Alberta Boilers Safety Association (ABSA) Practice Test

What is a key characteristic of a series wound generator?

1. Output voltage rises sharply from minimum load to full load

2. Load decreases as field strength increases

3. Rising output voltage vs load

4. Input current remains the same

The correct answer is: Output voltage rises sharply from minimum load to full load

A key characteristic of a series wound generator is that its output voltage rises sharply from minimum load to full load. This behavior is primarily due to the direct relationship between the field winding and the armature winding in a series wound generator. In this type of generator, the field current is the same as the armature current because the field winding is connected in series with the load. As the load increases, the current through the field winding increases, which in turn strengthens the magnetic field. This strengthening of the magnetic field results in a substantial increase in generated voltage, especially notable when moving from a low load to a full load condition. The sharp rise in output voltage is a defining feature of series wound generators and is a critical aspect when considering their application in various electrical systems, particularly where high starting torque is required. In contrast, other options describe behaviors or characteristics that don't apply or are less significant in the context of series wound generators. For instance, the behavior of load decreasing as field strength increases is not typical since an increase in load usually results in an increase in field strength in series configurations. Similarly, rising output voltage versus load is a vague description that doesn't capture the specific sharp increase seen in series wound generators. Input current remaining the same is inaccurate since