39
2.3. Rheostatic Control
- This method consists of obtaining reduced speeds by the insertion of external
series resistance in the armature circuit. It can be used with series, shunt and
compound motor for the last two types, the series resistor must be connected
between the shunt field and the armature, not between line and the motor.
- It is common method of speed control for series motors and is generally
analogous in action to wound-rotor induction-motor control by series rotor
resistance,
- This method is used when speeds below the no-load speed is required.
2.3.1. Shunt motors:
- In armature or rheostatic control method of speed the voltage across the
armature (which in normally constant) is varied by inserting a variable
theostat or resistance, called controller resistance, in series with the
armature circuit. As the controller resistance is increased, the potential
difference across the armature is decreased thereby decreasing the armature
speed. For a load of constant torque, speed is approximately proportional to
the potential difference across the armature.
Shunt
field
Fig. 2.7. Armature resistance control for D.C. shunt motor.
From the speed/armature current characteristic it is seen that greater the
resistance in armature, greater is the fall in speed.
There is a particular load current for which the speed would be zero. This is
the maximum current and is known as ‘stalling current’.
- This method is very wasteful, expensive and unsuitable for rapidly changing
load, because for a given value of R; the speed will change with load. A40
more stable operation can be obtained by using a divertor across the
armature (Fig. 2.9) in addition to armature control resistance. Now, the
changes in armature current due to changes in the load torque will not be so
effective in changing the potential difference across the armature and hence
the speed of the armature.
No resistance
in armature
Resistance
in armature 1 Rated load
Armature
Armature current, 1, ——~
Fig. 2.8. Speed-current characteristic of D.C. shunt motor.
Series
resistance
Shunt
field
s
2
a
Fig. 2.9. Use of divertor across the armature for speed control of D.C. shunt
motor.
2.3.2. Series motor:
Armature resistance control is the most common method employed for series
motors (Figs. 2.10 and 2.11)Series Control
field resistance
resistance
Current
Fig, 2.11.
By increasing the resistance in series with the armature the voltage applied
across the armature terminals can be decreased. With the reduced voltage across the
armature, the speed is reduced.
Since full motor current passes through the resistance, the loss of power is
considerable.
Although terminal-voltage control by means of a variable voltage supply
would effectively control the speed of a D.C. series motor, the high cost of the control
equipment is seldom warranted.
Series-parallel control:
- This system is widely used in electric traction. Here two or more similar
mechanically-coupled motors are employed.
- At low speeds the motors are joined in series as shown in Fig, 2.12(a). The
additional resistance is gradually cut out by controller as the motors attain
the speed, and finally the resistance is totally removed, then each motor has
half of line voltage. In this arrangement, for any given value of armature
current, each motor will run at half of its normal speed. As there is no42
external resistance in the circuit, therefore there is no waste of energy and so
motors operate at an efficiency nearly equal to that obtainable with full line
voltage across the terminals of each motor.
Series
field
v
o)
Fig. 2.12. Series-parallel control
When the motors are connected in series and resistance R is completely cut out:
NIS
Voltage across each motor
Current through each motor
voltage V/2_ V
vOnRRE oo
Speed oc
current I a
Torque «of