FM 55-509-1

CHAPTER 17

SINGLE-PHASE MOTORS

INTRODUCTION wired into the lighting distribution panels. The

light- ing distribution panels are the source for
Single-phase AC motors are the most single- phase power supply. The power
common motors built. Every home, workshop, distribution panels are the source of the three-
and vessel has them. Since there is such a wide phase power supply. For this reason, the single-
variety of these motors, it is impossible to phase motors are commonly connected to L1 and
describe all of them. This chapter will describe the L2, as shown in Figure 17-2.
most common types found on Army watercraft.
Figure 17-1 shows the basic schematic diagrams
for the single-phase motors.

Figure 17-1 shows four single-phase

motor diagrams. Diagram A shows the motor as
it will be seen on blueprints and general
layouts. It is con- cerned only with the
overall operation of the electrical distribution
system. Diagrams B and C show a more involved
internal wiring system indicat- ing two inductors and
three terminals. These diagrams are necessary to
understand the exact nature and function of
the single-phase motor. Refrigeration and
manufacturer’s wiring schematics also use
diagrams B and C to ensure a positive
troubleshoot- ing application.
Figure 17-3 shows a very basic one-line diag
of—ram the single-phase motor. Refer back
to this diagram as the operational
requirements of the
single-phase motor are discussed.
The single-phase induction motor is much
the same in construction as the three-phase
The basic diagram (view A) shows a circle motor. Some single-phase induction motors are
with two leads labeled T1 and T2. Just as in the also called squirrel cage motors because of the
three- phase motor diagram, the motor shows the rotor’s similarity to a circular animal exercise
power supply lines as being identified with the T. wheel. As discussed in Chapter 16, the squirrel
For most shore facility applications, this is the cage comprises the bars and shorting-rings that
case. In many cases, the single-phase motors on make up the rotor windings. The squirrel cage is
board a ship will be also considered the secondary wind- ings of the
motor (Figure 17-4).
17-1
FM 55-509-1

INDUCTION MOTORS
Despite the fact that the three-phase motor
has more phases than the single-phase motor, the
single- phase motor is a much more complex
machine. Several additional components are
necessary to operate the single-phase motor.
Single-phase motors have only two power
source supply lines connected. The single-
phase motor can operate off either the A-B,
B-C, C-A, A-N, B-N, or C-N power source
phases. The two- wire power supply can provide
only a single-phase alternating source (Figure
17-5). The individual single-phase current
arriving in the stator winding of the single-phase
motor does not have the same “revolving” effect
that the three individual phases of the three-
phase power supply provides. The magnetic
field developed by the single-phase cur- rent is
created in the stator windings and then is gone.
An entire cycle must be completed before
current is again available at the single-phase
motor stat or. This prevents the development
of the revolving field so easily obtained with
the three- phase power supply. The problem with
the single- phase motor is its inability to develop a
revolving field of its own accord. Without a
revolving field, torque cannot be developed, and
the rotor will never turn. With only one stator
winding, the single-phase motor can only produce
an oscillating magnetic field.
17-2
 FM 55-509-1

Figure 17-6 shows a main winding

separated into two coils. Each winding is wound
in a different direction. The importance of the two
different coil winding directions is to emphasize the
application of the left-hand rule for coils as
expressed in previous chapters. By winding the
wire in a different direc- tion, the polarity of
the coil face closest to the rotor can be changed.
By using one wire wrapped in two different
directions, the polarity of every other coil can be
changed.

Whenever current changes direction and a new

magnetic field is established in the stator, the induced
rotor magnetic field changes to the opposite
polarity of the stator coil directly across from it.
All the rotor can do is oscillate. Without some
force to twist or turn the rotor, no torque can
be developed.
A person examining this motor will hear a
dis- tinct hum. This is called an AC hum. It is
often heard coming from transformers or single-
When current flows in the main winding, phase motors that are not turning. If the soldier
the magnetic field is established throughout the physically turned the rotor shaft (not
wind- ings (Figure 17-6). Soon the current flow recommended) in either direc- tion, the rotor
stops and changes direction (Figure 17-7). With would start to move. The speed would continue
this change in current direction comes a to increase until it reached its normal
change in all the coil polarities. operating speed.
The magnetic field of the rotor is NOTE: Although certain motors, such
developed through induction in the same manner as fans, can be found to be started
as described for the three-phase induction physically by turning the rotor shaft,
motor rotor. The rotor bars and the shorting this action is not recommended.
rings have an induced EMF created in them, and Whenever a motor does not start of
a current flow develops. This current flow its own accord, it is because something
establishes a magnetic field of an opposite is wrong. If the motor has an electri-
polarity of the stator coil directly across from cal malfunction, it is not wise to
it. Unfortunately, there are no over- lapping touch the electrical components when
120-degree individual stator windings in this current is applied.
single-phase motor.
17-3
FM 55-509-l

As long as the rotor’s magnetic field is

slightly displaced from the magnetic field in the outermost winding, located next to the motor
stator, a torque can be developed. Slip will hous- ing. The term “run” is used only when
keep the rotor’s field slightly behind the stator’s the other winding is a start winding.
field. The difference in speed (relative motion) is
necessary to maintain the torque. Relative A start winding is in parallel with the
motion is necessary to induce the EMF into the run winding. The start winding receives
rotor to maintain the rotor’s mag- netic field. If current only during the initial starting period.
the soldier disconnects power and allows the Then it becomes disconnected from the power
rotor to stop, he again must provide the initial source. The start winding is the set of coils
movement to start the rotor. This is not an located nearest to the rotor (Figure 17-8).
acceptable condition for a motor.
Without the use of a three-phase
alternating current, an artificial phase
displacement must be established. If the stator
could only develop another current, slightly out of
phase from the original cur- rent, a revolving field
could be assimilated. This is the problem
encountered by single-phase induction motors. It
is also the area of greatest component failure
and maintenance requirements, In fact, the specific
names for induction motors represent the means in
which the revolving field is developed from a
single-phase power source.
There are a multitude of single-phase motor
combinations. This text will discuss only five basic
designs:
Split-phase (resistance-start).
Capacitor-start.
Permanent-capacitor. Main and Auxiliary Winding Set. The
term “main winding” is used to designate a
Two-capacitor. winding that receives current all the time the
motor is operating. The main winding is located
Shaded-pole. next to the motor hous- ing. The term “main” is
used only when the other winding is an
Single-Phase Motor Starting auxiliary winding.
An auxiliary winding receives current all the
In addition to the run or main winding, time the motor is operating. It is always in
all induction single-phase motors are equipped with parallel with the main winding. The auxiliary coils
an auxiliary or start winding in the stator. The are located closest to the rotor. By creating a
auxiliary or start winding overlaps the main or winding with better insulating properties and a
run winding. This provides the revolving field motor housing with better heat dissipation qualities,
necessary to turn the rotor. The terms are used in the auxiliary winding can remain in the circuit as
sets. The frost group is the run and start set. long as the main winding. This then increases
The second group is the main and auxiliary the motor’s running load capabilities.
winding set. Each group has a common terminal
connection. Common Connection. The auxiliary or
start winding is connected to the main or run
Run and Start Winding Set. The term winding through a connection called the
“run winding” is used to designate a winding that common. The auxiliary or start winding is in
receives current all the time the motor is in parallel with the main or run winding (Figure 17-
operation. It is the 9). Both the windings in
17-4
 FM 55-509-1

the motor use the same single-phase power Figure 17-12 shows how the start and run wind-
source. The common connection between the set of ings are in parallel with the same voltage
windings is necessary to complete the parallel source available to each.
circuit.
Current entering a node must divide
SPLIT-PHASE (RESISTANCE-START) between the two windings (Figure 17-13).
MOTORS Magnetism is a property of current. Forcing
current to arrive at one winding before it arrives at
the other winding would create the phase
Figure 17-10 is a basic one-line diagram of the difference necessary to create a torque.
split-phase motor. It shows the run and start winding
of the stator as well as the centrifugal switch (CS). The split-phase motor takes advantage of an
increased resistance in the start winding. This
The run and start stator windings are is done by merely making the start winding
con- nected in parallel. If you apply current wire a smaller diameter. Contrary to popular
to both windings and establish a magnetic beliefs, the higher resistance in the start winding
field simul- taneously, the rotor could do lets the current develop a magnetic field in the
nothing more than oscillate. Unless two or start winding before the run winding.
more slightly out of phase currents arrive in
different windings, torque cannot be achieved.
Every time current changed directions, the More current goes into the run
winding because there is less resistance in
magnetic polarities of the stator coils would the wire. The greater current in the run winding
switch as well. The induced rotor EMF and its generates a greater CEMF than can be developed in
result- ing magnetic field would also switch. No the start winding. This forces the run current to
torque can be produced. Something must be done lag voltage by about 50 degrees.
so that a given magnetic field in one winding can
happen at a slightly different time than in the other
winding, thus produc- ing a pulling or pushing The smaller current entering the start
effect on the established magnetic polarity in winding generates less CEMF. Power supply
the rotor. The would create motion. EMF quickly overcomes the start winding CEMF.
Start winding current lags voltage by about 20
degrees. This puts the magnetic field in the start
Figure 17-11 illustrates the run winding ahead of the run winding by about 30
winding (view A) and the start winding degrees (Figure 17-14).
(view B) as separate coils of wire. In view C,
the two coils are connected at a common
terminal. This is how the two windings are
placed in the circuit in parallel.

17-5
 In Figure 17-15, the start winding current
precedes the current arriving in the run winding. The
magnetic field develops in the start winding first.
A moment later, the start winding current
starts to diminish, and its magnetic field
decreases. As this happens, the current and the
magnetic field in the run winding is increasing.
The induced rotor EMF, resulting current
flow, and magnetic polarity remain the same. The
magnetic polarities of the rotor winding were first
developed under the start winding. Now the increas-
ing magnetic pull of the run winding, which is
dis- placed physically, attracts the rotor. This is
the phase displacement necessary for torque. The
direction of rotation will always be from the start
winding to the adjacent run winding of the
same polarity.
At about 75 percent of the rotor rated
speed, the centrifugal switch disconnects the start
winding from the power supply. Once motion is
established, the motor will continue to run
efficiently on the run winding alone (Figure 17-
16).

Centrifugal Switch

Many single-phase motors are not

designed to operate continuously on both
windings. At about 75 percent of the rated
rotor speed, the centrifugal switch opens its
contacts. It only takes a few moments for the
motor to obtain this speed. An audible click can
be heard when the centrifugal switch opens or
closes.
The centrifugal switch operates on the
same principle as the diesel governor flyballs.
Weights attached to the outside periphery of the
switch rotate with the rotor shaft (Figures 17-17 and
17-18). As the rotor shaft speed increases,
centrifugal force moves the weights outward. This
action physically opens a set of contacts in series
with the start winding.
17-6
 FM 55-509-1

Once the start winding is disconnected from

the circuit, the momentum of the rotor and the
oscil- lating stator field will continue rotor
rotation. If, however, the motor is again stopped,
the start wind- ing is reconnected through the
normally closed and spring-loaded centrifugal
switch. The motor can only develop starting
torque with both start and run windings in the
circuit.

Reversal of Direction of Rotation

The rotor will always turn from the start

wind- ing to the adjacent run winding of the same
polarity. Therefore, the relationship between the start
and run windings must be changed. To change the
relation- ship and the direction of rotation, the
polarity of only
17-7
FM 55-509-1

one of the fields must be reversed. In this

manner, only one field polarity will change, and
the rotor will still move toward the run winding of
the same polarity as the start winding. The
current entering the run winding or the current
entering the start winding must be reversed, but
not both. Figure 17-19 shows a schematic of the
reversal of the start winding.
If the main power supply lines, L1 and L2,
are switched, then the polarity of all the windings
will be reversed. This, however, will not change
the direc- tion of rotation because the polarity of
both the start winding and the run winding
reverses. The relation- ship between the start
winding and the run winding has not changed.
The rotor will still turn in the direction from the
start winding to the run winding of the same
polarity (Figure 17-20).

Split-Phase Motor Applications

Split-phase motors are generally limited to

the l/ 3 horsepower size. They are simple to
manufacture and inexpensive. The starting torque
is very low and can be used for starting small
loads only.

CAPACITOR-START MOTORS

Capacitor-start motors are the most

widely used single-phase motors in the marine
engineering field. They are found on small
refrigeration units and portable pumps. They
come in a variety of sizes up to 7.5 horsepower.
The characteristic hump on the motor frame
houses the capacitor (Figure 17-21).
The capacitor-start motor is derived from the
basic design of the split-phase motor. The
split- phase motor had a current displacement,
between the start and run winding, of 30
degrees with wire resistance alone. To increase
this angle and increase motor torque, a
capacitor can be added. The product of
capacitance can be used to increase the current
 FM 55-509-1
angles, or in other words, to increase the time
between current arrival in the start and current

17-8
winding can be eliminated by the centrifugal
switch. It is not necessary for this motor to
operate on both windings continuously.
arrival in the run windings. In capacitance,
current leads voltage.
The capacitor, unlike a resistor, does not
con- sume power but stores it so it can be returned
to the circuit. The combining of the inductive run
(current lagging) winding and the capacitive start
(current leading) winding would create a greater
current dis- placement. This would increase the
torque.

Capacitor Application

The capacitor is placed in series with the

start winding. Figure 17-22 shows a line diagram
of its position. Optimum torque can be
delivered if the current entering the run and
the start winding is displaced by 90 degrees.
With this in mind, and knowing an inductive
run winding current can lag voltage by 50
degrees, an appropriated capacitor can be
selected. A capacitor that can effectively produce a
current lead of 40 degrees would give the
optimum 90-degree displacement angle (Figure
17-23).
Once the motor has attained 75 percent of
its rated speed, the start capacitor and start
FM 55-509-1

PERMANENT-CAPACITOR MOTORS

The capacitor of the capacitor-start

motor improves the power factor of the electrical
system only on starting. Letting a capacitor
remain in the circuit will improve the electrical
power factor that was modified initially by the
use of a motor. The permanent capacitor is placed
in series with one of the windings. The two
windings are now called the main and auxiliary
(sometimes called the phase) windings. They are
constructed exactly alike. Both are left in the
circuit during the operation of the motor. A
centrifugal switch is no longer needed. Another
switch will let the capacitor be connected to either
the main or auxiliary winding. The advantage of
this is the comparative ease in which the capacitor
can be connected to the main or auxiliary winding
to

17-9
 FM 55-509-1

reverse direction of rotation. The capacitance TWO-CAPACITOR MOTORS

forces the current to lead the voltage in the
winding it is connected to. This means that the When additional torque is required to start
magnetic field is developed in the capacitor and keep a motor operating, additional capacitors
winding first. can be added. An excellent example is the
refrigeration compressor. A lot of torque is
Certain disadvantages become apparent. The required to start the motor when the compressor
permanent-capacitor motor is very voltage- it turns may be under refrigerant gas pressure.
dependent. How much current delivered to the wind- Also, the compressor may become more heavily
ing depends on the capacity of the capacitor and loaded during operation, as the refrigeration system
the system voltage. Any fluctuation in line voltage requires it. In this case, the high starting torque
affects the speed of the motor. The motor speed of the start capacitor motor and an increased
may be reduced as low as 50 percent by small phase angle while the motor is running are
fluctuations. Speed changes from no load to full needed to handle additional torque requirements.
load are extreme. No other induction motor
undergoes such severe speed fluctuations. Figure 17-24 shows the two-capacitor motor. It
is commonly referred to as the capacitor-
start/
FM 55-509-1

17-10 pa ter
cit mi
capacitor-run winding. The or na
motor. Notice that run capacitor is be ls.
the start capacitor now the only for
is in series with the capacitor in the e
auxiliary winding. motor circuit. tes
The centrifugal tin
switch is used to CAPACITORS g,
control the start re
capacitor in the m
The capacitor ov
same manner as it is the heart of most
did in the single-phase in
capacitor-start revolving field g,
motor. This motors. If the or
capacitor is used single-phase motor ser
only to develop fails to operate, vic
enough torque to always check the -
start the motor source voltage in
turning. first. Then check g
the fuses or th
The run circuit breakers. e
capacitor is If these areas are sin
connected in operable, check gle
parallel with the the capacitor. -
start capacitor. In Visually inspect ph
this manner, both the capacitor for as
capacitor cracks, leakage, or e
capacitances add bumps. If any of m
together to these conditions ot
increase the total exist, discard the or.
phase angle capacitor Th
displacement immediately. is
when the motor is is
started. Also, the do
run capacitor is C ne
connected in A by
series with the pr
U ov
auxiliary winding.
With the run T id
capacitor connected in
I g
in series with the
auxiliary winding, O a
the motor always co
N nd
has the auxiliary
winding operating, uc
A tiv
and increased l
torque is e
w pa
available. a th
ys be
At about 75 di tw
percent of the sc
rated motor speed, ee
h n
the centrifugal ar
switch opens and th
g e
removes the start e
capacitor from tw
a o
the auxiliary ca
 FM 55-509-1

W ll 120 times a electrostatic field,

ex second. The known commonly
A pl capacitor plates as static
R od change polarity
e from negative
N vi potential and
I ol positive potential
en rapidly, depending
N tly on the frequency
G d of the generated
ue voltage (Figure
Ne to 17-26).
ve ex
r ce Between the
co ss two capacitor plates
nn iv is an insulator called
ect e a dielectric. The
a vo dielectric can store
ca lt energy in an 17-11
pa ag
cit e. electricity. This is pulls the negative
or done in the electrons in the
to following manner: dielectric. The
a Capacitor The electrons in the negative polarity at
vo dielectric of the the other plate
lt- Operation capacitor are tightly pushes the dielectric
ag bound in their orbits electrons away. The
e A capacitor around the nucleus distorted electron orbit
so is not a of their atom. A has energy much like
ur conductor. positive polarity is that found in a
ce Current does not established in one stretched out spring.
gr pass through the capacitor plate by When the spring is no
ea device as it would virtue of the longer forcibly held in
ter a resistor or motor connection to the the extended position,
th winding (Figure positive ion it pulls itself back
an 17-25). Instead, terminal of the together (Figure 17-
th the capacitor must generator. A 27).
e depend on its negative polarity is
rat internal capacity to established in the The greater the
ed shift electrons. other plate of the circuit voltage, the
vo capacitor by virtue greater the difference
lta of the negatively in potential at the
ge
of The power
th supply voltage
e establishes a mag-
ca netic polarity at
pa each plate.
cit Remember, even
at AC generators
or establish a freed charged electrons
. polarity (or from the other capacitor plates. The
Ca difference in generator stronger the magnetic
pa potential) terminal. effects at the capacitor
cit throughout the plates, the greater
or distribution system. The positive the effect on the
s How- ever, the polarity at the electrons in the
wi polarity changes capacitor plate dielectric.
FM 55-509-1

When circuit in the

the voltage opposite
in the AC direction as
system is would have been
reduced, originally
before intended by the
changing its generator.
direction, the Because of this
mag- netic action, current
field decays, now arrives
and the before the
dielectric voltage of the
electrons are next comparable
pulled back voltage
into their direction.
original
orbits by Capacitor Inspection
their
nucleus. This
movement of The
dielectric internal
electrons condition of a
offsets all capacitor maybe
the other checked with an
electrons ohmmeter
throughout (Figure 17-29).
the capacitor Always consult
circuit (Figure the
17-28). This manufacturer’s
generates manuals or
the electron appropriate
flow technical
(current) manuals for
that is specific
required to information on
produce the the capacitor
desired being inspected.
magnetic Remove the
effects in capacitor from
motors. the motor and
Current flows disconnect it.
through the Always short the
 FM 55-509-1

If a spark occurs when testing capacitors

you short the with the
capacitor terminals,
this is a good
indication that the
capacitor is
serviceable and
maintaining its
charge.

C
A
U
TI
O
N
The
capac
itor
starti
ng
tool
shoul
d
have
17-12 an
insul
capacitor terminals before making a test. ated
hand
le.
The
ac-
tual
short
ing
bar
shoul
d be
high-
resist
ance
(15k
to
20k
ohm
s).
Consult the
meter manual to
determine the
correct range for
FM 55-509-1

ohmmeter. This is NOTE: capacitor means

usually a range that Digital that the plates of the
provides the highest meters capacitor have made
internal battery require contact with each
voltage from the some other and pass
ohmmeter. familiarit current readily. This
y before will be indicated by a
Connect the this test very low and steady
meter leads to the can be resistance reading on
terminals. Notice done the ohmmeter. A
the meter display. with a shorted capacitor
A good capacitor degree must be replaced.
will indicate of
charging by an confiden An open
increase in the ce. It capacitor means
display's numerical may that the distance
value. This indicates take a between the plates
that the capacitor is moment of the capacitor is
accepting the for the too far apart. The
difference in digital magnetic fields are
potential from the meter not close enough to
ohmmeter’s battery. to properly distort the
Once the display displ electrons and their
stops charg- ing, ay nucleus in the
remove the meter the dielectric. The
leads and corre ohmmeter will not
discharge the ct show a charging
capacitor (short readi condition. For
the terminals). ng example, when the
upon terminals of the
Reconnect the reco capacitor have
ohmmeter again, but nnec become
this time remove one tion. disconnected from
of the meter leads Pract the capacitor plates,
just before the meter ice there will bean
display would have with indication of infinite
indicated the kno or maximum meter
capacitor has wn resistance. The
stopped charging. goo capacitor must be
Remember the d replaced.
display reading. capa
Wait 30 seconds and citor
reconnect the s. 17-13
ohmmeter leads to
the same capacitor Shorted and Open
terminals. The
meter’s display Capacitors
should start off
with the value Capacitors
displayed before that are shorted or
removing one open will not
ohmmeter lead. If display a charge on
the meter returns to the ohmmeter. These
zero, this indicates meters will show
that the capacitor is either continuity or
unable to hold its infinity.
charge and must
be replaced. A shorted
 FM 55-509-1

Types of AC Motor Capacitors This type of damage can be easily avoided if

care is taken when installing replacement
There are two capacitors commonly found capacitors.
on single-phase motors: the start capacitor, which
has a plastic housing, and the run capacitor, Manufacturers mark the capacitor
which has a metal housing. terminal connected to the outermost foil.
General Electric uses a red dot. Cornell
The start or electrolytic capacitors are Dubilier indents a “dash.” Sprague points an
encased in plastic and have as much as 20 arrow to the problem terminal. When the outer
times the capacitance of the run capacitor. One foil fails and comes in contact with the capacitor
of the plates consists of an electrolyte of thick housing, a short to ground completes a circuit
chemical paste. The other plate is made of which bypasses the normal circuit protection. When
aluminum. The dielectric is an aluminum oxide this happens, the start winding can be
film formed on the aluminum plate surface. These destroyed. To prevent this casualty from developing,
capacitors cannot be operated continuously. connect the marked terminal to the “R” or
power supply line. Never connect the marked
Run or paper capacitors are generally terminal to the “S” (start) terminal.
used for the motor-running circuit in the
single-phase motor. These capacitors are DC Capacitors
encased in metal and made durable for
continuous operation. The inter- nal construction
is made of two or more layers of paper rolled The discussion on capacitors has been
between two layers of aluminum foil (Figure 17- directed toward the AC capacitor. Our field
30). technology, how- ever, spans decades of marine
engineering. For this reason, a few cautions are in
order for installing DC capacitors.
The DC capacitor is designed differently
from the AC capacitor. The DC capacitor must be
placed in the DC circuit in one position only.
Always con- nect the positive terminal of the
capacitor to the positive conductor in the DC
circuit. Connect the negative terminal in a like
manner to the negative conductor. Always
observe the polarity of the capacitor. The
terminals will be marked positive(+) and negative
(-). If the capacitor terminals are incor- rectly
connected in the circuit, the capacitor will be
ruined.

WARNING
Never connect the DC capacitor
in an AC circuit. If this is
done, the DC capacitor can
explode.

Capacitor Rating

Capacitors are rated by the amount of

current that results from the changing
AC Capacitors frequency of the generated voltage. Every
time voltage changes polarity, current is
The start winding of a single-phase motor displaced through the capacitor circuit. This
can be damaged if the run capacitor is shorted to action is a measurement of farads (F). A
ground. capacitor has a capacity (to displace electrons) of 1
farad when a current of 1 ampere (6.242 x 10 to
the

17-14
 FM 55-509-1

18th electrons per second) is produced by a the total capacitance of the circuit, add all the
rate of change of 1 volt per second. capacitors in parallel.
The farad is an extremely large value for Voltage is constant in a parallel circuit.
our motor applications. Most common motor This provides an equal positive potential at
capacitor ratings will be found in the every capacitor plate connected by a node. A
microfarad range. negative potential is also available at the other
plates of the other capacitors. In this manner,
The capacitance of a capacitor is determined the magnetic effects available from a difference
by its construction. The area of the capacitor plates in potential (volt- age) can be most effectively
as well as the dielectric material and thickness used to displace electrons in the dielectric.
deter- mine the capacity. Always select a capacitor
by the capacitance desired (farad rating) and the
voltage rating of the system.

Capacitor Characteristics

When two capacitors are connected in series,

the magnetic effects that distort the electron’s orbit
are further apart. Remember that distance
deter- mines the influence that can be exerted
by a mag- netic field. The capacitor is not a
conductor so that only the outermost capacitor
plates have a mag- netic polarity when they are
connected in series (Figure 17-31).

SHADED-POLE MOTORS
The shaded-pole motor does not use two wind-
ings to develop the torque necessary to turn the
rotor. Instead, the stator pole piece is divided
into two sections. One section has a copper
ring encircling the tip (Figure 17-33).
Alternating current enters the stator
winding field coil surrounding the stator pole.
A magnetic field is readily developed in the
stator pole portion without the copper ring.
This expanding magnetic field develops
The total capacitance of capacitors connected an EMF and resulting magnetic field in the
in series can be derived by using the product- squirrel cage rotor of the opposite polarity of the
over- sum method (as used for determining stator field that induced it. In other words, the
resistance in a parallel circuit). Notice that the stator pole might have been a north polarity, but
total capacitance is now less than the smallest by virtue of the property of induction, the
capacitor. polarity in the squirrel cage rotor winding
directly beneath the stator north polarity would
Capacitors connected in parallel are become a rotor pole of south polarity.
like adding extra storage batteries in parallel
(Figure 17-32). The voltage does not change, but
the current, or ability to move electrons, increases.
To determine
17-15
FM 55-509-1

remaining field
winding. collapse. The stronger magnetic
magnetic field field of the shaded-
By the time the developed in the cop- pole section. This is
magnetic field per ring collapses how torque is
finally be- comes first. This relative developed.
established in the motion of the
shaded-pole section of collapsing field helps Figure 17-34
the pole piece, the induce and sustain an shows the
current flow through
the field coil
encompassing the
entire pole piece has
stopped. The
shaded-pole section
has developed a
strong north pole. The
unshaded portion
weakens rapidly
because of the
elimination of
current in the field
coil.
While this is
happening, the
copper ring has EMF. The resulting
impeded the current flow and magnetic field
developing magnetic field are developed in the
magnetic field in momentarily unshaded portion of
the shaded-pole maintained in the the stator pole, the
section of the stator pole piece sur- field developed in the
pole piece. First, the rounded by the shaded stator pole
growing magnetic copper ring. section, and finally
field expands across the field developed in
the cop- per ring. The The property of the copper ring. All
copper ring is short- induction states that these things happen
circuited, like the induction opposes a very rapidly, but at
winding in an change in current. different periods in
induction motor This reluctance to time.
rotor, and an EMF is stop current flow
induced in the ring. maintains the Shaded-pole
An EMF is induced magnetic field longer. motors are low cost
into the copper ring but are not capable
(shaded pole) by the The south of developing enough
impeded, yet polarity developed in torque to turn large
expanding magnetic the rotor wind- ing equipment. Shaded-
field. Since the copper directly under the pole motors usually
ring is short-circuited unshaded portion of range from 1/ 500 to
a current ensues. With the pole piece is now 1/ 4 horsepower.
this shaded pole attracted to the
current, a magnetic
field is established. T
All of this takes time h
and inhibits the e
magnetic field from
developing, or s
decaying, during the h
same time as the a
 FM 55-509-1

d
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p t
o a
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a
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n h
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t i
s e
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m d
a
g t
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e
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d
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s
e
FM 55-509-1

CHAPTER 18

DIRECT CURRENT GENERATORS

INTRODUCTION Shims are often placed between the pole

pieces and the frame. These precisely measured
Chapters 18 and 19 provide a shims are used to maintain the air gap between
comprehensive compilation of nearly 40 years of the field poles and the armature windings. The
DC machines and procedures. The DC principles distance between the field poles and the
presented here are still valid and provide the armature must be properly maintained to allow
means for building the groundwork necessary to the magnetic field to induce an EMF into the
understand the DC marine electrical system. armature windings effectively. If the air gap is too
great, an acceptable armature output voltage is
Moreover, the vessels in prepositional fleets, impossible.
those in storage, and the tugboats and floating
cranes currently on station in the marine field Direct current is supplied to the field
require the use of this information. Army poles to establish a fried magnetic field. This
marine personnel, active and reserve, need to field never changes polarity under normal
understand the principles behind the operation operating condi- tions. Other coils of wire are
of their equipment. turned by a prime mover in the magnetic field
produced by the field poles. These coils of wire
BASIC DC GENERATORS are called the armature windings (Figure 18-
2).
Fundamentally, all electric generators
operate on the same principle, regardless of ARMATURE WINDINGS
whether they produce AC or DC. Internally,
all generators produce AC. If DC is required, a Armature windings are heavy copper
device to rectify, or change, the AC to DC is wires wrapped to form coils around a laminated
needed. The DC generators use a device called core. The coils of wire are completely insulated from
a commutator just for such a purpose (Figure 18- other coils and the laminated core. The coils of
1). The AC induced into the armature windings wire are also insulated their entire length to
is directed to a set of copper segments that, prevent turn-to-turn shorts or accidental grounds.
with the aid of the brushes, keeps current Each armature coil is connected to two copper
moving in a single direction. The commutator segments. Figure 18-4 shows the
commutator and brush assembly is a crude armature coils as A, B, C, and so on. Note that
but effective way to rectify the AC to DC each armature coil joins another armature coil at
(Figure 18-2). a commutator segment (1, 2, 3, and so on). The
brushes are shown inside the com- mutator
FIELD POLES segments to show their relative position only (refer
to Figure 18-4). The diagram would other- wise
A copper conductor is wound around a become too cluttered if the brushes were shown
metal core called a pole piece or pole shoe. superimposed over the armature windings.
Together, the coil of wire and the pole piece is
called the field pole and is bolted directly to the This entire assembly is called the
inside of the generator housing or frame. Field armature. Only the armature Windings are
poles are always found in pairs. Half of the total located within the magnetic field of the field
number of field poles become electromagnets with poles. The brushes and the commutator
the north polarity toward the center of the segments are located outside of the magnetic
generator. The other half of the total number of field pole influence.
field poles are electromagnets with their south
polarity toward the center of the generator. When a prime mover turns the armature,
Figure 18-3 shows a four-pole generator. an EMF is induced in the armature windings.
When an electrical circuit is connected to the
armature
 FM 55-509-1

18-1
windings, a current flow is developed. The current the current is channeled to brushes and out to
the developed in the armature windings goes to the distribution system.
commutator. From the commutator segments,

18-2
 FM 55-509-1

electromagnet to simplify the illustration. However,

it is assumed that the magnet is still in
position.
At the instant shown in view A of Figure 18-
5, the current in branch (a), which is moving
upward through the magnetic field, is flowing
toward the commutator. The current in branch
(b), which is moving downward through the field, is
flowing away from the commutator. When this
occurs, the polarity is negative on commutator
segment (a) and positive on segment (b). The
negative brush is in contact with segment (a), and
the positive brush is in contact with segment (b).
As the loop continues to turn, it arrives at
the position shown in view B of Figure 18-5. In
this position, the branches of the armature coil no
longer cut the magnetic field. The current in both
conduc- tors drops to zero because a difference in
potential no longer exists. In other words, both
segments (a) and (b) are at zero potential, and
no current flows through the generator or out
through the external load. During this period, the
two brushes bridge the gap between the
segments. As a result, the armature coil is short-
circuited on itself. However, since no current is
flowing, this condition is harmless.
As the loop continues to turn (view C of
Figure 18-5), branch (a) starts to move downward
through the magnetic field, and branch (b)
starts to move upward. As a result, the polarity
of commutator segment (a) changes to positive,
and segment (b) changes to negative. However,
the continued rota- tion has also brought segment
COMMUTATOR (a) into contact with the positive brush and
segment (b) with the negative brush. As a result,
The commutator is fundamentally a the positive brush develops a positive potential
reversing switch synchronized with the action of from branch (a), and the negative brush develops
the armature. Figure 18-5 shows how a a negative potential from branch (b). In other
commutator performs its work. The simple words, at the exact moment when current flow in
commutator shown here consists of a cylinder of the conductor loop is reversing, the com-
conducting metal split into two halves called mutator is counteracting the reversal in the
segments. One segment is connected to brushes. Current flow is always maintained in the
branch (a) of the armature coil, the other to same direc- tion throughout the circuit.
branch (b). These segments are separated from
each other by a space that provides insulation so The commutator is the basis of all DC
that the current generated in one branch does machines (generators and motors). In practice,
not short-circuit directly into the other. Two many arma- ture coils are used. Individual
stationary conductors called brushes make contact commutator segments are insulated by mica, and a
with the rotating com- mutator segments and commutator segment is provided for each
conduct the generated current from the armature coil lead. There is no difference in the
commutator to the point of application, called basic principles of the generator or the motor. For
the load. Figure 18-5 omits the field pole this reason, the term “machine” is often used to
identify both components when dealing in
generalities.
FM 55-509-1

Separately, each The brushes

of these magnetic are designed to
18-3 fields has its own short-circuit an
neutral plane. The armature coil when it
The DC ARMATURE neutral plane is the is located outside the
generator may supply area outside the influence of the field
electrical ship service REACTION influence of the poles’ magnetic field
loads or just charge magnetic fields. The (in the neutral
batteries. The Magnetic lines magnetic field of the plane). In this
generator is designed of force exist between field. poles alone manner, the
to incorporate its own two mag- nets. These show the neutral commutator will not
field poles as part of magnets represent the plane perpendicular be damaged by
the electrical load field poles. Cir- cular to the lines of flux excessive sparking
circuit. In this magnetic lines of (Figure 18-6 view A). because the armature
manner, the force exist around Current flow in the coils are not
generator can provide any current-carrying armature undergoing
for its own field conductor. These conductors (view B) induction. When
current in the current-carrying without the field brushes short-circuit
development of its conductors are pole flux present two segments that
magnetic field. representative of the produces a neutral have their armature
armature coils. plane parallel to the coils undergoing
lines of flux. In each induction, excessive
instance, the neutral sparking results, and
plane is located in the there is a proportional
same place and reduction in EMF
outside of the (voltage). In Figure 18-
magnetic fields. 6 view C, AB
illustrates the
Under normal original (mechanical)
operating conditions, neutral plane. If the
when both magnetic brushes were left in
fields exist, these this position and the
magnetic lines of neutral plane shifted,
force combine and several armature
become distorted windings would be
from their original short-circuited while
positions. The they were having an
neutral plane is EMF induced into
shifted in the direc- them. There would be
tion of generator a great deal of arcing
rotation. As long as and sparking.
there is motion and a Provided the
magnetic field, distribution current
current will be demands remained
induced into the constant, the brushes
armature windings. It could be moved to
is this current that the A’B’ position
produces the circular where the neutral
lines of force in the plane has shifted.
armature conductors. This would reduce
As current demands the amount of
change, so does the sparking at the com-
current flow in the mutator and sliding
armature. The brush connections.
varying armature coil
magnetic fields result However,
in various distortions constantly changing
of the neutral lane. current is the rule,
 FM 55-509-1

rather than the and motor. To reduce

exception for DC the effects of
machines. armature reaction,
DC machines use
The effects of high flux density in
armature reaction the pole tips,
are observed in both compensating
the DC generator windings, and
commutating poles.

18-4
FM 55-509-1

Pole Tip Reduced Cross-Sectional Area

The cross-sectional area of the pole tip is

reduced by building the field poles with
laminations having only one tip (Figure 18-7).
These laminations are alternately reversed when
the pole core is stacked so that a space is left
between alternate laminations at the pole tips.
The reduced cross section of iron at the pole
tips increases the flux density so that they
become saturated. The cross magnetizing and
demagnetizing forces of the armature will not
affect the flux distribution in the pole face to
as great an extent as they would at reduced
flux densities.
 FM 55-509-1

magni- tude and opposite in direction to

those of the armature’s magnetizing force. The
magnetomo- tive force of the compensating
winding therefore neutralizes the armature
magnetomotive force, and armature reaction is
practically eliminated. Because of the relatively
high cost, compensating windings are ordinarily used
only on high-speed and high-voltage DC machines
of large capacity.

Compensating Windings

The compensating winding consists of conduc-

tors imbedded in the pole faces parallel to the arma-
ture conductors (Figure 18-8). The winding is
connected in series with the armature and is arranged
so that the magnetizing forces are equal in

18-5
Commutating Poles voltages generated by
their fields cancel each
other between brushes of
Commutating opposite polarity.
poles, or interpoles,
provide the required
amount of neutralizing
flux without shifting the The commutating
brushes from their poles are also connected in
original position. series with the armature
Figure 18-9 shows the (Figure 18-9 view A). As
commutating or current increases in the
interposes located armature, with a resulting
midway between the increase in armature
main field poles. The reaction, the current
smaller interposes through
establish a flux in the
proper direction and
of suffi- cient
magnitude to produce 18-6
satisfactory commuta-
tion. They do not
contribute to the
generated EMF of
the armature as a
whole because the
FM 55-509-1

the placed on the current flow. If the load

commutating commutator in a Current in the current is 100
poles also position that coils will amperes, each
increases. short-circuits the reverse path will contain
Because these coils that are directions 50 amperes.
two fields moving through between the Thus, each coil
counteract the electrical right side and on the left side of
each other, the neutral plane. the left side the armature
variable arma- There is no of the carries 50
ture reaction is voltage generated armature. amperes in a
counteracted in the coils at that given
proportionally. time, and no
Small DC sparking direction, and segment 1 and less
machines each coil on the of segment 2.
may have right side of the When segment 2
only one of armature carries 50 leaves the brush,
these poles. amperes in the no current flows
opposite direc- from segment 2 to
COMMUTATION tion. The reversal the brush, and
of the current in a commutation is
Commut given coil occurs complete.
ation is the during the time
process of that particular coil As coil A
reversing the is being short- continues into the
current in the circuited by a position of coil B,
individual brush. For the induced EMF
armature coils example, as coil A becomes negligible,
and conduct- approaches the and the cur- rent in
ing current to negative brush, it is A decreases to
the external carrying the full zero. Thus, the
circuit during value of 50 amperes current in the coils
the brief occurs between which flows through approaching the
interval of time commutator and brush. commutator brush is reduced to
required for segment 1 and the zero during the
each There are left half of the brief interval of
commutator two paths for negative brush time it takes for
seg- ment to current through where it joins 50 coil A to move to
pass current the armature amperes from the position of
under a brush. winding. One coil C. coil B. During this
In Figure 18- current flow moves time, the flux
10, in the opposite At the instant collapses around
commutation direction of the shown, the negative the coil and
occurs armature rotation, brush spans half of induces an EMF
simultaneously starting at segment segment 1 and half of self-induction
in the two coils 9 and moving to of segment 2. Coil B which opposes
that are segment 2 through is on short circuit the decrease of
undergoing coils I to C. The and is moving cur- rent. Thus, if
momentary other current flow parallel to the field the EMF of self-
short circuit by moves in the so that its induction is not
the brush coil direction the generated voltage neutralized, the
B by the armature rotates, is zero, and no current will not
negative from segment 10 to current flows decrease in coil A,
brush and coil segment 1 through through it. As and the current in
J by the coils K to A. In rotation continues the coil lead to
positive brush. this example, the in a clockwise segment 1 will not
As mentioned arma- ture direction, the be zero when
previously, the maintains two negative brush segment 1 leaves
brushes are parallel paths for spans more of the brush. This
 FM 55-509-1

delay causes a spark GENERATORS d

to form between the A commutator
toe of the brush and with a brown film is .
the trailing edge of an indica- tion of DC generators
the segment. As the successful are classified
segment breaks commutation. This according to their
contact with the film should be field excitation
allowed to remain. To methods. There are C
brush, this action four common types
burns and pits the help finely adjust o
commutator. commuta- tion, a of DC generators:
small incremental m
The reversal of brush adjustment S
current in a coil is provided on the p
takes place very brush rigging. When e
rapidly. For dealing with a o
example, in an generator, the brush r
ordinary four-pole rigging may be u
generator, each coil moved to show the i
passes through the highest voltage reading n
process of with limited spark- e
commutation several ing. This is not a d
thousand times per normal maintenance s
minute. It is adjustment. Extreme
important that care must be
commutation be exercised. This w
done with as little adjustment should w
sparking as be done only by a o
possible. qualified individual. o
u u
The IEEE MULTIPOLAR
Recommended n n
Practice for Electric MACHINES
Installations on d d
Shipboard defines Generators
successful com- may have more than .
one pair of field .
mutation in the
following manner: poles used in Permanent
“Successful com- combination. This magnet
mutation is attained construction is (magneto)
especially advisable S
if neither the and exter-
brushes nor the on large generators nally
because it permits the h
commutator is excited
burned or injured in production of a given generators
voltage at a much u
an acceptance test; or used for
in normal service to lower speed. For special
example, to produce n
the extent that applicatio
abnormal a given volt- age, a
two-pole machine t ns.
maintenance is
required. The must be driven twice
presence of some as fast as a four-pole Series Wound
visible sparking is not machine and three Generator
times as fast as a six- w
necessarily evidence
of unsuc- cessful pole machine,
assuming equal pole o Figure 18-11
commutation.” shows the elements
strength in all cases. of a series wound
u
generator,
TYPES OF DIRECT n semipictorially in
CURRENT view A and
FM 55-509-1

schematically in view Figure 18-11, it is called producing current

B. The field winding series wound. One because there must be induced in its
of any generator commutator brush is a magnetic field coils. With no
supplies the magnetic connected to the before any voltage is field, there would
field necessary to external load through be no output from
induce a voltage in the a switch, the other the armature, and
armature. In most through a field with no output,
generators, this field winding. there would be
winding is supplied no field.
with electrical energy by However, an
the generator itself. If initial field is
the generator is sup- plied by
connected as shown in 18-7 residual
current flow through the magnetism. In a
field winding. The more theoretically per-
current there is in the field fect iron core of
wind- ing, the stronger the the field pole, the
magnetic field becomes magnetism would
(up to the point of disappear as soon
saturation) and the higher as the field was
the terminal volt age de-energized. But
becomes. If the load is the fact is that
made still heavier after even the best soft
the point of saturation is iron core retains
reached, there is a some of the
decided drop in voltage magnetism induced
due to internal resistance in previous
of the armature and the electrical
fields. operations. This
weak magnetic
The opposite is also field permits a
the case when the distribu- very small
tion system exhibits a high voltage (EMF) to
Suppose that the resistance, and current be built up across
generator is being the com- mutator
turned by the prime flow from the armature is
low. The current from the brushes without
mover. As long as the the aid of a
switch is open, no armature moves through
the series field winding separately ener-
current can flow gized field
through the field producing a negligible
magnetic field. The small winding. As soon
winding, and no as the voltage
generator voltage can magnetic field is not
sufficient to induce a begins to build up,
be built up. When the a very small
switch is closed, there satisfactory EMF into the
armature windings, and current flows
is a complete circuit through the field
through the load, and terminal volt- age also
reduces. The terminal winding and
any current produced by slightly increases
the generator armature voltage of a series
generator is greater at full the strength of
flows through the the magnetic field.
field windings and load than at no load. This
is the distinguishing This process goes
sets up the magnetic on until the
field necessary for characteristic of the
series wound generator. genera- tor has
the generator to built up to its full
produce power. In a rated voltage for
case of this kind, the Building Up Series the given load. In
heavier the load (the Field Strength. At first
glance, it would seem that practical
smaller the resistance a self-excited generator operation, in order
in the distribution could never get started to increase the
system), the greater the speed of buildup,
 FM 55-509-1

a direct short magnetic field that

circuit is often will initiate the
sub- stituted for buildup. As soon
the resistance of as the buildup
the load. This begins, the battery
makes the may be
beginning disconnected.
current much
higher than it Applying the
would nor- Series Generator.
mally be, and Series wound
the generator generators are of
field winding little use for
builds up its general power
full magnetic work. They are
strength principally used as
almost at once. boosters in long lines
and for test work in
Restorin laboratories. They
g Residual are rarely found on
Field. shipboard. They
Occasionally, have been
generators will discussed here only
be found that because their
will not build operation is
up an initial important in
EMF because under- standing
of some the principles of the
previous error widely used
that resulted compound wound
in neutralizing generators.
or reversing
the residual Shunt Wound Generator
magnetic field.
This could Figure 18-12
happen, for shows the principle
instance, if the of the shunt
direction of wound generator,
rotation had semipictorially in
been view A and
accidentally schematically in
reversed view B. In this type
during the of generator, the
previous run. field coil is
In this case, a connected directly
battery may be across the
connected to commutator
the field brushes. The
winding to armature and shunt
create the field are connected
necessary small in parallel.

18-8
FM 55-509-1

because of the small current in the armature and

field circuit. Voltage drop in the armature
equals the current through the armature multiplied
by the inter- nal resistance of the armature (E =
IR). With low armature resistance and low field
current, there is little armature voltage (IR) drop,
and the generated voltage equals the terminal
voltage.
With a load applied, the armature IR
drop increases but is relatively small compared
with the generated voltage. The terminal voltage
decreases only slightly provided the speed is
maintained at the rated RPM.
Loading is added to generators by
increasing the number of parallel paths across
the generator terminals. This action reduces the
total load circuit resistance. When electrical
loads are connected to the generator, the shunt
field stops operating like a series load to the
armature. Now that all the loads are connected
in parallel with the armature, the volt- age across
each load will remain relatively constant. If the
voltage can remain relatively constant in a
generator’s field, then there is sufficient force to
maintain a constant current flow through the field
windings. As long as the field is constant, then
In practical machines, the shunt winding the armature-induced EMF can be constant.
is usually provided with a series-connected
variable resistance or field rheostat as shown in
view A. This permits the strength of the field to be Since the terminal voltage is
varied to com- pensate for changes in load. approximately constant with the shunt field
generator, armature current increases directly
with the load. Since the shunt field acts as a
Inherent Regulation of the Shunt separate parallel branch circuit, it receives only a
Generator. Internal changes, both electrical and slightly reduced voltage, and its field current does
mechanical, that occur in a generator not change to any great extent. Thus, with low
automatically with load change give the armature resistance and a relatively strong field,
generator certain typical charac- teristics by there is only a small variation in terminal volt-
which it may be identified. These internal changes age between no load and full load.
are referred to as the inherent regulation of the
generator.
External Voltage Characteristics. Curve A of
At no load, when the generator is Figure 18-13 shows a graph of the variation in ter-
disconnected from the distribution system, the minal voltage with load on a shunt generator. This
armature current equals the field current. This is curve shows that the terminal voltage of a
because the shunt field is the only electrical shunt generator falls slightly with increase in
load in the generator’s circuit. In Figure 18-12 load from no-load to full-load condition. It also
view B, the armature current flows through the shows that with heavy overload the terminal
shunt field winding. The winding is actually in voltage falls more rapidly. The shunt field current
series with the armature winding at this time. The is reduced, and the magnetizing effect of the
shunt field winding has a relatively high field falls to a low value. The dotted curve A
resistance, and armature current is kept low. indicates the way terminal volt- age falls beyond
The voltage dropped in the armature is kept low the breakdown point. In large gen- erators, the
as well breakdown point occurs at several times the rated
load current. Generators are not designed to be
operated at these large values of current.
 FM 55-509-1

18-9
 Buildup of Shunt Field Strength. Since the
shunt field winding is connected directly series with the armature circuit. These coils
across the commutator brushes, it is unnecessary are mounted on the same poles on which the
to short- circuit the field externally to make the shunt field coils are mounted and therefore
generator build up to the required voltage. contribute a mag- netic field that influences the
Otherwise, it is built up in the same manner as the total magnetic field of the generator. Figure 18-14
series wound generator. The initial residual schematically shows a compound wound
magnetic field induces an EMF into the armature generator of the type known as a long shunt,
when the armature is turned by the prime mover. semipictorially in view A and schemati- cally in
The initial armature output is returned to the view B.
residual magnetic field strength until a suffi- cient
EMF can be induced and a suitable current can be
applied to the loads.
Applications. With reasonable loading,
the shunt generator may be perfectly stable.
However, it can be used in practical work only
where it can be known in advance that the
load will not be increased to the point where
the voltage drop becomes intolerable. Shunt
generators are there- fore ordinarily used only
where the load is completely predictable, and the
generator can be selected to carry that load
without serious voltage drop. Shunt wound
generators are not widely used on shipboard
because shipboard power circuits make widely
varying demands on the power supply system. They
are covered here because an understanding of
them is needed to understand compound wound
generators.

Compound Wound Generators

The compound wound generator uses both the The shunt winding tends to have a drop
series and shunt fields. The series field coils are in terminal voltage with an increase in load,
made of a relatively small number of turns of and the series winding tends to have a
large diameter copper conductor, either terminal voltage increase with a load.
circular or rec- tangular in cross-section area, and Compound windings combine
are connected in
18-10
FM 55-509-1

the virtues and cancel out the faults of the Start another, properly operating generator.
series and shunt generators. Within reasonable
limits, the compound generator will deliver a Place the properly operating generator on
constant voltage varying from practically no line.
load to its full-rated capacity. Beyond its rated
capacity, voltage will drop seriously. Most
generators are so designed that they may be
overloaded as much as 25 percent for short periods
without serious effects. However, no genera- tor
should be expected to run at any great amount
over its rated capacity.
Flashing the Field of Compound Generators.
Flashing the field of an Army marine
compound generator requires special
consideration. The brushes must be lifted or
insulated from the com- mutator before battery
voltage is applied to the field windings. If this is
not done, a short circuit condition will result.
Since the armature has very little resis- tance,
maximum current will flow from the battery
through the armature. If the voltage source is
suffi- cient, the generator would develop a torque
and turn.
Flashing the field with a battery creates another
problem with old equipment. Identifying the genera-
tor cable field polarity markings may be
impossible. If battery voltage is applied in an
improper manner, then the generator will
develop a voltage that prevents paralleling. This is
readily observable at the switchboard. The field
polarity will be reversed when the generator is
started, and the voltmeter needle deflects in a
way to indicate less than zero voltage. This is
the only way the generator voltmeter can
illustrate the reverse current flow from the
generator terminals. To stop the generator and
flash the fields in the opposite manner, apply the
opposite polarity combination from the battery to
the field terminals.

In extreme cases, flashing the field of

Army marine DC generators may be done in this
manner:
Secure the generator, and disconnect
it from the bus.
Insulate all the brushes from the commuta-
tor segments. Place 3 x 5 cards
between the brushes and the
commutator.
Do not start the generator to be
flashed.
 FM 55-509-
1
means that whatever diameter, but long in
Temporarily close the switchboard current is developed length.
circuit breaker of the generator to in the armature must
be flashed, connecting it to the go through the series When it becomes
switchboard bus. windings first before necessary to identify
it is supplied to the these two windings,
Open the circuit breaker, electrical distribution an ohmmeter can be
disconnecting the flashed system. For this used. The large
generator from the reason, the series diameter series winding
switchboard bus. field is of a very should have a very low
large diameter, resis- tance. The small
Remove the 3 x 5 cards. low-resistance diameter shunt
conductor. winding should have
Operate the flashed generator a much higher
normally, and observe the voltmeter The shunt field, resistance. Figure 18-
needle deflection. in parallel to the 16 shows how these
armature, is a very windings are marked
Avery short time is required when flashing fine winding. Only a in the line diagram.
the generators field. Modern electrical texts small portion of the
recom- mend a 30-second flashing period, arma- ture current
maximum. How- ever, these texts are not unit goes through the Stabilized Shunt.
specific. Always consult the applicable shunt winding. To Many of the DC ship
technical manual. make up for the small service generators
current and a found on Army
Short and Long Shunt. In the short shunt subsequent small watercraft are
gen- erator shown in Figure 18-14, the shunt field magnetic field, the identified as stab
is con- nected directly across the commutator shunt field has a shunt. The stabilized
and does not receive its current through the multitude of turns. shunt generator is a
series field. The long shunt generator (Figure 18- The increased turns form of compound
15) has a shunt field con- nected to one improve the total generator. The
commutator and what might be called the far strength of the shunt independent
end of the series field winding. Long shunt magnetic field. The significance of the
machines are usually used on shipboard. shunt field winding is stabilized shunt
extremely small in indicates that there

18-11
Series and a very high electrical
Shunt Field load (very little
Comparison. The resistance), then the
armature develops induced current will
the current required be very high in the
by the dis- tribution armature. The series
system. If the field is in series with
distribution system has the armature. This
FM 55-509-1

are just enough series The following

winding turns to generator is called are descriptions of
prevent unwanted over-compounded. under-, flat-, and
voltage fluctuations If the two fields are over-compounding:
within the rated equal in strength,
capacity of the the machine is Under-
shunt generator. called flat- compound
compounded. If the ing - very
Over-, Flat-, and shunt field few series
Under- characteristics are winding
Compounding. Com- dominant over the turns. Full-
pound generators series field load
may be so characteristics, the voltage is
constructed that machine is called less than
either the shunt or under- no-load
the series field compounded. For voltage.
characteristics are most work, flat- Shunt field
dominant or equal. compounded charac-
If the series field generators are teristics are
characteris- tics desirable. They may prominent.
prevail over the shunt be used over a See Figure
field characteristics, wide range of 18-17.
the loading without
serious fluctuations in Flat-
voltage output. Over- compoundi
compounded ng - no-
generators are load
sometimes used in voltage and
in- dustry to full-load
compensate for long voltage are
line losses but are the same.
unnecessary on
shipboard. Under- Over-
compounded compoundi
generators are ng - many
sometimes used series
where a decrease of winding
voltage with turns. Full-
added load is load
desirable. voltage is
greater
than no-
load
voltage.
Series field
charac-
teristics
are
prominent
.
 FM 55-509-
1

Diverter. A
variable resistor is
connected in shunt
(parallel) with the
series field to adjust
the degree of
compounding.
This device is
called a diverter
and actually controls
the full-load voltage
characteristics of
the generator.

18-12
FM 55-509-1

Figure 18-18 shows the diverter rheostat The preceding two examples are the extreme
in shunt with the series field. View A shows the conditions. It is the intent of the operator to
series field operating at maximum current adjust the diverter for the most stable voltage
because the shunt rheostat is adjusted for full condition under the immediate electrical load
resistance. This means that minimum current demands of the distribution system. Adjusting the
goes through the rheostat, and maximum diverter between these two extremes provides the
current goes through the series field. View A voltage regulation characteristics necessary for
illustrates a compound genera- tor adjusted for an operating the generator at or near full-load
over-compounded condition. In this situation, the conditions (view B).
generator is designed for a greater voltage at full
load than at no load. The maximum resistance Applications. The compound wound genera-
position compensates for extreme changes in tor is commonly used for shipboard DC power. It
current demands. A drop in voltage, under is versatile and will stand a wide variety of loads.
extremely high current demands, is prevented. This is particularly important on cargo ships as the
loading from a single winch, for example, may
vary from half the capacity of the generator when
the winch is hoist- ing to what might be
considered less than zero when the winch is
lowering a load.

DIRECT CURRENT GENERATOR CONTROL

Speed Control of Generator Output

Since for a given load the output of a

DC generator is approximately proportional to the
speed at which it is driven (assuming
constant field strength), it is possible to
control the output by varying the speed.
However, most diesel generators are designed to
be run at a certain constant speed most suitable
for their construction. Therefore, speed control
of generator output is seldom satisfac- tory
except in specialized applications, such as
propulsion generators.

Field Strength Control of Generator Output

For a given load, the voltage output of

any generator is proportional to the field strength
of its field poles. The most practical way to
regulate gen- erator voltage is to control the
field strength. This may be done by placing
resistances in series with the shunt field winding,
by placing resistances across the series field
winding, or by tapping a winding so that any part
or all of it may be included in the circuit as
desired.
View C illustrates the diverter adjusted for
the under-compounded condition. The rheostat
is adjusted for minimum resistance. Most of The most practical method of varying
field strength is by inserting a variable resistor or
the current bypasses the series field, and the rheostat in series with the shunt winding of a
genera- tor operates with the characteristics compound gen- erator or in the only winding of
of a shunt generator. the simple shunt generators. Figure 18-19 view A
shows the circuit of a simple shunt generator.
View B shows the circuit of a compound
 FM 55-509-1

generator. Since the shunt generator, the voltage is

adjusted by a rheostat of the generator. All
in series with the Army marine
shunt field. When the generators have this
18-13 resistance is control. As the
increased in the electrical
rheostat, current in distribution system
the shunt field is requires the
reduced. With a generator to
reduction in shunt produce more and
field current, a more current, the
decrease in EMF generated voltage
results. The drops lower and
generator now lower. This voltage
produces less volt- drop must be
age. If the shunt manually com-
field resistance is pensated for by
reduced, the adjusting the shunt
generated voltage field rheostat.
increases. Figure

when lightly loaded,

tends to deliver a higher
voltage than it does as
the load increases, it
is ordinarily started
with a large value of
resistance in series
with the shunt
winding. This keeps
the voltage down to a
normal value. As
loading is increased, to bring the voltage of 18-20 shows the
the operator cuts the compound rheo-stat in series
more and more of generator up to a value with the shunt CRITICAL FIELD
the resistance out of suitable to connect it field. The shunt field RESISTANCE
the circuit. At across the switchboard adjusts the no-load
maximum load, the bus when it is to be voltage
paralleled with another There are many
remaining shunt field reasons why a
resistance is very low. generator.
generator will fail to
This method of control buildup the required
is also used with the voltage. Although it
compound wound NO-LOAD is not the object of
generator, as shown in VOLTAGE this manual to be a
view B. It is used not troubleshooting text,
so much to CONTROL it is prudent to
compensate for wide mention a common
voltage variations with When a field-related problem
loading, but ordinarily generator is started, encountered in this
FM 55-509-1

area. broken field connection

increases shunt field
When resis- tance.
resistance is placed Corrosion and
in series with the deterioration on
shunt field, the our prepositional
voltage produced by fleets will also
the generator is become a problem.
decreased. When a Oxidation on
certain resistance electrical connections,
value is reached, it terminals, and
becomes impossible rheostat windings
to generate enough will increase the
voltage to operate resistance in the
electrical shunt field. Always
components. This is inspect the shunt field
known as the critical control- ling circuit
field resistance. A when the correct
bad rheostat or voltage value cannot
be reached.

18-14
 FM 55-509-
1

OPERATION OF GENERATORS IN PARALLEL Suppose that generator 1 in Figure 18-21

is already online and is delivering to the bus its
Whenever the current load is more than can normal electromotive force of 120 volts and its
be carried by a single generator, the problem full-rated current of 100 amperes. If the load
may be solved by operating two or more is increased, it will be necessary to start
generators as a single unit. This is called generator 2 to prevent generator 1 from
paralleling generators. becoming disconnected from the distribution
system by its own circuit breaker. Figure 18-
Figure 18-21 illustrates the simple 21 shows generator 1 as connected in the circuit
circuit required for operating compound and delivering power to the line. If the load is to
generators in parallel. It is necessary to watch be increased, it will be necessary to bring
the voltage and amperage much more closely generator 2 up to speed so that its voltage will be
when generators are operating in parallel to correct before connecting it into the line with
prevent troubles that might occur if one generator 1. For this reason, switch 2 is not
generator were to take more than its share of closed until generator 2 has been brought up to
the load. Paralleled generators need to divide speed. When constant speed has been reached
the current equally between them. If they do not, and generator 2 is at operating temperature,
the dominant generator will pick up more and generator 2 must have its shunt field rheostat
more current from the other generator. Eventually, adjusted so that its voltage is about 1 to 5 volts
and without any protective devices, the dominant higher than generator 1.
generator will try to motorize the unloaded gener-
ator. Because of the like internal resistances of If the voltage of generator 2 were
the generators (the maximum power transfer adjusted to the same voltage as generator 1 and
theory), current flow will become excessive, and then they both were connected to the bus, generator
damage will occur. The reverse current relay 2 voltage would decrease. The reduction in
is designed to prevent one generator from trying generator 2 voltage would result because of the
to motorize the other generator. addition of an electrical load. Generator 1 would
have an increase in terminal
FM 55-509-1

Close the
circuit The
18-15 breaker for generators are
generator 2, paralleled. To
voltage because of the and adjust connecting secure a generator,
reduction in its the voltage it to the follow the
electrical load. if bus. sequence below.
Generator 1 would necessary.
start to take more and Monitor Slowly
more of the electrical both increase the
Close the voltage on
load from generator distribution generator
2. Generator 2 could circuit ammeter the genera-
eventually become a breakers, and gauges. tor you
load itself, and increase the Adjust the want to
generator 1 may even load on the amperage remain on
try to drive it as a generator. equally for line, and
motor. Basically DC Watch the each gen- slowly
genera- tor voltage and erator by decrease the
paralleling is quite amperage turning the voltage on
simple. meters. voltage the
Adjust control generator
voltage as rheos- tats that is to be
To place one secured
required. slowly.
generator on with the
line – voltage
To parallel control
Start generators – rheostat.
generator Watch the
1 first. Start ammeter
Bring it up generator 2. gauges as
to operating Bring it up the load is
speed and to operating transferred
warm it up, speed and to the
according to warm it up, 18-16 generator to
its according remain on
technical to its line. Ensure
manual. technical the voltage
manual. stays at 120
Close volts.
Close
generator 1 When the
generator 2 amperage
disconnect
disconnect reaches
switch. about 5
switch.
amperes on
Adjust the the
voltage Adjust the generator
rheostat of voltage
rheostat on to be
generator 1 secured,
to 120 generator 2
for 121 open that
volts. generator’s
volts to
125 volts (1 circuit
Close the breaker,
circuit to 5 volts
higher dis-
breaker, connecting
and place than the
generator it from the
gener- ator bus.
1 on the on line).
bus. Check Recheck
 FM 55-509-
1

and in lieu of
adjust the the
voltage informatio
on the n lost to
power- antiquity.
generating
generator. NOTE:
Ensure that Maintena
you have nce and
not repair
exceeded pro-
the current cedures of
rating of the DC
that motor and
generator generator
. can be
found in
Open the TM 5-764,
off-line Electric
generator Motor and
disconnect Generator
switch. Repair,
dated
Secure September
the 1964.
generator
prime
mover as
required.
NOTE:
Just as
when
dealing
with
any
other
compo
nent,
always
check
the
manuf
acturer
’s
manua
l or
technic
al
referen
ces for
specifi
c
inform
ation.
The above
procedure
has been
provided