a shunt generator is typically a curve that starts at a high value and
decreases with increasing field current. This is because the generated voltage is inversely proportional to the field
current when the generator is not connected to a load. The full-load saturation characteristic curve of a shunt
generator is typically a curve that starts at and increases with increasing field current.

The experiment also involves measuring the resistance of the field regulator in a shunt generator. This is important
because the resistance of the field regulator affects the regulation of the generator, which is the difference between
the no-load and full-load EMF.

The experiment also includes connecting the generators to a load and varying the current to observe the effects on
the terminal voltage and current. The results are then used to plot characteristics of the generators.

The discussion and conclusions section of the experiment involves analyzing the results obtained from the separately
excited and shunt generators. This includes commenting on the shapes of the no-load and full-load saturation
characteristics curves, explaining the significance of remnant flux from no-load characteristic shapes, and explaining the
sudden decrease in terminal voltage observed in the load characteristics of separately excited shunt generators.

APPARATUS

1. Separately excited DC generator

2. Shunt generator

3. DC voltmeter

4. DC ammeter

5. Rheostat (field control and load control) 6. Tachometer (to measure generator speed)

7. Connecting wires.

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PROCEDURE

A. Separately Excited Generator 1.

Circuit Connection:

o The circuit was connected as shown in Figure 3, and it was verified by the lecturer in charge before
proceeding.
2. Generator Startup: o The motor was started, and the generator was driven at the rated speed of 1500 rpm.
3. Field Excitation Setup:
o Switch S3S3S3 was closed to position I, ensuring that the generator was separately excited.
4. Varying Field Current (No-Load Test):
o With the speed kept constant at 1500 rpm, the field current was varied in steps of 0.2 A from minimum
to maximum.
o After reaching the maximum, the field current was reduced in the same steps back to minimum. o
All instrument readings (e.g., terminal voltage, current, etc.) were recorded at each step.
5. Motor Startup with Rheostat:
o The motor was switched off, and a 5-ohm rheostat was inserted between the starter terminal AAA
and the ammeter.
o With the rheostat set to minimum resistance, the motor was started, and the speed was set to 1300
rpm.
o Using the rheostat and field regulator, the field current was varied in steps as in step 4, and the
instrument readings were recorded at each step.
6. Load Connection:
o Switch S4S4S4 was closed to connect the generator to the load.
o The load was adjusted to full load while maintaining the rated speed of 1500 rpm.
7. Instrument Readings at Full Load: o All instrument readings were recorded once the generator was under
full load.
8. Varying Field Current (Full-Load Test):
o The field current was varied in suitable intervals, and at each interval, all instrument readings (e.g.,
terminal voltage, current, etc.) were recorded under full load conditions.

B. Shunt Generator

1. Shunt Connection Setup:

o Switch S3S3S3 was closed to position 2, ensuring the generator was shunt connected.
2. Varying Field Current (No-Load Test):
o The speed was kept constant at 1500 rpm. o The field current was gradually varied in steps of
0.2 A from minimum to maximum.
o The terminal voltage of the generator was recorded at each step.
3. Field Regulator Resistance Measurement:
o The resistance of the field regulator was measured and recorded to ensure proper field control.
4. Load Connection and Full-Load Test:
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 o The generator was run to the rated speed and adjusted to generate a terminal voltage of 100 V.
o Switch SeS_eSe was closed to connect the generator to the load. o The load current was
varied in steps of 2 A on the dial, starting from zero and increasing to 125% of the rated value.
o The speed was maintained constant at 1500 rpm, and all instrument readings were recorded at each
load step.

No-Load Characteristic (Open-Circuit Characteristic - OCC)

The no-load characteristic of a generator represents the relationship between the terminal voltage (VtV_tVt) and the
field current (IfI_fIf) when the generator operates without any load. This characteristic is obtained by gradually
increasing the field current while keeping the armature disconnected from the load.

For both separately excited and shunt generators:

• At low values of IfI_fIf, the voltage VtV_tVt rises almost linearly as the field current increases,
reflecting the direct proportionality between magnetic flux and excitation current.
• Beyond a certain point, the magnetic core saturates, and the increase in VtV_tVt becomes negligible despite
further increases in IfI_fIf.

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In a separately excited generator, the field winding is supplied from an external DC source, allowing
precise control over IfI_fIf. The OCC for this type of generator is independent of load and depends
solely on the speed of rotation, with higher speeds producing steeper curves.

In contrast, the OCC of a shunt generator depends on self-excitation. Here, the field winding is connected in parallel
with the armature, and residual magnetism in the core initiates the buildup of terminal voltage. The characteristic curve
is similar to that of a separately excited generator but reflects the dependence of field current on terminal voltage.

Full-Load Characteristic

The full-load characteristic describes the variation in terminal voltage VtV_tVt as the load current ILI_LIL increases.
Under load conditions, the terminal voltage of a generator decreases due to three main factors:

1. Armature Resistance Drop (IaRaI_a R_aIaRa): Voltage drop caused by the armature current flowing through
the internal resistance of the armature winding.
2. Armature Reaction: The distortion and weakening of the main magnetic field by the magnetic field produced by
the armature current.
3. Field Current Reduction (specific to shunt generators): In a shunt generator, a drop in terminal voltage
reduces the field current, further weakening the magnetic field and exacerbating the voltage drop.

For separately excited generators, the external field excitation ensures that IfI_fIf remains constant. Consequently,
the voltage drop is primarily due to armature resistance and armature reaction. The fullload characteristic of this type
of generator is relatively flat, indicating better voltage regulation.

In a shunt generator, the terminal voltage drop affects the field current since the field winding is connected in
parallel to the armature. This dependency causes a steeper decline in the full-load characteristic curve. Shunt
generators exhibit poorer voltage regulation compared to separately excited generators.

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 Observations

• The no-load characteristic curve reveals the generator’s magnetic properties, including the effect of saturation
at higher field currents.
• The full-load characteristic demonstrates the generator’s ability to maintain voltage under load and highlights
the impact of armature reaction and internal resistance.
• Separately excited generators show better voltage regulation due to stable field excitation, making them
suitable for applications requiring consistent voltage.

Conclusion

The study of no-load and full-load characteristics is critical for understanding and evaluating DC generator
performance. Separately excited generators are preferred for applications demanding high precision and stable voltage
output due to their superior regulation. Shunt generators, while simpler and capable of self-excitation, are more
affected by load-induced voltage drops and are suitable for less critical applications. These characteristics enable
engineers to select the appropriate generator for specific operational needs.

QUESTIONS

1.Plot the no-load and load curves for separately excited generator. Comment on the shape of the curves.

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 ✓ The shape of the no-load characteristic curve of a separately excited generator is a straight line that passes
through the origin. This is because the field current is independent of the generated EMF, and the relationship
between the two is a linear one.

✓ On the other hand, the no-load characteristic curve of a shunt generator is a curve that starts from a non-
zero value and increases with the generated EMF. This is because the field current is proportional to the
generated EMF, and as the generated EMF increases, the field current also increases. The curve is typically a
concave curve that starts from a low value and increases at an increasing rate.
✓ The shape of the no-load characteristic curve is important in determining the performance of a generator, as it
helps in calculating the generated EMF at different field currents and load conditions. It is also used to
determine the regulation of a generator, which is the difference between the no-load and full-load EMF.

2. Explain the significance of remnant flux from no-load characteristics.

✓ The significance of the remnant flux from the no-load characteristics is that it represents the residual
magnetic field in the generator when there is no load connected. This remnant flux can affect the performance
of the generator when it is connected to a load, as it can cause a decrease in the terminal voltage. The
remnant flux can also affect the efficiency of the generator, as it can cause energy losses in the form of
hysteresis and eddy current losses.

3.Plot the no-load and head curves for the shunt generator.Comment on the shapes of the curves.

✓ The full-load characteristics of a shunt generator are typically represented by a graph that shows the
relationship between the speed and the generated voltage at full load. The curve is relatively flat, indicating
that the speed remains relatively constant as the load varies. This is because the shunt field winding provides
the necessary flux to generate the required voltage, and the field current remains relatively constant as the
load varies.
✓ On the other hand, the full-load characteristics of a separately excited generator are typically represented
by a graph that shows the relationship between the speed and the generated voltage at full load. The curve is
typically a straight line that passes through the origin, indicating that the speed is directly proportional to the
generated voltage. This is because the field current is independent of the armature current and is determined
by the separate excitation system. As the load increases, the armature current increases, but the field current
remains constant, resulting in a proportional speed and generated.The shape of the curves is important in
determining the performance of a generator, as it helps in calculating the speed and generated voltage at
different load conditions. It is also used to determine the regulation of a generator, which is the difference
between the no-load and full-load EMF.

4. Explain the sudden decrease in terminal voltage as observed in load characteristics for a shunt generator.

✓ The sudden decrease in terminal voltage observed in the load characteristics for a shunt generator is known as
a "knee" point. This occurs when the load current increases beyond a certain point, causing the terminal voltage
to decrease rapidly. This is because the shunt field current remains relatively constant, and the increase in load
current causes the armature current to increase. As the armature current increases, the voltage drop across the

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 armature resistance increases, causing the terminal voltage to decrease. The knee point is an important
characteristic of a shunt generator, as it indicates the maximum power output that the generator can deliver.

5.Compare the load characteristics of separately excited shunt generators.

✓ Comparing the load characteristics of separately excited shunt generators involves analyzing the relationship
between the terminal voltage and the load current for each generator. Separately excited shunt generators
have a separate field winding that is connected in series with the armature winding. This means that the field
current is independent of the terminal voltage. As a result, the no-load curve for a separately excited shunt
generator is a straight line that passes through the origin. The load curve for a separately excited shunt
generator is also a straight line that passes through the origin, but it is parallel to the no-load curve. The
load characteristics of separately excited shunt generators are similar to those of shunt generators, with a
knee point indicating the maximum power output. However, the load characteristics of separately excited shunt
generators are typically more stable and predictable than those of shunt generators, as the field current is
independent of the terminal voltage.

PRECAUTIONS

1. Ensure all connections are secure and match the circuit diagram.

2. Avoid exceeding the rated current of the generator to prevent damage.

3. Use calibrated instruments for accurate measurements.

4. Gradually vary load or field current to avoid sudden fluctuations.

Sources of Errors in the Experiment

1. Instrument Accuracy:
o Calibration Errors: The voltmeters, ammeters, and other measuring instruments might not have been
accurately calibrated, leading to incorrect readings.
o Resolution Limitations: Instruments with low resolution might have introduced rounding errors in
measurement.
2. Speed Variations:
o Inconsistent Speed: The motor speed might not have been perfectly maintained at 1500 rpm or 1300 rpm,
causing variations in generator output.
o Mechanical Vibrations: Vibrations or instability in the motor-generator setup could have affected the
speed control.
3. Contact Resistance:
o Switch and Terminal Resistance: Resistance at connections, switches, or terminals might have caused
voltage drops, leading to inaccurate voltage readings.
o Loose Connections: Poor connections in the circuit might have resulted in fluctuating or inconsistent
readings.
4. Field Current Control:

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 o Non-Uniform Field Adjustment: Adjustments of the field current in steps might not have been precise,
leading to inconsistent excitation.
o Rheostat Limitations: Imperfections or resistance variations in the rheostat could have affected
current regulation.
5. Armature Reaction:
o The armature reaction might have introduced distortions in the magnetic field, particularly under high-
load conditions, leading to deviations in voltage readings.
6. Magnetic Saturation:
o Saturation effects in the magnetic core could have been underestimated or overlooked, especially
when operating at high field currents.
7. Temperature Effects:
o Resistance Variations: Heating of the armature, field windings, or connections during the experiment
could have altered resistance values, affecting current and voltage measurements.
o Instrument Drift: Prolonged usage of instruments might have led to thermal drift, causing deviations in
recorded readings.
8. Human Error:
o Reading Errors: Inaccurate reading or recording of instrument values could have introduced errors in the
data.
o Delay in Observations: Delays in taking readings during changes in field current or load might have
resulted in transient effects being captured.
9. Load Variations:
o Imprecise Load Adjustment: The load might not have been accurately set to specific levels,
introducing deviations in expected results.
o Unstable Load Conditions: Fluctuations in load during the experiment could have led to inconsistent
voltage or current measurements.
10. Residual Magnetism:
o The residual magnetism in the generator might not have been consistent, affecting the initial voltage
buildup in the shunt generator.

Mitigation of Errors

 Instrument Calibration: Ensure all instruments are calibrated before the experiment.
 Stable Speed Control: Use precise controllers to maintain constant motor speed.
 Good Connections: Check and secure all connections to minimize contact resistance.
 Temperature Monitoring: Allow for cooling intervals to minimize the effects of heat on resistance and
instrument drift.
 Careful Observations: Take multiple readings at each step and average the values to reduce human error and
measurement fluctuations.

RECOMMENDATIONS
1. Use generators with high-quality materials to reduce losses and improve efficiency.
2. Employ compensating windings in large generators to minimize armature reaction.
3. Conduct regular maintenance to ensure optimal generator performance.

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REFERENCES
1. "Electrical Machines" by J.B. Gupta
2. All About Circuits (www.allaboutcircuits.com)
3. Khan Academy (www.khanacademy.org)
4. "DC Generator Characteristics and Applications" - IEEE Xplore

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