Definition
A direct-current generator in which the field windings are connected in series with the armature, so that the entire load current also flows through the field coils. Because the field strength rises and falls with the load, the output voltage of a series-wound generator varies sharply with changes in load current, making it unsuitable as a general electrical power source in aircraft.
Plain English
A generator wired so that all the current it produces also passes through its own magnetic field coils. This means its output goes up and down a lot whenever the electrical load changes, so it is rarely used to power aircraft systems directly.
Context Anchor
Seen in aircraft electrical system and maintenance discussions about DC generator construction and voltage control.
Derivation
Series' comes from the Latin 'series,' meaning a row or chain — things connected one after another. In a series-wound generator, the field coils sit in line with the armature in a single chain, so the same current flows through both.
Why Pilots Care
This design gives strong current at low speed but poor voltage control, so it is rarely used as a main aircraft generator and appears mainly in specific legacy or auxiliary applications.
Grounding Statement
If more electrical equipment is turned on, more current flows through the generator’s field coils, and the generator’s output changes with that load.
Intuition Check
Series-wound does not mean several generators connected one after another. It describes how the field windings are wired inside one generator.
Example Sentence 1
The textbook explained that a series-wound generator is seldom used as the main power source on an aircraft because its output voltage changes too much with load.
Example Sentence 2
Because load changes affected voltage so much, the series-wound generator was replaced with a shunt-wound unit during the upgrade.