Overview Now that we have a good understanding of de generators, we can begin our study of de motors. Direct-current motors transform electrical energy into mechanical energy. They drive devices such as hoists, fans, pumps, calendars, punch- presses, and cars. These devices may have a definite torque-speed characteristic (such as a pump or fan) ora highly variable fone (such as a hoist or automobile). The torque-speed characterstc of the motor must be adapted to the type of the load it has to drive, and this requirement has given rise to three basic types of motors: 1. Shunt motors 2. Series motors 3. ‘Compound motors Direct-current motors are seldom used in ordinary industrial applications because all electric uilly systems furish alternating current. However, for special applications such as in steel mils, mines, and electric trains, itis sometimes ‘advantageous to transform the alternating eurrent into direct current in order to use de motors, The reason is thatthe torque- ‘speed characteristics of dc motors can be varied over a wide range while retaining high efficiency. Today. this general Statement can be challenged because the availabilty of sophisticated electronic dives has made it possible to use alternating ‘current motors for variable speed applications, Nevertheless, there are millions of de motors stil in service and thousands more are being produced every year. Table of Contents 4, Counter-electromative force (com!) 2. Acceleration ofthe motor 43. Mechanical power and torque 4. Speed of rotation 5. Armature speed contro! 6. Buy the Book 4. Countrsactromtive ore (cami) Direct-current motors are built the same way as generators are; consequently, a de machine can operate ether as a motor or as a generator. To illustrate, consider a de generator in which the armature, initaly at rest, is connected to a de source E, by means of a switch (Fig. 6.1). The armature has a resistance R, and the magnetic field is created by a set of permanent magnets. [As soon as the suitch is closed, a large current flows in the armature because ils resistance is very low. The individual ‘armature conductors are immediately subjected to a force because they are immersed in the magnetic field created by the permanent magnets. These forces add up to produce a powerful torque, causing the armature to rotate.aevvozate De Mit stusson, pt sores Figure 5.1 Starting @ de motor across the ‘On the other hand, as soon as the armature begins to tur, a second phenomenon takes place: the generator effect. We know that a voltage Es induced in the armature conductors as soon as they cut a magnetic field (Fig. 5.2). This is always true, no matter what causes the rotation. The value and polarity ofthe induced voltage are the same as those obtained when the machine operates as a generator. The induced vollage E, Is therefore proportonal tothe speed of rotation n of the motor and tothe fluxF perpole, as previously given ay Eq, 4.1 E, = ZnF/60 (4.1) ‘As in the case of a generator, Z is a constant that depends upon the number of tums on the armature and the type of winding, For lap windings Z is equal fo the number of armature conductors, In the case of a motor, the induced voltage Eis called counter-lectromatve force (cemt because its polarity always acts against the source voltage E.. It acts against the voltage inthe sense that the net voltage acting in the series circuit of Fig. 6.2 is equal to (E, eo) volts and not (E, +E) vats. Figure 5.2 Counter-electromotive force (cemf) in a de motor. ‘The net voltage acting n the armature circuit in Fig. §.2is (E,- E,) volts. The resulting armature current is imited only by the armature resistance R, and so 1s (E.- EIR (6.1) When the motors at rest, the induced voltage E, = 0, and so the starting current is I=EJR‘The starting current may be 20 to 30 times greater than the nominal ful-foad current ofthe motor. n practice, this would cause the fuses to blow or the circut-breakers to trip. However, if they are absent, the large forces acting on the armature conductors. produce @ powerful stating torque and a consequent rapid acceleration of the armature, [As the speed increases, the counter-omf E, increases, withthe result thatthe value of (E, —E,) diminishes. I follows from Eq. 6.1 that the armature current / drops progressively as the speed increases. ‘Although the armature current decreases, the motor continues to accelerate until itreaches a definite, maximum speed. At no- load this speed produces a counter-emf slightly less than the source voltage E,. In effect, f £, were equal to E the net voltage (E,— E,) would become zero and so, too, would the current J. The driving forces would cease to act on the armature Cconcluctors, and the mechanical drag imposed by the fan and the bearings would immediately cause the motor to slow down. [As the speed decreases the net voltage (E, — Es) increases and so does the current /. The speed will cease to fall as soon as the torque developed by the armature current is equal tothe load torque. Thus, when a motor runs at no-load, the counter-omt must be slightly less than E, so as to enable a small current to flow, sufficient o produce the required torque, Example 5-1 ‘The armature of a permanent-magnet de generator has a resistance of 1 9 and generates a voltage of 50 V when the speed is 1500 rimin, Ifthe armature is connected to a source of 160 V, calculate the following: 2. The starting current ©. The counter-emf when the motor runs at 1000 rimin. At 1460 r/min ©, The armature current at 1000 r/min, At 1480 rimin