Carbon Pile Regulators

An excitation system of an A.C. generator consists of a direct

current generator and a voltage controlling unit known as the
voltage regulator. An excitation system’s main function is to
supply and control the direct current for the rotor pole windings.
Voltage regulators are of several types and are used depending
on the generator requirement. The level of excitation current and
the resulting field pole strength produced is adjusted
automatically using an AVR (automatic voltage regulator)
attached to the system.

The early alternators were provided with an excitation system that

consisted of a small D.C. generator, and the voltage was regulated
mainly by a carbon pile regulator. In this article we will learn about
the construction and operation of a carbon pile regulator.

An Alternator with a Carbon

Pile Regulator
As shown in the diagram, the alternator has a direct current
exciter whose armature is mounted on the extension of an
alternator shaft. The D.C. exciter is a small shunt generator
wherein the majority of the current of the armature is supplied to
the alternator rotor windings through a slip ring and carbon brush
arrangement. The trimming resistor and hand regulator shown in
the sketch is for the adjustment of initial setting of the main
regulator.

Operation of the Circuit

The current generated from the regulator arrangement produces
a magnetic field. When rotating, the rotor causes a magnetic flux
to be produced, and this flux is cut by the stator windings. This
results in the generation of a voltage and current output in the
stator windings.

A small part of the current produced in the stator windings is

passed to the shunt field so as to provide excitation for the DC
exciter itself. The amount of current flow through the exciter shunt
field is controlled by a resistance, which is made up of carbon
discs or a carbon pile packed into a ceramic tube.

The resistance of the carbon disc is varied by pressure change.

This pressure is controlled by a magnetic field produced by an
electromagnet coil. The current for this electromagnetic coil is
supplied through the transformer and rectifier circuit from
alternator output to the terminal board. This means that as the
load changes the alternator voltage also varies. The strength of
the electromagnet also increases or decreases due to this load
change, resulting in the change in the compression on springs
and thus the resistance of the carbon pile.

The resistance of the carbon is least when the pressure on springs

is least and on the armature greatest. This occurs only when there
is low output voltage which causes solenoid to be weak. Due to
this effect, low resistance and more current flows to the shunt and
high excitation is produced. This high excitation when fed to rotor
produces more voltage.

In the same manner, the pressure will be low when strong

solenoid field is present in the arrangement, i.e. when alternator
voltage is high. Due to this a small amount of current is conveyed
to the shunt, mainly because of high resistance, resulting in less
excitation and reduced output voltag