DC GENERATOR

Part 7 note
COMMUTATION
commutation

● This process by which current in the short-circuited coil is reversed while it crosses the magnetic neutral
axis or plane is called commutation.
● period during which coil remains short-circuited is known as commutation period Tc.
 COMMUTATION
● currents in armature conductors of a DC generator are alternating.
● To make their flow unidirectional in the external circuit, we need a commutator.
● currents flow in one direction when armature conductors are under N-pole and in the opposite
direction when they are under S-pole.
● As conductors pass out of the influence of a N-pole and enter that of S-pole, the current in them is
reversed.
● This reversal of current takes place along magnetic neutral axis or brush axis i.e. when the brush
spans and hence short-circuits that particular coil undergoing reversal of current through it.
● Process by which current in the short-circuited coil is reversed while it crosses the magnetic neutral
axis or plane is called commutation. or
● Commutation is the process a coil undergoes after leaving the magnetic field on one pair of poles
and just before entering the magnetic field of the next pair of poles. or
● Changes that take place in winding elements during the period of short-circuit by a brush is called
commutation.
● The brief period during which coil remains short-circuited is known as commutation period Tc.
● If the current reversal , i.e. the change from +I to zero and then to –I is completed by the end of short
circuit or commutation period, then the commutation is ideal.
● If current reversal is not completely by that time, the sparking is produced between the brush and the
commutator which results is progressive damage to both.
● The brush width is equal to the width of one commutator segment and one mica insulation.
● In figure coil B is about to be short-circuited because brush is about to come in touch with commutator
segment ‘a’.
● It is assumed that each coil carries 20A, so that brush current is 40A.
● It is so because every coil meeting at the brush supplies half the brush current whether lap winding or
wave winding.
● Prior to the beginning of short circuit, coil B belongs to the group of coils lying to the left of the brush
and carries 20A from left to right.
● In figure 1 - Coil B has entered its period of short-circuit and is approximately at one third of this period.
● The current through coil B has reduced down from 20A to 10A because the other 10A flows via segment
‘a’.
● As area of contact of the brush is more with segment ‘b’ than with segment ‘a’, it receives 30A from the
former, the total again being 40A.
● In Figure 2 - The coil B in the middle of its short-circuit period. The current through it has decreased to zero.
● The two currents of value 20A each, pass to the brush directly from coil A and C as shown.
● The brush contact areas with the two segments ‘b’ and ‘a’ are equal

Figure 1 Figure 2
● In Figure 1- Coil B has become part of the group of coils lying to the right of the brush.
● It is seen that brush contact area with segment ‘b’ is decreasing rapidly whereas that with segment ‘a’ is
increasing.
● Coil B now carries 10A in the reverse direction, which combines with 20 A supplied by the coil A to make
up 30A that passes from segment ‘a’ to the brush.
● The other 10A is supplied by coil C and passes from segment ‘b’ to the brush, again giving a total of 40A
at the brush.
● Depicts the moment when coil B is almost at the end of commutation or short-circuit period.
● For ideal commutation, current through it should have reversed by now but, as shown, it is carrying 15A
only (instead of 20A).
● The difference of current between coils C and B i.e. 20-15=5A in this case, jumps directly from segment
‘b’ to the brush through air thus producing spark.

Figure 1 Figure 2
● If the changes of current through the coil B are placed on a time base (as shown in Fig.)
● It will be represented by a horizontal line AB i.e. a constant current 20A up to the time of being of commutation.
● From the finish of commutation, the current will be represented by another horizontal line CD. Now, again the
current value is FC= 20A, although in the reverse direction.
● The way in which current changes from its positive value of 20A (BE) to zero and then to its negative value of
20A (=CF) depends on the conditions under which the coil B undergoes commutation.
● If the current varies at a uniform rate i.e. if BC is a straight line, then it is referred to as linear commutation.
● However, due to the production of self-induced e.m.f. in the coil the variations follow the dotted curve.
● It is seen that, in that case, current in coil B has reached only a value of KF=15A in the reversed direction,
hence the difference of 5A passes as a spark.
● Sparking at the brushes, which results in poor commutation is due to the inability of the current in the short-
circuited coil to reverse completely by the end of short-circuit period.
Causes for delayed commutation

● Reactance voltage
● Cross magnetizing effect
Reactance voltage

● self-induced e.m.f. in the coil undergoing commutation

𝑑𝑖 𝐼𝑐 −(−𝐼𝑐) 𝟐 𝑰𝒄 𝑳𝒔𝒆𝒍𝒇
● Reactance voltage, er = L = 𝐿𝑠𝑒𝑙𝑓 =
𝑑𝑡 𝑇𝑐 𝑻𝒄
 Cross magnetizing effect

● MNA shifted to right of the brush axis, during the commutation emf will be induced in the coil , it will
oppose the reverse of current.
Methods to improve the commutation

● Resistance commutation
● Voltage commutation
Resistance commutation

𝐋
● Time constant, T =
𝐑

● Resistance increases , time constant will decrease , opposition time will decrease
● low-resistance Cu brushes are replaced by comparative high-resistance carbon brushes
● Carbon brush - self-lubricating and polish the commutator
Voltage commutation

● By using interpole
● By using compensating winding

● Using above two method , MNA Remain stationary at the brush axis.
 ● Number of interpole equal to number of main poles (large machine )
● Less than or equal to half of the number of main pole (small machine)