How Does Field Current Affect DC Motor Speed?

  • Context: Engineering 
  • Thread starter Thread starter Michael Neo
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Change Speed
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the effect of field current on the speed of a DC motor, specifically focusing on a shunt-connected motor. Participants explore the relationships between field current, back EMF, and motor speed under different load conditions.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation, Mathematical reasoning, Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant presents calculations for field current, field resistance, back EMF, and a formula for determining new motor speed, seeking the appropriate formula for speed change.
  • Another participant notes that in a shunt-connected motor, field current is determined by the supply voltage and that the motor will slow down under load.
  • A different viewpoint suggests that at zero load, the shunt motor will speed up, indicating a potential issue with the initial formula presented.
  • A later reply proposes an alternative formula for motor speed, asserting that the numbers used in the initial calculations are correct but the formula itself is not suitable.
  • Further confirmation of the alternative formula is provided, with calculations yielding a different speed result.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the correctness of the initial formula for calculating motor speed, with some supporting the alternative approach while others question the initial assumptions and calculations. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the best formula to use.

Contextual Notes

There are unresolved assumptions regarding the load conditions and the impact of field current on motor speed, as well as the dependence on specific definitions of variables used in the calculations.

Michael Neo
Messages
49
Reaction score
3
Homework Statement
A 250 V shunt motor has an armature resistance of 0.4 Ω and runs at a speed of 750 rev min –1 when taking a full load current of 25 A.

Estimate the speed of the motor at no load when the armature current is 3 A, assuming that the flux per pole remains constant.
Relevant Equations
Back EMF:
E=V-Ia*Ra

Field Current:
If=Il-Ia

Field Resistance:
Rf=V/If

Change in Speed:
Old speed = (New speed)*(V-If*Ia)/E
Field Current

If=25-3
If=22 A

Field Resistance

Rf=250/22
Rf=11.36363636 Ohms

Back EMF

E=250-3x0.4
E=248.8 V

New Speed

New Speed = (Old speed)*(V-If*Ra))/E
New Speed = (750)*(250-22*0.4)]/248.8
New Speed = 727.0900322 rpm

Where can I find the appropriate formula for the change in speed in this scenario?
I have searched several books.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Field is shunt connected, so If is determined by supply voltage, V.

On no load, we usually consider Ia to be zero.

The shunt motor under load will be slowed down from its unloaded speed.
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: Michael Neo
So, at zero load the shunt motor will speed up.

The numbers substituted in are correct; therefore, the formula is incorrect.

A different approach is required - but which one. I cannot find this formula anywhere.

...

After a sleepless night:

Motor speed N = K*(V - IR)/φ

In this case, where flux is constant,

N2/N1 = (V - Ia*Ra)/(V - Il*Ra)

So,

N2 = N1 * (V - Ia*Ra)/(V - Il*Ra)
N2 = 750 * (250 - 3*0.4) / (250 - 25*0.4) = 777.5 rev/min
 
Michael Neo said:
N2 = 750 * (250 - 3*0.4) / (250 - 25*0.4) = 777.5 rev/min
That is correct.
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: Michael Neo
Thank you.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 41 ·
2
Replies
41
Views
8K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 16 ·
Replies
16
Views
4K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
4K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
4K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
7K
  • · Replies 13 ·
Replies
13
Views
4K
  • · Replies 14 ·
Replies
14
Views
5K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
3K