INDEX

S. No. List of
Experiments
1 Magnetization characteristic of DC shunt generator
2 Load test on DC shunt generator
3 Load test on DC series generator
5 Hopkinson’s test on DC shunt machines
7 Speed control of DC shunt motor and Swinburne’s test on DC shunt motor

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 EXPERIMENT - 1
MAGNETIZATION CHARACTERISTIC OF DC SHUNT GENERATOR

AIM:

To determine the magnetization (open circuit) characteristics of DC shunt generator, the critical field
resistance and critical speed.

NAME PLATE DETAILS:

Motor Generator

Voltage Voltage
Current Current
Output Output
Speed Speed

CIRCUIT DIAGRAM:

Fig - 1.1 DC Shunt Motor - Shunt Generator Set

APPARATUS:

S.No. Item Type Range Quantity

1 Ammeter
2 Voltmeter
3 Rheostat
4 Tachometer
5 Connecting wires

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 PROCEDURE:

1. Choose the proper ranges of meters after noting the name plate details of the given machine and
make the connections as per the circuit diagram.
2. Keep the motor field rheostat (Rf) in the minimum resistance position.
3. Keep the generator field rheostat (Rf) in the maximum resistance position
4. Observe the speed of the generator using a tachometer and adjust to the rated value by varying the
motor field rheostat. Keep the same speed through out the experiment.
5. Note down the terminal voltage of the generator. This is the e.m.f. due to residual magnetism.
6. Increase the generator field current I f (ammeter) by gradually moving the rheostat for every value
and note down the corresponding voltmeter reading. Increase the field current till induced e.m.f is
about 120% of rated value.
7. Draw the characteristics of generated emf (Eg) versus field current (If)
8. Draw a tangent to the initial portion of O.C.C from the origin. The slope of this straight
line gives the critical field resistance and also calculates critical speed.

TABULAR COLUMN:

Field Current Generated Voltage

S No
(Amp) (Volts)

10

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 MODEL GRAGH:

Fig - 1.2 Magnetization Characteristics Curve

PRECAUTIONS:

1. Field rheostat of motor should be at minimum position

2. Avoid parallax errors and loose connections

RESULT:

PRE LAB VIVA QUESTIONS:

1. Under what conditions does the DC shunt generator fail to self - excite?
2. OCC is also known as magnetization characteristic, why?
3. How do you check the continuity of field winding and armature winding?
4. How do you make out that the generator is DC generator without observing the name plate?
5. Does the OCC change with speed?

POST LAB VIVA QUESTIONS:

1. Define critical field resistance.

2. How do you get the maximum voltage to which the generator builds up from OCC?
3. What does the flat portion of OCC indicate?
4. Why OCC does not start from origin?
5. Why is Rf > Ra in dc shunt machine?
6. How do you create residual magnetism if it is wiped out?
7. Why does the OCC differ for decreasing and increasing values of field current?

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 EXPERIMENT - 2
LOAD TEST ON DC SHUNT GENERATOR

AIM:
To conduct load test on DC shunt generator and to draw its external and internal characteristics

NAME PLATE DETAILS:

Motor Generator

Voltage Voltage
Current Current
Output Output
Speed Speed

CIRCUIT DIAGRAM:

20A

Fig - 2.1 DC Shunt Motor - Shunt Generator Set

APPARATUS:

S. No. Item Type Range Quantity

1 Ammeter

2 Voltmeter
3 Rheostats
4 Tachometer
5 Connecting wires

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 PROCEDURE:

1. Make the connections as shown in the circuit diagram. Keep the motor field rheostat in the
minimum position and the generator field rheostat in the maximum position at starting.
2. Start the MG set and bring it to the rated speed of the generator by adjusting the motor field
rheostat.
3. Adjust the terminal voltage to rated value by means of the generator field rheostat. Keep the rheostat
in this position through out the experiment as its variation changes the field circuit resistance and
hence the generated emf.
4. Put on the load and note the values of the load current, IL; terminal voltage, V and field current, I f at
different values of the load until full load current is obtained.
5. Calculate the armature current in each case: Ia = IL + If.

6. Measure the armature resistance by volt ampere method. Note down the voltage drop V a across the
armature for different values of current I passing through it. Armature resistance in each case is
calculated. Ra = Va / I., Ra (Hot) = 1.25 Ra. Take the mean of the values which are close together
as the resistance of the armature, Ra.
7. Calculate the generated e.m.f. E at each value of the load current. E= V+ Ia Ra.
8. Draw external characteristic, VT versus IL and internal characteristic, E versus IL.

TABULAR COLUMN:

S.No IL(Amp) IF(Amp) Ia(Amp) VT(Volt) E(Volt)

10

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 MODEL GRAPH:

Fig - 2.2 Internal and External Characteristics of DC Shunt Generator

PRECAUTIONS:

1. Avoid parallax errors and loose connections

2. Take care while using the starter.
3. The speed should be adjusted to rated speed.
4. There should be no loose connections.

RESULT:

PRE LAB VIVA QUESTIONS:

1. Why is the generated emf not constant even though the field circuit resistance is kept unaltered?
2. Find out the voltage drop due to full load armature reaction?
3. State the conditions required to put the DC shunt generator on load.
4. How do you compensate for the armature reaction?
5. What happens if shunt field connections is reversed in the generator?
6. The EMF induced in armature conductors of DC shut generator is AC or DC?
POST LAB VIVA QUESTIONS:

1. Specify the applications of DC shunt generators.

2. Differentiate between DC shunt Motor and DC shunt generator.
3. Which method is suitable for testing of high rating DC generator?
4. Why the terminal voltage decreases when load is increased on the generator?

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 EXPERIMENT - 3
LOAD TEST ON DC SERIES GENERATOR

AIM:

To obtain the external and internal characteristics of DC series generator by conducting load test.

NAME PLATE DETAILS:

Motor Generator

Voltage Voltage
Current Current
Output Output
Speed Speed

CIRCUIT DIAGRAM:

20A

Fig - 3.1 DC Shunt Motor - Series Generator Set

APPARATUS:

S.No. Item Type Range Quantity

1 Ammeter
2 Voltmeter
3 Rheostat
4 Tachometer
5 Connecting wires

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 PROCEDURE:

1. Choose the proper ranges of meters after noting the name plate details of the given machine and
make the connections as per the circuit diagram.
2. Keeping the motor field resistance minimum and the generator output terminals are open circuited,
give supply and start the motor - generator set.
3. Adjust the speed of the MG Set to the rated speed of the generator using the motor field rheostat
(Rf)
4. Note down the voltage due to residual magnetism on no load.
5. Run the DC series generator under rated load conditions and note down the terminal voltage and
load current by removing the loads slowly. ( but not no-load condition)
6. Measure the generator armature resistance Ra by drop method.
7. Calculate the generated emf E at each load from the relation, Eg = V+ I(Ra + RSe).
8. Draw the external characteristic, VT vs. IL and the internal characteristic, Eg Vs Ia on the same graph
sheet.

TABULAR COLUMN:

S. NO. IL(Amp) VT(Volt) Eg= (VT +IL(Ra + RS))

1
2
3
4
5

MODEL GRAPH:

Fig - 3.2 Internal and External Characteristics of DC series generator

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 PRECAUTIONS:

1. Don’t switch on the supply without any load.

2. Avoid parallax errors and loose connections.

RESULT:

PRE LAB VIVA QUESTIONS:

1. What are the applications of DC series generator?

2. To conduct the test on DC series generator, can we use any other prime mover other than DC shunt
motor?
3. Why DC series motor should not start without any load?
4. State the applications of the series generator.
5. State voltage builds up conditions of a series generator.

POST LAB VIVA QUESTIONS:

1. In what way does the series generator differ fundamentally from shunt generator?
2. Why does a series generator have rising characteristics?
3. Why the series generators will only built up when load switch is on?
4. Why the series generator used as voltage booster in transmission system

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 EXPERIMENT -4
HOPKINSON’S TEST ON DC SHUNT MACHINES

AIM:
To perform Hopkinson’s test on the given motor - generator set and determine the efficiency of both
motor and generator.

NAME PLATE DETAILS:

Motor Generator

Voltage Voltage
Current Current
Output Output
Speed Speed

CIRCUIT DIAGRAM:

APPARATUS:

S. No Item Type Range Quantity

1 Ammeter
2 Ammeter
3 Voltmeter
4 Voltmeter
4 Rheostats
5 Tachometer
6 Connecting wires

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PROCEDURE:

1. Make the connections as per the circuit diagram. Keep the motor field rheostat at minimum and
generator field rheostat at maximum resistance position and the switch K is in open position.
2. Start the motor - generator set slowly with motor starter and adjust the field rheostat of motor such
that the motor / generator rotate at rated speed.
3. Excite the generator by decreasing the generator field rheostat resistance until the voltmeter across
the switch reads zero, then close the switch K.
4. Load the generator in steps by decreasing the field rheostat resistance of the generator or by
increasing the field rheostat resistance of the motor.
5. Take the readings of all the meters for each load and measure the speed in each step.
6. Open the switch K and reduce the excitation of the generator by increasing the field rheostat of
the generator.
7. Switch off the supply to motor-generator switch.

TABULAR COLUMN:

S.No. V1(Volt) I1(Amp) I2(Amp) I3(Amp) I4(Amp) N(rpm)

1
2
3
4
5

CALCULATIONS:

I1 = line current of motor ; I2 = exciting current of motor

I3 = load current of generator. ; I4 = exciting current generator
Armature cu loss in generator Wag = (I3 + I4)2 Rag
Armature cu loss in motor Wam = (I1+ I3 - I2)2 Ram
Shunt cu loss in generator Wfg= VI4, Shunt cu loss in motor Wfm = VI2
Total power drawn from supply = VI1 = Total cu loss and Stray losses
Total stray loss for the set Ws= VI1 – [Wag + Wam + Wfg + Wfm ]
Stray losses of each machine = WS / 2

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Efficiency of motor:
Motor input Power = V (l1 + l3)
Armature Cu loss in motor = (I1+ I3 - I2)2 Ra
Output power = input power to Motor – (motor armature copper loss + Motor shunt field loss + Stray
loss)
= V (l1 + l3) – [(I1+ I3 - I2)2 Ram + Vl2 + Ws / 2]
Output power
% Efficiency = x 100
Input power
Efficiency of Generator:

Generator output power = VI3

Input Power = (Output power + Generator Armature copper loss + Generator Shunt field loss + stray
loss)
= VI3 + (l3 + l4)2 Rag + Vl4 + Ws / 2

Output power
% Efficiency = x 100
Input power

TABULAR COLUMN:

Motor:
Input Armature
Field cu Stray loss Output Input %
S.No Current Cu loss
Loss VI2 Ws / 2 Power power Efficiency
( I 1+ I 3 - I 2) ( I1+ I3 - I2)2 Ram
1
2
3
4
5

Generator:
output Armature
Field cu Stray loss Input Output %
S.No Current Cu loss
Loss VI4 Ws / 2 Power power Efficiency
I3 ( I3 + I4)2 Rag
1
2
3
4
5

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 MODEL GRAPH:
Plot the output versus efficiency curves for both the motor and the generator as shown below.

Fig – 5.2 Efficiency of Identical DC shunt machines

PRECAUTIONS:
1. Keep the motor rheostat in minimum position and generator field rheostat in maximum position.
2. Excessive care while closing the parallel switch K. The voltmeter must read zero across K which
is to be closed after it reads zero.
3. Check the position of the rheostat positions before stating the motor.
4. Before making or breaking the circuit, supply must be switched off

RESULT:-

PRE LAB VIVA QUESTIONS:

1. What are the advantages of the test?

2. Can you explain this test be applied to compound machines?
3. When two DC machines are paralleled as is done in this test, which machine acts as generator and
which machine acts as motor?
4. Hopkinson’s test on DC machines is conducted at ….load.

POST LAB VIVA QUESTIONS:

1. Hopkinson’s test is a...............test.

2. What are the disadvantages of this test?
3. What are heat run tests?

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 EXPERIMENT – 5

SWINBURNE’S TEST OF DC SHUNT MOTOR

AIM:
Pre - determine the efficiency and constant losses of a DC shunt machine by Swinburne’s method.

NAME PLATE DETAILS:

Motor

Voltage
Current
Output
Speed

CIRCUIT DIAGRAM:

Fig – 7.1 DC Shunt Motor

APPARATUS:

S. No. Item Type Range Quantity

1 Ammeter
2 Ammeter
3 Voltmeter
4 Rheostats
5 Connecting wires

PROCEDURE:
1. Choose the proper ranges of meters after noting the name plate details of the given machine and
make the connections as per the circuit diagram.
2. Keep the motor field rheostat (Rfm) in the minimum position, start the motor by closing the switch
and operating the starter slowly.
3. Run the motor at rated speed by adjusting the motor field rheostat.
4. Note down the voltage, no load current and field current.

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TABULAR COLUMN:

S. No V(Volt) ILo(Amp) Speed(rpm)

1

CALCULATIONS FOR SWINBURNS TEST

From the no load test results,
Supply voltage = VL Volts.
No load line current = ILo Amperes.
Field current= If Amperes.
Therefore No load Armature Current = Iao = IL-If Amperes.
Resistance cold = Rm
Effective resistance Re = 1.25 x Rm ohms.
No load copper losses are =Iao 2 Re
No load power input=VLIL
Constant losses = (No load power input - No load copper losses)--------------(1)
Efficiency as motor:
Efficiency=output/input = (input – total losses)/ input.
Where total losses = constant losses + variable losses.
Constant losses are known value from the equation (1)
Variable loss = I 2 R , where I = I -I
a e a L f

Input = VL IL.. VL is rated voltage of the machine

Assume line currents (IL) as 2, 4,6,----20A and find corresponding efficiency
Efficiency as generator:
Efficiency=output/input = output / (output + total losses).
Where losses = constant losses + variable losses
Constant losses are same for both motor and
Generator Armature Current = Ia = IL + IF
Variable loss = I 2 R
a e

Output power = VL IL . VL is rated voltage of the machine

Assume load currents (IL) as 2, 4, 6,----20A and find corresponding efficiencies

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TABULAR COLUMN:

As a Motor: Rated voltage VL = Rated speed N =

Output power
Input Power Constant losses Copper losses Total losses =
S.No IL = (input power 
(VLIL) Wconst. Wcu = I a2Re (Wcons.+Wcu)
– losses)
1
2
3
4
5

As a Generator: Rated voltage VL = Rated speed N =

Input power =
Out power Constant losses Copper losses Total loss =
S.No IL
(VLIL) Wcu = I a2Re (Wcons. + Wcu)
(output power+ 
Wconst.
losses)
1
2
3
4
5

MODEL GRAPH:

Fig – 7.2 Load Characteristics of DC Shunt Motor and Generator

PRECAUTIONS:
1. Run the motor at rated speed and rated voltage.
2. Avoid loose connections and parallax errors

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RESULT:

PRE LAB VIVA QUESTIONS:

1. Will the values deduced from the Swinburne’s method exactly coincide with the values realized by
direct loading on the machine? Why?
2. Why are the constant losses calculated by this method less than the actual losses?
3. Can we conduct Swinburne’s test on dc series motor?
4. What are the drawbacks of Swinburne’s test?

POST LAB VIVA QUESTION:

1. Why Swinburne’s is used to find efficiency of high rating motors?
2. How you can say that the wattmeter reading in the experiment is constant losses?
3. Why constant losses are constant irrespective of load?
4. Advantage of this test.

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