Module 5 : Synchronous machines
Types - principle of operation - equivalent circuit -
phasor diagram - voltage regulation - methods of
starting: hunting and damper windings - applications
03.09.24 Lecture 1_Module 4_BEEE312L 1
Introduction
• Electric generator converts mechanical power
into electrical power.
• AC generators operate on the same
fundamental principles of electromagnetic
induction as dc generators.
• Consists of armature winding and magnetic
field.
• In ac generators, armature is stationary and
field is rotating.
03.09.24 Lecture 1_Module 4_BEEE312L 2
Synchronous machine
• Field winding is always energised from a DC
source.
• Armature winding either exports AC power or
imports AC power.
• It is a doubly excited AC machine.
• The generation of emf depends on the relative
motion between field flux and armature
winding.
• High power armature winding is on the stator
ad low power field winding is on the rotor.
03.09.24 Lecture 1_Module 4_BEEE312L 3
Advantages of stationary armature
• Output current can be led directly from fixed
terminals on the stator to the load circuit.
• Easier to insulate stationary armature winding
for high voltage applications.
• Sliding contacts in the field circuit can be
easily insulated.
• Efficient cooling
• More output
03.09.24 Lecture 1_Module 4_BEEE312L 4
Construction details of synchronous
machine
Stator
• The stator structure is like the induction motor.
• The stator consists of cast iron frame, which
supports the armature core, having slots on its
inner periphery for housing the armature
conductors.
• The armature core is built up of laminations of
special magnetic iron or steel alloy.
• The laminations are insulated from each other.
• The stator carries a 3-phase distributed windings.
03.09.24 Lecture 1_Module 4_BEEE312L 5
Construction details of synchronous
machine
Rotor
1. smooth cylindrical rotor 2. salient pole rotor
Smooth cylindrical rotor
• Used for high-speed applications (steam
turbine-driven).
• Slots are provided over the outer periphery.
• Characterized by small diameter and very long
axial length.
• Better balance and quieter-operation.
03.09.24 Lecture 1_Module 4_BEEE312L 6
Construction details of synchronous
machine
Salient pole rotor
• Used for low and medium speed applications.
• Poles are projecting.
• Characterized by short axial length and large
diameter.
• Damper windings are provided to prevent
oscillations (hunting).
03.09.24 Lecture 1_Module 4_BEEE312L 7
AC Generators or Alternators
• Alternators do not require commutation
– This allows a simpler construction
– The field coils are made to rotate while the
armature windings are stationary
• Note: the armature windings are those that produce
the output
– Thus the large heavy armature windings are in
the stator
– The lighter field coils are mounted on the rotor
and direct current is fed to these by a set of slip
rings
Synchronous Generator
Salient-Pole Synchronous Generator
Stator
Salient-pole rotor
Cylindrical-Rotor Synchronous Generator
Stator
Cylindrical rotor
11
Operation Principle
The rotor of the generator is driven by a prime-mover
A dc current is flowing in the rotor winding which
produces a rotating magnetic field within the
machine
The rotating magnetic field induces a three-phase
voltage in the stator winding of the generator
12
A Four-pole Alternator
13
Construction details of synchronous
machine
03.09.24 Lecture 1_Module 4_BEEE312L 14
Armature windings
• Open type
• Single layer winding
• Double layer winding
– Short pitch winding – pitch factor
– Distributed winding – distribution factor
03.09.24 Lecture 1_Module 4_BEEE312L 15
Short pitch winding
• They save copper of end connections
• Improve the waveform of the generated emf
• Total voltage around the coil is somewhat
reduced.
• Pitch factor (Kc)= vector sum of induced emf per
coil/arithmetic sum of induced emf per coil
03.09.24 Lecture 1_Module 4_BEEE312L 16
Distributed winding
• In distributed winding, coil sides per phase are
displaced from each other by an angle equal to
the angular displacement of the adjacent slots.
• Distribution factor Kd = emf with distributed
winding/emf with concentrated winding
• Kd = sin (mβ/2)/m sin(β/2)
05.09.24 Lecture 2_Module 4_BEEE312L 17
Distribution factor
• Kd = sin (mβ/2)/m sin(β/2)
β – angular displacement
between the slots
β = 180/n
n – no. of slots/pole
m-no.of slots per pole
per phase
m β – phase spread angle
05.09.24 Lecture 2_Module 4_BEEE312L 18
Equation of induced emf
• Induced emf/phase – 4.44 fɸT
• Induced emf/phase - 4.44 fɸT Kc Kd
• line voltage if star connected = √3 times
emf/phase
05.09.24 Lecture 2_Module 4_BEEE312L 19
MMF of a coil
• Consider a full pitched coil on the stator of a 2-
pole uniform airgap machine.
• The coil consists of N-turns and each turn
carries a current ‘i’.
• Radial flux distribution
• Core permeability is
infinite
05.09.24 Lecture 2_Module 4_BEEE312L 20
MMF of a coil
05.09.24 Lecture 2_Module 4_BEEE312L 21
MMF of a distributed winding
05.09.24 Lecture 2_Module 4_BEEE312L 22
MMF of a distributed winding
05.09.24 Lecture 2_Module 4_BEEE312L 23
Alternator on load
• Voltage drop due to armature resistance Ra
• Voltage drop due to armature leakage
reactance XL
• Voltage drop due to armature reaction
– Unity power factor – cross magnetising
– Zero power factor lagging –demagnetising
– Zero power factor leading - magnetising
10.09.24 Lecture 3_Module 4_BEEE312L 24
Synchronous reactance
Terminal voltage is decreased due to voltage
drop
• armature resistance (IaRa)
• armature leakage reactance(IaXl)
• armature reaction (IaXa) (fictitious reactance)
• synchronous reactance Xs =Xa+Xl
10.09.24 Lecture 3_Module 4_BEEE312L 25
Determination of voltage regulation
• EMF or synchronous impedance method
• MMF or ampere turn method
• Zero power factor or Potier method
All these methods require
• Armature resistance value
• Open circuit characteristics
• Short circuit characteristics
• Zero power factor characteristics for Potier
method
10.09.24 Lecture 3_Module 4_BEEE312L 26
EMF or synchronous impedance
method
• Armature resistance value
• Open circuit characteristics
• Short circuit characteristics
• Short circuit ratio (SCR)
SCR = field current for rated E0/
field current for rated Isc
24.09.24 Lecture 5_Module 4_BEEE312L 27
EMF Method
Synchronous impedance
Zs = E0/Is
Synchronous reactance
Xs =√(Zs2 – Ra2)
E0 =√( Vphcosφ+ IaRa )2 + ( Vphsinφ + IaXs)2
(for lagging PF load)
E0 =√( Vphcosφ+ IaRa )2 + ( Vphsinφ - IaXs)2
(for leading PF load)
E0 =√(Vph+ IaRa )2 + (IaXs)2
(for unity PF load)
% Regulation = [(E0 – Vph)/Vph ]* 100
Pessimistic method
24.09.24 Lecture 5_Module 4_BEEE312L 28
24.09.24 Lecture 5_Module 4_BEEE312L 29
MMF or Ampere Turn Method
• Armature leakage reactance is treated as an
additional armature reaction
• Optimistic method
24.09.24 Lecture 5_Module 4_BEEE312L 30
MMF method
• Field AT required to produce V +
IaRacosφ on no load. This can be
found from O.C.C and
corresponding field current is If1
• Field AT required to produce full-
load current on short-circuit
balances the armature reaction
and impedance drop and
corresponding field current is If2
• If = (( If12 + If2 2 - 2 If1 If2 cos( 90 ±
φ))1/2 (+) for lagging PF and (-) for
leading PF
• Field current (If ) corresponds to
open circuit voltage (E0) which is
from the OCC.
• % Regulation = [(E0 – Vph)/Vph ]*
100
24.09.24 Lecture 5_Module 4_BEEE312L 31
Synchronous motor
03.09.24 Lecture 1_Module 4_BEEE312L 32
Under Excited Over Excited
Lagging PF Leading PF UPF
03.09.24 Lecture 1_Module 4_BEEE312L 33
Lagging PF Leading PF UPF
03.09.24 Lecture 1_Module 4_BEEE312L 34