Synchronous machines are mostly 3-phase AC machines that can be used as generator as well as motor. Synchronous generator also knows as alternator is the primary source of ac power throughout the world. The frequency of the generated voltage is proportional to the speed of the prime mover. It converts mechanical power into ac electric power. The source of mechanical power, the prime mover, may be a diesel engine, a steam turbine, or a water turbine. For high speed generators, prime movers are usually steam turbines employing fossil or nuclear energy resources. Low speed generators are often driven by hydro-turbines that employ water power. Synchronous motor is a constant speed motor; the speed is determined by the supply frequency. It is also used to improve the power factor of the system when operated as a leading power factor load. In this case, it is called synchronous condenser
Q. Describe the construction of synchronous generator
Fig. construction of synchronous generator
1) Rotor-(rotating parts): Field winding/rotor winding is usually placed on the rotor and is excited by dc current or permanent magnets to produce main magnetic flux. It is constructed of thin laminations to reduce eddy current losses. 2)Stator-(stationary parts): The armature winding is almost invariably on the stator and is usually a 3-phase winding.Voltage is induced in the stator winding when used as generator. If used as motor, ac voltage is supplied to this winding.
Q. Describe operating principle of synchronous generator.
Ans. A synchronous generator has a rotor and a stator. The rotor typically has a coil of wire that rotates within a magnetic field, inducing voltage in the coil as per Faraday's law. 1. The rotor contains a field winding or permanent magnet that, when energized with direct current (DC), creates a magnetic field. As the rotor spins, it generates a rotating magnetic field. 2. The stator has stationary coils of wire. The rotating magnetic field cuts the coils of stator and induces an alternating current (AC) in these stator windings through electromagnetic induction. 3. To connect a synchronous generator to the power grid, its rotation speed must be synchronized with the grid frequency (e.g., 60 Hz or 50 Hz). This synchronization ensures smooth integration into the existing electrical system. 4. The induced AC voltage in the stator windings is the generator's output. This voltage is synchronized with the grid frequency and can be tapped for various applications.
Induced frequency equation for synchronous generator:
By the definition, synchronous generators produce electricity whose frequency is synchronized with the mechanical rotational speed. 𝑛𝑃 𝑓= 120 Where f is the electrical frequency, Hz; n is mechanical speed of magnetic field (rotor speed for synchronous machine), rpm; P is the number of poles. High speed steam turbines generate 50 Hz with 3000 rpm in 2-pole generators. Low speeds (200-300 rpm) water turbines requires many poles to generate same frequency
Numericals: Determine the prime mover speed to generate 50Hz frequency in output when number of pole is 2 or 3.
Q. Draw and describe the equivalent circuit of synchronous generator for both single phase and three phase .
Ans. The internally generated voltage in a single phase of a synchronous machine EA is not usually the voltage appearing at its terminals. It equals to the output voltage V only when there is no armature current in the machine. The reasons that the armature voltage EA is not equal to the output voltage V are: 1. Distortion of the air-gap magnetic field caused by the current flowing in the stator (armature reaction); 2. Self-inductance of the armature coils; 3. Resistance of the armature coils;
The equivalent circuit diagram for a single-phase synchronous generator will
Fig. Equivalent circuit for single phase syn. generator
The phase voltage is then
The equivalent circuit for three phase synchronous generator will
Figure: equivalent circuit diagram of 3 phase synchronous generator
Fig. Equivalent circuit diagram for wye and delta configuration of three phase synchronous generator
Q. Why multiple generators are needed in parallel connection? Describe the conditions for paralleling.
Ans: Reasons: Most of synchronous generators are operating in parallel with other synchronous generators to supply power to the same power system. Obvious advantages of this arrangement are: 1. Several generators can supply a bigger load; 2. A failure of a single generator does not result in a total power loss to the load increasing reliability of the power system; 3. Individual generators may be removed from the power system for maintenance without shutting down the load; 4. A single generator not operating at near full load might be quite inefficient.While having several generators in parallel, it is possible to turn off some of them when operating the rest at near full- load condition.
Conditions: The rms line voltages of the two generators must be equal. 2. The two generators must have the same phase sequence. 3. The phase angles of two a phases must be equal. 4. The frequency of the oncoming generator must be slightly higher than the frequency of the running system.
