Operation of self-excited generators for windmill application

The paper deals with the operation of self-controlled wound-field generators for small-scale wind-power application in which the output is connected to a constant-resistance load and the field is connected in plain shunt or series. It is shown that, with this configuration, a fairly good natural match can be obtained between the power/speed characteristics of the generator and the windmill, particularly when the magnetic circuit of the generator goes fairly hard into saturation at higher speeds and field currents. Test results are included and indicate that an external d.c. source would often be necessary to initiate 'build-up' in a practical system.