Rajshahi University of Engineering & Technology
Department of Electrical & Electronic Engineering
Course No : EEE 3108
Course Title : Electrical Machines II Sessional
Experiment No. : 05
Experiment Name : Synchronization of an Alternator with an Infinite Bus using Lamp Method
and Control of Active and Reactive Power
Submitted By: Submitted To:
Name : MD. Ektider Rahman Sarker Md. Ruhul Amin Ratul
Roll : 2201106 Assistant Professor
Department of Electrical & Electronic
Section :B Engineering
Session : 2022-2023 Rajshahi University of Engineering &
Technology(RUET)
Date of Experiment: 25 January, 2026
Date of Submission: 01 February, 2026
Experiment No.: 05
Name of the Experiment: Synchronization of an Alternator with an Infinite Bus using Lamp
Method and Control of Active and Reactive Power
Objectives:
To study the synchronization of an alternator with infinite bus.
To understand the conditions of synchronization and how to tune different parameters.
To study the 3-lamp method of synchronizing an alternator.
Theory:
An alternator is an electrical generator that converts mechanical energy into alternating current
(AC) electrical energy. It is commonly used in vehicles to charge the battery and power the
electrical system when the engine is running, but it also has applications in power plants,
industrial machinery, and renewable energy systems.
Synchronization is the process of connecting an alternator to a live power grid (or another
alternator) in parallel, ensuring matching voltage, frequency, and phase sequence. The 3-lamp
method is a simple technique to check synchronization before closing the circuit breaker.
Conditions for Synchronization (Parallel Operation):
1. Same RMS voltage at both ends.
2. Same initial phase or zero phase difference.
3. Same phase sequence.
4. Same operating frequency.
3-Lamp Method Procedure:
Three lamps (or a synchroscope) are connected across the alternator and grid phases to visually
check synchronization.
Observation & Interpretation:
1. Correct Phase Sequence (Lamps Brighten & Darken Together):
If the alternator is not synchronized, the lamps will flicker at the slip frequency
(difference between grid and alternator frequency).
As the alternator speed is adjusted, the flickering slows down.
Perfect Synchronization: All lamps go dark simultaneously (indicating zero
voltage difference).
At this moment, the circuit breaker is closed to connect the alternator to the grid.
2. Wrong Phase Sequence (Lamps Brighten Sequentially):
If the phase sequence is incorrect, the lamps will not darken together but instead
light up in a rotating pattern.
Solution: Swap any two phases of the alternator to correct the sequence.
Once synchronized, the alternator shares load with the grid (or other alternators).
1. Active Power (Real Power - kW) Sharing:
• Controlled by the prime mover’s input torque (e.g., diesel engine, turbine).
• Increasing mechanical input → More active power supplied.
• Decreasing mechanical input → Alternator absorbs power (acts as a motor).
2. Reactive Power (kVAR) Sharing:
• Controlled by the alternator’s excitation (field current).
• Over-excitation → Supplies reactive power (lagging power factor).
• Under-excitation → Absorbs reactive power (leading power factor).
Adjusting Load Sharing:
• To increase active power: Speed up the prime mover.
• To adjust reactive power: Increase/decrease excitation current.
Fig. 5.1: Frequency vs Active Power Curve. [1] Fig. 5.2: Terminal Voltage vs Reactive Power Curve. [1]
Required Apparatus:
Table 5.1: Apparatus Required for the Experiment with Ratings.
SL
Name of the Apparatus Quantity Ratings
No.
P: 380VA
U: 400V(Y)/230(∇)
I: 0.57A/1A
cosφ: 0.92
Three-Phase Synchronous
02 01 N: 3000rpm
Generator
Uexc: 220V
Iexc: 0.45A
f: 50Hz
Pole: 2
0-500V DC
DC Variable Power Supply 01
4A
Power (P): 300 W
Speed (N): 2500 rpm
01 DC Motor 01 Voltage (V): 220V
Excitation Voltage (Vexc): 220 V
Excitation Current (Iexc): 0.1 A
0-500V DC
03 DC Variable Power Supply 01
4A
04 DC Fixed Power Supply 01 220V, 3A
I=0.07A max,
05 Tachogenerator 01
n=5000rpm max
06 DC Multimeter 01 600V-20A
Resistance (R): 0-200 Ω
07 Rheostat (Field Control) 01 Power (P): 500 W
Current (I): 1.58 A
Resistance (R): 0 - 5000 Ω
08 Rheostat (Armature Control) 01 Power (P): 500 W
Current (I): 0.31 A
400V
09 Three Phase Fixed Supply 01
10A
Experimental Circuit Diagram:
Fig. 5.3: Schematic Diagram for the Experiment
Data Table:
Table 5.2: Data Table for Active Power and Reactive Power when IF is Fixed
Field Excitation Active Power, P Reactive Power, Q
Current, IF (A) (W) (VAR)
29.2 -11.1
34.6 -11.2
No Change 40.1 -12.1
55.2 -13.7
61.6 -14.0
Table 5.3: Table for Active Power and Reactive Power when IF is Changing and Fixed Speed
Speed, Ns Field Excitation Active Power, P Reactive Power, Q
(rpm) Current, IF (A) (W) (VAR)
0.403 84.6 -61.0
0.416 53.3 -54.7
No Change 0.431 53.9 -43.8
0.434 53.5 -14.6
0.455 51.2 24.5
Discussion & Conclusion: The experiment successfully demonstrated alternator
synchronization using the 3-lamp method, showing how matching voltage, frequency, and
phase sequence ensures safe parallel operation. The lamps darkened simultaneously when
synchronized, while incorrect phase sequence caused sequential brightening, easily corrected
by swapping phases. This manual method remains useful for understanding synchronization
fundamentals despite modern automated alternatives.
By adjusting the prime mover's speed and excitation current, we observed direct control over
active and reactive power sharing. Increasing mechanical input boosted active power output,
while field current adjustments determined whether the alternator supplied or absorbed reactive
power. These results matched theoretical expectations, showing how alternators maintain grid
stability through careful power regulation.
The experiment effectively linked theory with practice, highlighting the importance of proper
synchronization and power sharing in alternator operation. While simple, the 3-lamp method
provided clear visual confirmation of synchronization conditions, reinforcing key concepts
about parallel generator operation.
References:
[1] S. J. Chapman, Electric Machinery Fundamentals, 5th ed., McGraw-Hill Education,
New York, USA, 2012