Experiment 5 Lab Manual

American International University- Bangladesh

Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering
EEE2208: Electrical Machines 1 Laboratory

Title: Study of DC Series Motor

Introduction:

A DC series motor is a DC machine that can convert electrical energy into mechanical
energy. It is run by DC input and the field resistance is connected in series with the armature
thus it is called a series motor. A dc series motor has a high starting torque as the field
resistance gets the full armature current through it. Due to this reason It can move large shaft
loads.

The objectives of the laboratory work are:

1. To study the torque vs speed characteristics of a series connected dc motor and

2. To calculate the efficiency of the series-connected dc motor.

Theory and Methodology:

In the series motor, the magnetic field is produced by the same current which flows through
the armature winding, with the result that the magnetic field is weak when the motor load is
light (the armature winding draws minimum current) and strong when the load is heavy (the
armature winding draws minimum current) and strong when the load is heavy (the armature
winding draws maximum current). The armature voltage is nearly equal to the supply lone
voltage (just as in the shunt-connected motor if we neglect the small drop in the series field.
Consequently, the speed of the series-connected motor is entirely determined by the load
current. The speed is low at heavy loads, and very high at no load. In fact many series motors
will, if operated at no load, run so fast that they destroy themselves. The high forces
associated with high speeds cause the rotor to fly apart, often with disastrous results to people
and property nearby.

The torque of any dc motor depends on the product of the armature current and the magnetic
field. For the series connected motor this relationship implies that the torque will be very
large for high armature currents, such as occur during start-up. The series motor is, therefore,
well adapted to start large heavy-inertia loads, and is particularly useful as a drive motor in
electric buses, trains and heavy-duty traction applications.
Torque is a force that produces or tends to produce rotation. It can be addressed as turning or
twisting force. The speed of a motor is usually measured with revolution per minute RPM.
The torque Vs speed characteristics is also known as mechanical characteristics. Figure 1
shows the relation between the torque and the speed of a DC series motor.

© Dept. of EEE, Faculty of Engineering, American International University-Bangladesh (AIUB) 1

 Experiment 5 Lab Manual

Fig. 1: Torque vs Speed Curve

The experimental method is to vary the torque at some predefined values and then observe
the shaft speed obtained at that torque. The speed is measured in RPM with the help of a
tachometer.

Pre-Lab homework:

1. Study DC motor characteristics and draw three diagram i) Torque Vs Speed

characteristics ii) Armature current Vs Speed characteristics iii) Armature current Vs
Torque characteristics.
2. Briefly explain how to measure efficiency of a DC series motor.

3. Calculate the power developed by the series-connected dc motor when the torque is
1.2 Nm. Use the equation:

4. What is the input power of the motor in Question 1?

5. Knowing the input and output power, calculate the efficiency of the motor in
Question 1.

6. What are the losses of the motor in Question 1?

7. How much larger is the starting current than the normal full load current?

© Dept. of EEE, Faculty of Engineering, American International University-Bangladesh (AIUB) 2

 Experiment 5 Lab Manual

Apparatus:

DESCRIPTION MODEL
DC Motor/Generator 8211
DC Voltmeter/Ammeter 8412
Power Supply 8821
Connection Leads 8941
Electrodynamometer 8911
Hand Tachometer 8920
Timing Belt 8942

Precautions:

Warning: High voltages are present in this Laboratory Experiment! Do not make any
connections with the power on! The power should be turned off after completing each
individual measurement!

Experimental Procedure:

Finding the Neutral Brush Position

1. a) Using your Power Supply, DC Motor/Generator, DC Voltmeter/Ammeter and

Electrodynamometer, connect the circuit shown in Figure 2.

DO NOT APPLY POWER AT THIS TIME!

© Dept. of EEE, Faculty of Engineering, American International University-Bangladesh (AIUB) 3

 Experiment 5 Lab Manual
( SERIES CONNECTED )
0-1.5
A dc
ELECTRO-
7
+ A - 1 2 DYNAMOMETER

0-400
V dc

0-240
+
3 4
V dc
V
- 5 6 7 8

E M S 8211
E M S 8911
N

240 V ac

Figure 2

Couple the Electrodynamometer to the DC Motor/Generator with the Timing Belt.

Notice that the DC Motor/Generator is wired for series operation (the shunt field winding
and the rheostat are not used) and is connected to the variable dc output of the Power Supply
(Terminals 7 and N). The Electrodynamometer is connected to the fixed 240 V ac output of
the Power Supply (terminals 1 and N).

2. Set the Electrodynamometer control knob at its mid-range position (to provide a starting
load for the dc motor).

3. a) Turn on the Power Supply. Gradually increase the dc voltage until the motor starts to
turn. Note the direction of rotation. If it is not cw, turn off the power and interchange the
series field connections.

b) Adjust the variable voltage for exactly 240 V dc as indicated by the voltmeter.

4. a) Adjust the loading of your dc series motor by varying the Electrodynamometer control
knob until the scale marked on the stator housing indicates 1.2Nm. (Readjust the Power
Supply, if necessary, to maintain exactly 240 V dc).

© Dept. of EEE, Faculty of Engineering, American International University-Bangladesh (AIUB) 4

 Experiment 5 Lab Manual
b) Measure the line current and motor speed (use your Hand Tachometer). Record these
values in Table 1.

c) Repeat for each of the torque values listed in the table, while maintaining a constant 240 V
dc input.

d) Return the voltage to zero and turn off the Power Supply.

Table 1

E I SPEED TORQUE
V A r/min Nm
240 0
240 0.3
240 0.6
240 0.9
240 1.2

Note: For an exact torque of 0 Nm, uncouple the DC Motor/Generator from the
Electrodynamometer.

Calculate the speed vs torque regulation (full load) = 1.02 Nm) using the equation

5. Set the Electrodynamometer control knob at its full cw position to provide the maximum
starting load for the series wound motor.

6. a) Turn on the Power Supply and gradually increase the dc voltage until the motor is
drawing 1.5 A of line current. The motor should turn slowly.

b) Measure and record the dc voltage and the torque developed

E = ___________ V Torque = ___________Nm

7. a) The line current in Procedure 8 is limited by the equivalent dc resistance of the series
motor.

b) Calculate the value of the starting current if the full line voltage (240 V dc) were applied
to the series motor. Starting current = _________ A

© Dept. of EEE, Faculty of Engineering, American International University-Bangladesh (AIUB) 5

 Experiment 5 Lab Manual

Measurement:

a) Plot the recorded motor speed values from Table 1 on the graph.

b) Draw a smooth curve through your plotted points.

Results and Findings:

Draw the characteristics curve of torque Vs Speed of the DC motor from the data obtained
through this experimentation. Compare the outcome with the curve drawn in the Pre-Lab
homework section.

Discussion:

Provide a short discussion on the obtained results and curves. Also answer the following
questions.
1) Does the outcome matches with the expected characteristics discussed in the theoretical
section?
2) What is the efficiency of the machine?
3) What are the probable causes of deterioration of efficiency in a machine?
4) What will be the suitable usage of a DC series motor? Explain in the light of the
experiment carried out.

References:

If you use any references (books/website) to answer the test your knowledge or discussion
part, please mention the proper references.

© Dept. of EEE, Faculty of Engineering, American International University-Bangladesh (AIUB) 6