Differential Compound Motors

Differential compound motors use the same motor and windings as the cumulative compound motor, but they are connected in a slightly different manner to provide slightly different operating speed and torque characteristics. Figure 12-17b shows the diagram for a differential compound motor with the shunt field connected so its polarity is reversed to the polarity of the armature. Since the shunt field is still connected in parallel with only the armature, it is considered a short shunt.In this diagram you should notice that Fl and F2 are connected in reverse polarity to the armature. In the differential compound motor the shunt field is connected so that its magnetic field opposes the magnetic fields in the armature and series field. When the shunt field's polarity is reversed like this, its field will oppose the other fields and the characteristics of the shunt motor are not as pronounced in this motor. This means that the motor will tend to overspeed when the load is reduced just like a series motor. Its speed will also drop more than the cumulative compound motor when the load increases at full rpm. These two characteristics make the differential motor less desirable than the cumulative motor for most applications.

S h u n t - W o u n d M o t o r

Torque-vs-Speed for a Shunt-Wound DC Motor Operation The speed-torque relationship for a typical shunt-wound motor is shown in Figure 8. A shunt-wound DC motor has a decreasing torque when speed increases. The decreasing torque- vs-speed is caused by the armature resistance voltage drop and armature reaction. At a value of speed near 2.5 times the rated speed, armature reaction becomes excessive, causing a rapid decrease in field flux, and a rapid decline in torque until a stall condition is reached.

SERIES MOTOR

This type of motor develops a very large amount of turning force, called torque, from a standstill. Because of this characteristic, the series dc motor can be used to operate small electric appliances, portable electric tools, cranes, winches, hoists, and the like. Another characteristic is that the speed varies widely between no-load and full-load. Series motors cannot be used where a relatively constant speed is required under conditions of varying load. A major disadvantage of the series motor is related to the speed characteristic mentioned in the last paragraph. The speed of a series motor with no load connected to it increases to the point where the motor may become damaged. Usually, either the bearings are damaged or the windings fly out of the slots in the armature. There is a danger to both equipment and personnel. Some load must ALWAYS be connected to a series motor before you turn it on. This precaution is primarily for large motors. Small motors, such as those used in electric hand drills, have enough internal friction to load themselves.