EEP 203 ELECTROMECHANICS LABORATORY (0-0-3) 1.

5 Credits

Experiment-VI

Study of the speed control of a DC motor

6.1 Motivation
DC motors are in general much more adaptable to adjustable speed drives than ac motors which
are associated with a constant speed rotating fields. Indeed this susceptibility of dc motors to
adjustment of their operating speed over wide ranges and by a variety of methods is one of the
important reasons for strong competitive position of dc motors in modern industrial drives. It is
thus necessary to gather an idea about speed control methods along with their associated
characteristics.
6.2 Objectives:
(a) Conduct a suitable test for the speed control by varying the resistance in the field circuit
and draw (i) speed-field current, (ii) armature current-speed, (iii) armature current - field
current characteristics.
(b) Conduct a suitable test for the speed control by varying the armature terminal voltage using
an autotransformer and a diode rectifier circuit and draw (i) speed-armature voltage, (ii)
armature current-speed, (iii) armature current-armature voltage characteristics.
(c) Conduct a load test on the DC motor at two speeds and draw (i) speed-torque, (ii) armature
current-torque, and (iii) speed-armature current characteristics.
(d) Compute and draw characteristics in Parts (a),(b),and (c) using specification of test
machines.
6.3 Theory
The torque, T developed and speed, n of a dc motor are given as,
T = Kφ I a
Vt − I a Ra (1)
N=
Kφ
where k is constant decided by the design of the machine.
The above equation explains the concepts for different methods of speed control.
6.3.1 Varying Field Excitation (Φ)
In shunt and compound motors speed control can be achieved by varying the shunt field circuit
resistance. The lowest speed corresponds to zero resistance in field rheostat. Speed can be
increased by increasing the field rheostat resistance. The highest speed is limited by armature
reaction under weak field conditions, causing motor instability or poor commutation. The dc
motors with the shunt field-rheostat speed control is generally referred to as a constant horse
power drive, since back emf remains practically constant. The torque on the other hand varies
directly with flux and therefore has its highest allowable value at the lowest speed. Field rheostat
control is thus best suited to drives requiring decreased torque at high speed.
6.3.2 Varying Armature Terminal Voltage (Vt)
A change of the armature terminal voltage results in a change in speed with constant excitation.
Usually the power available is constant voltage ac, so the auxiliary equipment in the form of
rectifier is required to provide the controlled armature voltage for the motor. In this mode the
torque developed by motor is almost equal to rated torque at any speed from zero to rated speed.
In this region motor operates in constant torque mode.
6.4 Equipment and Components
(a) Test DC motor coupled with DC generator
(b) PMMC Voltmeter (0-300VDC)- 02Nos
(c) PMMC ammeter (0-20A)-02 Nos.
(d) Two rheostats for field control
(e) Single phase rectifier (suitable rating)
(f) Single phase Autotransformer (suitable rating)
(g) Loading device
(h) Tachometer
6.5 Procedure, Connection Diagrams, Experimentation and Precautions
6.5.1 Shunt Field Rheostat Control
Decide the values and ranges of rheostats, ammeters and voltmeters from the specifications of
the test motor and then make the connections as shown in Fig. 6.1. Switch on the field supply for
motor and generator both and adjust both the rheostat in such a way that rated field current flow
through the field windings. Apply the terminal voltage slowly keeping armature current of
separately excited dc motor below its rated armature current till reach the rated speed of the
motor.
Now gradually increase the field resistance of dc motor and observe the variation of speed with
the field current, for no load condition.
Repeat the procedure for various constant electrical loads applied on dc generator. Speed control
at different constant loads could be taken as studying the variations of speed with field currents.
Test may be 0.25, 0.5 and 1.0 pu of armature current. The dc separately excited generator is used
to load the dc motor. With separate excitation its field current can be kept constant at rated value
and the armature load current gives a measure of torque.

Fig. 6.1 Connection Diagram for Speed Control of Separately Excited DC Motor Using Field Current Control
6.5.2 Armature Voltage Control
Make the connections as shown in Fig. 6.2. Switch on the field supply of both dc motor and
generator and adjust the field rheostat in such a way that rated field current flows in both
machines. Now set the output of autotransformer to its minimum value and apply rated input
voltage to the input of autotransformer. Now increase the output of autotransformer in small
steps and observe the armature voltage, armature current and speed of dc motor. Tabulate the
results as given in Table 6.2.

Fig. 6.2 Connection Diagram for Speed Control of Separately Excited DC Motor Using Armature Voltage Control
6.6 DATA SHEET
Name Plate Details of the Machine
Name of the manufacturer:
Rated output:
Rated voltage:
Rated speed:
No. of poles:
Rated current:
Type of rotor:
Field voltage:
Table- 6.1
Field Resistance Control

Test motor Test Motor current

S. Motor Field Current
Motor Speed (rpm) Terminal Voltage (amp)
No. (amp)
(volt)

Table- 6.2
Armature Voltage Control and Load Test

S. Motor Field Current Test motor Test Motor current

Motor Speed (rpm)
No. (amp) Terminal Voltage (amp)
 (volt)

6.8 Report
Plot for field resistance control
(a) speed-field current
(b) Armature current-speed
(c) Armature current - field current characteristics.
Plot for armature voltage control
(a) Speed-armature voltage,
(b) Armature current-speed,
(c) Armature current-armature voltage characteristics.
Using MATLAB-simulink models the experimental setup using the given name-plate rating of
machines and simulate to plot all above characteristics.
6.9 Post-Experimental Quiz
(a) Comment on the nature of graph speed vs field current obtained in the field control
method
(b) Can the dc starter be used for speed control?
(c) What are the limitations of field control?
(d) What is the difference between speed control and speed regulation of a motor
(e) Explain why the speed changes with load
(f) Which of the speed control method provide constant horse power drive?
(g) Can the field control method be applied to series motor?

References

1. S K Bhattacharya “Electrical machines” New Delhi, Tata McGraw-Hill Pub. Co. Ltd.,
©2009.
2. M.G. Say and E.O. Taylor, "Direct Current Machines,” ELBS Pitman, IInd Edition,
London, 1985.
3. Arthur Eugene Fitzgerald, Charles Kingsley, Stephen D. Umans “Electrical machinery”
Tata McGraw-Hill publishing company Limited, New Delhi, India,2009
4. A.E. Clayton and N.N. Hancock, "The Performance and Design of Direct Current
Machines,” CBS Publishers and Distributors, Third Edition, Delhi, 2001.