DC MOTOR

Created and Presented by

Doren Nedrick

Definition
A

motor is a rotary machine, which

converts electrical energy into
mechanical energy. The primary
function of a motor is to drive a load.

Difference Between Generator

and Motor
A

dc motor is very similar in construction to a

dc generator. The major differences are:
(a) Electrical energy is applied to the brushes
of the motor rather than collected from it.
(b) Motors often operate in locations, which
expose them to mechanical damage, dust,
moisture or explosive fumes. The motor may
therefore have a frame or additional
designed to protect it from these conditions.
A machine that runs well as a generator will
operate satisfactorily as a motor.
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OPERATION OF DC MOTORS

When

a current-carrying conductor is placed

in a magnetic field interaction takes place
between the main field and the field due to
the current flowing in the armature
conductors.
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 The

lines of force due to the current

flowing in the armature conductors
strengthen one part of the main field
and weaken the other part.
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 This

effect produces a concentration of

lines of force on one side of the
conductor (in this instance, the top)
and, as these lines of force tend to
straighten out, a force is placed on the
conductor. The lines of force act like
stretched elastic bands which, when
bent, attempt to straighten themselves
out.
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 This

' motor effect' is increased when a

current-carrying loop is placed in a
magnetic field (Fig. 11.12).

 Under

these conditions, the interaction

between the two fields (the main field
and the field due to the current flowing in
the armature conductors) tends to make
the loop rotate. The armature in a motor
is made up of a series of loops.
Note the use of commutator to supply
d.c. to the rotating loop. This ensures
that the direction of the armature field
remains fixed although the armature
conductors rotate

Construction
The

d.c. motor is similar in

construction to the d.c. generator, the
only difference being in the provision
made for ventilation: motors are built
for conditions where water and
inflammable gases exist.

Direction of Rotation
The

direction of rotation of the armature

may be found by using Fleming's lefthand rule (right hand for generators):
Index finger Main field (N to S)
Second finger - Direction of current
through armature
conductors
Thumb Direction of rotation
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Reversal of Armature
Rotation
Reversal

of the motor can be achieved

by interchanging the connections;
between either; the field and armature
windings relative to each other.
If both are changed the rotation is
unchanged.

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Armature Reaction
Armature

reaction, that is, the

distortion of the main field due to the
field of the current flowing in the
armature conductors, also takes place
in a motor, but it is in the opposite
direction (Fig. 11.14) to that of the
generator. The magnetic neutral axis is
behind the direction of rotation, and is
an angle of 'lag'.
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13

 Perfect

(or sparkless) commutation is

attained when the brushes are placed
on the magnetic neutral axis. But
since interpoles are used, the brushes
may be placed between the main poles.
NOTE.
The polarity of the interpoles in
a motor (Fig. 11.15) are of the same
polarity as the main pole behind it, in
the direction of rotation.
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Back E.M.F
This

is the e.m.f. which is generated in

the armature conductors as they cut
the lines of force of the main field.
The back e.m.f. (b.e.m.f.) is in
opposition to the applied e.m.f. (Lenz's
Law).

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Speed of D.C. Motor

The

speed of a d.c. motor is dependent

on four factors:
1. Strength of the main field.
This is an
inverse relationship: Strong field - slow
speed; weak field - increased speed.
2. Number of poles in the main field.
3. Number of armature conductors.
4. Voltage across the armature.
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 Since

the number of poles and the

number of armature conductors cannot
be varied the speed must be controlled
by varying the strength of the main
field. Speed may also be varied by
placing resistance in the armature
circuit (point 4 above) but this is
extremely inefficient because of the
large currents involved.
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Torque in D.C. motor

Torque

(or twisting power in poundfeet) is proportional to armature

current. Increased armature current
means increased torque.

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D.C. Motor Field Systems

Three types of field systems are used in d.c.

motors: (1) shunt; (2) series; (3) compound.
Shunt Motor: The shunt motor (Fig. 11.16a) has the
field (connections Z-ZZ) connected in parallel with
(i.e., shunted across) the armature (A-AA). The field
is made up of many turns of thin wire.
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 The

current through the field is constant,

since the voltage across it is constant,
giving a relatively level speed on all loads:
the speed drops approximately 5 per cent
from no-load to full-load (Fig. 11.16b).
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Starting and Speed Control

When

a d.c. motor armature is run up to

speed a back e.m.f. is induced into the
armature conductors, which opposes
the applied e.m.f. and so limits the
current flowing. During the starting
period, additional resistance must be
placed in the low-resistance armature
circuit (which is generally less than 1)
to limit armature current until the speed
(and the b.e.m.f.) builds up.
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Starter
The

purpose of the starter is to reduce

armature current until the b.e.m.f. builds
up. This can be illustrated by calculating
the current through a 500V d.c. motor
having an armature resistance of 0.1.

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 If

the supply voltage is applied across the

stationary armature (b.e.m.f. being zero) the
current will be 5000 A. (The field current is
negligible and can be ignored.) This high
current would damage both the motor and
the control equipment.

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Calculation of Back E.M.F

Since the voltages dropped in a series circuit are
equal to the applied voltage:
VT (applied voltage)
= E (back e.m.f.) + IaRa (voltage drop across the
armature)
Where VT = 500, Ia = 40 A, and R a = 0.1 .
note: Ia (in a motor) = IL (line current) - If (field
current)
500V = E + 40A x 0.l
E = 500V- 4V
E = 496V
where volt drop across brushgear is considered:
V = E + IARA + Vb (brush drop)

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Face Plate Starter

A

shunt motor is started by placing a

variable resistance in the armature
circuit, thus decreasing the armature
current (Ia), until the b.e.m.f. builds
up.

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 Fig.

11.18a shows the basic circuit:

when the resistance is taken out of the
armature it is inserted in the field, this
weakens the field and increases the
speed.

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Face Plate Starter

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Fig. 11.186 shows the practical circuit complete with

protection. There are two types of protection included
in the face plate starter:
No-volt Protection. The purpose of this protection is
to ensure that the starting handle is replaced to the
off position when the supply is cut off. The no-volt
coil, which is usually connected in series with the
field, forms an electromagnet which holds the springloaded starter handle in the 'run' position. When the
supply is cut-off the no-volt coil is de-magnetized and
the spring-loaded handle moves to the 'off' position.
The no-volt coil also allows the motor to be stopped
from a distance by connecting a stop-button which,
when pressed, shorts the no-volt coil.
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 Over-current

Protection: The purpose of

this protection is to guard the motor circuit
against excess current. The line current to
the motor flows through a coil (the current
coil) which attracts a soft-iron armature
when the motor is being overloaded. This
soft-iron armature carries a contact which
shorts out the no-volt coil, thus releasing
the starter handle to the 'off position.
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 The

no-volt coil has many turns of fine

wire. The current coil has a few turns
of heavy wire, and is usually set to
operate at 150 per cent of full-load
current.

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Speed Control
Speed

control of a d.c. shunt motor is achieved

by varying the field strength (Fig. 11.18b). A
variable resistance is inserted in the field
circuit. When the resistance is increased, speed
is increased. A decrease in field strength will
lead to a decrease in b.e.m.f. because the arma
ture conductors are cutting fewer lines of force.
As b.e.m.f. decreases armature current
increases, increasing torque and, if the load
remains constant, the speed will increase.
NOTE: The variable resistor must always be set
at zero resistance (minimum speed position)
before the motor is started.
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Series Motor

In

this machine, the field (Y-YY) and the

armature (A-AA) are connected in series (Fig.
11.19).

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On light loads the armature current is small and, since

the field is connected in series with the armature, the
main field is weak.
The result is high speeds at light loads and dangerously
high speeds on no-load (i.e., very weak field).

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 The

speed of the y-series motor varies

with the load (Fig. 11.19b) and some
form of mechanical load must always
be connected to the shaft or the motor
will damage itself.
The series motor acts somewhat like
an automatic gear box - high speeds
on no-load and low speeds on full-load.
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Starting and Speed Control

The

motor is started by connecting a

variable resistance in series with the
motor (Fig. 11.20). Speed control is
obtained by connecting a 'diverter'
resistance in parallel with the field.

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 In

this way the current is diverted from

the field, giving a weak field and
therefore increased speed. At the
same time torque is increased in the
armature by increasing armature
current.

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37

Compound Motor
The

compound motor (Fig. 11.21a) contains both

a series field (Y-YY) and a shunt field (Z-ZZ). The
output of the compound motor depends on the
method in which the fields are interconnected.
There are two types of compounding:
1. Differential compounding: where the series
field opposes the shunt field (Fig. 11.21b).
2. Cumulative compounding: where the series
field assists the shunt field (Fig. 11.21b).

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Starting and Speed Control

The

face plate starter can be used for

the compound motor. Speed variation
can be achieved by placing a variable
resistance in series with the shunt
field.

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Methods of Cooling
Motors
Electric

motors are often classified

according to the type of enclosure
used. The type of enclosure used is
determined by the conditions under
which the motor is to be used and also
the degree of ventilation required.

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Totally Enclosed Type

This

type of motor is generally cooled

by the conduction of heat through the
motor case. All joints are a machine
fit, as the motor, particularly the
commutator enclosure, must be gas
tight to limit the risks from
inflammable gases. It is used in hot
and humid conditions.
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Screen-protected Type
Ventilation

is achieved by fitting a fan

internally. The openings at the end of
the motor are fitted with a wire mesh
or a perforated sheet. This is the
most common type of protection.

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Drip-proof Type
This

type is similar to the screenprotected type, but the additional

precaution of a cover over the screen
is used to stop drips of water from
entering the motor. This type is not
waterproof.

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Pipe-ventilated Type
Air

is brought from a dust-free area

and piped into the motor. The
internally fitted fan ensures circulation
of cooling air.

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Troubleshooting
Fault
Failure to
start

Cause
Open-circuit on starter resistance
(particularly in series motor circuit), Open
circuit on field circuit

Fuses on
starting

Short circuit on field circuit or short circuit

on armature circuit, Mechanical overload,
Seized bearings

Overheati
ng

Partial short-circuit field or armature

Mechanical overload, Armature coil shortcircuited

Sparking
Open-circuited, shorted, or earthed
at brushes armature coil, Wrong brush position, Motor
overloaded
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Dirty, or worn, commutator

Losses in D.C. Machines

There

are three types of loss in a d.c. machine:

1. Iron losses. These are losses arising in the
magnetic circuit of the machine and are of two
types: (a) eddy currents; and (b) hysteresis
losses.
2. Copper losses. These losses are due to the
flow of current through the copper conductors of
the motor and are sometimes termed I2R
losses'.
3. Mechanical losses. These are made up of:
(a) bearing friction; and (b) windage. This is a
friction loss due to the movement of the
armature through air.

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