DC GENERATOR CONSTRUCTION
DC Generators
ES-05
Page 14
Rev. 0
Figure 9 Output Voltage-vs-Load Current for Shunt-Wound DC Generator
The shunt-wound generator, running at a constant speed under varying load conditions, has a
much more stable voltage output than does a series-wound generator. Some change in output
voltage does take place. This change is caused by the fact that, as the load current increases, the
voltage drop (I R ) across the armature coil increases, causing output voltage to decrease. As
a a
a result, the current through the field decreases, reducing the magnetic field and causing voltage
to decrease even more. If load current is much higher than the design of the generator, the drop
in output voltage is severe. For load current within the design range of the generator, the drop
in output voltage is minimal (Figure 9).
