What are the applications of DC generator?

Separately excited DC generator application

• Separately excited generators are generally more expensive than self-excited generators because they require a separate source of supply. As a result they are generally used where self-excited are relatively unsatisfactory.
• These are use in Ward Leonard systems of speed control, as self-excitation would be unsuitable at lower voltages.
• These generators are also used where quick and requisite response to control is important (as the separate excitation field gives a faster and more accurate response to changes in the circuit’s resistance).

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Shunt generator application

• Shunt generators with field regulators are use for general lighting and power supply purposes.
• These generators are use to advantage, in conjunction with automatic regulators, as exciters to supply the current required to excite the fields of AC generators.
• The regulator controls the excitor’s voltage by cutting in and out some of the resistance of the shunt-field rheostat, thereby holding the voltage at whatever value is demanded by operating conditions. This is one of the most important applications of shunt generators.
• Shunt generator also use for charging batteries because their terminal voltages are almost constant or can be kept constant.

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Series generator application

Series generators are not use for power supply because of their rising characteristics. However, their rising characteristic makes them suitable for use as boosters in certain types of distribution systems particularly in railway service.

The field of application of series generators is limited. They are used for the following purpose :

• Series are lighting.
• Series incandescent lighting.
• As a series booster to increase the voltage across the feeder carrying current furnished by some other sources.
• Special purposes like supply of field current for regenerative braking of DC locomotives.

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Compound generator application

The cumulatively-compound generator is the most widely used DC generator because its external characteristic can be adjusted to compensate for the voltage drop in the line resistance.

Therefore, such generators are use for driving motors that require DC supply at constant voltage, for lamp loads and for heavy power service such as electric railways.

Differential-compound generators have an external characteristic similar to shunt generators, but with a larger demagnetization armature reaction. Therefore, it is widely used in arc welding where large voltage drop with increase in current is desirable.

The compound generator is use for more than any other type.

• It can be automatically built up and adjusted to supply a nearly constant voltage at the point of use over the full range of the load. This is very great advantage.
• It is possible to provide a constant supply voltage at the end of a long feeder by the simple expedient of over compounding the generator, because the resistance drop in the line is compensated for by the rising characteristic of the generator.
• Differentially compounded generator. finds the result of application as an arch welding generator where the generator is practically short-circuited every time the electrode touches the metal plates to be welded.
• Compound generators are use to supply power to :
   1. Railway circuits
   2. Motors of electrified steam rail-roads,
   3. Industrial motors in many fields of industry,
   4. Incandescent lamps, and
   5. Elevator motors etc.

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Hope this article (Applications of DC Generator) will help you. Thank you