CAMELLIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY & MANAGEMENT

SUBJECT : Control System (PC-EE 503)

Topic : Tachogenerator
INTRODUCTION
Tachogenerators are true speed measuring devices that rely on the basic principle of a generator to determine the speed of a
rotating part based on voltage. A tachogenerator is attached to the object whose speed is being measured — such as a fan or
motor shaft — and evaluates the voltage of the power produced by the generator to determine the rotational speed of the
object. Tachogenerators are designed to ensure that the relationship between voltage and speed is extremely precise and
linear within a specified range.

Vo = output voltage (V)

Kt = tachogenerator constant (V-s/rad)
ωs = angular speed (rad/s)
Φ = flux per pole (Weber)
P = number of poles
Z = number of conductors in armature windings
a = number of parallel paths in armature windings

Most tachogenerators used today are brushed DC types with a permanent magnet stator and a wound, rotating armature. One
end of the armature is attached to the object whose speed is being measured, and the armature rotates within the magnetic
field of the stator. As the measured object rotates, the rotation of the tachogenerator armature induces a voltage, and the
amplitude of the voltage is proportional to the speed of rotation. A commutator converts the alternating current generated by
rotation into direct current that can be interpreted by a voltmeter circuit and converted to speed. If the direction of rotation
changes, the voltage polarity changes, so DC tachogenerators can determine both speed and direction of rotation.
PURPOSE OF TECHOGENERATOR

The usage of this device is of crucial importance for measuring the rotating speed of the shaft or the
motor in every vehicle. Given this, this device enables the driver of the motor vehicle to track the rotating
speed and with that to adjust throttle and the gear to the driving conditions. This is important because if
the vehicle keeps running under prolonged speed, it can lead to insufficient lubrication. The insufficient
lubrication can affect the work of the engine or in worst cases, it can cause a breakdown. For this reason
tachometer is indispensable part of any vehicle gear.
CONSTRUCTION OF TECHOGENERATOR
An electromechanical generator is a device capable of producing electrical power from mechanical energy, usually
the turning of a shaft. When not connected to a load resistance, generators will generate voltage roughly proportional
to shaft speed. With precise construction and design, generators can be built to produce very precise voltages for
certain ranges of shaft speeds, thus making them well-suited as measurement devices for shaft speed in mechanical
equipment. A generator specially designed and constructed for this use is called a tachometer or tachogenerator.
Often, the word “tach” (pronounced “tack”) is used rather than the whole world.
By measuring the voltage produced by a tachogenerator, you can easily determine the rotational speed of whatever
it's mechanically attached to. One of the more common voltage signal ranges used with tachogenerators is 0 to 10
volts. Obviously, since a tachogenerator cannot produce a voltage when it’s not turning, the zero cannot be “live” in
this signal standard. Tachogenerators can be purchased with different “full-scale” (10 volts) speeds for different
applications. Although a voltage divider could theoretically be used with a tachogenerator to extend the measurable
speed range in the 0-10 volt scale, it is not advisable to significantly overspeed a precision instrument like this, or its
life will be shortened. Tachogenerators can also indicate the direction of rotation by the polarity of the output voltage.
When a permanent-magnet style DC generator’s rotational direction is reversed, the polarity of its output voltage will
switch. In measurement and control systems where the directional indication is needed, tachogenerators provide an
easy way to determine that. Tachogenerators are frequently used to measure the speeds of electric motors, engines,
and the equipment they power: conveyor belts, machine tools, mixers, fans, etc.
TECHOGENERATOR
TYPES OF TECHOGENERATOR
There are several types of tachometers, classified on basis of the working principle, usage and
construction. Some of the main types of tachometers are:
■ DC Tachometers;
■ AC Tachometers;
■ Mechanical Tachometers;
■ Analog Tachometers;
■ Digital Tachometers.
D.C TACHOGENERATOR PRINCIPLE
The D.C Tachogenerators is a type of electrical type’s tachogenerators which can also be used for speed
measurement. The armature of the D.C Tachogenerator is kept in the permanent magnetic field. The armature
of the tachogenerator is coupled to the machine whose speed is to be measured. When the shaft of the
machine revolves, the armature of the tachogenerator revolves in the magnetic field producing e.m.f. which is
proportional to the product of the flux and speed to be measured. Now as the field of the permanent field is
fixed, the e.m.f generated is proportional to the speed directly. The e.m.f induced is measured using moving coil
voltmeter with uniform scale calibrated in speed directly. The series resistance is used to limit the current under
output short circuit condition. The polarity of output voltage indicates the direction of rotation. The commutator
collects current from armature conductors and converts internally induced a.c e.m.f into d.c (unidirectional)
e.m.f. while the brushes are used to collect current from commutator and make it available to external circuitry
of the d.c tachogenerator.
The D.C tachogenerator is shown in below figure.
D.C TACHOGENERATOR
A.C TACHOGENERATOR PRINCIPLE
The AC tachogenerator is used to measure the speed only in one direction. In AC tachogenerator the armature
is provided with an AC winding, either single phase or three phase windings. When the rotor is stationary and
primary winding excited by an AC input voltage, the induced voltage in secondary is zero. Due to relative
position of two winding being placed at 900 to each other. As the rotor rotates, a voltage is induced in the
secondary winding whose magnitude is proportional to the rotor speed.
The emf induced in quadrature coil is directly proportional to the rotor speed and is in phase with applied
voltage to the reference coil.
Vt = Ktɸ (t)
Where, Kt = tachogenerator constant.

The D.C tachogenerator is shown in below figure.

A.C TACHOGENERATOR
APPLICATION
As we’ve mentioned before, tachometer is used for measuring the rotating speed of the rotating objects and
for that reason this device is used in motor vehicles. But, the use of this measuring device is much broader.
Namely, the tachometer is used in:
Marine fleet, for measuring the rotating speed of the marine diesel machines on the board ships. This device
shows the direction towards which the ship rotates.
Broad range of vehicles such as: automobiles, tractors, tucks, airplanes, trains and other light rail vehicles.
Medicine, the device known as haema-tachometer, is used for estimating the blood flow rate.
Many laser instruments and devices.

End of Presentation