ASSIGNMENT-02: DC MOTORS

❖ Comparison of Shunt and Series Motors

DC motors, widely recognized for their simple design and ease of control, are primarily
categorized into shunt and series motors. These motors differ in the configuration of their field
windings, which influences their characteristics, performance, and applications.

1. Field Winding Connection:

o Shunt Motor: Field windings are connected in parallel with the armature,
maintaining a constant field flux due to the steady voltage supply.

o Series Motor: Field windings are connected in series with the armature, resulting
in a field flux that varies with load due to the proportional relationship with
armature current.

2. Speed Characteristics:

o Shunt Motor: Maintains a nearly constant speed, as the field flux is unaffected by
load changes.

o Series Motor: Speed reduces with increasing load because higher load increases
the field flux, causing speed to drop.

3. Starting Torque:

o Shunt Motor: Offers moderate starting torque, as torque depends primarily on

armature current.

o Series Motor: Delivers high starting torque, suitable for applications like cranes
or electric vehicles.

4. Speed Regulation:

o Shunt Motor: Exhibits excellent speed regulation, making it ideal for tasks
requiring consistent speed.

o Series Motor: Demonstrates poor speed regulation, with significant speed

variations under load changes.

5. Applications:

o Shunt Motor: Preferred for constant-speed operations such as fans, conveyors,

and lathes.

o Series Motor: Ideal for high-torque applications like elevators, hoists, and
traction systems.
 6. Field Current:

o Shunt Motor: Field current remains stable, independent of load.

o Series Motor: Field current varies with load, causing fluctuations in field flux.

7. Efficiency:
o Shunt Motor: More efficient under steady-state conditions due to minimal power
losses.

o Series Motor: Less efficient, as variable speed and current result in higher losses.
8. Commutator Sparking:

o Shunt Motor: Experiences minimal sparking due to steady armature current.

o Series Motor: More prone to sparking under low loads, as fluctuating current
disrupts current distribution.

Conclusion:
Shunt motors excel in applications requiring stable speed, while series motors are suited for
high-torque tasks. Choosing between these motors depends on the specific application
requirements.

❖ Speed Control of Series Motors

The speed of a series motor, often used for high-torque applications, can be adjusted using
several methods:
1. Flux Control Methods:

o Field Divertors:

o Variable resistors connected

in parallel with the field winding
reduce flux, increasing speed.
 Armature Divertors: Resistors in parallel with the armature increase flux, reducing
speed.

o Tapped Field Control: Adjusting the number of active field winding turns alters
the flux, enabling stepwise speed adjustments.

o Paralleling Field Coils: Changing the configuration of field coils provides

multiple speed settings, commonly used in fan motors.

2. Variable Resistance in Series with the Motor:

Adding a resistance in series with the armature reduces the applied voltage, decreasing
speed. This method, though simple, incurs energy losses due to heat dissipation.
3. Series-Parallel Control:

o Operation: Field windings and the armature are switched between series and
parallel configurations. In series mode, the motor operates at normal speed, while
parallel mode increases speed.

o Applications: Effective for traction systems like electric trains requiring stepwise
speed adjustments.

4. Rheostatic Method:
Involves placing a variable resistor in series with the armature circuit to lower voltage
and reduce speed. While inexpensive and straightforward, this method is energy-
inefficient due to significant heat losses.

Summary:
Speed control methods for series motors offer flexibility in adjusting speed for various tasks.
However, the choice of method depends on efficiency, cost, and application-specific
requirements.

❖ Merits and Demerits of Rheostatic Control Method

Merits:

1. Cost-effective and simple for small motors.

2. Facilitates basic speed reduction below normal.

Demerits:

1. Instability in speed due to load and resistance variations.

2. Significant power loss as heat, lowering efficiency.

3. Limited to speed reductions only, unsuitable for above-normal speeds.
 4. Excessive heat generation requires cooling systems.

5. Suitable only for short-term, low-speed operations.

❖ Advantages of Field Control Method

1. Economical: Minimal equipment required, reducing costs.

2. Efficient: Results in lower power losses compared to other methods.

3. Convenient: Simple to achieve speeds above normal.

4. Versatile: Can combine with other methods for both above- and below-normal speed
control.

❖ Applications of Different Motors

1. Shunt Motor: Constant-speed applications like fans, conveyors, and lathes.

2. Series Motor: High-torque tasks such as cranes, hoists, and electric vehicles.

3. Compound Motor: Heavy-duty machines like rolling mills and punch presses.
4. Synchronous Motor: Power factor correction and constant-speed tasks like blowers.

5. Induction Motor: General-purpose drives such as pumps and compressors.

6. Stepper Motor: Precision equipment like CNC machines and robotics.

7. Servo Motor: Automated systems requiring precise speed and torque control.

❖ Torque equation of a DC motor

When armature conductors of a DC Motor carry current in the presence of stator field flux, a
mechanical torque is developed between the armature and the stator. Torque is given by the
product of the force and the radius at which this force acts.

▪ Torque T = F × r (N-m) …where F = force and r = radius of the armature

▪ Work done by this force in once revolution = Force × distance = F × 2πr (where, 2πr =
circumference of the armature)
 ▪ Net power developed in the armature = word done / time
= (force × circumference × no. of revolutions) / time
= (F × 2πr × N) / 60 (Joules per second) .... eq. 1

But F × r = T and 2πN/60 = angular velocity ω in radians per second. Putting these in the above
equation 1
Net power developed in the armature = P = T × ω (Joules per second)

Armature torque (Ta)

▪ The power developed in the armature can be given as, Pa = Ta × ω = Ta × 2πN/60

▪ The mechanical power developed in the armature is converted from the electrical power,
Therefore, mechanical power = electrical power
That means, Ta × 2πN/60 = Eb.Ia

▪ We know, Eb = PΦNZ / 60A

▪ Therefore, Ta × 2πN/60 = (PΦNZ / 60A) × Ia

▪ Rearranging the above equation,

Ta = (PZ / 2πA) × Φ.Ia (N-m)

The term (PZ / 2πA) is practically constant for a DC Motor. Thus, armature torque is directly
proportional to the product of the flux and the armature current i.e. Ta ∝ Φ.Ia

Shaft Torque (Tsh)

Due to iron and friction losses in a DC machine, the total developed armature torque is not
available at the shaft of the machine. Some torque is lost, and therefore, shaft torque is always
less than the armature torque.

Shaft torque of a DC motor is given as,

Tsh = output in watts / (2πN/60) .... (where, N is speed in RPM)