EEC603

Energy Conversion
(Lecture Course)

Lesson 6: Losses and Efficiency of Direct Current Generators

Objectives and Lesson Outline

• Determine the different losses incurred by an operating DC generator

• Compute the efficiency of a DC generator
• What is the prerequisite for maximum efficiency

Our discussion for this lesson

Losses in a DC Power Flow Condition for
Generator and Losses Maximum
Diagram Efficiency

Lesson 6: Losses and Efficiency of Direct Current Generators

Losses in a DC Generator
THE COPPER LOSSES (CU Losses) – variable losses

Field copper losses is about 20% to 30% of full-load losses

Shunt field copper loss IF2RF or VTIF watts (practically constant for shunt generators only)
Series field copper loss IS2RS watts

Armature, interpole and commutating windings losses are about 30% to 40% of full-load losses

Armature copper loss IA2RA watts (never EGIA) 30% to 40% of full-load losses
Interpole field copper loss IA2Ri watts
Compensating winding copper loss IA2RCW watts
Feeder resistance IL2Rfeeder watts

STRAY POWER LOSSES – (SPL)

(sometimes called Iron and Friction Losses or Rotational Losses) – fixed or constant losses

Magnetic Losses (totals up to 20% to 30% of full load losses; practically constant for shunt and compound
generators)
• HYSTERESIS; and
• EDDY CURRENT LOSSES in the armature and pole cores

Mechanical Losses (about 10% to 20% of full load losses)

• Friction Losses at the brushes and bearings; and
• Windage (air-friction) Loss for the rotating parts of the armature

Lesson 6: Losses and Efficiency of Direct Current Generators

Power Flow and Losses Diagram

Mechanical
Power Electrical
Power Input
Developed Power Output
Horsepower in the armature
of the engine EGIA VTIL

X Y
SPL Cu Losses Z

Z
ElectricalEfficiency( ) 
e
x100% THE LOSSES
Y 1. SPL = X – Y (watts)
2. Cu Losses = Y – Z (watts)
Y
MechanicalEfficiency( ) m
x100%
X
Z PowerOutput
Commercial(Overall)Efficiency( )  x100%  x100%
X Power Input

Lesson 6: Losses and Efficiency of Direct Current Generators

Condition for Maximum Efficiency

Variable Losses  Constant losses

Lesson 6: Losses and Efficiency of Direct Current Generators

 THANK YOU

We are now open for discussion.

One of the cleanest way to convert mechanical energy into electric energy