This section is from the book "Applied Science For Metal Workers", by William H. Dooley. Also available from Amazon: Applied Science For Metal Workers.
A compound dynamo (Fig. 87) is one having two series of windings; one series winding, around the part through which the main current flows, and a shunt winding through which a fraction of the main current flows. Compound machines are used in railway power plants, because of the violent fluctuations of load, and in small lighting plants of low diversity factor, where the consumers' demands fluctuate widely.
 
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