A DC Generator is an electrical device which converts mechanical energy into electrical energy. It mainly consists of three main parts, i.e. Magnetic field system, Armature and Commutator and Brush gear. The other parts of a DC Generator are Magnetic frame and Yoke, Pole Core and Pole Shoes, Field or Exciting coils, Armature Core and Windings, Brushes, End housings, Bearings and Shafts.
The diagram of the main parts of a 4 pole DC Generator or DC Machine is shown below.
- Magnetic Field System of DC Generator
- Magnetic Frame and Yoke
- Pole Core and Pole Shoes
- Field or Exciting Coils
- Armature of DC Generator
- Armature Core
- Armature Windings
- Commutator in DC Generator
- End Housings
Magnetic Field System of DC Generator
The Magnetic Field System is the stationary or fixed part of the machine. It produces the main magnetic flux. The magnetic field system consists of Mainframe or Yoke, Pole core and Pole shoes and Field or Exciting coils. These various parts of DC Generator are described below in detail.
Magnetic Frame and Yoke
The outer hollow cylindrical frame to which main poles and inter-poles are fixed and by means of which the machine is fixed to the foundation is known as Yoke. It is made of cast steel or rolled steel for the large machines and for the smaller size machine the yoke is generally made of cast iron.
The two main purposes of the yoke are as follows:-
- It supports the pole cores and provides mechanical protection to the inner parts of the machines.
- It provides a low reluctance path for the magnetic flux.
Pole Core and Pole Shoes
The Pole Core and Pole Shoes are fixed to the magnetic frame or yoke by bolts. Since the poles, project inwards they are called salient poles. Each pole core has a curved surface. Usually, the pole core and shoes are made of thin cast steel or wrought iron laminations which are riveted together under hydraulic pressure. The poles are laminated to reduce the Eddy Current loss.
The figure of pole core and pole shoe are shown below.
The poles core serves the following purposes given below.
- It supports the field or exciting coils.
- They spread out the magnetic flux over the armature periphery more uniformly.
- It increases the cross-sectional area of the magnetic circuit, as a result, the reluctance of the magnetic path is reduced.
Field or Exciting Coils
Each pole core has one or more field coils (windings) placed over it to produce a magnetic field. The enamelled copper wire is used for the construction of field or exciting coils. The coils are wound on the former and then placed around the pole core.
When direct current passes through the field winding, it magnetizes the poles, which in turns produces the flux. The field coils of all the poles are connected in series in such a way that when current flows through them, the adjacent poles attain opposite polarity.
Armature of DC Generator
The armature core of DC Generator is cylindrical in shape and keyed to the rotating shaft. At the outer periphery of the armature has grooves or slots which accommodate the armature winding as shown in the figure below.
The armature core of a DC generator or machine serves the following purposes.
- It houses the conductors in the slots.
- It provides an easy path for the magnetic flux.
As the armature is a rotating part of the DC Generator or machine, the reversal of flux takes place in the core, hence hysteresis losses are produced. The silicon steel material is used for the construction of the core to reduce the hysteresis losses.
The rotating armature cuts the magnetic field, due to which an emf is induced in it. This emf circulates the eddy current which results in Eddy Current loss. Thus to reduce the loss the armature core is laminated with a stamping of about 0.3 to 0.5 mm thickness. Each lamination is insulated from the other by a coating of varnish.
The insulated conductors are placed in the slots of the armature core. The conductors are wedged, and bands of steel wire wound around the core and are suitably connected. This arrangement of conductors is called Armature Winding. The armature winding is the heart of the DC Machine.
Armature winding is a place where conversion of power takes place. In the case of a DC Generator here, mechanical power is converted into electrical power. On the basis of connections, the windings are classified into two types named as Lap Winding and Wave Winding.
- Lap Winding
In lap winding, the conductors are connected in such a way that the number of parallel paths are equal to the number of poles. Thus, if a machine has P poles and Z armature conductors, then there will be P parallel paths, each path will have Z/P conductors connected in series.
In lap winding, the number of brushes is equal to the number of parallel paths. Out of which half the brushes are positive and the remaining half are negative.
- Wave Winding
In wave winding, the conductors are so connected that they are divided into two parallel paths irrespective of the number of poles of the machine. Thus, if the machine has Z armature conductors, there will be only two parallel paths each having Z/2 conductors in series. In this case number of brushes is equal to two, i.e. number of parallel paths.
Commutator in DC Generator
The commutator, which rotates with the armature, is cylindrical in shape and is made from a number of wedge-shaped hard drawn copper bars or segments insulated from each other and from the shaft. The segments form a ring around the shaft of the armature. Each commutator segment is connected to the ends of the armature coils.
It is the most important part of a DC machine and serves the following purposes.
- It connects the rotating armature conductors to the stationary external circuit through brushes.
- It converts the induced alternating current in the armature conductor into unidirectional current in the external load circuit in DC Generator action, whereas it converts the alternating torque into unidirectional (continuous) torque produced in the armature in motor action.
Carbon brushes are placed or mounted on the commutator and with the help of two or more carbon brushes current is collected from the armature winding. Each brush is supported in a metal box called a brush box or brush holder. The brushes are pressed upon the commutator and form the connecting link between the armature winding and the external circuit.
The pressure exerted by the brushes on the commutator can be adjusted and is maintained at a constant value by means of springs. With the help of the brushes the current which is produced on the windings, is passed on to the commutator and then to the external circuit.
End housings are attached to the ends of the Mainframe and provide support to the bearings. The front housings support the bearing and the brush assemblies where as the rear housings usually support the bearings only.
The ball or roller bearings are fitted in the end housings. The function of the bearings is to reduce friction between the rotating and stationary parts of the machine. Mostly high carbon steel is used for the construction of bearings as it is very hard material.
The shaft is made of mild steel with a maximum breaking strength. The shaft is used to transfer mechanical power from or to the machine. The rotating parts like armature core, commutator, cooling fans, etc. are keyed to the shaft.