Synchronous Generators

Spring 2013

Construction of synchronous machines

In a synchronous generator, a DC current is
applied to the rotor winding producing a rotor
magnetic field. The rotor is then turned by
external means producing a rotating magnetic
field, which induces a 3-phase voltage within
the stator winding.

Field windings are the windings

producing the main magnetic field
(rotor windings
armature windings are the windings
where the main voltage is induced
(stator windings)

Construction of synchronous machines

The rotor of a synchronous machine is a large electromagnet. The
magnetic poles can be either salient (sticking out of rotor surface) or nonsalient construction.

Non-salient-pole rotor: # of poles: 2 or 4.

Salient-pole rotor: # of
poles: large number

Rotors are made laminated to reduce eddy current losses.

Construction of synchronous machines

Two common approaches are used to supply a DC current to the field
circuits on the rotating rotor:
1. Supply the DC power from an
external DC source to the rotor by
means of slip rings and brushes;

2. Supply the DC power from a

special DC power source mounted
directly on the shaft of the
machine.
Slip rings are metal rings completely encircling the shaft of a machine but
insulated from it. Graphite-like carbon brushes connected to DC terminals
ride on each slip ring supplying DC voltage to field windings.

Construction of synchronous machines

On large generators and motors, brushless exciters are used.
A brushless exciter is a small AC generator whose field
circuits are mounted on the stator and armature circuits are
mounted on the rotor shaft.
The exciter generators 3-phase output is rectified to DC by
a 3-phase rectifier (mounted on the shaft) and fed into the
main DC field circuit.
It is possible to adjust the field current on the main machine
by controlling the small DC field current of the exciter
generator (located on the stator).

Construction of synchronous machines

To make the excitation of
a generator completely
independent of any
external power source, a
small pilot exciter is often
added to the circuit.
The pilot exciter is an AC
generator with a
permanent magnet
mounted on the rotor
shaft and a 3-phase
winding on the stator
producing the power for
the field circuit of the
exciter.

Construction of synchronous machines

A rotor of large
synchronous
machine with a
brushless exciter
mounted on the
same shaft.

Construction of synchronous machines

Exciter
Rotor pole.

Rotation speed of synchronous generator

By the definition, synchronous generators produce electricity
whose frequency is synchronized with the mechanical rotational
speed.

p
fe
nm
120
Where fe is the electrical frequency, Hz;
nm is the rotor speed of the machine, rpm;
p is the number of poles.

Steam turbines are most efficient when rotating at high speed;

therefore, to generate 60 Hz, they are usually rotating at 3600
rpm (2-pole).
Water turbines are most efficient when rotating at low speeds
(200-300 rpm); therefore, they usually turn generators with many
poles.

The induced voltage in a 3-phase set of coils

In three coils, each of NC turns, placed around the rotor magnetic field,
the induced in each coil will have the same magnitude and phases
differing by 1200:

eaa ' (t ) NCm cos mt

ebb ' (t ) NCm cos mt 120

ecc ' (t ) NCm cos mt 240

Peak voltage:

Emax NCm
RMS voltage:

Emax 2 NC f

2
EA
NC f 2 NC f
2

Internal generated voltage of a synchronous

generator
The magnitude of internal generated voltage induced in a given stator is

EA 2 NC f K
where K is a constant representing the construction of the machine, is flux in it
and is its rotation speed.
Since flux in the
machine depends
on the field current
through it, the
internal generated
voltage is a
function of the
rotor field current.

Magnetization curve (open-circuit characteristic) of a

synchronous machine

Equivalent circuit of a synchronous generator

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;

Equivalent circuit of a synchronous generator

Armature reaction:
When the rotor of a
synchronous generator is
spinning, a voltage EA is
induced in its stator.
When a load is connected,
a current starts flowing
creating a magnetic field in
machines stator.
This stator magnetic field BS
adds to the rotor (main)
magnetic field BR affecting
the total magnetic field and,
therefore, the phase
voltage.

Lagging
load

Equivalent circuit of a synchronous generator

The load current IA will create a stator magnetic field BS, which will
produce the armature reaction voltage Estat. Therefore, the phase voltage
will be

V EA Estat
The net magnetic flux will be

Bnet BR BS
Rotor field

Stator field

Equivalent circuit of a synchronous generator

Since the armature reaction voltage lags the
current by 90 degrees, it can be modeled by

Estat jXI A
The phase voltage is then

V EA jXI A
However, in addition to armature reactance effect, the stator coil
has a self-inductance LA (XA is the corresponding reactance) and
the stator has resistance RA. The phase voltage is thus

V EA jXI A jX A I A RI A

Equivalent circuit of a synchronous generator

Often, armature reactance and selfinductance are combined into the
synchronous reactance of the machine:

XS X X A
Therefore, the phase voltage is

V EA jX S I A RI A
The equivalent circuit of a 3-phase
synchronous generator is shown.
The adjustable resistor Radj controls
the field current and, therefore, the
rotor magnetic field.

Equivalent circuit of a synchronous generator

A synchronous generator can be Y- or -connected:

The terminal voltage will be

VT 3V forY VT V for

Equivalent circuit of a synchronous generator

Since for balanced loads the three phases of a synchronous
generator are identical except for phase angles, per-phase
equivalent circuits are often used.

Phasor diagram of a synchronous generator

(similar to that of a transformer)
Since the voltages in a synchronous generator are AC voltages, they are
usually expressed as phasors. A vector plot of voltages and currents within
one phase is called a phasor diagram.
A phasor diagram of a synchronous
generator with a unity power factor
(resistive load)
Lagging power factor (inductive load): a
larger than for leading PF internal
generated voltage EA is needed to form
the same phase voltage.

Leading power factor (capacitive load).

The Synchronous generator operating alone

The behavior of a synchronous generator varies greatly under

load depending on the power factor of the load and on
whether the generator is working alone or in parallel with other
synchronous generators.

Although most of the synchronous generators in the world

operate as parts of large power systems, we start our
discussion assuming that the synchronous generator works
alone.
Unless otherwise stated, the speed of the generator is
assumed constant.

The Synchronous generator operating alone

Effects
changes
A increaseof
in load
the load
is an
increase in the real and/or
reactive power drawn from the
generator.

Since the field resistor is unaffected, the field current is constant and, therefore, the
flux is constant too. Since the speed is assumed as constant, the magnitude of
the internal generated voltage is constant also.
Assuming the same power factor of the load, change in load will change the
magnitude of the armature current IA. However, the angle will be the same (for a
constant PF). Thus, the armature reaction voltage jXSIA will be larger for the
increased load. Since the magnitude of the internal generated voltage is constant

EA V jX S I A
Armature reaction voltage vector will move parallel to its initial position.

The Synchronous generator operating alone

Increase load effect on generators with

Leading PF
Lagging PF

Unity PF

The Synchronous generator operating alone

Generally, when a load on a synchronous generator is added, the following
changes can be observed:

1. For lagging (inductive) loads, the phase (and terminal) voltage

decreases significantly.
2. For unity power factor (purely resistive) loads, the phase (and
terminal) voltage decreases slightly.
3. For leading (capacitive) loads, the phase (and terminal) voltage rises.
Effects of adding loads can be described by the voltage regulation:

VR

Vnl V fl
V fl

100%

Where Vnl is the no-load voltage of the generator and Vfl is its full-load voltage.

The Synchronous generator operating alone

A synchronous generator operating at a lagging power factor has a fairly large
positive voltage regulation.
A synchronous generator operating at a unity power factor has a small positive
voltage regulation.
A synchronous generator operating at a leading power factor often has a
negative voltage regulation.
Normally, a constant terminal voltage supplied by a generator is desired. Since the
armature reactance cannot be controlled, an obvious approach to adjust the
terminal voltage is by controlling the internal generated voltage EA = K. This
may be done by changing flux in the machine while varying the value of the field
resistance RF, which is summarized:
1.
2.
3.
4.

Decreasing the field resistance increases the field current in the generator.
An increase in the field current increases the flux in the machine.
An increased flux leads to the increase in the internal generated voltage.
An increase in the internal generated voltage increases the terminal voltage of
the generator.

Power and torque in synchronous generators

A synchronous generator needs to be connected to a prime mover whose speed is
reasonably constant (to ensure constant frequency of the generated voltage) for
various loads.
The applied mechanical power

Pin appm

is partially converted to electricity

Pconv ind m 3EA I A cos

Where is the angle between
EA and IA.
The power-flow diagram of a
synchronous generator.

Power and torque in synchronous generators

The real output power of the synchronous generator is

Pout 3VT I L cos 3V I A cos

The reactive output power of the synchronous generator is

Qout 3VT I L sin 3V I A sin

Recall that the power factor angle is the angle between V and IA and not the
angle between EA and IA.
In real synchronous machines of any size, the
armature resistance RA << XS and, therefore,
the armature resistance can be ignored. Thus,
a simplified phasor diagram indicates that

EA sin
I A cos
XS

Power and torque in synchronous generators

Then the real output power of the synchronous generator can be approximated as

Pout

3V E A sin
XS

We observe that electrical losses are assumed to be zero since the resistance is
neglected. Therefore:

Pconv Pout
Here is the power angle of the machine the angle between V and EA. This is
Different from the power factor angle/
The maximum power can be supplied by the generator when = 900:

Pmax

3V E A
XS

Generator P-f Curve

All generators are driven by a prime mover, such as a
steam, gas, water, wind turbines, diesel engines, etc.
Regardless the power source, most of prime movers tend to
slow down with increasing the load.
The speed drop (SD) of a prime mover is defined as:

Most prime movers have a speed drop from 2% to 4%.

Most governors have a mechanism to adjust the turbines
no-load speed (set-point adjustment).

Generator P-f Curve

Generator Q-V Curve

A similar relationship can be derived for the reactive power Q and
terminal voltage VT.
When supplying a lagging load to a synchronous generator, its
terminal voltage decreases.
When adding a leading load to a synchronous generator, its terminal
voltage increases.

Both the frequency-power and terminal voltage vs. reactive

power characteristics are important for parallel operations of
generators.

Example
A generator with no-load frequency of 61.0 Hz and a slope of 1 MW/Hz is
connected to Load 1 consuming 1 MW of real power at 0.8 PF lagging.
Load 2 (that to be connected to the generator) consumes a real power of
0.8 MW at 0.707 PF lagging.

1.

2.
3.

Find the operating frequency of the system before the switch is

closed. (ans. 60 Hz)
Find the operating frequency of the system after the switch is closed.
(ans. 59.2 Hz)
What action could an operator take to restore the system frequency
to 60 Hz after both loads are connected to the generator? (ans.
increase the governor no-load set point by 0.8 Hz)

Generator Operating Alone

When a generator is operating alone supplying

the load:
The real and reactive powers are the amounts
demanded by the load.
The governor of the generator controls the
operating frequency of the system.
The field current controls the terminal voltage of
the power system.

Generators connected in parallel

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:
Several generators can supply a bigger load;
A failure of a single generator does not result in a total
power loss to the load, thus increasing reliability of the
power system;
Individual generators may be removed from the power
system for maintenance without shutting down the load;
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, and operate the
rest at near full-load condition.

Conditions required for paralleling generators

Closing the switch arbitrarily can cause severe damage. If

voltages are not the same (magnitude, frequency, phase,
sequence) in both lines, a very large current will flow when the
switch is closed.
To avoid this, the following conditions must be met:

The rms line voltages of the two generators must be equal.

The two generators must have the same phase sequence.
The phase angles of two a phases must be equal.
The frequency of the oncoming generator must be slightly higher
than the frequency of the running system.

Steps for paralleling generators (3-light bulb method)

1. Adjust the field current of the oncoming generator to make its terminal
voltage equal to the line voltage of the system (use a voltmeter).
2. Compare the phase sequences of the oncoming generator and the
running system by examining the three light bulbs. If all three bulbs get
bright and dark together, both generators have the same phase
sequences. If not, two of the conductors must be altered.
3. The frequency of the oncoming generator is adjusted to be slightly
higher than the systems frequency.
4. When all three lights go out, the voltage across them is zero and,
therefore, machines are in phase. This is the time to close the switch.

Synchronizing a generator with the utility grid

When a synchronous generator is added to a power system, that
system is so large that one additional generator does not cause
observable changes to the system.
An infinite bus is a power system that is so large that its voltage
and frequency do not vary regardless of how much real and
reactive power is drawn from or supplied to it (i.e., the powerfrequency and reactive power-voltage characteristics are
horizontal:

Synchronizing a generator with the utility grid

Consider adding a generator to an

infinite bus supplying a load.
The frequency and terminal
voltage of all machines must be
the same.
Therefore, their power-frequency
and reactive power-voltage
characteristics can be plotted
with a common vertical axis.

Synchronizing a generator with the utility grid

Parallel operation with the utility grid

If an attempt is made to
increase the speed of the
generator after it is connected
to the infinite bus, the system
frequency cannot change and
the power supplied by the
generator increases.

Note an increase in power

(with Vt and EA staying
constant), results in an
increase in the power angle .

Parallel operation with the utility grid

Adjusting the field current of the machine, it is
possible to make it to make the generator supply or
consume reactive power Q.
Summarizing, when the generator is operating in
parallel to an infinite bus:
The frequency and terminal voltage of the generator
are controlled by the system to which it is connected.
The governor set points of the generator control the
real power supplied by the generator to the system.
The generators field current controls the reactive
power supplied by the generator to the system.

Parallel operation of generators of similar size

Unlike the case of an infinite bus,
the slope of the frequency-power
curve of G1 is of the same order of
magnitude as that of G2.
The power-frequency diagram
right after G2 is connected to the
system is shown to the right.
As indicated previously, in order for
G2 to come in as a generator, its
frequency should be slightly higher
than that of G1.

Parallel operation of generators of similar size

Note that the sum of the real and
reactive powers supplied by the two
generators must equal the real and
reactive powers demanded by the load:

If the speed of G2 is increased, its

power-frequency diagram shifts
upwards. This will in turn

increase the real power supplied by G2

reduce the real power supplied by G1
increase the system frequency.
To bring the frequency down, the speed
of G2 must be reduced.

Example
Two generators are set to supply the same load. G1 has a no-load
frequency of 61.5 Hz and a slope sp1 of 1 MW/Hz. G2 has a no-load
frequency of 61.0 Hz and a slope sp2 of 1 MW/Hz. The two generators are
supplying a real load of 2.5 MW at 0.8 PF lagging.
a) System frequency? Ans. 60 Hz
b) Power generated by G1 and G2? Ans. 1.5 MW and 1 MW
c) An additional load of 1 MW is added, find the system frequency and the
generator powers? Ans. 59.5 Hz, 2 MW, and 1.5 MW
d) Repeat c) after the no-load frequency of G2 is increased by 0.5 Hz? Ans. 59.75
Hz, 1.75 MW and 1.75 MW.

Parallel operation of generators of similar size

Similarly, an increase in the field
current of G1 will result in
An increase of the reactive power
supplied G1,
A reduction of the reactive power
supplied G2.
An Increase of the system terminal
voltage.
To bring the voltage down, the field
current of G1 must be reduced.

Synchronous Generator Rating

The purpose of ratings is to protect the machine from damage.
Typical ratings of synchronous machines are voltage, speed,
apparent power (kVA), power factor, field current and service
factor.
The rated frequency of a synchronous machine depends on the
power system to which it is connected. Once the operation
frequency is determined, only one rotational speed in possible for
the given number of poles.
For a given design, the rated voltage is limited by the flux that is
capped by the field current. The rated voltage is also limited by
the windings insulation breakdown limit.
The maximum acceptable armature current sets the apparent
power rating for a generator. The power factor of the armature
current is irrelevant for heating the armature windings.

Synchronous Generator Real and Reactive Power

P Vt I a cos
Q Vt I a sin

Vt
P
Ei sin
Xd
Vt
Q
{Ei cos Vt }
Xd

Generator Loading Capability Diagram

Generator Loading Capability

Generator Loading Capability Curve

Problems (Chap 3)
3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 12.