DC GENERATOR
AC and DC generator knows as electrical mechines. It always converts mechanical
power to electrical power.. Both of these generators produce electrical power, based on
same fundamental principle of Faraday's law of electromagnetic induction. According to
these law, when an conductor moves in a magnetic field it cuts magnetic lines force,
due to which an emf is induced in the conductor. The magnitude of this induced emf
depends upon the rate of change of flux (magnetic line force) linkage with the
conductor. This emf will cause an current to flow if the conductor circuit is closed. A DC
generator produces direct power
DC GENERATOR CONSTRUCTION
During explaining working principle of DC Generator, we will discuss about practical
construction of DC Generator. A DC generator has the following parts
1. Yoke
2. Pole of generator (field winding)
3. Armature (armature winding)
4. Brushes carbon and holder
6. Bearing
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1. Yoke
Yoke of DC generator serves two purposes,
(i) It holds the magnetic pole cores of the generator and acts as cover of the
generator.
(ii) It carries the magnetic field flux.
In small generator, yoke are made of cast iron. Cast iron is cheaper in cost but heavier
than steel. But for large construction of DC generator, where weight of the machine
is concerned, lighter cast steel or rolled steel is preferable for constructing yoke of DC
generator. Normally larger yokes are formed by rounding a rectangular steel slab and
the edges are welded together at the bottom. Then feet, terminal box and hangers are
welded to the outer periphery of the yoke frame.
2. Pole Cores and Pole Shoes (field winding)
Let's first discuss about pole core of DC generator. There are mainly two types of
construction available. One: Solid pole care, where it made of a solid single piece of
cast iron or cast steel. Two: Laminated pole core, where it made of numbers of thin,
limitations of annealed steel which are riveted together. The thickness of the lamination
is in the range of 0.04" to 0.01". The pole core is fixed to the inner periphery of the yoke
by means of bolts through the yoke and into the pole body.
The pole shoes are so typically shaped, that, they spread out the magnetic flux in the air
gap and reduce the reluctance of the magnetic path. Due to their larger cross - section
they hold the pole coil at its position. Pole Coils: The field coils or pole coils are wound
around the pole core. These are a simple coil of insulated copper wire or strip, which
placed on the pole which placed between yoke and pole shoes
3. Armature (armature winding)
The purpose of armature core is to hold the armature winding and provide low
reluctance path for the flux through the armature from N pole to S pole. Although a DC
generator provides direct current but induced current in the armature is alternating in
nature. That is why, cylindrical or drum shaped armature core is build up of circular
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laminated sheet. In every circular lamination, slots are either die - cut or punched on the
outer periphery and the key way is located on the inner periphery as shown. Air ducts
are also punched of cut on each lamination for circulation of air through the core for
providing better cooling. Up to diameter of 40", the circular stampings are cut out in one
piece of lamination sheet. But above 40", diameter, number of suitable sections of a
circle is cut. A complete circle of lamination is formed by four or six or even eight such
segment
4. Armature Winding of DC Generator
Armature winding are generally formed wound. These are first wound in the form of
flat rectangular coils and are then pulled into their proper shape in a coil puller. Various
conductors of the coils are insulated from each other. The conductors are placed in the
armature slots, which are lined with tough insulating material. This slot insulation is
folded over above the armature conductors placed in it and secured in place by special
hard wooden or fiber wedges.
TYPES OF ARMATURE WINDINGS
1. LAP WINDING
1. Here we are going to discuss about lap winding.Lap winding is the winding in
which successive coils overlap each other. It is named "Lap" winding because it doubles
or laps back with its succeeding coils. In this winding the finishing end of one coil is
connected to one commutator segment and the starting end of the next coil situated.
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Here we can see in picture, the finishing end of coil - 1 and starting end of coil - 2 are
both connected to the commutator segment - 2 and both coils are under the same
magnetic pole that is N pole here.
2. WAVE WINDING.
In wave winding, a conductor under one pole is connected at the back to a conductor
which occupies an almost corresponding position under the next pole which is of
opposite polarity. In other words, all the coils which carryy emf in the same direction are
connected in series. The following diagram shows a part of simplex wave winding.
5. Commutator of DC Generator
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The commutator plays a vital role in dc generator. It collects current from armature and
sends it to the load as direct current. It actually takes alternating current from armature
and converts it to direct current and then send it to external load. It is cylindrical
structured and is build up of wedge - shaped segments of high conductivity, hard drawn
or drop forged copper. Each segment is insulated from the shaft by means of insulated
commutator segment shown below. Each commutator segment is connected with
corresponding armature conductor through segment riser or lug.
6. Brushes of DC Generator
The brushes are made of carbon. These are rectangular block shaped. The only
function of these carbon brushes of DC generator is to collect current from commutator
segments. The brushes are housed in the rectangular box shaped brush holder. As
shown in figure, the brush face is placed on the commutator segment with attached to
the brush holder.
7. Bearing of DC Generator
For small machine, ball bearing is used and for heavy duty dc generator, roller bearing
is used. The bearing must always be lubricated properly for smooth operation and long
life of generator.
FARADAY'S LAW
of induction is a basic law of electromagnetism predicting how a magnetic field will
interact with an electric circuit to produce an electromotive force (EMF)a phenomenon
called electromagnetic induction.
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WORKING PRINCIPLE OF DC GENERATOR
It is seen that in the first half of the revolution current flows always along ABLMCD i.e.
brush no 1 in contact with segment a. In the next half revolution, in the figure the
direction of the induced current in the coil is reversed. But at the same time the position
of the segments a and b are also reversed which results that brush no 1 comes in touch
with that segment b. Hence, the current in the load resistance again flows from L to M.
The wave from of the current through the load circuit is as shown in the figure. This
current is unidirectional.
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