In a d.c. generator, the purpose of field winding is to produce magnetic field (called main flux) whereas the purpose of armature winding is to carry armature current. Although the armature winding is not provided for the purpose of producing a magnetic field, nevertheless the current in the armature winding will also produce magnetic flux (called armature flux). The armature flux distorts and weakens the main flux posing problems for the proper operation of the d.c. generator. The action of armature flux on the main flux is called armature reaction.

It was hinted that current in the coil is reversed as the coil passes a brush. This phenomenon is termed as commutation. The criterion for good commutation is that it should be sparkless. In order to have sparkless commutation, the brushes should lie along magnetic neutral axis.
Armature Reaction
So far we have assumed that the only flux acting in a d.c. machine is that due to the main poles called main flux. However, current flowing through armature conductors also creates a magnetic flux (called armature flux) that distorts and weakens the flux coming from the poles. This distortion and field weakening takes place in both generators and motors. The action of armature flux on the main flux is known as armature reaction.
The phenomenon of armature reaction in a d.c. generator is shown in Fig. (2.1). Only one pole is shown for clarity. When the generator is on no-load, a smal1 current flowing in the armature does not appreciably affect the main flux Φ1 coming from the pole [See Fig 2.1 (i)]. When the generator is loaded, the current flowing through armature conductors sets up flux Φ1. Fig. (2.1) (ii) shows flux due to armature current alone. By superimposing Φ1 and Φ2, we obtain the resulting flux Φ3 as shown in Fig. (2.1) (iii). Referring to Fig (2.1) (iii), it is clear that flux density at; the trailing pole tip (point B) is increased while at the leading pole tip (point A) it is decreased. This unequal field distribution produces the following two effects:
(i) The main flux is distorted.
(ii) Due to higher flux density at pole tip B, saturation sets in. Consequently, the increase in flux at pole tip B is less than the decrease in flux under pole tip A. Flux Φ3 at full load is, therefore, less than flux Φ1 at no load. As we shall see, the weakening of flux due to armature reaction depends upon the position of brushes.

Geometrical and Magnetic Neutral Axes
(i) The geometrical neutral axis (G.N.A.) is the axis that bisects the angle between the centre line of adjacent poles [See Fig. 2.2 (i)]. Clearly, it is the axis of symmetry between two adjacent poles.

(ii) The magnetic neutral axis (M. N. A.) is the axis drawn perpendicular to the mean direction of the flux passing through the centre of the armature. Clearly, no e.m.f. is produced in the armature conductors along this axis because then they cut no flux. With no current in the armature conductors, the M.N.A. coincides with G, N. A. as shown in Fig. [2.2(ii)]. In order to achieve sparkless commutation, the brushes must lie along M.N.A.

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