CIRCUIT DIAGRAM
1. DARK LAMP METHOD
2. BRIGHT LAMP METHOD
EXPERIMENT NO : 8 DATE:
SYNCHRONISATION OF ALTERNATORS
AIM
Synchronize the three-phase alternator to bus bar using following methods
a. Three dark lamp method
b. Three bright lamp method
c. Two bright and one dark lamp method
d. Synchroscope method
APPARATUS REQUIRED
Sl No Name of Apparatus Range & Type Quantity
1 Voltmeter 0-500 V , MI 1 No
2 Ammeter 0-10A, MI 1 No
3 Ammeter 0-5A , PMMC 1 No
4 Rheostat 500 Ω, 4 A 1 No
5 Rheostat 300 Ω, 2 A 1 No
6 Tacho meter Digital 1 No
7 Inductive load 415 V, Star connected 1 No
ZPF Ioad
PRINCIPLE
The process of connecting an alternator to infinite bus par or parallel with another alternator is called
synchronisation. The following conditions must be satisfied for the synchronization of alternator with
infinite bus bar.
1. The terminal voltage of the incoming alternator must be equal to the bus voltage.
2. The frequency of incoming alternator must be equal to the bus frequency.
3. The phase sequence of incoming alternator and bus must be same.
The advantages of synchronization of alternator are
1. It increases the reliability of the power supply
2. It reduces the production cost of electricity
3. The maintenance of individual generating unit can be done by keeping the continuity of supply.
4. Additional sets can be connected in parallel to meet the increasing demand.
The common methods used for synchronizing the three phase alternators are
1. Three dark lamps method
2. Three bright lamps method
3. Two bright, one dark lamps method
4. synchroscope method
3. TWO BRIGHT- ONE DARK LAMP METHOD
4. SYNCHROSCOPE METHOD
MACHINE DETAILS
PROCEDURE
A. THREE DARK LAMP METHOD
1. Connect the circuit as per the diagram. Make sure the three incandescent lamps in series between
corresponding terminals of the incoming alternator and busbar (R-R, Y-Y, B-B)
2. Start the prime mover and bring the speed very near to synchronous speed of alternator.
3. Adjust the field rheostat of alternator such that it gives voltage equal to the bus bar voltage. Verify
it using Voltmeter at busbar side and alternator side
4. As the frequencies of busbar and incoming alternator become closer, the lamps will start to flicker.
The flickering rate will decrease as the frequency difference decreases
5. If three lamps are becoming dark and bright simultaneously, then the phase sequence of bus bar
and incoming alternator is same. If lamps are becoming bright one after the other, then phase
sequence is incorrect. Interchange any two phases to make same phase sequence
6. When the phase sequence, frequency and voltage are perfectly matched, the lamps will remain
dark.
7. At the instant the lamps go dark, quickly close the synchronizing switch to connect the incoming
alternator to the busbar
8. Once the incoming alternator is synchronized, check the frequency and voltage meters on both
alternators to confirm that they are identical. Observe the ammeter on the incoming alternator
to ensure it is sharing the load appropriate
B. THREE BRIGHT LAMP METHOD
1. Connect the circuit as per the diagram. Make sure the three incandescent lamps are cross
connected between corresponding terminals of the incoming alternator and busbar (R-Y, Y-B, B-
R)
2. Start the prime mover and bring the speed very near to synchronous speed of alternator.
3. Adjust the field rheostat of alternator such that it gives voltage equal to the bus bar voltage. Verify
it using Voltmeter at busbar side and alternator side
4. As the frequencies of busbar and incoming alternator become closer, the lamps will start to flicker.
The flickering rate will decrease as the frequency difference decreases
5. When the phase sequence, frequency and voltage are perfectly matched, the lamps will remain
bright.
6. At the instant the lamps go bright, quickly close the synchronizing switch to connect the incoming
alternator to the busbar
7. Once the incoming alternator is synchronized, check the frequency and voltage meters on both
alternators to confirm that they are identical. Observe the ammeter on the incoming alternator
to ensure it is sharing the load appropriate
C. TWO BRIGHT- ONE DARK LAMP METHOD
1. Connect the circuit as per the diagram. Make sure the two lamps are cross connected and one
lamp is direct connected to corresponding terminals of the incoming alternator and busbar (R-B,
Y-Y, B-R)
2. Start the prime mover and bring the speed very near to synchronous speed of alternator.
3. Adjust the field rheostat of alternator such that it gives voltage equal to the bus bar voltage. Verify
it using Voltmeter at busbar side and alternator side
4. As the frequencies of busbar and incoming alternator become closer, the lamps will start to flicker.
The flickering rate will decrease as the frequency difference decreases
5. When the phase sequence, frequency and voltage are perfectly matched, the cross connected
lamps will go bright and direct connected lamps go dark.
6. At that instant, quickly close the synchronizing switch to connect the incoming alternator to the
busbar
7. Once the incoming alternator is synchronized, check the frequency and voltage meters on both
alternators to confirm that they are identical. Observe the ammeter on the incoming alternator
to ensure it is sharing the load appropriate
D. SYNCHROSCOPE METHOD
1. Connect the circuit as per the diagram.
2. Start the prime mover and bring the speed very near to synchronous speed of alternator.
3. Adjust the field rheostat of alternator such that it gives voltage equal to the bus bar voltage. Verify
it using Voltmeter at busbar side and alternator side
4. Check the phase sequence using phase sequence detector
5. if the synchroscope pointer moves anti clockwise then the incoming alternator is running slower
and has frequency less than the bus bar . Now increase the speed of alternator by varying prime
mover speed. If the pointer moves clock-wise then the incoming alternator is running faster and
has frequency greater than bus-bar frequency. Now decrease the speed of alternator by varying
prime mover speed
6. When both busbar frequency and incoming alternator frequency is same, the pointer of
synchroscope remains stationery quickly close the synchronizing switch to connect the incoming
alternator to the busbar
7. Once the incoming alternator is synchronized, check the frequency and voltage meters on both
alternators to confirm that they are identical. Observe the ammeter on the incoming alternator
to ensure it is sharing the load appropriate
RESULT
Synchronized the three-phase alternator to bus bar using following methods
a. Three dark lamp method
b. Three bright lamp method
c. Two bright and one dark lamp method
d. Synchroscope method
