Synchronous Generator or Alternator
Working Principle:
A three-phase synchronous machine is a doubly-excited machine, because its field
windingis energised from a dc source and its armature winding is connected to an ac source.
When working as a generator, synchronous machine delivers or exports ac power. However,
thefield winding of a synchronous machine always absorbs or takes in power from a dc
source. Since a synchronous generator delivers ac output, it is also known as an alternator.
The working principle of an alternator depends upon Faraday’s law of electromagnetic
induction.The field winding which is present on the rotor of a synchronous machine is
supplied with DC current. The DC current will set up a magnetic field on the rotor. The rotor
is then rotated at synchronous speed with the help of a prime mover. The magnetic field of
the rotor conductor will cut the stationery stator coils and an emf will be induced in it. This
emf will be displaced in phase by 120°.
Under steady-state conditions, operating speed of a synchronous generator( 𝑁𝑠 ) depends on
the frequency(𝑓 ) of armature currents and the number of field poles(𝑃) and is given by
𝑃𝑁𝑠
𝑓=
120
𝑁𝑠 𝑖𝑠 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑟𝑜𝑡𝑜𝑟 𝑠𝑦𝑛𝑐ℎ𝑟𝑜𝑢𝑛𝑜𝑢𝑠 𝑠𝑝𝑒𝑒𝑑 𝑖𝑛 𝑟𝑝𝑚.
The induced voltage in stator windings,𝐸𝑔 = 4.44𝑘𝑐 𝑘𝑑 Φ𝑇𝑓
To produce 50 Hz frequency, rotor of alternator has to run at following speeds:
No. of
2 4 6 8 10 12
Poles, 𝑷
Rotor
3000 1500 1000 750 600 500
Speed, 𝑵𝒔
Types of Synchronous Generators:
A synchronous generator can be classified based on arrangement of windings as:
1. Rotating armature type
2. Rotating Field type
A synchronous generator can be classified based on shape of rotor as:
1. Non-Salient type (cylindrical type)
2. Salient pole type
A synchronous generator can be classified based prime movers as:
1. Hydro-generator
2. Turbo-generator
3. IC Engine generator
Constructional details:
Most of the generators are Rotating Field type generators. In this generator stator carries 3-
phase armature winding and Rotor carries 1-phase winding which is excited by a DC source
through slip rings.
Stator:
Stator of synchronous generator is a laminated iron with slots in the inner periphery to
provide 3-phase armature winding. Armature winding is separated by mica insulation. The
arrangement of winding is shot pithed and distributed to increase the induced voltage in it.
The stator is supported by steel housing. The typical stator is shown below.
Stator of synchronous generator
Rotor:
There are two types of rotors widely used in synchronous generator.
1. Non-Salient Rotor or Cylindrical rotor:
The cylindrical pole rotor has the DC field winding embedded in it.
The cylindrical rotor provides greater mechanical strength and permits more
accurate dynamic balancing.
It is particularly used in high-speed turbo generators.
Smaller number of poles in the rotor makes the rotor larger in length and
smaller in diameter.
2. Salient Pole Rotor:
The salient pole rotor has projected poles in it.
These projected poles reduce its mechanical strength.
This type of rotor is used for low-speed application such as Hydro generators.
Large number of poles in the rotor makes the rotor larger in diameter and
smaller in length.
Open Circuit Characteristics of Synchronous Generator:
The alternator is run at rated synchronous speed and the load terminals are kept open. That
is, all the loads are disconnected. the field current is set to zero,this condition is calledopen
circuit test condition.
The field current is gradually increase in steps, and the terminal voltage Et is measure at
each step, The excitation current may be increased to get 25% more than rated voltage of
the alternator. A graph is plotted between the open circuit test voltage Ep and field
excitation current If.
Filed
Current, 𝑰𝒇
Induced
EMF,𝑬𝒈
The characteristic curve so obtain is called open circuit characteristic (O.C.C.). It take the
shape of a normal magnetization curve. The extension of linear portion of an O.C.C. is called
the air gap line are show in figure.
