What is a Armature Reaction in DC Machines?

In a DC machine, two kinds of magnetic fluxes are present; 'armature flux' and 'main field flux'. The effect of armature flux on the main field flux is called as armature reaction.

MNA And GNA

EMF is induced in the armature conductors when they cut the magnetic field lines. But, there is an axis (or, you may say, a plane) along which armature conductors move parallel to the flux lines and, hence, they do not cut the flux lines at the moment. MNA (Magnetic Neutral Axis) may be defined as the axis along which no emf is generated in the armature conductors as they move parallel to the flux lines. Brushes are always placed along MNA because reversal of current in the armature conductors takes place along this axis.
GNA (Geometrical Neutral Axis) may be defined as the axis which is perpendicular to the stator field axis.

Armature Reaction

The effect of armature reaction is well illustrated in the figure below.
armature reaction in DC machine

Consider, no current is flowing in the armature conductors and only the field winding is energized (as shown in the first figure of the above image). In this case, magnetic flux lines due to the field poles are uniform and symmetrical to the polar axis. The 'Magnetic Neutral Axis' (M.N.A.) coincides with the 'Geometric Neutral Axis' (G.N.A.).
The second figure in the above image shows armature flux lines due to the armature current.
Now, in case the machine is running, both the fluxes (flux due to the armature conductors and flux due to the field winding) will be present at a time. The armature flux superimposes with the main field flux and, hence, disturbs the main field flux (as shown in third figure the of above image). This effect is called as armature reaction in DC machines.

The Adverse Effects Of Armature Reaction:

  1. Armature reaction weakens the main flux. In case of a dc generator, weakening of the main flux reduces the generated voltage.
  2. Armature reaction distorts the main flux, hence the position of M.N.A. gets shifted (M.N.A. is perpendicular to the flux lines of main field flux). Brushes should be placed on M.N.A., otherwise, it will lead to sparking at the surface of brushes. So, due to armature reaction, it is hard to determine the exact position of M.N.A.
For a loaded dc generator, MNA will be shifted in the direction of the rotation. On the other hand, for a loaded dc motor, MNA will be shifted in the direction opposite to that of the rotation.

How To Reduce Armature Reaction?

Usually, no special efforts are taken for small machines (up to few kilowatts) to reduce the armature reaction. But for large DC machines, compensating winding and interpoles are used to get rid of the ill effects of armature reaction.

Now we know that the armature reaction is due to the presence of armature flux. Armature flux is produced due to the current flowing in armature conductors. Now, if we place another winding in close proximity of the armature winding and if it carries the same current but in the opposite direction as that of the armature current, then this will nullify the armature field. Such an additional winding is called as compensating winding and it is placed on the pole faces. Compensating winding is connected in series with the armature winding in such a way that it carries the current in opposite direction.

Interpoles are the small auxiliary poles placed between the main field poles. Winding on the interpoles is connected in series with the armature. Each interpole is wound in such a way that its magnetic polarity is same as that of the main pole ahead of it. Interpoles nullify the quadrature axis armature flux.
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