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KWAME NKRUMAH UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, KUMASI
INSTITUTE OF DISTANCE LEARNING
EE 262: SYNCHRONOUS MACHINES
(FOR TOP-UP STUDENTS)
ELECTRICAL /electronic ENGINEERING
BY
E. K. ANTO
Publisher Information
© IDL, 2010
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All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any
means; electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or by any information
storage and retrieval system, without the permission from the copyright holders.
For any information contact:
The Dean
Institute of Distance Learning
New Library Building
Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology
Kumasi, Ghana
Phone: +233-51-60013
+233-51-60023
+233-51-61287
Fax: +233-51-60014
E-mail: idldean@kvcit.org
idloffice@kvcit.org
kvcit@fdlknust.edu.gh
kvcitavu@yahoo.ca
Web: www.fdlknust.edu.gh
www.kvcit.org
ISBN:
ii
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Course Author
Mr. E. K. Anto completed his Bsc (Hons) Degree at the Department of Electrical & Electronics
Engineering at the then University of Science and Technology (UST), Kumasi, Ghana in June
1985, and was selected as a Teaching Assistant to do his mandatory National Service at the
same Department. He later pursued his postgraduate studies at the Technical University of
Berlin, Germany, where he obtained the Dipl.-Ing. Degree, the equivalent of MSc Degree in
1997.
He returned to Ghana as the Reintegration Counsellor in charge of the German Office for
Germany-trained Returning Experts (Rueckkehrerbuero), an office dedicated to ensuring the
smooth and comfortable reintegration back into Ghana of Germany-trained Ghanaian experts.
He later joined the Ghana Standards Board (GSB) as Senior Scientific Officer attached to the
Metrology Division and worked on the Electricity Meter Testing, Calibration and Verification
Project. He has finally settled as Lecturer at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and
Technology (KNUST), Kumasi, Ghana, since October 2001.
He has been the University Electrical Services Consultant since 2004 and is currently the Head
of the Electrical Engineering Department.
Course Introduction
Introduction
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This course basically deals with three-phase synchronous machines, a very vital form of
electrical machinery in power systems. A three-phase synchronous machine, being an electrical
machine, may be of two broad categories – a synchronous generator (also known as alternator)
or synchronous motor. Synchronous generators are mainly found in power generating plants,
and are coupled to turbines as the prime mover for electricity generation. Synchronous motors,
on the other hand, have wide application in industries, where they may be served a dual
purpose as either a motor to drive a mechanical load or as a power-factor
improvement/correcting device for enhanced voltage regulation.
The course will generally address, among others, the principles of operation of synchronous
machines, their circuit and phasor representations, steady-state performance characteristics,
methods/techniques of paralleling two or more generators to share load, output power that can
be delivered, as well as how the synchronous motor can be operated to behave like a capacitor
to supply reactive power.
Learning objectives
After going through this course, you should be able to:
explain the principles of operation of synchronous machines
understand the steady-state performance characteristics of synchronous
machines
Course Outline
The course is divided into four units. Each unit is broken down into two or three sessions, each
of which will address one or more of the course objectives.
Unit 1: Definition and Constructional Features of Synchronous Machines
Unit 2: Synchronous Generators (or Alternators)
Unit 3: Paralleling (or Synchronization) of Generators for Load Sharing
Unit 4: Synchronous Motors
References
1. Electrical Machines – by ER R. K. Rajput
2. Electric Machinery – by A. E. Fitzgerald, Charles Kingsley Jr., Alexander Kusko
Table of Contents
PUBLISHER INFORMATION ..................................................................................................I
COURSE AUTHOR ................................................................................................................. III
COURSE INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................... III
TABLE OF CONTENTS .......................................................................................................... IV
TABLE OF FIGURES ........................................................................................................... VII
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UNIT 1......................................................................................................................................... 1
DEFINITION AND CONSTRUCTIONAL FEATURES OF SYNCHRONOUS
MACHINES................................................................................................................................ 1
SESSION 1-1 Definition and Types of Synchronous Machines ............................................ 1
1-1.1 Definition of Synchronous Machines ............................................................................. 1
1-1.2 Types of Synchronous Machines ................................................................................. 2
SESSION 2-1 Constructional Features of Synchronous Machines ....................................... 2
2-1.1 Constructional Features of Synchronous Machines ..................................................... 2
UNIT 2......................................................................................................................................... 5
SYNCHRONOUS GENERATORS ......................................................................................... 5
Introduction .............................................................................................................................. 5
SESSION 1-2 Types of Synchronous Generators ................................................................... 6
1-2.1 Broad Categorization of Synchronous Generators ......................................................... 6
1-2.2 Principle of Operation of Synchronous Generator ....................................................... 7
1-2.3 Advantages of Stationary and Revolving Field System ............................................... 7
1-2.4 Parameters and Operating Characteristics of Synchronous Generators ....................... 8
1-2.5 Armature Reaction Flux in Synchronous Generators ................................................ 13
SESSION 2-2 Cylindrical-Rotor Synchronous Generators ................................................. 15
2-2.1 Phasor and Equivalent Circuit Diagrams of the Cylindrical-Rotor (Non-Salient Pole)
Synchronous Generators ........................................................................................................ 15
2-2.2 Steady-State Performance Characteristics of the Synchronous Machine ..................... 18
2-2.3 Output Power Delivered By Cylindrical-Rotor Synchronous Generator ..................... 23
2-2.4 Maximum Power Output From Cylindrical-Rotor Synchronous Generator ................ 25
2-2.5 Exercises on Maximum Power Output .................................................................. 26
SESSION 3-2 Salient-Pole Rotor Synchronous Generators ................................................ 27
3-2.1 Phasor and Equivalent Diagrams of Salient-Pole Rotor Synchronous Generator
(Two-Axis or Two-Reactance Theory to Account for Saliency) ........................................... 27
3-2.4 Voltage Regulation and Load Excitation ...................................................................... 37
3-2.5 Steady-State Operating Characteristics of Synchronous Generators ........................ 46
UNIT 3....................................................................................................................................... 52
PARALLELING OF GENERATORS FOR LOAD SHARING ......................................... 52
SESSION 1-3 Synchronization ............................................................................................... 53
1-3.1 Synchroscope Method for Synchronization .................................................................. 54
1-3.2 Load Sharing or Allocation .......................................................................................... 55
1-3.3 Effect of Change in Prime Mover Input – Active Load Sharing .................................. 57
1-3.4 Exercise on Parallel Operation of Alternators .............................................................. 60
1-3.5 Synchronizing Power and Torque – Effect of Increasing the Driving Mechanical
Torque .................................................................................................................................... 61
1-3.6 Synchronizing Power .................................................................................................... 63
1-3.7 Synchronizing Torque .................................................................................................. 65
1-3.8 Relationship Between Mechanical (Rotor) Angular Displacement mech and Electrical
Displacement . .................................................................................................................... 69
SESSION 2-3 Hunting of Alternators .................................................................................... 69
2-3.1 Reducing Hunting in Alternators .................................................................................. 70
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2-3.2 Exercises on Synchronizing Power and Torque ........................................................... 70
UNIT 4....................................................................................................................................... 71
THREE-PHASE SYNCHRONOUS MOTORS .................................................................... 71
SESSION 1-4 Constructional Features and Principles of Operation of Synchronous
Motors ....................................................................................................................................... 72
1-4.1 Constructional Features of Three-Phase Synchronous Motors..................................... 72
1-4.2 Principle of Operation of Synchronous Motors ............................................................ 73
1-4.3 Why Synchronous Motors Are Not Self-Starting ......................................................... 73
1-4.4 Starting of Synchronous Motors – Use of Damper Windings as Squirrel-Cage
Induction Motor ..................................................................................................................... 74
1-4.5 Necessary Precaution When Starting Synchronous Motor – Use of External Starting
Resistance .............................................................................................................................. 75
1-4.6 Synchronous Capacitors ............................................................................................... 76
1-4.7 Effect of Loading on the Synchronous Motor .............................................................. 77
SESSION 2-4 Operating Characteristics of Synchronous Motors ...................................... 80
2-4.1 V-Curves or Compounding Curves of The Synchronous Motor (Effect of Rotor Field
Excitation on Armature Current and Power Factor For Constant Mechanical Load)........... 80
SESSION 3-4 Circuit and Phasor Diagram Representation of Synchronous Motors....... 83
3-4.1 Circuit and Phasor Diagram for Over-Excitation and Leading Pf ................................ 83
3-4.2 Generated emf per Phase in Synchronous Motor ......................................................... 84
3-4.3 Mechanical Power per Phase Developed By Synchronous Motor ............................... 84
3-4.4 Circuit and Phasor Diagram for Normal Excitation and Unity pf in Synchronous Motor
................................................................................................................................................ 86
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Table of Figures
Fig 1: Instantaneous Three-phase Currents ................................................................................ 9
Fig 2: Simplified 2-Pole 3-Phase Winding .................................................................................. 9
Fig 3: Phasor Diagram of Fluxes in Cylindrical-Rotor Synchronous Generator Armature
current in phase with excitation (unity power factor)................................................................ 16
Fig 4: Phasor Diagram of Component Fluxes and Corresponding Induced Voltages ............. 17
Fig 5: Equivalent Circuits of Cylindrical-Rotor (Non-Salient Pole) Synchronous Machines .. 17
Fig 6: Open-Circuit Characteristic (OCC) of a Synchronous Machine .................................... 19
Fig 7: Short-Circuit Characteristic (SCC) of a Synchronous Machine..................................... 20
Fig 8: Typical Open-Circuit and Short-Circuit Characteristics of Synchronous Machine....... 21
Fig 9: (a) Circuit Diagram (b) Phasor Diagram ....................................................................... 23
Fig 10: Phasor Diagram of Salient-Pole Synchronous Generator (Lagging pf) ...................... 28
Fig 11: Phasor Diagram of Salient-Pole Synchronous Generator ........................................... 30
Fig 12: Relations among Component Voltages in Phasor Diagram of Salient-Pole
Synchronous Generator Operating at Lagging Power Factor .................................................. 31
Fig 13: Salient-Pole Generator Phasor Diagram for Example 1.............................................. 32
Fig 14: Salient-Pole Synchronous Machine and Series Impedance .......................................... 33
Fig 15: Power-Angle Characteristic of a Salient-Pole Synchronous Machine Showing
Fundamental Component Due to Field Excitation and ............................................................. 35
Fig 16: Synchronous Impedance or EMF Method of Determining Voltage Regulation ........... 40
Fig 17: (a) Terminal Voltage Characteristics ........................................................................... 47
Fig 18: Generator Compounding Curves .................................................................................. 49
Fig 19: Reactive-Active Power Capability Curves of a Turbo-generator ................................. 50
Fig 20: Synchroscope ................................................................................................................ 55
Fig 21: Concept of Synchronizing Current ................................................................................ 56
Fig 22: Effect of Change in Excitation for Two Paralleled Generators.................................... 57
Fig 23: Drooping Frequency-Load Characteristics .................................................................. 58
Fig 24: Effect of Changing (Increasing) The Mechanical Torque ............................................ 61
Fig 25: Effect of Increasing Power Input to Prime Movers of Two Machines Delivering
Different Currents at Different Power Factors ......................................................................... 62
Fig 26: Principle of Operation of Locking Synchronous Motors into Synchronism with the
Revolving Stator Magnetic Field ............................................................................................... 73
Fig 27: Precautionary Measure Taken During The Starting of Synchronous Motor ................ 75
Fig 28: (a) Torque Angle at No-Load (b) No-Load Condition Vector Diagram ...................... 77
Fig 29: (a) Torque Angle at Rated Load (b) Rated Load Condition Vector Diagrams ............. 78
Fig 30: Effect of Varying DC Excitation on Armature Current for Constant Shaft Load (a)
Under-Excitation (b) Normal Excitation (c) Over-Excitation ................................................... 81
Fig 31: Characteristic V-Curves of a Three-Phase Synchronous Motor .................................. 82
Fig 32: (a) Equivalent Circuit (b) Phasor Diagram of Synchronous Motor for Over-Excitation
and Leading Power Factor ..................................................................................................... 83
Fig 33: Mechanical Torque of Synchronous Motor as Function of Load Angle ................... 85
Fig 34: (a) Equivalent Circuit (b) Phasor Diagram of Synchronous Motor ............................. 87
Fig 35: Equivalent Circuit and Phasor Diagram for Example7 ............................................... 88
Fig 36: Equivalent Circuit and Phasor Diagram with Turbine Generator as Power Source ... 89
Fig 37: Phasor Diagrams for Lagging and Leading Power Factors ........................................ 92
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Unit 1
DEFINITION AND CONSTRUCTIONAL FEATURES OF SYNCHRONOUS
MACHINES
Introduction
Synchronous machines are a type of rotating machines where electromechanical energy
conversion takes place when the change in flux is associated with mechanical motion.
Generally in rotating machines, voltages are induced in windings or group of coils either by
rotating the windings mechanically through a magnetic field or
mechanically rotating a magnetic field past the windings or
designing the magnetic circuit so that the reluctance varies with rotation of the rotor.
By any of these methods, the flux linking a specific coil is changed cyclically, and an induced
voltage e N is generated in accordance with Lenz’s Law of electromagnetic
d
dt
induction.
The group of such coils so interconnected that their generated or induced voltages all make a
positive contribution to the desired result is called an armature winding. The coils are wound
on iron cores so as to concentrate the flux and thus ensure that the flux path through them is as
effective as possible.
Because the armature iron is subjected to a varying magnetic field, eddy currents will be
induced in it. To minimize the eddy-current loss, the armature iron core is built up of thin
laminations. The magnetic circuit is completed through the iron of the other machine member,
and exciting coils, or field windings, are placed on that member to act as the primary sources
of flux. Permanent magnets may be used in small machines.
Objectives
After going through this unit, you should be able to:
define a synchronous machine
describe and explain the various constructional features of synchronous
machines
differentiate between the various types of synchronous machines
SESSION 1-1 Definition and Types of Synchronous Machines
1-1.1 Definition of Synchronous Machines
A synchronous machine is an AC machine whose mechanical speed (or rotor speed) under
steady-state conditions is proportional to the frequency of the voltage and current in its
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armature. The frequency in cycles per second (hertz or Hz) is the same as the speed of the rotor
in revolutions per second, i.e., the electrical frequency is synchronized with the mechanical
speed, and this is the reason for the designation synchronous machine.
At synchronous speed, the rotating magnetic field created by the armature current travels at the
same speed as the field created by the field current, and a steady torque results from the
interaction of the two magnetic fields.
In short, a synchronous machine is an AC machine whose rotor speed is the same as the
angular speed of the revolving/rotating magnetic flux resulting from the interaction of two
or more magnetic fields
For a P -pole machine, the synchronous speed N s (in rev/min.) is related to the frequency f
of the armature induced voltages and currents and the number of poles P by the
120 f
equation N s .
P
The number of poles is chosen according to the desired speed. The speed, in turn, is determined
by the driving equipment or prime mover attached to the shaft of the synchronous machine.
Thus a 2-pole machine must revolve at 3000 rpm to produce a 50-Hz voltage. But a great many
synchronous machines have more than 2 poles. It is worth noting that essentially, electric
motors and generators are the less expensive the faster they run.
With a few exceptions, synchronous machines are 3-phase machines because of the advantages
of 3-phase systems for generation, transmission and heavy-power utilization. For the
production of a set of three voltages phase-displaced by 120 electrical degrees in time, it is
obvious that a minimum of 3 coils displaced 120 electrical degrees in space must be used.
1-1.2 Types of Synchronous Machines
Synchronous machines may be classified broadly under:
Synchronous Generators (or Alternators)
Synchronous Motors (synchronous motors operating with load attached)
Synchronous Condensers (synchronous motors operating on no-load)
SESSION 2-1 Constructional Features of Synchronous Machines
2-1.1 Constructional Features of Synchronous Machines
Unlike induction machines in which there are alternating currents in both stator and rotor
windings, synchronous machines have alternating currents (AC) in the stator windings
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(called armature) and DC currents in the rotor windings (called field). The 3-phase
synchronous machine has the following essential constructional parts:
stator comprising
- stator frame or yoke
- armature coils
rotor comprising
- rotor core
- rotor or field windings
slip-rings or collector rings
brushes and bearings
Of these parts, the stator frame or yoke, the pole-cores, the rotor core and air gap between the
poles and rotor core, form the magnetic circuit, whereas the rest form the electrical circuit.
1-1.2.1The Stator
The stator unit is the stationary part of the machine and consists of the stator frame or yoke and
the armature coils. See Fig.1 below:
Stator Yoke
Salient Pole
S
N N
Pole Shoe Coil
Fig (a) Fig (b)
Fig 1: The Stator Unit
(a) Stator and one of its Coils (b) Salient-Pole Stator
The stator core contains the set of slots that carry 3-phase winding, and is laminated to
minimize loss due to hysteresis and eddy -currents. The laminations are insulated from each
other and have spaces between them for allowing cooling air to pass through. The windings
have hollow passages through which cooling water is circulated.
The stator frame or yoke serves the purposes of
providing mechanical support for the poles
protection for the machine and
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carries the armature flux produced by the poles.
In small machines, where weight is of little importance and cheapness is the main
consideration, the yoke is made of cast iron. But for large machines, cast steel or rolled steel is
usually employed to fabricate the stator frame.
1-1.2.2 The Rotor
The rotor, which is the rotating part of the machine, is located on a shaft running on bearings,
and is free to rotate between magnetic poles. The rotor core is cylindrical or drum-shaped, and
is built of steel laminations with slots to house the field windings. Besides housing the field
windings in slots and causing them to rotate to cut the magnetic flux of the magnetic fields, the
rotor core also provides a magnetic path of low reluctance to the flux from the poles.
Commutator
Slotted Armature Assembly
Shaft
Brush
Fig 2: Armature Unit
The rotor or field windings are insulated from each other and placed in slots which are lined
with tough insulating material. The rotor carries the dc windings or field windings. These field
windings are excited by direct current conducted to them by means of carbon brushes bearing
on slip rings or collector rings.
1-1.2.3 Damper Windings on Rotor
In addition to the DC winding, the rotor carries the so-called damper windings (also called
squirrel-cage winding). In the salient-pole (engine-driven) machines, the damper winding is
embedded in the pole-shoes or pole faces and connected (short-circuited) at their end with
brass or heavy copper rings. The damper windings are not usually required in cylindrical-rotor
machines driven by reciprocating steam engines, water wheels or steam turbines.
The damper winding serves the following functions:
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produces forces which dampen the oscillation of the rotor, thereby reducing hunting
(momentary speed fluctuations)
helps to start synchronous motors
maintains balanced 3-phase voltage under unbalanced load conditions.
improves parallel operation of salient-pole generators driven by internal-combustion
engines.
1-1.2.4 The Slip-Rings (or Collector Rings)
The slip-ring is made of copper segments, and has the same functions in the motor as in a
generator. Its purpose is to facilitate the collection of current from the DC excitation source to
the field windings.
1-1.2.5 The Brushes and Bearings
The purpose of brushes is to carry current from the external circuit to the commutator. They are
usually made of blocks of carbon or graphite, and are rectangular in shape. The brushes should
slide freely in their holder so as to follow any irregularity in the commutator. Because of their
reliability, ball-bearings are frequently employed, though for heavy duties, roller-bearings are
preferable.
The ball and rollers are lubricated by hard oil for quieter operation and for reducing the wear of
the bearings.
Unit 2
SYNCHRONOUS GENERATORS
Introduction
They are the main primary source of electrical energy we consume. They convert mechanical
energy into electrical energy, in powers ranging up to 1500MW. In general, the greater the
generated power, the higher the voltage rating. However, the rated generated voltage seldom
exceeds 25 kV because the increased slot insulation takes up valuable space at the expense of
copper conductors. The stator winding (i.e., the armature winding which collects the generated
voltage) is always star-connected and the neutral is connected to ground.
The reasons for this arrangement are:
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1. The highest effective voltage between a stator conductor and the grounded stator core is
only 1 / 3 , that is, 57.7% of the line voltage. We can therefore reduce the amount of
insulation in the slots, which in turn enables us to increase the cross-section of the
conductor. A larger conductor permits us to increase the current and hence the power
output of the machine.
2. When a generator is under load, the voltage per phase becomes distorted and the
waveform is no longer sinusoidal. This distortion is mainly due to undesired third
harmonic voltages. With star connection, the harmonics do not appear between the
lines. With delta connection, the harmonic voltages add up and produce large
circulating current in the delta connected winding which causes additional I 2 R losses.
3. The neutral is available for protective gear.
SESSION 1-2 Types of Synchronous Generators
1-2.1 Broad Categorization of Synchronous Generators
Synchronous generators are classified according to the type of rotors they use, which in turn
depends on the speed of the prime mover. The two types of rotors used in generators are:
Salient-Pole Rotor Type
Cylindrical-Rotor (or Non-salient Pole) Type
The constructional reasons for some synchronous generators having salient-pole rotor
structures and others having cylindrical rotors can be appreciated with the aid of the
120 f
synchronous speed equation N s .
P
1-2.1.1Salient-Pole Generators (Low-speed Generators)
The power system in most countries, including Ghana, operates at a constant system
frequency f of 50 Hz. Therefore, for low-and medium-speed (engine-driven) rotors, a relatively
large number of poles are required to produce the desired frequency.
A salient- or projecting pole construction is thus characteristic of hydroelectric generators,
because hydraulic and engine-driven turbines operate at relatively low speeds, with running
speed between 50 and 300 rpm for hydraulic turbines and about 200 rpm for internal-
combustion engines.
The salient-pole construction with concentrated windings is thus best adapted mechanically to
multi-polar slow- and medium-speed hydroelectric generators, hydraulic and engine-driven
turbines and some synchronous motors. Such generators are characterized by their large
diameters and short axial lengths. The poles and pole-shoes (which cover 2/3 of pole pitch) are
laminated to reduce heating due to eddy currents. The field coils for small machines are wound
with round wire, while rectangular copper strips wound on edge are used for large machines.
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1-2.1.2 Cylindrical-Rotor Generators (High-speed Generators)
When the steam engine or gas turbine is operated at a high speed, it has a high efficiency, and
for this reason, it is often used to drive generators at high speeds. But for high speeds, it is
difficult to build a rotating field with projecting poles strong enough to withstand the
centrifugal force. Projecting poles also cause excessive wind losses and make the generator
noisy.
To overcome these undesirable features, generators intended for high-speed steam-turbine or
gas-turbine drive have their field structure made non-salient or cylindrical in form and small in
diameter, with distributed field windings placed in slots and arranged so as to produce an
approximately sinusoidal 2- or 4-pole field.
Such high-speed turbine-driven generators are also called turbo generators, and are commonly
2- or 4-pole cylindrical- rotor machines running at speeds of 3000 rpm or 1500 rpm. In turbo
generators, considerable heat is liberated in small spaces, and this heat must be carried away by
air currents forced through passages in the heated parts. Hence forced ventilation is required in
turbo generators. The turbo generator must be enclosed to control the direction of the air
currents, as well as to reduce noise.
1-2.2 Principle of Operation of Synchronous Generator
Rotating machines (be they AC or DC) operate on the same fundamental principles of
electromagnetic induction. It may be recalled that they consist of an armature winding (i.e., a
group of coils so interconnected that their generated or induced voltages all make a positive
contribution to the desired result) and a field winding or exciting coils (to act as the primary
sources of flux).
The field winding (or rotor winding) is excited or energized by the so-called exciter system
supplying direct current from a DC source that needs not exceed 250 volts. In most cases, the
necessary exciting (or magnetising) current is obtained from a small DC shunt generator
mounted on the shaft of the synchronous machine itself. Because the field magnets are rotating,
the direct current is supplied through two slip rings. As the exciting DC voltage is relatively
small, the slip rings and brush gear are of light construction. Recently, brushless excitation
systems have been developed in which a 3-phase AC exciter and a group of rectifiers supply
DC to the machine.
When the rotor is made to rotate by the turbine of the prime mover, the stator or armature
conductors (being stationary) are cut by the rotated DC magnetic flux from the field coils on
the rotor. Hence they have induced emf produced in them. Because the magnetic poles are
alternately N and S , they induce an emf and hence current in the armature conductors, which
first flow in one direction and then in the other. Hence an alternating emf is induced in the
stator windings whose frequency depends on the number of N and S poles moving past a
conductor in one second and whose direction is given by Fleming’s Right-Hand Rule.
1-2.3 Advantages of Stationary and Revolving Field System
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In DC generators, a commutator assembly (consisting of split-rings, brushes, etc) is used to
change the alternating emf induced in the coils to a unidirectional emf for the external circuit.
Since the armature of a synchronous machine rather utilizes slip rings to supply alternating
current to the external load and therefore has no need of a commutator, the armature needs not
be the rotating member. In fact, it is more desirable to have a stationary armature with the
field poles rotating inside it, as this structure has several advantages.
The advantages of a having stationary armature and rotating field system include the
following:
1. For polyphase power, a rotating armature would require three or more slip rings to
deliver power to an external load. These slip rings, being exposed, are difficult to
insulate, particularly for the high AC voltages (30 kV or more) synchronous generators
are required to supply.
2. Because of the difficulty of insulation of the slip rings on a rotating armature, arc-overs
and short circuits are apt to occur.
3. No slip rings are required in a stationary armature. The output current can be led
directly from fixed terminals on the stator (or the armature windings) to the load circuit,
without having to pass it through brush-contacts.
With the doing away with slip rings, power and frictional losses due to contact
resistance with slips are thus avoided.
4. It is much easier to properly insulate a stationary armature (where winding space is
less concentrated) for high voltage than it is to insulate a high-voltage rotating winding.
The heavy insulation must have adequate mechanical strength to withstand the
mechanical forces due to centrifugal force.
1-2.4 Parameters and Operating Characteristics of Synchronous Generators
1-2.4.1 Rotating Magnetic Fields of Polyphase AC Machines (e.g. Synchronous
Generators
To understand the theory of polyphase AC machines, it is necessary to study the nature of the
magnetic field produced by a polyphase winding. In particular, we shall consider the mmf
patterns of a 3-phase winding such as those found on the stator of 3-phase induction and
synchronous machines.
In a 3-phase machine, the windings of the individual phases are displaced from each other by
120 electrical degrees in space around the airgap circumference. When the 3-phase windings
are excited by a 3-phase power source, alternating currents flow in the windings.
Under balanced 3-phase conditions, the instantaneous currents are given as:
ia I max cost
ib I max cos(t 120 0 ) (1)
ic I max cos(t 240 0 )
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where I max is the maximum value of the current and the time origin is arbitrarily taken as the
instant when the phase-a current is a positive maximum. See Fig 3.
ia ib ic
t
Fig 3: Instantaneous Three-phase Currents
The corresponding component mmf waves will also vary sinusoidally with time. Each
component is a stationary, pulsating sinusoidal distribution of mmf around the airgap with its
peak located along the magnetic axis of its phase and its amplitude proportional to the
instantaneous phase current. In other words, a standing space wave is varying sinusoidally
with time.
Each component can be represented by an oscillating space vector drawn along the magnetic
axis of its phase, with length proportional to the instantaneous phase current. The resultant
mmf is the sum of the components from all three phases.
1-2.4.2 Analytical Analysis of Rotating Mmf Wave
To study the resultant field analytically, let the origin for angle around the airgap periphery
be placed at the axis of phase a. At any time t, all 3 phases contribute to the airgap mmf at any
point . See Fig 4 below.
Axis of phase b
c
X b
X
Axis of phase a
b
c
X
a
Axis of phase c
Fig 4: Simplified 2-Pole 3-Phase Winding
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The mmf contributions from the 3 phases are:
Fa Fapeak cos
Fb Fbpeak cos( 120 0 ) (2)
Fc Fcpeak cos( 240 0 )
The 120 electrical degrees displacements appear because the machine is so wound that the axes
of the 3-phases are 120 electrical degrees apart in space.
The resultant mmf at any point is then
F ( ) Fapeak cos Fbpeak cos( 120 0 ) Fcpeak cos( 240 0 ) (3)
But the mmf amplitudes vary with time in accordance with the current variations. Thus, with
the time origin arbitrarily taken at the instant when the phase-a current is a positive maximum,
the mmf amplitudes can be written as function of time t as:
Fapeak Fa max cost
Fbpeak Fb max cos(t 120 0 ) (4)
Fcpeak Fc max cos(t 240 0 )
The quantities Fa max , Fb max and Fc max are respectively the time-maximum values of the
amplitudes Fapeak , Fbpeak and Fcpeak . The 1200 displacements appear here because the three
currents are 1200 phase-displaced in time. Under balanced conditions, the currents in the 3-
phases are also balanced and therefore of equal amplitude. The three amplitudes Fa max ,
Fb max and Fc max are also then equal, and the symbol Fmax may be used for all three.
Eqn (3) therefore becomes
F ( , t ) Fmax cos cost Fmax cos( 120 0 ) cos(t 120 0 )
F cos( 240 ) cos(t 240 )
(5)
0 0
max
Each of the three components on the right-hand side of Eqn (5) is a pulsating standing wave.
In each term, the trigonometric function of defines the space distribution as a stationary
sinusoid, and the trigonometric function of t indicates that the amplitudes pulsate with time.
The first of the terms expresses the phase-a component; the second and third terms express,
respectively, the phase-b and phase-c components.
By use of the trigonometric transformation
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1 1
cos cos cos( ) cos( ) (6)
2 2
each of the components in Eqn (5) can be expressed as cosine functions of sum and difference
angles. Thus using the trigonometric transformation, Eqn (5) is transformed into
1 1
F ( , t ) Fmax cos( t ) Fmax cos( t )
2 2
1 1
Fmax cos( t ) Fmax cos( t 240 0 ) (7)
2 2
1 1
Fmax cos( t ) Fmax cos( t 480 0 )
2 2
Now the three cosine terms involving the angles t , t 240 0 , and t 480 0
are equal sinusoid displaced in phase by 1200.
Note that a lag angle of 4800 is equivalent to a lag angle of (4800 – 3600) = 1200. Their sum is
therefore zero, and Eqn (7) reduces further to:
F ( , t ) 1.5Fmax cos( t ) (8)
The resultant mmf wave described by Eqn (8) is a sinusoidal function of the space angle ,
having a constant amplitude of 1.5Fmax and rotating at angular velocity or a space-phase
angle t which is a linear function of time.
In order words, in a 3-phase machine, the combined or resultant or effective ampere-turn
wave (or mmf wave) is sinusoidal which rotates synchronously. This ampere-turn or mmf wave
is fixed relative to the poles, its amplitude is proportional to the load current, but its position
depends on the power factor of the load.
In general, it may be shown that a rotating field of constant amplitude will be produced by a
q phase winding excited by balanced q phase currents when the respective phases are
wound 2 / q electrical radians apart in space. The constant amplitude will be q / 2 times the
maximum contribution of one phase, and the speed will be 2f electrical radians per
second.
1-2.4.3 Generated Voltage in Rotating AC Machines (e.g. Alternators)
The study of voltages induced in any of the armature windings of rotating machines resolves
into study of the voltage induced in a single coil followed by addition of the individual coil
voltages in the manner dictated by the specific interconnection of the coils forming the
complete winding. The general nature of induced voltage has already been discussed. The
focus in this section is the determination of the voltage magnitude by Faraday’s Law.
Consider a single N - turn full-pitch coil, that is a coil that spans 180 electrical degrees or
complete pole pitch. For simplicity, consider a 2-pole cylindrical rotor machine. The field
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winding on the rotor is excited by a d-c source, and assumed to produce a sinusoidal space
wave of flux density B at the stator surface. The rotor is spinning at constant angular
A
velocity .
When the rotor poles are in line with the magnetic axis of the stator (armature) coil, the flux
linkage with the stator coil is N , where is the airgap flux per pole. For the assumed
sinusoidal flux-density wave,
B Bmax cos (9)
where Bmax is the peak value at the rotor pole center and is measured in electrical radians
from the rotor pole axis. The airgap flux per pole is the integral of the flux density over the
pole area.
As the rotor turns, the flux linkage varies as the cosine of the angle between the magnetic
axes of the stator coil and rotor. By Faraday’s Law, the voltage induced in the stator coil is
d d max
e N max sin t N cost (10)
dt dt
The minus sign associated with Faraday’s Law in Eqn (10) implies that while the flux linking
the coil is decreasing, an emf will be induced in it in a direction to try to produce a current
which would tend to prevent the flux linking it from decreasing.
The first term N max sin t is called the rotational or speed voltage due to the relative
d max
motion of field and coil. The second term N cost is the transformer voltage, and is
dt
only present when the amplitude of the flux density wave changes with time.
In the normal steady state operation of most rotating machines, the amplitude of the airgap flux
wave is constant, and the induced voltage is simply the rotational voltage.
e N max sin t (11)
In normal steady-state operation of AC machines, we are usually interested in the rms values of
voltages and currents rather than their instantaneous values. Hence from Eqn (11), the
maximum value of the induced instantaneous voltage is:
Emax N max 2fN max (12)
Its rms value is given as
Emax
Erms 4.44 fN max (13)
2
These equations are identical in form to the corresponding emf equations for a transformer.
Therefore relative motion of a coil (rotor field coil in this case) and a constant-amplitude
spatial flux density wave (like the DC flux from the field windings on the rotor) produce the
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same voltage effect, as does a time-varying flux in association with stationary coils in a
transformer. Rotation, in effect, introduces the time element and transforms a space
distribution of flux density into a time variation of voltage.
For a distributed winding, the induced emf in Eqn (13) must be modified by the winding factor
kw .
Erms 4.44 k w fN (14)
where N is the total series turns per phase.
1-2.5 Armature Reaction Flux in Synchronous Generators
When the DC field winding on the rotor is energized, voltage is induced in the armature
windings on the stator of the alternator. Under no-load condition, no current will flow through
the armature windings. In that situation, the flux in the airgap is uniformly distributed and due
only to that of the field windings. However, under loading situation when a synchronous
generator supplies electrical power to a load, armature current flows. The armature current
creates a component flux wave in the airgap which rotates at synchronous speed, as shown in
Section 1.2.2. This armature flux reacts with the flux created by the field, and an
electromagnetic torque results from the tendency of the two magnetic fields to align
themselves.
In a generator, this torque opposes rotation, and a counter mechanical torque must be applied
from the prime mover in order to sustain rotation. The electromagnetic torque is the
mechanism through which greater electrical power output calls for greater mechanical power
input.
As in DC generators, the armature reaction is the effect of armature flux on the main field flux.
In the case of alternators, an AC machine, the power factor of the connected load (i.e.,
whether a resistive load of unity power factor or inductive load of zero lagging power factor
or capacitive load of zero leading power factor) has a considerable effect on the armature
reaction.
1-2.5.1 Distorting Effect of Armature Reaction Flux
The effect of the armature flux is to distort the main flux distribution in the airgap due to the
field flux. The effect on the flux magnitude is important because both the generated voltage
and torque per unit of armature current are influenced thereby.
The armature mmf Fa combines with (or superimposes on) the main flux in the airgap due to
the field mmf F f to give a resultant mmf Fr that is distorted. This net mmf distribution due to
the combined magnetizing action of the field and armature fluxes magnetizes the machine to a
resultant gap flux per pole r , which in turn generates a voltage E g 4.44 k w fN r in the
stator or armature winding. In the absence of magnetic saturation, Fa and F f can be
considered to produce separate gap fluxes a and f , which superpose to give r as
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resultant. The two flux components can then be considered to induce separate emfs Ea and
E f in the stator windings having the phasor sum E g .
The net flux distribution in the airgap of an alternator depends on the amount of stator current
and on the phase relation existing between the current and voltage; that is, the power factor of
the load.
1-2.5.2 Armature Reaction in Synchronous Generators
The net effect of the armature current is to distort or twist the main flux from the field
windings and hence the generated voltage in the stator (armature windings). This effect is
known as armature reaction. The mmf wave created by the armature current is called
armature-reaction mmf.
For salient-pole machines, the effect of the armature mmf is to be seen as creating flux
sweeping across the pole-faces. Thus, its path in the pole shoes crosses the path of the main-
field flux. For this reason, armature reaction of this type is called cross-magnetizing armature
reaction. It evidently causes a decrease in the resultant airgap flux density under one-half of the
pole and an increase under the other half.
Therefore, when the field winding is excited and the armature is connected to supply load, the
resultant airgap flux distribution is the superposition of the flux distribution from the field
windings and that from the armature windings. Because of saturation of iron, the flux density is
decreased by a greater amount under one pole tip than it is increased under the other.
Accordingly, the resultant flux per pole is lower than would be produced by the field winding
alone, a consequence known as the demagnetizing effect of cross-magnetizing armature
reaction. Since the demagnetizing effect of cross-magnetizing armature reaction is caused by
saturation, its magnitude is a non-linear function of both the field current and the armature
current.
1-2.5.3 Counteracting Armature Reaction
The effect of cross-magnetizing armature reaction may be limited in the design and
construction of the machine. The mmf of the main field should exert predominating control on
the airgap flux, so that the condition of weak field mmf and strong armature mmf may be
avoided through the following measures:
1. Increasing the reluctance of the cross-flux path – essentially the armature teeth, pole
shoes and the airgap by increasing the degree of saturation in the teeth and pole faces,
by avoiding too small an airgap and by using chamfered pole face which increases the
airgap at the pole tips.
2. The best but also the most expensive curative measure is compensate the armature mmf
by means of a winding embedded in the pole faces called compensating or pole-face
winding. The compensating winding is connected in series with the armature and is
arranged in such a way as to supply a magnetizing action that is equal and opposite to
that of the armature coils at all loads, thereby neutralizing the cross-magnetizing effect
of the armature ampere-turns.
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Furthermore, the addition of the compensating winding improves the speed of response,
because it reduces the armature circuit time-constant. The main disadvantage of commutating
or pole-face winding is their expense. They are used therefore in machines designed for heavy
loads or rapidly changing loads.
1-2.5.4 Armature Reaction Reactance
As explained, the magnetomotive force (mmf) produced by the armature currents in the
armature winding when the alternator is loaded is called armature reaction. The load current,
flowing through the armature windings, builds up local flux which on cutting the winding
generates a counter (or reactance) emf. This effect gives the armature a reactance that is
numerically equal to 2fL , where L is the leakage inductance of the armature winding (similar
to the leakage inductance in transformer windings).
This leakage reactance arising from the armature reaction is called armature reaction
reactance, since the flux which causes it is around the armature turns only and does not affect
the field directly. This armature reaction flux is proportional to the armature currents, since the
magnetic paths it covers is not normally saturated.
SESSION 2-2 Cylindrical-Rotor Synchronous Generators
2-2.1 Phasor and Equivalent Circuit Diagrams of the Cylindrical-Rotor (Non-Salient
Pole) Synchronous Generators
An elementary picture of how a synchronous generator works has already been given in the
previous sections. In this section, analytical methods of examining the steady-state
performance of polyphase synchronous generator will be considered. Initial consideration will
be given to non-salient pole (cylindrical-rotor) synchronous generators, with the effects of
salient poles considered thereafter.
2-2.1.1 Phasor Diagrams of Cylindrical-Rotor Synchronous Generators
It will be recalled from Eqn (8) that balanced polyphase in a symmetrical polyphase winding
creates an mmf wave whose space-fundamental component rotates at synchronous speed.
Recall also that the mmf wave is directly opposite say, arbitrarily chosen phase a, at the instant
when the phase a current has its maximum.
When a synchronous generator is loaded, current flows in both armature and field windings,
and they create mmf waves in the respective windings. The mmf wave created by the armature
current is commonly called the armature-reaction mmf. The resultant magnetic field r in the
machine is the sum of the two components produced by the field current f and the armature
reaction ar .
Because the fields are sinusoid, and sinusoids can conveniently be added by phasor methods,
the airgap flux and mmf conditions in a synchronous machine can thus be represented by
phasor diagrams.
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Fig 5 shows the space-phasor diagram for two situations of the armature current in phase with
and lagging the excitation voltage in a synchronous generator.
Axis of field Axis of field
T f T
f r
r
Axis of phase a Axis of phase a
ar lag Eg
ar
Fig (a) Fig (b)
Ia
Fig 5: Phasor Diagram of Fluxes in Cylindrical-Rotor Synchronous Generator
(a) Armature current in phase with excitation (unity power factor)
(b) Armature current lagging the excitation (lagging power factor)
2-2.1.2 Equivalent Circuit of Cylindrical-Rotor Synchronous Generators
A very useful and simple equivalent representing the steady-state behaviour of a cylindrical-
rotor synchronous machine under balanced, polyphase conditions is obtained if the effect of the
armature reaction flux is represented by an inductive reactance. For the start, let us consider an
unsaturated cylindrical-rotor machine. Although neglect of magnetic saturation may appear to
be a drastic simplification, it can be shown that the results obtained can be modified to
consider saturation.
As stated already, the resultant airgap flux in the machine can be considered as the phasor sum
of the component fluxes created by the field and armature-reaction mmfs. From the viewpoint
of the armature windings, these fluxes manifest themselves as generated emfs. The resultant
airgap voltage E r can then be considered as the phasor sum of the excitation or generated
voltage E g generated by the field flux and the voltage Ear generated by the armature-reaction
flux.
The component emfs E g and Ear are proportional to the field and armature currents
respectively, and each lags the flux, which generates it by 900. The armature-reaction flux
ar is in phase with the armature current I a , and consequently the armature-reaction emf
Ear lags the armature current by 900.
See Fig 6.
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f
ar
Eg
r E ar
Er
Ia
Fig 6: Phasor Diagram of Component Fluxes and Corresponding Induced Voltages
The effect of armature reaction is simply that of an inductive reactance X ar (the armature-
reaction or magnetizing reactance) accounting for the component voltage generated by the
space-fundamental flux created by armature reaction. Part of the excitation or generated
voltage E g is used to overcome the voltage Ear generated by the armature-reaction flux and
the rest appears as the resultant airgap voltage E r . Thus,
E g Er Ear
(15)
Er jI a X ar
The resultant airgap voltage E r differs from the terminal voltage V by the armature resistance
Ra and leakage-reactance X a drops. See Fig 7 below. The armature leakage reactance
accounts for the voltages induced by the component fluxes which are not included in the airgap
voltage E r .
These fluxes include not only leakage across the armature slots and around the coil ends,
but also those associated with the space-harmonic field effects created by the departure from
a sinusoid necessarily present in actual armature mmf wave.
Finally, the equivalent circuit for an unsaturated non-salient-pole (cylindrical-rotor) machine
under balanced polyphase conditions reduces to the form shown in Fig 7, in which the machine
is represented on a per-phase basis by its excitation voltage E g in series with a simple
impedance.
X ar Xa Xs
Ra Ra
+ +
Eg Er V Eg V
- -
Fig 7: Equivalent Circuits of Cylindrical-Rotor (Non-Salient Pole) Synchronous Machines
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Synchronous Reactance
This simple impedance is called synchronous impedance. Its reactance X s is called the
synchronous reactance. In terms of the magnetizing and leakage reactances,
X s X ar X a
(16)
Z s Ra jX s
Ra j ( X a X ar )
The synchronous reactance takes into account all the flux produced by balanced polyphase
armature currents, while the excitation or generated voltage takes into account the flux
produced by the field current. In an unsaturated cylindrical-rotor (non-salient pole) machine at
constant frequency, the synchronous reactance is a constant. Furthermore, the excitation
voltage is proportional to the field current and equals the voltage which would appear at the
terminals if the armature were open-circuited, the speed and field current being held
constant.
The value of X s is 10 to 100 times greater than Ra . Therefore, we can neglect the resistance,
unless we are interested in efficiency or heating.
2-2.2 Steady-State Performance Characteristics of the Synchronous Machine
Two basic sets of characteristic curves for a synchronous machine are involved in the inclusion
of saturation effects and in the determination of the appropriate machine constants. The tests
performed to obtain these characteristics are the open-circuit and short-circuit tests. These
tests yield the open-circuit and short-circuit characteristics, which are necessary for
determining the performance of synchronous machines.
Except for a few remarks on the degree of validity of certain assumptions, the discussions
apply to both non-salient-pole (cylindrical-rotor) and salient-pole machines.
2-2.2.1 Open-Circuit Characteristics
Like the magnetization curve for a d-c machine, the open-circuit characteristic of a
synchronous machine is a curve of the armature terminal voltage on open circuit (or no-load)
as a function of the field excitation, when the machine is running at synchronous speed.
Essentially, the open-circuit characteristic represents the relation between the space-
fundamental component of the airgap flux and the mmf on the magnetic circuit when the field
winding constitutes the only mmf source.
The open-circuit characteristic is determined experimentally by driving the machine
mechanically at rated synchronous speed as an unloaded generator, that is, with armature
terminals on open circuit, and measuring the open-circuit terminal voltages for a series of field
current values. The OCC is shown in Fig 8.
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ag line
Open-circuit Voltage
OCC
If
Field Excitation
Fig 8: Open-Circuit Characteristic (OCC) of a Synchronous Machine
Since the generated voltage is proportional to the flux and therefore the flux density, the open-
circuit characteristic (OCC) is, to some scale, just like the B H magnetization or hysteresis
curve. The OCC may be plotted in per-unit terms, where unity voltage is the rated voltage and
unity field current is the excitation corresponding to rated voltage on the airgap line.
The straight line tangent to the lower portion of the magnetization curve is called the airgap
line. It indicates very closely the mmf required to overcome the reluctance of the airgap. If it
were not for the effects of saturation, the airgap line and OCC would coincide, so that the
departure of the curve from the airgap line is an indication of the degree of saturation present.
In a normal machine, the ratio at rated voltage of the total mmf to that required by the airgap
alone usually is between 1.10 and 1.25.
2-2.2.2 Short-Circuit Characteristics
The short-circuit characteristic (SCC) is obtained experimentally by short-circuiting the
armature (i.e. stator) windings of a synchronous machine being driven as a generator at
synchronous speed through low-resistance ammeters. The excitation or field current is
gradually adjusted from its zero value until the armature current has reached a maximum safe
value, about 1.5 to 2 times rated or full-load current.
Corresponding values of short-circuit armature current and field current are measured, and
the SCC is drawn as shown in Fig 9.
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Short-circuit Armature Current
SCC
If
Field Excitation
Fig 9: Short-Circuit Characteristic (SCC) of a Synchronous Machine
The SCC curve is linear because the armature reaction mmf Far is almost as large as the field
excitation, so that the resultant excitation and flux are small and therefore the iron is not
saturated.
The phasor relation between the excitation (or generated) voltage E g and the steady-state
armature current I a under polyphase short-circuit conditions is:
Eg I a ( R a jX s )
(17)
I sc Z s
Because the resistance Ra is much smaller than the synchronous reactance X s , the armature
current I a lags the excitation voltage E g by very nearly 900. Consequently, the armature-
reaction mmf wave is very nearly in line with the axis of the field poles and in opposition to the
field mmf.
The resultant mmf, obtained from the phasor sum of the field and armature-reaction mmfs,
creates the resultant airgap flux wave which generates the airgap voltage E r equal to the
voltage consumed in armature resistance Ra and leakage reactance X a .
As an equation,
Er I a (Ra jX a ) (18)
In most synchronous machines, the armature resistance is negligible, and the leakage reactance
is about 0.15 p.u., that is, at rated armature current, the leakage-reactance voltage drop I a X a is
about 0.15 p.u. Therefore, from Eqn (18), the airgap voltage Er at rated armature current on
short-circuit is about 0.15 p.u., that is to say, the resultant airgap flux is only about 0.15 of its
normal-voltage value.
Consequently, the machine is operating in an unsaturated condition. The short-circuit
armature current therefore is directly proportional to the field current over the range from
zero to well above rated armature current.
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From Eqn (17), for the same field current,
Eg
Zs (19)
I sc for same field current If
This impedance is called unsaturated synchronous impedance. At low excitations, the OCC is
linear and the unsaturated synchronous impedance is constant. However, at high excitations,
the OCC is nonlinear and the unsaturated synchronous impedance is not constant. The
unsaturated synchronous impedance can be found from the open-circuit and short-circuit data.
See Fig 8.
ag line
Short-circuit Armature Current
Open-circuit Voltage
c
Rated voltage
a OCC
SCC
Rated Armature Current
o f f o
Field Excitation If
Fig 10: Typical Open-Circuit and Short-Circuit Characteristics of Synchronous Machine
2-2.2.3 Determination of the armature resistance Ra
The armature resistance Ra per phase can be measured directly by voltmeter and ammeter
method or by using Wheatstone bridge. However, under working conditions, the effective
value of Ra is increased due to skin effect. The value of Ra so obtained by direct measurement
is increased by 60 % or so to allow for this effect. Generally, an effective value of 1.6 times the
DC value Rdc is taken.
Example 1
The following test results were obtained from a 3-phase, 6000 kVA, 66 kV star-connected, 2-
pole, 50 Hz turbo alternator. With a field current of 125 A, the open circuit voltage is 8000 V
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at rated speed. With the same excitation and rated speed, the short-circuit current was 800 A. If
at the rated full-load, the resistance drop is 3%, determine the following:
i. synchronous impedance Z s
ii. armature resistance Ra
iii. synchronous reactance X s
Solution 1
i. The synchronous impedance is calculated using the equation
Eoc 8000 / 3
Zs = 5.77
I sc for same field currentIf
800
ii. The voltage per phase is Eoc 8000 / 3 3810 V
S 3 ph 6000
Full load current, I 525 A
VL 3 6.6 3
Resistance drop, IRa 3 % Eoc 0.03 3810 114.3V
Hence Ra 114.3 / 525 0.218
Synchronous reactance , X s Z s Ra 5.77 2 0.218 2 5.74
2 2
iii.
Example 2
A three-phase 50 Hz star-connected 2000 kVA, 2300 V alternator gives a short-circuit current
of 600 A for a certain field excitation. With the same excitation, the open circuit voltage was
900 V. The resistance measured between a pair of terminal was 0.12 Ω. Determine the
following:
i. synchronous impedance Z s
ii. armature resistance Ra
iii. synchronous reactance X s
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Solution 2
i. The synchronous impedance is calculated using the equation
Eoc 900 / 3
Zs = 0.866
I sc for same field currentIf
600
ii. Resistance between the pair of terminals is 0.12 Ω. It is the resistance between two
phases connected in series. Thus measured resistance per phase 0.12/2 = 0.06 Ω.
Hence effective armature resistance, Ra 1.6 Rmeasured 1.6 0.06 0.096
Synchronous reactance , X s Z s Ra 0.866 2 0.096 2 0.86
2 2
iii.
2-2.3 Output Power Delivered By Cylindrical-Rotor Synchronous Generator
Consider a simple circuit of a cylindrical-rotor synchronous generator of excitation voltage
E g supplying power to a bus of voltage Vbus through an impedance Z such that current I
flows. The phasor diagram is also shown in Fig 11 below.
Eg
jIX
Z R jX
R I X
Eg Vbus
Vbus
IR
I
Fig (a) Fig (b)
Fig 11: (a) Circuit Diagram (b) Phasor Diagram
The power P2 delivered to the load or bus end Vbus is
P2 VbusI cos (20)
where is the phase angle of the current I with respect to Vbus . The phasor current is
E g Vbus
I (21)
Z
If the phasor voltages and impedance are expressed in polar forms,
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E g Vbus 0 Eg Vbus
I ( z ) ( z ) (22)
Z z Z Z
where is the phase angle (called power angle) by which E g leads Vbus , Z is the magnitude
of the impedance.
The real part of the phasor Eqn (22) is the component of I in phase with Vbus .
Hence
Eg V
I cos Re al part ( z ) bus ( z )
Z Z (23)
Eg V
cos( z ) bus cos( z )
Z Z
We note that cos( z ) cos( z ) R / Z . Substituting Eqn (23) into (20), we obtain,
P2 Vbus I cos
Eg V
Vbus cos( z ) bus cos( z )
Z Z
E gVbus V 2
R (24)
cos( z ) bus2
Z Z
E gVbus Vbus 2 R
sin( z )
Z Z2
R
where z tan 1 90 0 z (25)
X
and is usually a small angle.
Similarly, the power P1 at the source end E g of the impedance can be expressed as
E gVbus Vbus 2 R
P1 sin( z ) (26)
Z Z2
If, as is frequently the case, the resistance is assumed negligible, then
E gVbus
P1 P2 Preal sin (27)
X
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If the resistance is negligible and the voltages are constant, the maximum power occurs at
90 0 , and is given as:
E gVbus
Preal (max) (28)
X
2-2.4 Maximum Power Output From Cylindrical-Rotor Synchronous Generator
There is a maximum output that an alternator is capable of delivering for given values of
terminal voltage, frequency and excitation. For a cylindrical rotor, if the resistance is
negligible (in which case the IRa drop is neglected), and the synchronous reactance X s and
voltages V and E g are constant (of course E g is fixed by excitation), then the maximum
power per phase occurs at 90 0 .
Then from Eqns (26) and (27), the maximum power per phase is given as:
E gV
Pmax if Ra is neglected
Xs
V
Zs
E g V cos if Ra is considered (28)
R
where cos a
Zs
The maximum current and the power factor corresponding to maximum power output are given
as
Eg V 2
2
I max (28a)
Xs
Eg
cos max (28b)
Eg V 2
2
Example 3
A 3-phase 11 kV 5 MVA star-connected alternator has a synchronous impedance of
( 1 j12) per phase. Its excitation is such that the generated line emf is 12 kV. If the
alternator is connected to an infinite busbar, determine the maximum output at the given
excitation.
Solution 3
12000
The generated phase voltage is E g 6928 V
3
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11000
The terminal voltage per phase is V 6351 V
3
Since the armature resistance is NOT negligible, we need to calculate the internal angle
R 1
cos a 0.083
Zs 12 12 2
Hence the maximum power output per phase is
Pmax
V
Zs
E g V cos
6351
6928 6351 0.083
12 12 2
3375 .88 kW
Total Pmax 3 3375 .88 10127 .64 kW
2-2.5 Exercises on Maximum Power Output
Exercise 1
A 3-phase 11 kV 10 MW star-connected synchronous generator has a synchronous impedance
of ( 0.6 j10) per phase. If the excitation is such that the open-circuit voltage is 12 kV,
determine:
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(a) Maximum output of the generator
(b) Current and p.f. at the maximum output
Hint: Assume negligible armature resistance
[Ans: 13,200 kW ; 939.8 A ; 0.737 lead]
Exercise 2
A 3-phase 11 kV 5 MVA star-connected alternator has a synchronous impedance of
( 1 j10) per phase. Its excitation is such that the generated line emf is 14 kV. If the
alternator is connected to infinite busbars, determine maximum output at the given excitation
[Ans: 14133 kW]
Exercise 3
A 3-phase 11 kV 10 MW star-connected synchronous alternator has a synchronous impedance
of ( 0.8 j8) per phase. If its excitation is such that the open-circuit voltage is 14 kV,
determine:
(a) Maximum output of the generator
(b) Current and p.f. at the maximum output
[Ans: 19.25 MW ; 1287 A ; 0.78 lead]
SESSION 3-2 Salient-Pole Rotor Synchronous Generators
3-2.1 Phasor and Equivalent Diagrams of Salient-Pole Rotor Synchronous Generator
(Two-Axis or Two-Reactance Theory to Account for Saliency)
The effect of salient poles is taken into account in the so-called two-axis or two-reactance
theory, by resolving the armature current or the sinusoidal armature flux into two
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perpendicular components, one in time quadrature (say aq ) and the other in time phase (say
ad ) with excitation voltage E g taken as the reference axis. Each of the fluxes ad and
aq may then be thought of as inducing its own voltage Ed and Eq respectively.
3-2.1.1 Phasor Diagram of Salient-Pole Synchronous Generator
This diagram is drawn for an unsaturated salient-pole generator operating at a lagging power
factor.
f
r
Iq
aq Eg
ad
ar
Id Ia
Fig 12: Phasor Diagram of Salient-Pole Synchronous Generator (Lagging pf)
The d-component I d of the armature current, in time quadrature with the excitation voltage,
produces its component fundamental armature-reaction flux ard along the axes of the field
poles. On the other hand, the q-component I q of the armature current, in phase with the
excitation voltage, produces its component fundamental armature-reaction flux arq in space
quadrature with the field poles.
A direct-axis quantity is one whose magnetic effect is centered on the axes of the field. Direct-
axis mmfs act on the main magnetic circuit.
A quadrature-axis quantity is one whose magnetic effect is centered on the interpolar space.
For an unsaturated machine, the armature-reaction flux ar is thus the phasor sum of the
components ard and arq .
The resultant flux r is then the phasor sum of the armature-reaction flux ar and the main
field flux f .
Thus
r ar f , where ar ard arq
ard arq f
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3-2.1.2 Equivalent Circuit of Salient-Pole Synchronous Generator
With each of the armature component currents I d and I q , there is associated a component
synchronous reactance voltage drop jI d X d and jIqX q respectively, where the reactances X d
and X q are, respectively, called the direct- and quadrature axis synchronous rectances.
Principally, the synchronous reactance accounts for the inductive effects of all the
fundamental-frequency-generating fluxes created by the armature currents, including both
armature leakage and armature-reaction fluxes. Thus the inductive effects of the direct- and
quadrature axes armature-reaction flux waves ard and arq can be accounted for by the
equivalent d-axis and q-axis magnetizing reactances X ard and X arq respectively, similar to
the magnetizing armature-reaction reactance X ar of the non-salient-pole (cylindrical-rotor)
theory.
Expressed mathematically, the direct- and quadrature-axis synchronous reactances X d and
X q are given as
X d X a X ard
(29)
X q X a X arq
where
X ard = d-axis armature-reaction reactance (due to I d or ard )
X arq = q-axis armature-reaction reactance (due to I q or arq )
X a = armature leakage reactance and is assumed to be the same for both
d-axis and q-axis currents.
X d = d-axis synchronous reactance
X q = q-axis synchronous reactance
Note
The synchronous reactance expression of Eqn (29), deduced from the salient-pole
two-reactance theory, compares with that of Eqn (16), deduced from the
cylindrical-rotor theory.
The generated voltage E g equals the terminal voltage V on no-load. If the armature resistance
is introduced, then the excitation voltage must equal the terminal voltage V plus the armature
resistance drop I a Ra and the component synchronous-reactance drops due to the d- and q-axis
armature currents. Thus
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E g V I a Ra jI d X d jI q X q (30)
See Fig 13 for the phasor representation of Eqn (30)
Iq
jI q X q
V
Ia R
Id Ia a
jI d X d
Fig 13: Phasor Diagram of Salient-Pole Synchronous Generator
The q-axis synchronous reactance X q is less than the d-axis synchronous reluctance X d
because of the greater reluctance of the airgap in the quadrature axis. Usually, X q is between
0.6 X d and 0.7 X d .
Note that a small salient-pole effect is present in turbo-alternators, even though they are
cylindrical-rotor machines, because of the effect of the rotor slots on the quadrature-axis
reluctance.
3-2.2 Relations Among Component Voltages in Phasor Diagram of Salient-Pole
Synchronous Generators Operating at Lagging Power Factor
In using or drawing the phasor diagram of the salient-pole synchronous generator in Fig 11
above, the armature current must be resolved into its d-axis and q-axis components. This
resolution assumes that the phase angle ( ) of the armature current with respect to the
excitation voltage is known.
Often, however, the phase angle (power-factor angle) at the machine terminals is explicitly
known, whilst the power angle (i.e. angle between the excitation voltage E g and terminal
voltage V ) is not known and must be calculated.
The phasor diagram above is repeated by the solid-line phasors in Fig 14.
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Eg
a
Iq
o E a Eg
c
jI q X q
V
Id Ia Ia R
b a
b
a
o b jI d X d
Fig 14: Relations among Component Voltages in Phasor Diagram of Salient-Pole
Synchronous Generator Operating at Lagging Power Factor
The study of the diagram shows that the dashed phasor oa , perpendicular to the armature
current I a , equals jI a X q . This result follows geometrically from the fact that triangles oa b
and oab are similar, because their corresponding sides are perpendicular.
Thus using the properties of similar triangles,
oa ba
oa ba
(31)
ba jI q X q
oa oa I a jI a X q
ba Iq
Similarly, other relations are obtained.
oa jI a X q ob jI d X q a c jI d ( X d X q )
ba bc jI q X q ob jI d X d oa jI a X d
The phasor sum V I a Ra jI a X q then locates the angular position of the excitation voltage
E g and therefore the d- and q-axes. Physically, this must be so, because all the field excitation
in a normal machine is in the direct axis.
One use of these relations in determining the excitation requirements for specified operating
conditions at the terminals of a salient-pole machine is illustrated in the following example.
Example 4:
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The reactances X d and X q of a salient-pole synchronous generator are 1.00 and 0.60 p.u.,
respectively. The armature resistance is negligible. Compute the excitation voltage when the
generator delivers rated kVA at 0.80 pf lagging current, and rated terminal voltage.
Solution 4:
The power factor angle is known but the power angle is unknown. And so first of all, the
phase ( ) of the excitation voltage E g must be found, so that the armature current I a can
be resolved into its d-axis and q-axis components.
E g a
Eg
E c
a
Iq o a jI a X q
a c jI d ( X d X q )
o V
o a jI a X d
Ia
Id
Fig 15: Salient-Pole Generator Phasor Diagram for Example 2
The armature current is given as:
I a 0.80 j 0.60 1.00 36.9 0 p.u. (32)
With the terminal voltage as the reference phasor, V 100 1 j 0 , and the phasor sum E
in the phasor diagram is:
E V jI a X q
(1 j 0) j (0.80 j 0.60)(0.60)
1.36 j 0.48
1.4419.4 0 p.u.
The power angle = 19.40 and so the phase angle between the excitation voltage E g and the
armature current I a is ( ) = (36.90 + 19.40) = 56.30.
The armature current can now be resolved into its d- and q-axis components. Their magnitudes
are
I d I a sin( ) 1.00 sin 56.30 0.832
(33)
I q I a cos( ) 1.00 cos56.30 0.555
As phasors,
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I d I d (90 0 19.4 0 ) 0.832 70.6 0
(34)
I q I q (19.4 0 ) 0.55519.4 0
We can now find the excitation voltage E g by simply adding numerically the length
a c I d ( X d X q ) to the magnitude of E .
Thus the magnitude of the excitation voltage is the algebraic sum
Eg E I d ( X d X q )
1.44 (0.832)(1.00 0.60) (35)
1.77 p.u.
As a phasor, E g 1.7719.4 0 p.u.
3-2.3 Output Power Delivered by Salient-Pole Synchronous Generator
The discussion will be limited to a simple system shown in the schematic diagram below
comprising a salient-pole machine SM connected to an infinite bus (e.g. a large power system
network) of voltage Vnet through a series impedance (e.g. a transmission line) of reactance
X ser per phase. Resistance is neglected.
V Vnet
Iq Eg
X ser
E g SM
jI q X q
Xd Id Ia V jI d X d
Xq
er
Xs jI q X ser
jI a
Fig (a)
Vnet
jI d X ser
Fig (b)
Fig 16: Salient-Pole Synchronous Machine and Series Impedance
(a) Single-Line Diagram (b) Phasor Diagram
The dashed phasors show the external reactance drop resolved into components due to I d and
I q . The effect of the external impedance X ser is merely to add its reactance to the reactances
of the machine; i.e., the total values of reactance interposed between the excitation voltage E g
and the infinite bus voltage Vnet are
X dT X d X ser (36)
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X qT X q X ser (37)
Between the terminal voltage V and the infinite bus linked by the reactance X ser in Fig 16(a),
the armature (or load) current I a will flow, and the voltage equation is given as:
V Vnet I a X ser (38)
The impedance drop across X ser due to I a may be resolved into the d- and q-axes, giving:
I a X ser I d X ser jI q X ser (39)
Moreover, between the generated voltage E g and the terminal voltage V , the voltage equation
is as given by Eqn (30), and is recalled here.
E g V I a Ra jI d X d jI q X q (30)
NOTE: Eqns (38), (39) and (30) explain the phasor diagram of Fig 16(b).
If the infinite bus voltage Vnet is resolved into components Vnet sin and Vnet cos in phase
with I d and I q respectively, then the active power P delivered to the bus per phase is
P I d Vnet sin I qVnet cos (40)
Also, from Fig 16(b),
E g Vnet cos I d X ser I d X d I d ( X ser X d )
I d X dT
E g Vnet cos
Hence I d (41)
X dT
Similarly,
Vnet sin I q X q I q X ser I q ( X ser X d )
I q X qT
Vnet sin
Hence I q (42)
X qT
Substituting Eqns (41) and (42) into Eqn (40) gives
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E gVnet X dT X qT
P sin Vnet 2 sin 2 (43)
X dT 2 X dT X qT
NB
Eqn (43) applies to all possible combinations of a synchronous machine and an
external system, so long as the resistance is negligible.
This power-angle characteristic is shown in Fig 17.
Resultant P
E gVnet
sin
X dT
90
180 0 90 180
V 2
net ( X dT X qT )
sin 2
2 X dT X qT
Fig 17: Power-Angle Characteristic of a Salient-Pole Synchronous Machine Showing
Fundamental Component Due to Field Excitation and
Second Harmonic Component Due to Reluctance Torque
The first term of Eqn (43) is the same as the expression obtained for a cylindrical-rotor
machine. This term is merely an extension of the concept to include the effects of series
reactance. The second term introduces the effects of salient poles. It represents the fact that the
airgap flux wave creates torque tending to align the field poles in the position of minimum
reluctance. This term is the power corresponding to the reluctance torque.
Note that the reluctance is independent of field excitation. Note also that if X d X q as in a
uniform-airgap machine, there is no preferential direction of magnetization, the reluctance
torque is zero, and Eqn (43) reduces to the power-angle equation for a cylindrical rotor
machine whose synchronous reactance is X d .
Because of the reluctance torque, a salient-pole machine is stiffer than one with a cylindrical
rotor, i.e., for equal voltages and equal values of X d , a salient-pole machine develops a given
torque at a smaller value of , and the maximum torque which can be developed is somewhat
greater.
For a normally excited machine, the effect of salient poles usually amounts to a few percent.
Only at small excitations does the reluctance torque become important. Except at small
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excitations, or when exceptionally accurate results are required, a salient-pole machine can
usually be treated by simple cylindrical-rotor theory.
Example 5:
A 1500 kVA, star-connected, 2300 V, three-phase salient pole synchronous generator has
reactances X d =1.95 ohms and X q =1.40 ohms per phase. All losses may be neglected. Find
the excitation voltage for operation at rated kVA and power factor of 0.85 lagging.
Solution 5:
The terminal phase voltage is given as
2300
V 1328 V
3
The rated armature current per phase is given as
S ph (1500 10 3 ) / 3
Ia 377 A
V 1328
Using the terminal voltage as reference
V 132800 (1328 j 0) V
The per phase armature current is then
I a 377 ( cos1 0.85 0 )
377 31.80
(320 j199) A
The phasor sum of the “imaginary” induced voltage E is given as
E V jI a X q
(1328 j 0) j (320 j199)(1.40)
1607 j 448
166815.6 0 V
Hence the power angle = 15.60, and so the phase angle between the excitation voltage
E g and the per phase armature current I a is
= ( ), when is lagging, = (15.60 + 31.80) = 47.40,
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The armature current can now be resolved into its d- and q-axis components. Their magnitudes
are
I d I a sin( ) 377 sin 47.4 0 278 A
I q I a cos( ) 377 cos 47.4 0 255 A
As phasors, the d- and q-axis components of the armature currents are
I d I d (90 0 15.6 0 ) 278 74.4 0
I q I q (15.6 0 ) 25515.6 0
We can now find the excitation voltage E g by simply adding numerically I d ( X d X q ) to
the magnitude of E . Thus, the magnitude of the excitation voltage is the algebraic sum
Eg E I d ( X d X q )
1668 (278)(1.95 1.40)
1821 V
As a phasor, E g 182115.6 0 V (in relation to the reference terminal voltage).
Example 6:
A 36 MVA, 21 kV, 1800 rev/min alternator has a synchronous reactance of 5 ohm per phase.
If the excitation voltage is 12 kV (line-to-neutral) and the output voltage is 17.3 kV (line-to-
line), calculate the power delivered by the machine when the torque angle is 30o.
Solution 6:
Power delivered per phase is
VEg 12 (17.3 / 3 )
P sin sin 30 o 12 MW
Xs 5
Therefore the total power delivered by all the three phases = 3 x 12 = 36 MW
3-2.4 Voltage Regulation and Load Excitation
It is a known fact that with a change in load, there is a change in terminal voltage of an
alternator. The magnitude of this change depends not only on the load but also on the load
power factor.
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The voltage regulation of a synchronous generator is defined as the ratio of the change
(actually a rise) in voltage when full load at rated voltage and a given power factor is removed
from the machine, to the rated terminal voltage, the field excitation and speed remaining
constant.
Thus if V is the rated voltage, and the terminal voltage becomes E0 when full-load is thrown
off, then the per-unit voltage regulation is given as
E0 V
VR (44)
V
Notes on Eqn (42)
i. ( E0 V ) is the arithmetic difference and not the vector difference.
ii. For a leading load power factor, the terminal voltage will fall on removing the full-
load. Hence, regulation is negative in that case.
iii. The rise in voltage when full-load is thrown off, is not the same as the fall in voltage
when full-load is applied.
3-2.4.1 Determination of Voltage Regulation
The voltage regulation of a generator depends on the armature resistance and synchronous
reactance and power factor. Let us look at voltage regulation for small and large machines.
Small Machines
In the case of small machines, the voltage regulation is found by direct loading. The procedure
is as follows:
The alternator is driven at synchronous speed and the terminal voltage is adjusted to its
rated value V .
The load is varied until the wattmeter and ammeter (connected for the purpose) indicate
the rated values at desired power factor.
Then the entire load is thrown off while the speed and field excitation are kept constant.
The open-circuit or no-load voltage E0 is read.
E V
The voltage regulation can thus be determined from the formula VR 0 .
V
Large Machines:
For large machines, the cost of finding the voltage regulation by direct loading is prohibitive.
Hence, other indirect methods are used as described below. It must be pointed out that all these
methods differ chiefly in the way the no-load voltage EO is found in each case.
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The indirect methods employed for determining the voltage regulation and load excitation of
large machines include the following:
i. Synchronous Impedance or EMF Method (due to Behn Eschenberg)
ii. Ampere-Turn or MMF Method (due to Rothert)
iii. Zero Power Factor or Potier Method (as name implies, due to Potier)
All these methods require the determination of
a. armature (or stator) resistance Ra
b. open-circuit/no-load characteristic (OCC) and
c. short-circuit characteristic SCC.
Only the synchronous impedance method will be treated.
3-2.4.2 Synchronous Impedance or EMF Method:
The general data required in this method are the OCC, SCC and the synchronous impedance,
which is determined in the following procedure.
I. The O/C test is performed by running the machine on no-load and noting the values of
induced voltage and filed excitation. The OCC is then plotted from data obtained. It is
just like the B-H curve.
II. Similarly, the SCC is drawn from the data given by the S/C test. It is a straight line
passing through the origin.
Both these curves are drawn on a common field-current base as shown below in Fig 18
(a) and its vector diagram in Fig18 (b).
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I. Unity p.f.
E0
OCC IX s
SCC
O V
I
A IRa B
E1 D
O.C. Voltage
II. Lagging p.f.
S.C. Current
E0 IX s IX s
V C
O V sin
I
V cos A IRa B
I1
III. Leading p.f.
O I
E0
If Field Current
IX s
Fig (a) V
IRa
Fig (b)
Fig 18: Synchronous Impedance or EMF Method of Determining Voltage Regulation
III. Consider a field current I f . The O/C voltage corresponding to this field current is,
say, E1 , and I 1 is the corresponding short-circuit current obtained on the SCC. When
the winding is short-circuited, the terminal voltage is zero. Hence it may be assumed
that the whole of this voltage E1 is used to circulate the armature short-circuit current
I 1 against the synchronous impedance Z s .
Thus E1 I1 Z s E1 (open circuit )
Zs (45)
I1 (short circuit )
IV. Since the armature resistance Ra can be found as described earlier, the synchronous
reactance is obtained as X s ( Z s2 R2a)
V. Knowing Ra and X s , the vector diagram of Fig 16 (b) can be drawn for any load and
any power factor.
From it, the no-load voltage is determined as
E0 OB 2
(OA AB)
BD 2 2
( BC CD) 2
or
E0 V cos IRa 2 V sin IX s 2 (46)
sign : lagging pf
- sign : leading pf
0 : unity pf
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E0 V
Hence the voltage regulation is obtained as VR . The internal voltage E g behind
V
synchronous impedance is taken as the no-load voltage. The method is referred to as the
saturated synchronous impedance method. Practical experience has shown and confirmed that
reasonable good results are obtained by this method.
From the vector diagram above, it is clear that for the same field excitation, the terminal
voltage is decreased from its no-load value E0 to V (for a lagging power factor). This is
because of the following drops:
1. drop in voltage, IRa , due to armature resistance
2. drop in voltage, IX a , due to armature leakage reactance
3. drop in voltage, IX ar , due to armature reaction
The drop in voltage due to armature reaction has been accounted for by assuming the presence
of the fictitious reactance X ar in the armature winding. The value of the armature reaction
reactance X ar is such that IX ar represents the voltage drop due to armature reaction. Hence,
the vector difference between the no-load voltage E0 and terminal voltage V is equal to the
drop IZ s across the synchronous impedance Z s . Note that IZ s represents the total drop in the
alternator under load.
Example 7
A 3300 V , 100 kVA 3-phase star-connected synchronous generator has an effective armature
resistance of 0.5 / ph . A field current of 5 A was necessary to produce a rated current on
short-circuit and a voltage of 1000 V (line) on open-circuit. Determine the full-load voltage
regulation for the following types of loads:
a) unity power factor
b) 0.80 leading power factor
c) 0.71 lagging power factor
Solution 7
For a star-connected winding, the rated phase current equals the line current.
S 100 10 3
I IL 17.5 A
3 VL 3 3300
The synchronous impedance is given as
Eoc 1000 / 3
Zs 33
I sc sameI f
17.5
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The synchronous reactance is then calculated as
X s Z s 2 Ra 2 (33) 2 (0.5) 2 32.99
E V
The voltage regulation is VR , where V is the terminal voltage and E is the generated
V
voltage, and is given as E V cos IRa 2 V sin IX s 2 .
The terminal voltage per phase is
V VL / 3 3300 / 3 1905V
a) Unity power factor cos 1.0 , sin 0.0
The generated voltage is
E V IRa 2 IX s 2
(1905) (17.5 0.5)2 (17.5 32.99)2
1999 V
Hence the percentage voltage regulation is
E V 1999 1905
VR 100 100 4.93 %
V 1905
b) 0.8 leading power factor cos 0.8 , sin 0.6
The generated voltage is
E V cos IRa 2 V sin IX s 2
(1905 0.8) (17.5 0.5)2 (1905 0.6) (17.5 32.99)2
1634 V
Hence the percentage voltage regulation is
E V 1634 1905
VR 100 100 14.24 %
V 1905
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b) 0.71 lagging power factor cos 0.71 , sin 0.71
The generated voltage is
E V cos IRa 2 V sin IX s 2
(1905 0.71) (17.5 0.5)2 (1905 0.71) (17.5 32.99)2
2362 V
Hence the percentage voltage regulation is
E V 2362 1905
VR 100 100 23.97 %
V 1905
In the Table below, find a summary of the values for the generated voltage, terminal voltage
and voltage regulation for the different loads and power factors.
Resistive load Capacitive load Inductive load
(unity pf) (leading pf) (lagging pf)
0.60 0.80 0.71 0.80
Generated
voltage 1999 1491 1634 2362 2304
E (volts)
Voltage
regulation (%) +4.93 -21.74 -14.24 +23.97 +20.94
E V
VR
V
Observations:
1. The magnitude of the generated voltage depends on the load type and its power factor.
2. Much more voltages would have to be generated for inductive loads than for capacitive
loads. The reason is that, inductive loads are basically reactive power absorbers, whilst
capacitive loads are reactive power producers.
3. For a particular inductive load, the better the power factor, the less voltage would have
to be generated, and vice versa. For example, at 0.8 pf lagging, the generated voltage is
2304 V, compared to that of 2362 V for 0.71 pf lagging.
4. For a particular capacitive load, the better the power factor, the more voltage is
generated, and vice versa. For example, at 0.8 pf leading, the generated voltage is 1634
V, compared to that of 1491 V for 0.60 pf leading.
5. The voltage regulation is negative for capacitive loads. This means that for capacitive
loads, the terminal voltage is more than the generated voltage. Capacitors therefore
enhance terminal voltage.
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6. The voltage regulation is positive for inductive loads. This means that for inductive
loads, the terminal voltage is less than the generated voltage. Inductive loads therefore
tend to reduce the terminal voltage.
Example 8
A 600 V 60 kVA single-phase alternator has an effective resistance of 0.2 . A field current
of 10 A produces an armature current of 210 A on short-circuit and a emf of 480 V on open-
circuit. Calculate
a. synchronous impedance and reactance
b. full-load voltage regulation with 0.8 pf lagging
Solution 8
Eoc 480
(a) The synchronous impedance is given as Z s 2.28 .
I sc for same field current I f
210
Hence the reactance is calculated as X s Z s Ra (2.28) 2 (0.2) 2 2.27
2 2
(b) Full-load voltage regulation with 0.8 pf lagging; cos 0.8 sin 0.6
S 60 1000
For the single-phase alternator, the full-load phase-current I 100 A
V 600
The no-load voltage for a lagging load is given as
E0 (V cos IRa ) 2 (V sin IX s ) 2
(600 0.8 100 0.2) 2 (600 0.6 100 2.27) 2
771 V
The percentage voltage regulation is
E V 771 600
VR 0 100 100 28.5 %
V 600
Example 9
A 3-phase star-connected alternator is rated at 1500 kVA 12000 V. The armature effective
resistance and synchronous reactance are respectively 2 and 35 per phase. Calculate the
percentage regulation for a load of 1200 kW at power factors of
(a) 0.8 lagging
(b) 0.8 leading
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Solution 9
It must be noted that the given voltage is a line value, but we need the phase voltage for our
calculation of the no-load terminal voltage.
For a star-connected winding, the phase voltage is given as
VL 12,000
V 6928 V
3 3
The load current drawn by the 1200 kW 0.8 power factor lagging load is
P3 1200 10 3
I 72.2 A
VL 3 cos 12,000 3 0.8
(a) Voltage regulation with 0.8 pf lagging; cos 0.8 sin 0.6
The no-load voltage for a lagging load is given as
E0 (V cos IRa ) 2 (V sin IX s ) 2
(6928 0.8 72.2 2) 2 (6928 0.6 72.2 35) 2
8775 .7 V
The corresponding percentage voltage regulation is
E V 8775 . 6928
VR 0 100 100 26.67 %
V 6928
(b) Voltage regulation with 0.8 pf leading; cos 0.8 sin 0.6
Note that for a leading load, the sign before the IX s drop in the no-load voltage equation is
negative. Moreover, the voltage regulation is expected to be negative.
The load current supplied by the 1200 kW 0.8 power factor leading load is
P3 1200 10 3
I 72.2 A
VL 3 cos 12,000 3 0.8
The no-load voltage for a leading load is given as
E0 (V cos IRa ) 2 (V sin IX s ) 2
(6928 0.8 72.2 2) 2 (6928 0.6 72.2 35) 2
5915 .7 V
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The percentage voltage regulation is
E V 5915 .7 6928
VR 0 100 100 17.11 %
V 6928
NB
The full-load current can be obtained from the alternator parameters
S 1500 10 3
as I fl 72.2 A . Since the load current (for both lagging
VL 3 12,000 3
and leading loads) is the same as the full-load current, the calculated voltage
regulation is then the full-load voltage regulation.
3-2.5 Steady-State Operating Characteristics of Synchronous Generators
The principal steady-state operating characteristics are the interrelations among terminal
voltage, field current, armature current and power factor and efficiency. A selection of
performance curves, which are of importance in practical applications of the machine, will be
considered.
These operating characteristics can be obtained qualitatively from the equivalent circuit based
on a constant synchronous impedance. The main characteristics are
1. Terminal Voltage Characteristics ( V I a curves for a given power factor)
2. Compounding Curves ( I f I a curves at rated terminal voltage V )
3. Reactive-Active Power Capability Curves ( Q P curves for a given power factor)
3-2.5.1 Terminal Voltage Characteristics ( V I a ) Curves For a Given Power Factor
The generator voltage characteristic shows the variation of terminal voltage with load (or
armature) current for a given power factor when the generator is driven at constant speed and
excited with constant current. Typical voltage characteristics of an alternator are shown in Fig
19.
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V
M
Leading p.f.
s
Eo
jIa X
90
Unity p.f.
O
V
Rated Load
Lagg
ing p
.f. 90
Ia Ia
Fig (a) Fig (b)
Fig 19: (a) Terminal Voltage Characteristics
(b) Phasor Diagram for Negligible Armature Resistance
Neglecting the stator resistance, the phasor diagram in Fig 19 (b) is obtained. The power factor
is lagging.
Referring to Fig 19 (b), the angle OVM 90 , where cos is the power factor.
Using the cosine rule, we obtain from OM 2 OV 2 VM 2 2 OV VM cosOVM , the
equation
E02 V 2 I 2 X s2 2 V IX s cos(90 )
(47)
V 2 I 2 X s2 2VIX s sin
Dividing Eqn (45) through by E 02 yields
2 2
V X V X
1 I 2 s 2. .I . s . sin
E0 E0 E0 E0
or (48)
2 2
V I V I
1 2. . . sin
E0 I sc E0 I sc
E0
where I sc (for negligible armature resistance) is the armature current when the machine
Xs
terminals are short-circuited. This may be about 150% of normal current in large machines.
Consider the following cases:
Case I: Unity Power Factor (i.e. = 0)
For unity power factor, = 0 and sin is zero. Hence, Eqn (48) reduces to
2 2
V I
1 (49)
E0 I sc
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Eqn (49) is the equation of a circle, if V is expressed as a percentage (or fraction) of E0 and
I as a percentage of (or fraction) of I sc .
Case II: Zero Power Factor Lagging (i.e. = 90o lagging)
For zero lagging power factor, = 900 and sin = 1. Hence, Eqn (48) reduces to
2 2
V I V I
1 2 .
E0 I sc E0 I sc
2
V I
E0 I sc
or (50)
V I
1
E0 I sc
V I
1
E0 I sc
Drawing (V / E0 ) against ( I / I sc ) makes Eqn (48) a straight line with negative unity gradient
and cutting the (V / E0 ) and ( I / I sc ) axes at points (0, 1) and (1, 0) respectively.
Case III: Zero Power Factor Leading (i.e. = - 90o leading)
Similarly for zero leading power factor, = -900 and sin = -1. Hence, Eqn (49) reduces to
V I
1 (51)
E0 I sc
Eqn (51) is another straight line with positive unity gradient and cutting the (V / E0 ) and
( I / I sc ) axes at the points (0, 1) and (1, 0) respectively, and for which by reason of the direct
magnetization effect of leading currents, the voltage increases with load.
Observations about Terminal Voltage Characteristics
The following observations can be made from the terminal voltage characteristics:
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1. For unity and lagging power factors the voltage always drops with increase of load.
2. At a certain leading power factor the full load regulation is zero, i.e., the terminal
voltage is the same for both full- and no-load conditions.
3. At lower leading power factors the voltage rises with increase of load and the voltage
regulation is negative.
3-2.5.2 Compounding Curves ( I f I a Curves at Rated Terminal Voltage V )
Consider a synchronous generator delivering power at constant frequency to a load whose
power factor is constant. The curve showing the field current required to maintain rated
terminal voltage as the constant-power-factor-load is varied is known as a compounding
curve.
Eqn (52) derived above, i.e.,
E g2 V 2 I 2 X s2 2 V IX s sin (52)
can be used to obtain the field excitation I f necessary to maintain constant output voltage for
all loads, because the excitation voltage E g is proportional to the excitation when synchronous
reactance is constant.
Three compounding curves (or E g -current for constant output voltage) at various constant
power factors are shown in Fig 20.
If
Field Excitation to maintain rated voltage
.f.
ing p
Lag g
Unity p.f.
L ead
ing p
.f.
Ia
Armature (Load) Current
Fig 20: Generator Compounding Curves
Observations about the Compounding Curves:
The following observations can be made of the compounding curves above.
1. If the field current is held constant while the load varies, the terminal voltage will vary.
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2. All unity- and lagging-pf loads will require an increase of excitation with increase of
load current
3. Low leading-pf loads will require a decrease of excitation with increase of load current.
3-2.5.3 Reactive-Active Power Capability Curves ( Q P Curves for a given pf)
Synchronous generators are usually rated in terms of the maximum kVA load at a specific
voltage and power factor (often 0.8, 0.85, or 0.9), which they can carry without overheating.
The active power output of the generator is limited to a value within the kVA rating by the
capability of its prime mover.
By virtue of its voltage-regulating system, the machine normally operates at a constant voltage
whose value is within 5% of rated voltage. When the active-power loading and voltage are
fixed, the allowable reactive-power loading is limited by either armature or field heating. A
typical set of active-reactive power capability curves are shown in Fig 21.
Q
0.70
0.75
30
0.80
ps
15
0.85
ps
0.
i
5
P.u. Reactive Power
ps
0.90
i
0.95
0.98
P
P.u. Active Power
Fig 21: Reactive-Active Power Capability Curves of a Turbo-generator
These curves give the maximum reactive-power loadings corresponding to various active
power loadings with operation at rated voltage. Armature heating is the limiting factor in the
region from unity to rated power factor (say 0.85). For lower power factors, field heating is
the limiting factor.
Such set of curves form a valuable guide in planning and operating the power system of which
the generator is a part. Also shown in Fig19 is the effect of increased pressure of the coolant
(e.g. hydrogen) on the allowable machine loadings.
NB
The full-load current can be obtained from the alternator parameters
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S 1500 10 3
as I fl 72.2 A . Since the load current (for both lagging
VL 3 12,000 3
and leading loads) is the same as the full-load current, the calculated voltage
regulation is then the full-load voltage regulation.
3-2.5.4 Exercises on Voltage Regulation
Exercise 4
A 3300 V 3-phase star-connected alternator has a full-load current of 100 A. On short-circuit, a
field current of 5 A was necessary to produce full-load current. The emf on open-circuit for the
same excitation was 900 V. The armature effective resistance per phase was 0.8 . Calculate
the full-load percentage regulation for a load of
(a) 0.8 lagging [Ans: 36.18 %]
(b) 0.8 leading [Ans: -14.80 %]
[Hint: You need to calculate the synchronous impedance and reactance]
Exercise 5
A 3-phase star-connected alternator is rated at 1600 kVA13500 V. The armature effective
resistance and synchronous reactance are 1.5 and 30 respectively per phase. Calculate the
percentage regulation for a load of 1280 kW at power factors of
(a) 0.8 lagging [Ans: 18.59 %]
(b) 0.8 leading [Ans: -11.98 %]
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Unit 3
PARALLELING OF GENERATORS FOR LOAD SHARING
Introduction
Synchronous generators can readily be operated in parallel. In fact, modern alternating current
power systems usually consist of several generating units connected in parallel to a common
bus line, interconnected by hundreds of kilometres of transmission lines and supplying
electrical energy to load centres scattered over hundreds of thousands of square kilometres.
These systems must be designed in such a way that synchronism will be maintained following
disturbances on the system.
The principal reasons for interconnected systems are reliability, continuity of service and
economy in plant investment and operating costs. The generators may be divided into two
groups as follows:
Group 1: It will consist of one or more generators, which are continuously adjusted to
maintain the magnitude and frequency of the system voltage.
Group 2: It will consist of all other generators, which are used to regulate the active and
reactive power requirements on the system. Generators of this group are considered to be
connected to an infinite bus, as are all the loads, including synchronous motors. As mentioned
already, the power (both active and reactive) contributed by a generator connected to an infinite
bus is determined by its excitation and the mechanical power to the prime mover.
Reasons for Paralleling Generators
Two or more generators may be put into parallel operation for the following reasons:
1. Local or regional power demand may exceed the power of a single available generator.
2. Parallel generators allow one or more units to be shut down for scheduled or emergency
maintenance without having to interrupt power supply to the load.
3. Generators operate at reduced efficiency at light or part load. And so, shutting down
one or more generators allows the remaining load to be supplied by fewer machines that
are efficiently loaded.
4. Load growth can be handled by added machines without disturbing the original
installation.
5. Available machine prime movers and generators can be matched for economic or
optimal utilization in terms of economy and flexibility of use.
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Requirements for Generator Paralleling
Before paralleling two or more generators, some conditions have to be fulfilled. These include
the following:
1. The terminal voltages must be the same at the paralleling or interconnection or tie
point or junction, even though not the same at the generators.
2. The phase sequences or rotations for three-phase generators must be the same at the
paralleling point.
3. The line frequencies must be identical or approximately equal at the paralleling point.
In the vast majority of cases, this means the same frequency at the generator, because
frequency changing is not economical. Mixed frequencies must be paralleled through
some frequency conversion means for compatibility at the point of interconnection.
4. With reference to the load, the voltage of the incoming generator must be in phase with
that of the running machine. It will stay in phase under normal conditions after
paralleling.
5. The incoming generator must generate a voltage wave of approximately the same shape
as that of the running generator. The prime movers of the generators must have
relatively similar drooping speed-load characteristics. This is to prevent a machine
with a rising speed load characteristic from taking more of the load until it fails from
overload.
NB
Violations of the above-mentioned requirements for paralleling would result in
circulating currents between the machines, resulting in serious and even
disastrous consequences.
The series of operations required to bring about conditions 1, 2 and 3 is called
synchronization.
Objectives
On completion of this unit, it is expected that you should be able to:
explain what paralleling of generators is about
explain how synchronization is automatically done
describe the various effects of change in field excitation – reactive load
sharing
describe the effects of change in mechanical driving torque of the prime
mover
discuss hunting in alternators and how they are reduced
SESSION 1-3 Synchronization
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It may be logically assumed that a generator will be placed in parallel with one or more
generators only when additional load requirement necessitates it. Those generators already in
the system and carrying load are called running machines, while that which is to be placed in
the system is known as the incoming machine.
At the time of synchronization, all the conditions for paralleling two or more generators must
be met, namely, the
2. effective terminal voltage of the incoming generator must be exactly equal to that of the
others, or of the busbar connecting them.
3. frequencies should be the same, although it is more desirable that the frequencies at the
instant of paralleling be almost, but not quite, identical.
4. phase sequence or rotation of the running and incoming generators must be the same.
5. individual phase voltages which are to be connected to each other must be in exact
phase opposition. This is the same as saying that the terminals of DC generators must
be connected positive to positive (+ to +) and negative to negative (- to -).
The requirements of 1, 2 and 3 above are satisfied as follows:
The incoming generator terminal voltage is made equal to the bus line voltage to which
the running machine(s) have already been connected, by manipulating the DC field
excitation. The effective terminal voltage magnitude can be checked by means of
voltmeters.
N P
The frequency, f s , which depends directly on the speed, is adjusted by
120
changing the speed of the prime mover (driving machine).
A synchronizing device or equipment, called synchroscope, is used in modern day
times to satisfy the condition of equal phase sequence or rotation.
1-3.1 Synchroscope Method for Synchronization
In practice, in large central power station installations, generators are synchronized by means
of an indicating instrument called the synchroscope. A synchroscope has a rotating hand and a
dial labelled with slow and fast direction arrows to show the incoming machine speed relation.
The pointer rotates clockwise if the incoming machine is fast and anticlockwise if it is slow. In
addition, it has a pointer that continually indicates the phase angle between the two source
voltages.
The phase angles are not shown but the dial has a zero marker to indicate when the voltages are
in-phase. See Fig 22.
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Slow Fast
Fig 22: Synchroscope
It has two independent circuits, one being connected to the incoming generator and the other to
the bus line. The magnetic fields set up by these two circuits cause the hand to rotate. During
synchronization, as the incoming rotational speed nears synchronism, the speed of the
synchroscope hand drops enough to become visible. The hand speed is proportional to the
difference in speed.
When the hand comes to a standstill at the mark on the dial indicating synchronism, the
synchronizing switch connecting the incoming generator to the bus line may be closed, after
making the final check on the magnitude of the voltages.
In modern generating stations, synchronization is automated.
1-3.2 Load Sharing or Allocation
Any two or more generators that have been synchronized together can be made to share the
active-power and reactive-power load by appropriate adjustments of the prime-mover throttles
and field rheostats respectively. In discussing load distribution among two paralleled
generators, we shall be looking at the
1. effect of change in field excitation
2. effect of change in mechanical driving torque of the prime mover
1-3.2.1 Effect of Change in Excitation – Reactive Load Sharing
Concept of Synchronizing Current
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If two generators operating in parallel supply equal current and have the same power factor,
and the field excitation of only one of them is changed (say increased), a resultant emf
Er E2 E1 will exist around the local circuit. See Fig 23 (b).
E1 E2 E1 Er E2
fig (a) Isyn fig (b)
Fig 22: Concept of Synchronizing Current
This resultant emf will cause the flow of a circulating current called synchronizing current
I syn between the two generators, which is limited by the impedance of the two machines.
Because the resistance of the generator windings is negligible in comparison to their reactance,
the circulating synchronizing current I syn will lag behind the resultant emf E r or E2 by nearly
900, but lead E1 by 900, as evident in Fig 23 (b).
Er Er
I syn (lagging behind E r by 900). (53)
Z Xs
It is thus seen that the circulating synchronizing current flows at zero lagging power factor
through Generator 2 and at zero leading power factor through Generator 1. Consequently, the
circulating synchronizing current I syn produces two effects simultaneously:
It produces demagnetizing effect (because of its lagging) on Generator 2 and decreases
the flux in Generator 2, resulting thereby in a reduction in E2 .
But it produces a magnetizing effect (because of its leading) on Generator 1 and
increases the flux in Generator 1, resulting thereby in an increase in E1 .
However, the active power supplied by each of the generators is not materially
affected.
Thus if an attempt is made to increase the field excitation of one generator, a reactive
circulating current is established that tends to keep the field strengths of the two generators
the same. The increase in induced voltage in Generator 2 is only slight in comparison to the
change in its field current.
E2 is greater than E1 only by the amount of the impedance drop ( I syn Z ) produced by the
synchronizing current I syn circulating through both machines.
1-3.2.2 Effect of Change in Field Excitation for Paralleled Generators
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Consider two already synchronized generators each supplying current I a to an external load. If
the field excitation of one generator is changed, a reactive circulating current (synchronizing
current) results, that changes the reactive kVA-output and hence the power factor at which
each of the generator is producing. See Fig 24.
Isyn
I1
θ1 E1, E2
(they are in phase in
θ relation to the load)
θ2 Ia
IL = 2Ia
Isyn
I2
Fig 24: Effect of Change in Excitation for Two Paralleled Generators
The vectors E2 and E1 are shown in-phase because they are represented relative to the load.
The synchronous I syn current circulating through Generator 1 is leading E1 , and that through
Generator 2 is lagging E2 .
The total current carried by Generator 1 is I 1 (the vector sum of the leading I syn and I a ) and
that by Generator 2 is I 2 (the vector sum of the lagging I syn and I a ) and that by the load is
I L 2I a .
Therefore, if two generators in parallel supply equal current and have the same power factor,
and the field excitation of one of them is changed, a reactive circulating current (synchronizing
current) is established. This synchronizing current may lead the induced emf of one machine
and increase the total current in that machine, and lag the induced emf of the other machine
and so decrease the total current in the other machine. However, the power supplied by each of
the generators is not materially affected.
The following points must be noted:
1. If excitation is changed, only the power factor at which the load is delivered by the
respective generators is changed.
2. By keeping the input of the prime mover of a generator constant, any change in field
excitation merely changes the reactive-kVA component of the output and the terminal
voltage, but not the active-kW output.
3. A generator cannot, therefore be made to take an active load merely by increasing its
field excitation.
The change in excitation is achieved by the exciter system, and is thus effected to achieve
reactive power control and hence voltage regulation.
1-3.3 Effect of Change in Prime Mover Input – Active Load Sharing
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The following points are worth noting:
1. The load taken up by a generator directly depends on its driving mechanical torque
2. Generators in parallel tend to remain synchronized. If the speed of one is increased, it
immediately supplies more load and slows down, and the other supplies less load and
speeds up, so that the speeds of the alternators again become equal.
3. By increasing the input to its prime mover, a generator can be made to take a greater
share of the load, though at different power factor.
Operators in power plants have control of the steam or fuel or water supply to the prime mover,
and so they can shift the real or active load from one generator to another as desired.
The exact sharing of active power between synchronous generators is determined by their
speed-load or frequency-load characteristics, which take the form shown in Fig 25.
frequency
Drooping characteristics of Gen 1
Drooping characteristics of Gen 2
P2 P1 Load
Fig 25: Drooping Frequency-Load Characteristics
For steady state operation, the frequencies of the two machines must be equal. Hence,
01 P1 tan 1 02 P2 tan 2 (54)
The slope, tan , is termed the drooping of the characteristics.
Changing the speed-load characteristic changes the load sharing, and this involves an
alteration to the governor setting. The speed regulation is so adjusted that changes in
frequency are small (of the order of 5 % from no load to full load). Unless the speed–load
characteristics are identical and drooping in nature, the machines can never share the total load
in accordance with their ratings.
Example 10:
Two generators rated 200 MW and 400 MW are operating in parallel. The droop characteristics
of their governors are 4 % and 5 % respectively from no load to full load. Assuming that the
generators are operating at 50 Hz at no load, how would a load of 600 MW be shared between
them? What will be the system frequency at this load?
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Solution 10:
Let x1 and x 2 be the loads contributed by Generator 1 and Generator 2 expressed as fraction
of their rated powers. Then from Eqn (52),
1 01 P1 tan 1 1.0 0.04 x1 for Generator 1
2 02 P2 tan 2 1.0 0.05x2 for Generator 2
Since the generators are in parallel, they will operate at the same (angular) frequency
1 2 . Therefore
1 2 1.0 0.04 x1 1.0 0.05 x2
x1 0.05 5 5
or x1 x2 .
x2 0.04 4 4
Now to share a total load of 600 MW, we also have
x1 P1 x2 P2 600 200 x1 400 x2 600 x1 2 x2 3
Solving for x2 by substituting the value of x1 , we obtain
5 12
x2 2 x2 3 x2
4 13
5 15
Hence x1 x2 x1
4 13
Thus the share of the load supplied by Generator 2 is
12
P2 L x2 P2 400 369 MW
13
and the share of the load supplied by Generator 1 is
15
P1L x1 P1 200 231 MW
13
The system frequency in per unit is
12
1.0 0.05 x2 1.0 0.05 1 0.046 0.954 p.u Hz
13
Hence the actual system frequency f 0.954 50 47.70 Hz
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Note that with this load sharing, the Generator 1 will be overloaded by almost 15 %.
Example 11:
Two 750 kW alternators operate in parallel. The speed regulation of one set is 100 % to 103 %
from full-load to no-load and that of the other 100 % to 104 %. How will the two alternators
share a load of 1000 kW and at what load will one machine cease to supply any portion of the
load?
Solution 11:
1 01 P1 tan 1 1.04 0.04 x1 for Generator 1
2 02 P2 tan 2 1.03 0.03x2 for Generator 2
Since the generators are connected in parallel, they will operate at the same frequency, that
is, 1 2 . Therefore
1 2 1.04 0.04 x1 1.03 0.03x2 x1 0.25 0.75 x2
For the two generators of the same 750 kW rating to share the load of 1000 kW,
4
P1 x1 P2 x2 PL 750 x1 750 x2 1000 x1 x2
3
4
Substituting x1 to solve for x2 , we obtain (0.25 0.75 x2 ) x2 x2 0.619
3
Thus the load contributed by Generator 2 is P2L x2 P2 0.619 750 464 kW
And the load contributed by Generator 1 is P1L PL P2 L 1000 464 536 kW
Generator 2 will cease to contribute when the speed is 1.03 p.u. At that speed, power supplied
by Generator 1, that is x1 , is determined from the relation:
1 1.04 0.04 x1 1.03 p.u. x1 0.25 p.u.
or P1L x1 P1 0.25 750 187.5 kW
1-3.4 Exercise on Parallel Operation of Alternators
Exercise 6
Two exactly similar turbo-alternators are rated 20 MW each and run in parallel. The speed-load
characteristics of the driving turbines are such that the frequency of Alternator 1 drops
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uniformly 50 Hz on no-load to 48 Hz on full-load and that of Alternator 2 from 50 Hz to 8.5
Hz. How will the two machines share a load of 30 MW?
[Ans: 12.8572 MW ; 17.1428 MW]
1-3.5 Synchronizing Power and Torque – Effect of Increasing the Driving Mechanical
Torque
Should the torque driving incoming alternator 2 be increased, by adjusting the throttle
opening of the prime mover to admit more steam or water or fuel as the case may be, the
alternator 2 would increase in speed for only a small fraction of a revolution until its
induced voltage E2 has pulled slightly ahead in phase relation . See Fig 26.
Er E2
I syn
E1
Fig 26: Effect of Changing (Increasing) The Mechanical Torque
In that case, the load on incoming Alternator 2 will increase to such an extent that will cause
this alternator to slow down to its original speed. The induced emf of alternator 2 has now
advanced in phase position by degrees from its original position. The two induced voltages
E1 and E2 are no longer in exact phase opposition to neutralize each other, and a resultant
induced voltage E r exists to circulate a synchronizing current I syn through the two
alternators.
Since the resistance of the two alternators is small compared to their reactance, the circulating
synchronizing current I syn will lag the resultant induced voltage E r by nearly 90 degrees. The
synchronizing current is seen to be nearly in phase with E2 and nearly 180 degrees out of
phase with E1 .
Consequently, I syn will be nearly in phase (have a magnetizing effect) with the load current
carried by Alternator 2, and nearly 180 degrees out of phase (have a demagnetizing effect) with
the load current carried by Alternator 1. Hence, Alternator 2 will carry a high current and
Alternator 1 will carry a low current.
The above statement shows that if two alternators in parallel supply equal currents to a load,
and the driving torque of one machine is increased, the power supplied by this machine is
increased and the power supplied by the other is decreased.
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1-3.5.1 Effect of Increasing Prime Mover Power Input to One of Two Alternators
Supplying Currents and Different Power Factors
Consider two paralleled alternators whose excitations and power inputs into their prime movers
have been adjusted to supply currents of I 1 and I 2 at respective (different) power factors
cos1 and cos 2 .
Now if the power input to the prime mover of Machine 2 is increased, then its emf vector will
swing ahead by a certain angle as shown in Fig 27.
E1 I1
I1
1
1
E r (syn)
I 2 I 2 I syn
I (syn)
2
I 1 I 1 I syn
2
E2
I2
I2
Fig 27: Effect of Increasing Power Input to Prime Movers of Two Machines Delivering
Different Currents at Different Power Factors
Now a resultant synchronizing voltage E r or E syn is produced which, acting on the local
circuit, sets flowing the synchronizing current I syn which lags almost by 900 behind E r .The
new armature current I 2 of second machine is the vector sum of I 2 and I syn .
It will be noted that I 2 is greater than I 2 and is less lagging than it. Hence, the Alternator 2
takes up increased share of the load. This synchronizing current is taken up by machine 1. Its
armature current also changes from I to I . It may be noted that I is lesser and is at a
1 1 1
greater angle from E1 . Hence Alternator 1 is taking up a lesser share of the load.
Thus it is found that:
The load taken up by an alternator directly depends on its driving mechanical torque (or
angular advance of the rotor)
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By increasing the input to its prime mover, an alternator can be made to take a greater
share of the load, though at different power factor.
1-3.6 Synchronizing Power
Suppose that two machines are driven at the same speed and that their emfs are adjusted to
equality, i.e., E1 E2 E .
If additional power input or torque is supplied to say machine 2 causing it to accelerate, its
induced voltage will advance by a small angle ahead that of machine 1, and machine 2 will
take a greater part of the load as depicted in the diagram below.
E2 Er
2
E1
2
I syn
E1 E2 E .
Let (180 ) = angular phase difference between the induced emfs E1 and E2 .
E = per phase emf of each of the machines.
The resultant emf is given as
180 0
Er 2 E cos 2 E cos 90 2 E sin
2 2 2
is very small, and so for small , sin . (55)
2 2
Thus
Er 2E E
2
The synchronizing current is
Er E
I syn (56)
Z Z
Xs
lagging behind the resultant emf E r by , where tan 1 , where Z is the combined
R
impedance per phase of the two alternators, or one of the alternator, only if it is connected to
an infinite bus.
If resistance is small as compared to synchronous reactance of the alternator, then
synchronizing current is:
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Er Er E
I syn (lagging behind E r by 900) (57)
Z Xs Xs
The diagram above shows this synchronizing current to be nearly in phase with E1 and anti-
phase with E 2 . Consequently, machine 2 produces a power Psyn E2 I syn as a generator, and
supplies it ( I 2 R losses excepted) to machine 1 as synchronous motor.
Power supplied by Alternator 1 is: E1 I syn cos1
Power supplied by (accelerated) Alternator 2 is: E2 I syn cos 2
The power supplied by the accelerated alternator is called synchronizing power, and is given
by the expression Psyn as
E
Psyn E2 I syn cos2 E cos2
Xs
Since 2 is close to 180 degrees, cos2 1. Hence (58)
E2
Psyn
Xs
The total synchronizing power for 3-phases is
3 E 2
Psyn(3 ) (59)
Xs
The synchronizing power tends to retard the faster Machine 2 and accelerates the slower
Machine 1, pulling the two back into step.
It must be noted that:
1. The synchronizing power is produced because the armature impedance is highly
inductive
2. The synchronizing power is produced even when their emfs are not equal.
3. Alternators in parallel tend to remain synchronized. If the speed of one is increased,
it immediately supplies more load and slows down, and the other supplies less load
and speeds up, so that the speeds of the alternators again become equal.
Operators in power plants have control of the steam or fuel or water supply to the prime mover,
and so they can shift the load from one alternator to another as desired.
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1-3.7 Synchronizing Torque
As explained already, a change of load angle occurs whenever there is unbalance between the
applied mechanical torque and the electromagnetic torque. This in turn can be caused by:
a change to the mechanical input from the prime mover or
a change of armature current due to circuit conditions or
a change of excitation.
For a given excitation of a non-salient-pole machine, a change from load angle to
results in additional power
P VEg
P cos (60)
Xs
where P is the synchronizing power.
The corresponding synchronizing torque is P s .This torque acts against the angular
disturbance to return the rotor axis towards its balance conditions. Thus, there is inherent
tendency of synchronous machine to remain in synchronism with the supply.
The synchronizing torque is maximum for no load ( 0 ) and reduces as the machine is more
P
heavily loaded. For a load angle 2 it is zero. Ps y n is the synchronizing
power/radian and Tsyn the torque/radian.
More practically both Psyn and Tsyn are expressed in terms of power or torque per
P
mechanical degree of displacement by multiplying the Psyn expression by .
2 180 o
If Tsyn is the synchronizing torque in N m , the total synchronizing power is related to the
synchronizing torque as:
Tsyn 2N s 3 E 2
Psyn(3 )
60 Xs
Psyn(3 ) Psyn(3 )
Tsyn (61)
s 2N s
60
3E 2 60
X s 2N s
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Example 12:
A 2000-kVA, 3-phase, 8-pole star-connected synchronous generator runs on 6000-V, 50-Hz
infinite bus bars. Find the synchronizing power and torque per mechanical degree of
displacement (a) for no load with excitation adjusted to give 6000 V on open circuit (b) for full
load at a power factor of 0.8 lagging. The synchronous reactance of the machine is 21.6 ohms.
Solution 12:
(a) No-load conditions:
The synchronizing power and torque per mechanical degree of displacement on no-load are
given as:
E 2 V 2 P 6000 2 8
Psyn 116 kW
Xs X s 2 180 21.60 2 180
Psyn Psyn 116 10 3
Tsyn 1470 Nm
s 2 ( f / p) 2 50 4
(b) Full-load conditions
The full-load current is
S 3 2000 10 3
IL 192.45 A
VL 3 6000 3
I ( star connected ) I a
The generated voltage is
6000
E g V jI a X s j 21.6 192.45 cos1 (0.8o )
3
3464 .10 4156 .9253.1o 5960 j3324
6824 29.15 o V (per phase)
11820 V (line value)
The synchronizing power is
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VEg
Psyn cos per electrical degree of displacement
Xs
VEg P
cos per mechanical degree of displacement
Xs 2 180
6000 11820 8
cos 29.15 o
21.60 2 180
200 kW
The synchronizing torque is thus
Psyn Psyn 200 10 3
Tsyn 2550 N m
s 2 ( f / p) 2 50 4
Note that the synchronizing torque is greater in (b) than in (a) because of the increased value of
Eg
Example 13
A 3 MVA 6-pole alternator runs at 1000 rpm in parallel with other machines on 3.3 kV
busbars. The synchronous reactance is 20 %. Calculate the synchronizing power per one
mechanical degree of displacement and the corresponding synchronizing torque.
Solution 13
VL 3.3 10 3
Generated phase voltage E 1905 V
3 3
S 3 10 6
Full-load current I 524.9 A
VL 3 3.3 10 3 3
E 1905
Synchronous impedance Z s 3.63
I 524.9
Synchronous reactance X s 0.2Z s 0.2 3.63 0.726
Recall the relationship between mechanical degree of displacement and electrical degree of
P
displacement given as elec mech , where P is the number of poles
2
The synchronizing power per mechanical degree of displacement on no-load is given as:
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3E 2
P3 ,syn per mechanicaldeg ree of displacement
Xs
3E 2
per electrical deg ree of displacement
Xs
3E 2 P 0 3 (1905) 2 6
1 1
X s 2 180 0.726 2 180
785.19 kW
The synchronizing torque is
P3 ,syn P3 ,syn
Tsyn
s 2 ( f / p)
P3 ,syn
2 ( N s / 60)
785.19 10 3 60
2 1000
7498 Nm
Example 14
A 2-pole 50 Hz 3-phase turbo-alternator is excited to generate the busbar voltage of 11 kV on
no-load. The machine is star-connected and the short-circuit current for this excitation is 1000
A. Calculate the synchronizing power per degree of mechanical displacement of the rotor and
the corresponding synchronizing torque.
Solution 14
VL 11000 10 3
The generated voltage per phase E 6351 V
3 3
120 f 120 50
Synchronous speed N s 3000 rpm
P 2
Eoc 6351
For negligible resistance, synchronous reactance X s Z s 6.35
I sc 1000
Again recall the relationship between mechanical degree of displacement and electrical
P
degree of displacement given as elec mech , where P is the number of poles
2
The synchronizing power per mechanical degree of displacement on no-load is given as:
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3E 2
P3 , syn per mechanical deg ree of displacement
Xs
3E 2
per electrical deg ree of displacement
Xs
3E 2 P 0 3 (6351) 2 2
1 1
X s 2 180 6.35 2 180
332.6 kW
The synchronizing torque is
P3 ,syn P3 ,syn
Tsyn
s 2 ( f / p)
P3 ,syn
2 ( N s / 60)
332.6 10 3 60
2 3000
1058 .67 Nm
1-3.8 Relationship Between Mechanical (Rotor) Angular Displacement mech and
Electrical Displacement .
Since one cycle of voltage (360 electrical degrees of the voltage wave) is generated every time
a pair of poles passes a coil, we must distinguish between electrical degrees used to express
voltage and current, and the mechanical degrees used to express position of the rotor.
In a two-pole machine, electrical and mechanical degrees are equal. In an four-pole machine,
two cycles or 720 electrical degrees are produced per revolution of 360 mechanical degrees.
The number of electrical degrees equals P / 2 times the number of mechanical degrees in any
machine, where P is the number of poles.
Accordingly
P
elec mech (62)
2
SESSION 2-3 Hunting of Alternators
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When two alternators are operating in parallel, any instantaneous reduction in the angular
velocity of one machine, due to variations in the load, causes:
A change in load division between them and
A synchronizing current to circulate
The circulating current acts as an additional load on one machine and lightens the load on the
other machine. This retards the former and permits the latter to accelerate until the two are
once more in the proper relative phase positions where no circulating currents flow, if the
excitations have been equal.
The change to correct the phase position cannot be accomplished without some overshooting
on the part of the rotors, accompanied by retardation, with a repetition of the entire cycle. This
action of the alternators in experiencing momentary speed fluctuations is termed hunting, and
their action is exactly equivalent to those of synchronous motors under similar conditions. The
period of the swing agrees with the natural oscillating period of the rotor as a torsional
pendulum.
Below are some relevant points to note about hunting.
1. Hunting generally occurs in alternators driven by reciprocating engines, because the
driving torque of reciprocating engines is not uniform in a revolution of the flywheel.
2. The torque output will pulsate if the prime mover of one of the alternators is a
reciprocating engine. If this pulsation has a forced frequency within 20% of that of the
natural oscillating frequency of the alternator rotor, the oscillation following any load
change will be cumulative. The successive oscillations increase in magnitude, causing
the alternator to be thrown out of synchronism in a short time, or the loads at certain
instances may be sufficient to open the circuit breakers.
3. Turbo-generators seldom hunt, because the prime mover supplies a uniform driving
torque.
4. It is customary to specify, for alternators to be operated in parallel, the allowable
torque-angle variation.
5. Machines driven by internal combustion engines must have large flywheels or heavy
damping windings to prevent excessive oscillations.
2-3.1 Reducing Hunting in Alternators
The methods generally used to reduce hunting are:
1. Dampening of the oscillations by use of a heavy squirrel-cage dampening winding
placed on the field poles
2. Changing the natural period of vibration of the machine by changing the flywheel (a
heavier flywheel usually gives a more dampening effect).
3. Dampening the governor, if the oscillations are started by the action of the governor.
2-3.2 Exercises on Synchronizing Power and Torque
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Exercise 7
A 4 MVA 10 kV 1500 rpm 50 Hz alternator runs in parallel with other machines The
synchronous reactance is 25 %. Find for no-load situation the synchronizing power per unit
mechanical angle of phase displacement as well as the corresponding synchronizing torque if
the mechanical displacement is 0.7 degree.
[Ans: 558.6 kW ; 2489.3 Nm]
Exercise 8
A 4500 kVA 50 Hz 3-phase star-connected synchronous generator having a synchronous
reactance of 0.3 p.u is running at 1500 rpm and is excited to give 11000 V. If the rotor deviates
slightly from its equilibrium position, what is the synchronizing torque in N-m per degree of
mechanical displacement?
Hint: The synchronous reactance has been given in per unit, and there is the need to determine
the actual ohmic value. Taking the generated phase voltage E as the reference, the actual
synchronous reactance drop is calculated as IX s 0.3 E . In this way, the synchronous
reactance can be calculated.
[Ans: 524.06 kW ; 3336 N-m]
Unit 4
THREE-PHASE SYNCHRONOUS MOTORS
Introduction
The synchronous motor is one type of three-phase AC motor, which operates at a constant
speed from no-load to full-load. This is due to the fact that because the source frequency is
120 f
fixed, the motor speed N s also stays constant irrespective of the load or source
P
voltage. The speed can be changed by changing the frequency only. It runs either at
synchronous speed or not at all. The synchronous motor has many industrial applications
because of its fixed speed from no-load to full-load, its high efficiency and low initial cost.
Synchronous motors cannot be used where there are sudden applications of heavy loads,
because such loads will pull the rotor out of step with the rotating magnetic field. And so they
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are generally used for driving loads requiring constant-speed operation and infrequent starting
and stopping such as d-c generators, blowers and compressors.
Synchronous motors are identical in construction to three-phase alternators, in that they have a
revolving field, which must be separately excited from a DC source. Synchronous motors are
used not so much because they are run at constant speed, but because they possess other
unique electrical properties. For example, they can improve the power factor of a system or
plant while carrying its load.
By varying the DC field excitation current, synchronous motors can be made to supply either
leading or lagging reactive power, thereby varying the power factor of the three-phase
synchronous motor over a wide range of lagging and leading values. They can go to full rating
in providing leading VAR (over-excited operation) and approximately 50% to 80% of rating in
absorbing lagging VAR (under-excited operation).
The reactive power taken up by synchronous motors depends on two factors, namely, the DC
field excitation and mechanical load delivered by the machine. Maximum leading power is
taken by synchronous motors with maximum field excitation and at zero loads.
They may be built with either cylindrical or salient-pole rotors but the salient-pole design is
more common. And so synchronous motors are generally of the salient-pole type, whilst
alternators are either of the turbo- or salient-pole type. Most synchronous motors are rated
between 15 kW and 15 MW and turn at speeds ranging from125 rev/min to 150 rev/min.
Consequently, these machines are mainly used in heavy industries.
A synchronous motor per se has no net starting torque, and special means must be provided for
bringing it up to synchronous speed by induction-motor action, as will be described in a later
section.
Objectives
On completion of this unit, you should be able to:
describe the operation of three-phase synchronous motors
explain how synchronous motors can be operated to act as capacitor
compare the merits and demerits of synchronous condensers and
capacitors
interpret V-curves of synchronous motors
SESSION 1-4 Constructional Features and Principles of Operation of Synchronous
Motors
1-4.1 Constructional Features of Three-Phase Synchronous Motors
A three-phase synchronous motor consists of the following essential parts:
Laminated stator core with three-phase stator (armature) windings
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Rotating DC field windings on the rotor, complete with slips rings
Brushes and brush holders
Two-end shields to house the bearings that support the shaft.
The stator core and its AC stator windings of a synchronous motor are similar to that of a
three-phase squirrel-cage induction motor or a wound-rotor induction motor. The leads for the
stator windings terminate in a terminal box usually mounted on the side of the motor frame.
The rotor is generally of salient-pole design. The number of rotor field poles must equal the
number of stator field poles. In order to eliminate hunting and to develop the necessary starting
torque when AC voltage is applied to the stator, the rotor poles contain damper windings of
solid copper bars, which are short-circuited at each end.
The field circuit leads are brought out to two slip rings mounted on the rotor shaft. Carbon
brushes mounted in brush holders make contact with the two slip rings. The terminals of the
field circuit are brought out from the brush holders to a second terminal box mounted on the
motor frame.
1-4.2 Principle of Operation of Synchronous Motors
In a three-phase synchronous motor, a polyphase current is supplied to the stator winding, and
2
it produces a revolving magnetic field or flux travelling at synchronous speed s
P
120 f
or N s , as in an induction motor. A direct current is supplied to the rotor winding, and
P
it produces a fixed polarity at each pole of the rotor.
See Fig 28.
Revolving stator
N
N
S
S
N N
N
S
S
Fig(a) Fig(b) Fig(c)
Fig 28: Principle of Operation of Locking Synchronous Motors into Synchronism with the
Revolving Stator Magnetic Field
1-4.3 Why Synchronous Motors Are Not Self-Starting
Suppose that the stator and rotor winding of the synchronous motor are energized at the same
time. As the poles of the revolving stator magnetic field approach the fixed magnetic rotor
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poles of opposite polarity, they are attracted to the unlike poles as in Fig 28 (a). The attractive
force tends to turn the rotor in the direction opposite to that of the revolving stator field. Just as
the rotor gets started in this direction, the revolving stator field poles are leaving the rotor poles
as in Fig 28 (b), and this tends to pull the rotor poles in the opposite direction.
Hence, the revolving stator magnetic field tends to pull the rotor poles first in one direction
and then in the other direction, and as a result, the starting torque is zero. The synchronous
motor is thus inherently not self-starting, unless some starting mechanisms or techniques are
employed.
1-4.4 Starting of Synchronous Motors – Use of Damper Windings as Squirrel-Cage
Induction Motor
As explained in 1-4.3, it is practically impossible to start a synchronous motor with its DC field
energized, as the net starting torque is zero. A squirrel-cage winding is generally placed on the
rotor poles of a synchronous motor to make the machine self-starting. To start the motor, the
rotor winding is first left de-energized and a polyphase voltage is supplied to the stator
windings. A revolving stator magnetic field is consequently produced. This revolving stator
magnetic flux cuts across the wound-rotor or squirrel-cage winding of the rotor, and induces
alternating voltages, which will then cause currents to flow in the squirrel-cage rotor
conductors.
The resultant magnetic field produced by the induced currents in the squirrel-cage windings
embedded in the rotor field poles reacts with the stator field in such a manner as to produce an
electromagnetic torque that brings about the rotation of the motor, the direction of which is
determined by Fleming’s Left Hand Rule.
However, the initial speed of the synchronous motor is slightly lower than the synchronous
speed of the armature (stator) revolving field. The rotor of the typical synchronous motor
accelerates to about 95% to 97% of the synchronous speed.
After the motor comes up to speed close to the synchronous speed, the rotor winding is then
energized with DC current from a DC supply source. The DC current produces magnetic
poles of fixed polarity at each pole of the rotor core. Now opposite polarity poles on the stator
will attract. By this magnetic attraction, the rotor field poles are locked into synchronism with
the unlike poles of the stator field, and the rotor then rotates at the same synchronous speed as
that of the stator (armature) field. See Fig 28 (c).
The synchronous motor is thus inherently not self-starting, and some means must be
employed to run it up to synchronous or near synchronous speed, before being synchronized
to the supply. It has been made obvious that for the production of a steady unidirectional
torque, the rotating fields of stator and rotor must be travelling at the same speed, and therefore
the rotor must turn at precisely the synchronous speed for the flux distribution to remain
unaltered so that rotation can be maintained.
A synchronous motor connected to a constant-frequency source therefore operates at a
constant steady-state speed regardless of load.
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When load is applied in a synchronous motor, the rotor poles are pulled behind the stator poles
through a small angle (about 200 in a fully loaded, 2-pole machine). Then the magnetic
coupling keeps the rotor turning at exactly the same speed as that of the revolving stator field.
1-4.5 Necessary Precaution When Starting Synchronous Motor – Use of External Starting
Resistance
Suppose that a synchronous motor is started with its rotor winding open. At the instant that its
stator is energized, a rapidly revolving stator magnetic field is established, which sweeps past
the squirrel-cage rotor winding at a rapid rate, since it is at standstill.
This winding has a large number of turns and therefore an extremely high voltage is induced
in the many turns of the field winding, which will appear between its terminals. A high-peak
terminal voltage also appears when the rotor circuit of a machine in operation is opened.
These high voltages will puncture the insulation, unless the winding is highly insulated.
In practice, to contain this phenomenon, the DC field winding is short-circuited during the
starting period through a very low resistance connected to the switch of the rotor circuit as
shown in Fig 29.
D.c Supply
Switch
Resistance
Rotor d.c.
field winding
Fig 29: Precautionary Measure Taken During The Starting of Synchronous Motor
During the starting period, the switch is in the open position, in which case the resistance is
connected across the field terminals. This allows alternating current to flow in the field
winding. Since the impedance of the field winding is high, compared to that of the external
resistor, a high-voltage drop is produced in the winding, reducing the terminal voltage to a
safe value.
The voltage induced when the field switch is open is reduced by the back emf set up in the
winding, as is evident from Lenz’s law. This, together with the IX drop in the winding, gives a
low terminal voltage.
In a synchronous motor, the rotor current is approximately in phase opposition to the induced
or generated voltage. The effect of armature reaction is to increase the flux in one-half of each
pole and to decrease it in the trailing half. Consequently, the flux is distorted in the direction of
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rotation, and the lines of flux in the airgap are skewed in such a direction as to exert a
rotational torque on the rotor.
As the rotor nears synchronous speed, DC current is applied to the rotor field coils, and the
rotor is accelerated until it rotates synchronously with the stator revolving field.
1-4.6 Synchronous Capacitors
Synchronous capacitors are actually synchronous motors that are operating on no-load
(without a connected mechanical load) for the purpose of power factor correction or improving
the voltage regulation of a transmission line. It is the only motor that can work at leading
power factor (through over-excitation) and at the same time supply mechanical power. They
are connected at load points in ac power networks to absorb or deliver reactive power in order
to stabilize the voltage. Both rotor constructional forms are used but salient-pole design with
four or six poles is usual.
1-4.6.1 Advantages of Synchronous Condensers over Capacitors
The principal advantages of the synchronous condensers are:
1. The ease with which the power factor can be controlled by either producing or
absorbing reactive power. An over-excited synchronous motor having a leading power
factor can be operated in parallel with induction motors having lagging power factor,
thereby improving the overall power factor of the supply system.
2. Their performance can be regulated continuously and smoothly over a wide range.
3. They are more practical than capacitors, because such motors may be used to deliver a
mechanical load in addition to operating with a leading power factor.
4. The speed of the synchronous motor is constant and independent of load. This
characteristic is mainly of use when the motor is required to drive another alternator to
generate a supply at a different frequency, as in frequency-changers.
1-4.6.2 Disadvantages of Synchronous Condensers compared with Capacitors
The main disadvantages of synchronous condensers are:
1. Some arrangement must be provided for starting and synchronizing the motor
2. A DC supply is necessary for the rotor excitation. This is usually provided by a small
DC shunt generator carried on an induction motor
3. Synchronous motors contribute to the current flowing into a short-circuit fault on the
system, and may call for additional expenditure in switchgear.
4. They are more expensive that static capacitors, and their use is justified only for voltage
regulation of high-voltage transmission systems.
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1-4.7 Effect of Loading on the Synchronous Motor
When the mechanical load on a DC or AC motor is increased, the speed N falls.
Consequently, in accordance with the relation
ZNP
Eb E g (63)
60b
where = flux per pole (Wb)
Z = total number of armature conductors
= no. of slots x no. of conductors per slot
P = no. of poles
b = no. of parallel paths in armature
= 2m for wave winding
= mP for lap winding
m = multiplicity (i.e., be it simplex, duplex, triplex, etc) of the winding
N = armature speed in revolutions per minute (r.p.m)
This fall in speed in turn decreases the back or counter emf Eb (equal to the generated voltage
V Eb
E g ), so that the source is able to supply more current (for a DC motor I ) to meet
Ra
the increased load demands. However, this action cannot take place in the synchronous
motor, because the rotor must turn at synchronous speed at all loads.
The load on the synchronous motor rather has effect on the relative position of the stator and
rotor poles, i.e., on the angle between the rotating stator flux and the rotor poles.
1-4.7.1 Torque Angle at No-Load
Fig 30 shows the relative position of the stator pole and the corresponding rotor pole of the
synchronous motor at no-load as well as the corresponding no-load condition vector diagrams.
N Stator
S
Rotation of
Stator Flux
Eb V
O
Fig. (b)
Fig. (a)
Fig 30: (a) Torque Angle at No-Load (b) No-Load Condition Vector Diagram
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At no-load, the stator and rotor pole centres are directly in line with each other as seen in Fig
30(a). When the three-phase synchronous motor is properly synchronized to the supply and
carrying no-load, the induced voltage is practically 180 degrees out of phase with the applied
voltage. It is seen that V E g Eb , and hence their vector sum is zero, and so is the stator
(armature) current negligibly small. The motor intake is thus zero, as there is no load to be met
by it. In other words, the motor just floats.
1-4.7.2 Torque Angle at Rated Load
Fig 31 shows the relative position of the stator pole and the corresponding rotor pole of the
synchronous motor at rated load and the corresponding no-load condition vector diagrams.
Eb Er Fig. (b)(i)
Torque Angle
N Stator
1 V
1
S
Rotation of I
Stator Flux
Eb Er NB
2 1
2 1
2
V
2
Fig. (a) I
Fig. (b)(ii)
Fig 31: (a) Torque Angle at Rated Load (b) Rated Load Condition Vector Diagrams
When the motor is loaded, it should be borne in mind that there should be no change in the
overall speed as the rotor must continue to rotate at synchronous speed. Practically, however,
when the motor is loaded, it slows down momentarily to adjust itself to the change in load
condition, and thereby the rotor pole falls back a little more relative to the stator pole, as shown
in Fig 31 (a).
And so the loading causes the poles to be shifted degrees behind their no-load positions, as
indicated in Fig 31 (a), and consequently the induced or generated stator voltage E g occurs
degrees later.
NB
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The emf induced in the stator coil depends on the position of the rotor with
respect to the stator. The induced emf is maximum if the coil sides are opposite
the pole centres, and minimum when its sides are midway between pole tips.
The angular displacement between the centres of the stator and rotor field poles is called the
torque angle .
In a DC motor, the armature current I is determined by dividing the difference between the
terminal voltage V and the generated voltage or back emf Eb by the armature resistance, that
V Eb
is, I .
Ra
Similarly, in a synchronous motor, the stator current is determined by dividing the voltage-
E Er
vector resultant E r between V and Eb by the stator impedance, or I r .
Z a Ra jX a
Er
Since the stator reactance is large compared with its resistance, the current I lags the
jX a
resultant voltage E r by nearly 90 degrees, and hence the current I lags the applied voltage V
by degrees. See Fig 31(b)(i). In this case, the synchronous motor is operating with a lagging
power factor.
If the load is increased, the rotor poles are pulled further behind the stator poles, and this
causes Eb to lag further or to increase. Hence, the torque angle increases with the increase
in load. Due to the increase in load or torque angle, the resultant voltage E r across the
armature (or stator) circuit increases, and therefore, stator current I drawn from the supply
mains increases while lagging the applied voltage V through a greater angle.
Thus, a synchronous motor is able to supply increased mechanical load, not by reduction in
speed, but by shift in relative positions of the rotor and revolving magnetic field (or stator
flux). From Fig 31(b), it is obvious that for increasing load with a constant value of
generated or back emf Eb , the phase angle increases in lagging direction.
If the angle between stator and rotor pole centres becomes too large, due to heavy
overloading, then the rotor will pull out of step (or out of synchronism) with the rotating stator
field and operate as an induction motor with the aid of the amortisseur (squirrel-cage like)
winding, and a heavy current will flow through the armature. This causes the circuit breakers
to open and the synchronous motor will come to a standstill.
The maximum value of a torque, which a synchronous motor can develop without pulling out
of synchronism, is called the pull-out torque. In most synchronous motors, the pull-out torque
is 150 to 200% of rated torque output. Most synchronous motors are rated larger than 100 hp
and are used for many industrial applications requiring constant-speed drives.
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SESSION 2-4 Operating Characteristics of Synchronous Motors
Electrical utility companies usually charge industries for operating at low power factors below
a specified level, say, 0.9. It is therefore desirable for industries to invest in power-factor
improvement devices to improve or “correct” their power factor to avoid such charges and to
make more economical use of electrical energy.
Utility companies also attempt to correct the power factor of their systems. A certain quantity
of inductance is present in most of the power distribution system, including the generator
windings, the transformer windings, and the power lines.
To counteract the inductive effects and increase the power factor, two methods can be used.
These are:
1. Power-factor corrective capacitors
2. Three-phase synchronous motors
When used only as a power-factor correcting device, in which case no-load is connected to the
shaft of the three-phase synchronous motor, it is called a synchronous condenser or capacitor.
To understand how a three-phase synchronous motor machine operates as a power factor-
corrective, we would consider the so-called V-curves (or compounding curves) of the
synchronous motor.
2-4.1 V-Curves or Compounding Curves of the Synchronous Motor (Effect of Rotor Field
Excitation on Armature Current and Power Factor for Constant Mechanical Load)
Synchronous motors operate at a constant speed. Thus, a variation in rotor DC excitation
current has no effect on the speed. The power factor at which a synchronous motor operates,
and hence its armature current, can be controlled by adjusting its DC field excitation.
The curve showing the relation between armature current and the DC field current at a constant
terminal voltage with a constant shaft load is known as a V-curve because of its characteristic
V-like shape.
Three operational conditions may exist, depending on the amount of excitation applied to the
rotor. These conditions are:
1. Under-excitation – operation at lagging power factor (inductive effect)
2. Normal excitation – operation at unity power factor (resistive effect)
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3. Over-excitation – operation at leading power factor (capacitive effect)
Case 1: Under-Excitation Eb V (Lagging Power factor)
Suppose the field excitation is decreased. Since the speed is constant, the induced voltage
E g Eb decreases. See Fig 32 (a).
Eb Er
Eb Er Eb Er
V V V
0 - lead
- lag I
Fig (b) Fig (c)
Fig (a)
Fig 32: Effect of Varying DC Excitation on Armature Current for Constant Shaft Load (a)
Under-Excitation (b) Normal Excitation (c) Over-Excitation
With the reduction in induced voltage (back emf), the resultant voltage E r becomes greater.
As a result, the current becomes greater and lags the applied voltage at a greater amount.
Case 2: Normal Excitation Eb V (Unity Power factor)
Suppose that the field excitation is increased (thus increasing the induced voltage) until the
current is in phase with the applied voltage, making the power factor of the synchronous motor
unity. For a given load at unity power factor, the resultant voltage E r and therefore the stator
current are minima. See Fig 32 (b).
Case 3: Over-Excitation Eb V (Leading Power factor)
If the field excitation is still further increased, the induced voltage is increased, the current
increases and leads the applied voltage. See Fig 30 (c). Hence for a given load, the power
factor is governed by the dc field excitation. A weak field excitation produces a lagging
current and a strong field produces a leading current. The current is minimum at unity power
factor and increases as the power factor becomes poor, either leading or lagging.
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A family of V-curves showing the variation of power factor and stator current at no-load and at
full-load with a varying field excitation is shown below.
g
Un pf l a
pf
d
8
lea
ity
0.
pf
8
Armature current (a.c)
0.
Full-load 1 2 3
1.0
Power factor
Half-load
3
2 No-load Fu
ll-lo
1 Ha ad
lf-l
oa
No d
lagging leading - lo
ad
Rotor field current Rotor field current (d.c)
Fig(a) (d.c) Fig(b)
Fig 33: Characteristic V-Curves of a Three-Phase Synchronous Motor
(a) Stator Current versus Rotor Current at a Particular Load
(b) Power Factor versus Rotor Current at a Particular Load
Observations about V-curves of Synchronous Motor
The following points are worth noting about the V-curves:
1. Note the variation of stator current drawn by the synchronous motor as rotor dc
excitation current varies. By applying a given constant load to the shaft of a
synchronous motor and varying the field current from under-excitation through normal
excitation to over-excitation, and recording the armature current at each step, the V-
curves are obtained.
2. The situations shown on the graph of Fig 33 (a) above indicate no-load, half-load and
full-load conditions with power factors equal to unity, 0.8 leading and 0.8 lagging.
3. The graph of Fig 33 (b) shows variation of power factor with changes in rotor dc
excitation under three different load conditions (no-load, half-load and full-load).
4. Observe that for a given load or output power, the stator current is minimum when the
power factor equals unity.
5. The dashed lines are loci of constant power factor (0.8 leading, unity and 0.8 lagging).
6. Points to the right of the unity power factor compounding curve correspond to over-
excitation and leading current input
7. Points to the left of the unity power factor compounding curve correspond to under-
excitation and lagging current input
8. The synchronous motor compounding curves, as in Fig 33 (a) above, are very similar to
the generator compounding curve. (Note the interchange of armature current and field
current axes when comparing the two similar curves). In fact, if it were not for the small
effects of armature resistance, the motor and generator compounding curves would be
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identical, except that the lagging- and leading- power-factor curves would be
interchanged.
SESSION 3-4 Circuit and Phasor Diagram Representation of Synchronous Motors
Introduction
Assume the synchronous motor has been synchronized with and taking its supply from a
constant-voltage constant-frequency source commonly referred to as an infinite bus. Depending
upon the excitation, different phasor diagrams may be obtained.
Objective
After going through this unit, you should be able to:
Draw and explain phasor and circuit diagrams of the operational
characteristics of synchronous machines
3-4.1 Circuit and Phasor Diagram for Over-Excitation and Leading Pf
For a DC field over-excitation in leading power factor at rated load, the equivalent circuit and
the corresponding phasor diagram of a synchronous motor are as given in Fig 34.
Ra Xs
Eb M
Er I s
Eb
I
Z
V
O
Fig (a) Fig (b)
Fig 34: (a) Equivalent Circuit (b) Phasor Diagram of Synchronous Motor for Over-Excitation
and Leading Power Factor
OV = supply voltage per phase
I = leading armature current
VM = back emf at a torque (or load) angle
OM = impedance drop per phase
= resultant voltage Er I Z s I X s ( if Ra is negligible ).
Eb = generated emf per phase
NB
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Er
The current I leads the supply voltage V by the leading power factor angle
Zs
but lags behind the resultant voltage E r by an angle (internal angle)
Xs
tan 1 (64)
Ra
3-4.2 Generated emf per Phase in Synchronous Motor
In general, the generated emf per phase for a given power factor is:
Eb V 2 Er2 2 V Er cos( )
V 2 ( IZ s ) 2 2 V IZ s cos( )
sign : leading pf (65)
- sign : lagging pf
0 : unity pf
3-4.3 Mechanical Power per Phase Developed By Synchronous Motor
The mechanical power developed per phase in the rotor is
EbV Eb2
Pmech cos( ) cos (66)
Zs Zs
This is the expression for the mechanical power developed in terms of the load angle and the
internal angle of the motor for a constant voltage V and induced voltage Eb (or excitation
because Eb depends on excitation only).
3-4.3.1 Maximum Mechanical Power Developed in Synchronous Motor
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The condition for maximum power developed can be found by differentiating the power
expression of Eqn (66) with respect to the load angle, and then equating it to zero.
dPmech EV
b sin( ) 0
d Zs
sin( ) 0 (67)
The value of maximum power is then obtained for as
EbV Eb 2
Pmech max cos
Zs Zs
(68)
2
EbV Eb
cos
Zs Zs
Notes on maximum power developed:
1. The maximum power and hence torque (speed is constant at synchronous value)
depends on V and Eb , i.e., excitation.
2. The maximum value of and hence is 900. For all values of V and Eb , this limiting
value of is the same, but maximum torque will be proportional to the maximum
power developed as given in Eqn (68).
The graph of the mechanical power per phase developed in the rotor of the synchronous motor
is plotted against the coupling angle (Fig 35).
Torque
Tmax
Load angle
30 60 90 120 150 180
Fig 35: Mechanical Torque of Synchronous Motor as Function of Load Angle
3-4.3.2 Mechanical Power Developed in Rotor of Synchronous Motor for Negligible
Armature Resistance Ra 0 :
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If armature resistance Ra is neglected, then
Xs
Zs X s and tan -1 90 0 (69)
( Ra 0)
Hence for negligible armature resistance Ra 0 , the mechanical power expression of Eqn (83)
reduces to
EbV
Pmech cos(90 0 )
Xs
(70)
EV
b sin (for negligible armature resistance)
Xs
Eqn (70) is the value of the mechanical power developed in terms of , the basic variable of a
synchronous machine.
Maximum Power from Synchronous Motor
Generally, the maximum torque from a synchronous motor is
EbV
Pmechmax armature resistance neglected
Xs
b V Eb cos
E
armature resistance considered (71)
Zs
R
where cos a
Zs
This corresponds to the “pull-out” torque
Pmech max Pmech max
Tmax (72)
s 2 ( f / p)
where f is the frequency and p is the pole pairs.
3-4.4 Circuit and Phasor Diagram for Normal Excitation and Unity pf in Synchronous
Motor
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Assuming that the DC field excitation is held constant at a value which results in unity power
factor at rated load, the equivalent circuit and the corresponding phasor diagram of a
synchronous motor are as given in Fig 36.
Ra X SM
O Ia
E gm jI a X SM
V
E gm
Fig (a) Fig (b)
Fig 36: (a) Equivalent Circuit (b) Phasor Diagram of Synchronous Motor
at Normal Excitation and Unity Power Factor
From the phasor diagram at full-load,
Eb V 2 ( IZ s ) 2 (73)
Example 15:
A 2000 hp 1.0 power factor 3-phase star-connected 2300 V 30 pole 60 Hz synchronous motor
has a synchronous reactance of 1.95 ohms per phase. For the purposes of this problem, all
losses may be neglected.
(a) Compute the maximum torque which this motor can deliver if it is supplied with power
from a constant-voltage constant-frequency source (called infinite bus), and if its field
excitation is constant at a value which results in 1.0 power factor at rated load.
(b) Instead of the infinite bus of part (a), suppose that the motor were supplied with power
from a 3-phase star-connected 2300 V 1750 kVA 2-pole 3600 rpm turbine generator
whose synchronous reactance is 2.65 ohms per phase. The generator is driven at rated
speed, and the field excitations of generator and motor are adjusted so that the motor
runs at 1.0 power factor and rated terminal voltage at full load. The field excitations of
both machines are then held constant, and the mechanical load on the synchronous
motor is gradually increased. Compute the maximum motor torque under these
conditions. Also compute the terminal voltage when the motor is delivering its
maximum torque.
Solution 15:
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Although this machine is undoubtedly of the salient pole type, the problem shall be solved by
the simple cylindrical-rotor theory. The solution accordingly neglects reluctance torque. The
machine would actually develop a maximum torque somewhat greater than the computed
value.
The equivalent circuit and phasor diagram at full-load are shown below in Fig 37, where E gm
is the excitation voltage of the motor and X sm is its synchronous reactance.
Ra X SM
Ia O Ia
E gm jI a X SM
V
E gm
Fig (a) Fig (b)
Fig 37: Equivalent Circuit and Phasor Diagram for Example7
From the motor rating with losses neglected,
P 2000 0.746
Rated kVA, S n 1492 kVA (3 phase) 497 kVA (per phase)
cos 1.0
V 2300
Rated voltage per phase, V ph L 1330 V
3 1.732
S ph 49700
Rated current I a 374 A (star - connected)
V ph 1330
From the phasor diagram, at full-load and neglecting losses ( Ra 0 )
E gm V 2 ( I a X sm ) 2 1330 2 (374 1.95) 2 1515 V
With an infinite bus as power source and the field excitation being constant, then V and E gm
are also constant.
The maximum power is given as
VE VEgm 1330 1515
Pmax 1030 kW per phase 3090 kW (3 - phase)
X X sm 1.95
With 30 poles (or 15 pole pairs) at 60 Hz frequency, the maximum torque is given as
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Pmax Pmax 3090
Tmax 123 kN m
s 2 ( f / p) 2 (60 / 15)
When the power source is the turbine generator, the equivalent circuit and phasor diagram are
that shown in Fig 38, where E gg is the excitation voltage of the generator and X sg is its
synchronous reactance
X sg X SM E gg
jI a X sg
I
O
E gg V E gm
a
V
jI a X SM
E gm
Fig (a) Fig (b)
Fig 38: Equivalent Circuit and Phasor Diagram with Turbine Generator as Power Source
As before, V = 1330 V at full-load, and E gm = 1515 V. From the phasor diagram at full-load
and neglecting losses ( Ra 0 )
E gg V 2 ( I a X sg ) 2 1330 2 (374 2.65) 2 1655 V
Since the field excitations and speeds of both machines are constant, E gg and E gm are
constant. The maximum power in this instance is given as
VE E gg E gm 1655 1515
Pmax 545 kW per phase 1635 kW (3 - phase)
X X sg X sm (1.95 2.65)
The maximum torque in this instance is then given as
Pmax Pmax 1635
Tmax 65 kN m
s 2 ( f / p) 2 (60 / 15)
Synchronism would be lost if a load torque greater than this “pull-out” torque were applied to
the motor shaft. In that case, the motor would stall, the generator would tend to speed, and so
the circuit would be interrupted by circuit breaker action.
With fixed excitations, maximum power occurs when E gg leads E gm by 900 as shown in the
phasor diagram below.
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E gg
sg
Xa
jI
V
sm
Xa
jI
E gm
From the phasor diagram,
E 2gg E 2gm
I a ( X sg X sm )2 E2gg E2gm Ia
( X sg X sm )
1655 2 1515 2
(1.95 2.65)
488 A
E gm 1515
cos 0.767
I a ( X sg X sm ) 488(2.65 1.95)
E gg 1655
sin 0.739
I a ( X sg X sm ) 488(2.65 1.95)
The phasor equation for the terminal voltage is
V E gm I a X sm cos jI a X sm sin
1515 (488 1.95 0.676) j (488 1.95 0.739)
872 j 703
1120 V per phase
1940 V (line - to - line)
NB
When the source is the turbine generator, as in part (b), the effect of its
impedance causes the terminal voltage to decrease with increasing load,
thereby reducing the maximum power from 3090 kW in part (a) to 1635 kW in
part (b).
Example 16:
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A 2200 V, three-phase star-connected synchronous motor has a resistance of 0.22 /phase and
a synchronous reactance of 2.4 /phase. The motor is operating at 0.6 power factor leading
with a line current of 180 A. Determine the value of the generated emf per phase.
Solution 16:
The phasor diagram is as shown below.
Eb
Er
Ia
IZ
s
O
V
VL 2200
The rated voltage per phase is V 1270 V
3 1.732
The impedance drop per phase is given as:
Er I Z s I Ra 2 X s 2 180 (0.22) 2 (2.4) 2 433.8 V
The internal angle is given as
Xs 2.4
tan 1 tan 1 84.80
Ra 0.22
The power factor (leading) is cos1 0.6 53.130 (lead )
The generated emf per phase for leading power factor is
Eb V 2 Er 2 2 V Er cos( )
(1270 ) 2 (433.8) 2 2 1270 433.8 cos(84.80 53.130 )
1618 .3 V per phase
Hence synchronous emf (line) is 3 Eb 3 1618.3 2803 V
Example 17:
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A 11 kV, 3-phase star-connected synchronous motor draws a current of 45 A, and has effective
resistance and synchronous reactance per phase of 0.9 and 28 respectively. Calculate the
power supplied to the motor and the induced emf when the motor is operating at a power factor
of: (a) 0.8 lagging (b) 0.8 leading
Solution 17:
The phasor diagrams for lagging and leading power factors are as shown in Fig 39 (a) and (b).
Eb Eb
Ia
Er
Er
IZ s
IZ s
V
V
Ia Fig (b) Leading p.f
Fig (a) Lagging p.f
Fig 3: Phasor Diagrams for Lagging and Leading Power Factors
VL 11,000
The supply voltage per phase is V 6351 V
3 1.732
The impedance drop per phase is given as:
Er I Z s I Ra 2 X s 2 45 (0.9) 2 (28) 2 1260 V
The internal angle is given as
Xs 28
tan 1 tan 1 88.10
Ra 0.9
(a) For 0.8 power factor lagging:
The power supplied to the motor is
Pin 3EL I L cos 3 11,000 45 0.8 685.9 kW
The generated (induced) emf per phase is
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Eb V 2 Er 2 2 V Er cos( )
(6351) 2 (1260 ) 2 2 6351 1260 cos(88.10 36.9 0 )
5647 .5 V per phase
Hence induced synchronous emf (line) is 3 Eb 3 5647.5 9781.7 V
(b) For 0.8 power factor leading:
The power supplied to the motor is
Pin 3E L I L cos
3 11,000 45 0.8
685.9 kW
The generated (induced) emf per phase is
Eb V 2 Er 2 2 V Er cos( )
(6351) 2 (1260 ) 2 2 6351 1260 cos(88.10 36.9 0 )
7148 .6 V per phase
Hence induced synchronous emf (line) is 3 Eb 3 7148.6 12381 .4 V
Example 18
A 2000 V 3-phase 4-pole star-connected synchronous motor runs at 1500 rpm. The excitation
is constant and corresponds to an open-circuit voltage of 2000 V. The resistance is negligible
compared to the synchronous reactance of 3.5 per phase. For a lagging armature current of
200 A, determine
a. Power factor
b. Power input
c. Torque developed
Solution 18
2000
Supply voltage is V 1155 V
3
2000
Induced (back) emf per phase Eb 1155 V
3
Since resistance is negligible, synchronous impedance Z s X s 3.5
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X
tan 1 90 0
3.5
Internal angle tan 1 s
Ra 0
Impedance drop Er IZ s 200 3.5 700 V
For the armature current lagging behind the supply voltage, we have
Eb V 2 Er 2 V Er cos( )
2
(1155) 2 (1155) 2 (700) 2 2 1155 700 cos(90 )
700 2
sin
2 1155 700
17.6 0
(a) Power factor cos cos17.60 0.9532
(b) Power input is Pin 3VL I L cos 3 2000 200 0.9532 660.396 kW
Pin losses (660396 0)
(c) Torque developed T 4204 .2 Nm
2N s / 60 2 1500 / 60
Example 19
A 6600 V 3-phase star-connected synchronous motor draws a full-load current of 80 A at 0.8
p.f. leading. The synchronous impedance per phase is ( 2.2 j 22 ) . If the stray losses of the
machine are 3200 W, find:
(a) Induced emf
(b) Output power
(c) Efficiency of the machine
Solution 19
6600
Supply voltage is V 3810 V
3
X
tan 1
22
Internal angle tan 1 s 84.3
0
Ra 2.2
Impedance drop Er IZ s I Ra X s 80 (2.2) 2 (22) 2 1768 .8 V
2 2
(a) Induced emf per phase for leading current is
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Eb V 2 Er 2 V Er cos( )
2
(3810 ) 2 (1768 .8) 2 2 3810 1768 .8 cos(84.30 36.9 0 )
4962 .5 V per phase
Hence induced line emf is 3 Eb 3 4962 .5 8595 V
(b) Total input power Pin 3EL I L cos 3 6600 80 0.8 731618 W
Total copper losses PCu 3I 2 Ra 3 (80) 2 2.2 42240 W
Total stray losses Pstray 3200 W
Hence power output of the machine is
Pout power input - copper losses - stray losses
731618 42240 3200
686178 W
output 686178
(c) Efficiency 100 100 93.79 %
input 731618
3-4.5 Exercises on Synchronous Motors
Exercise 9
A 2300 V 3-phase star-connected synchronous motor has a resistance of 0.2 per phase and a
synchronous reactance of 2.2 per phase. The motor is operating at 0.5 p.f. leading with a
line current of 200 A. Determine the value of the generated emf per phase.
[Ans: 1708 V]
Exercise 10
A 6600 V 3-phase star-connected draws a full-load current of 70 A at 0.8 p.f. leading. Find the
emf induced, output power and efficiency of the machine if the stray losses total 30 kW, and
the armature resistance is 2 per phase and the synchronous reactance is 20 per phase
[Ans: 8130 V (line) ; 580.6 kW ; 90.72 %]
Exercise 11
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The input to a 11,000 V 3-phase star-connected synchronous motor is 50 A. The effective
resistance and synchronous reactance per phase are 0.95 and 29 respectively. Calculate
the power supplied to the motor and the induced emf for a power factor of
(a) 0.8 lagging
(b) 0.8 leading
[Ans: (a) 9635 V ; 762.1 kW ; (b) 12610 V ; 762.1 kW]
Exercise 12
A 2500 V 3-phase 4-pole star-connected synchronous motor runs at 1500 rpm. The excitation
is constant and corresponds to an open-circuit voltage of 2500 V. The resistance is negligible
in comparison with the synchronous reactance of 3 per phase. Determine the power input,
power factor, and torque developed for an armature current of 250 A.
[Ans: 1045 kW ; 0.9656 lag ; 6655 Nm]
96
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