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Conditions
In an alternating current (AC) electric power system, synchronization is the process of matching the
Process frequency and phase and voltage of a generator or other source to an electrical grid in order to transfer
Synchronizing lamps power. If two unconnected segments of a grid are to be connected to each other, they cannot safely
exchange AC power until they are synchronized.
Synchroscope
A direct current (DC) generator can be connected to a power network simply by adjusting its open-circuit
Synchronizing relays
terminal voltage to match the network's voltage, by either adjusting its speed or its field excitation. The exact
Synchronous operation engine speed is not critical. However, an AC generator must additionally match its timing (frequency and
phase) to the network voltage, which requires both speed and excitation to be systematically controlled for
Synchronous speeds
synchronization. This extra complexity was one of the arguments against AC operation during the war of
See also currents in the 1880s. In modern grids, synchronization of generators is carried out by automatic systems.
References

Sources Conditions [ edit ]

External links There are five conditions that must be met before the synchronization process takes place. The source
(generator or sub-network) must have equal root-mean-square voltage, frequency, phase sequence, phase
angle, and waveform to that of the system to which it is being synchronized.[1]

Waveform and phase sequence are fixed by the construction of the generator and its connections to the
system. During installation of a generator, careful checks are made to ensure the generator terminals and all
control wiring is correct so that the order of phases (phase sequence) matches the system. Connecting a
generator with the wrong phase sequence will result in large, possibly damaging, currents as the system
voltages are opposite to those of the generator terminal voltages.[2]

The voltage, frequency and phase angle must be controlled each time a generator is to be connected to a
grid.[1]

Generating units for connection to a power grid have an inherent droop speed control that allows them to
share load proportional to their rating. Some generator units, especially in isolated systems, operate with
isochronous frequency control, maintaining constant system frequency independent of load.

Process [ edit ]

The sequence of events is similar for manual or automatic synchronization. The generator is brought up to
approximate synchronous speed by supplying more energy to its shaft - for example, opening the valves on a
steam turbine, opening the gates on a hydraulic turbine, or increasing the fuel rack setting on a diesel engine.
The field of the generator is energized and the voltage at the terminals of the generator is observed and
compared with the system. The voltage magnitude must be the same as the system voltage.

If one machine is slightly out of phase it will pull into step with the others but, if the phase difference is large,
there will be heavy cross-currents which can cause voltage fluctuations and, in extreme cases, damage to the
machines.

Synchronizing lamps [ edit ]

Formerly, three incandescent light bulbs were connected between the

generator terminals and the system terminals (or more generally, to the
terminals of instrument transformers connected to generator and system). As
the generator speed changes, the lights will flicker at the beat frequency
proportional to the difference between generator frequency and system
frequency. When the voltage at the generator is opposite to the system
voltage (either ahead or behind in phase), the lamps will be bright. When the
voltage at the generator matches the system voltage, the lights will be dark.
At that instant, the circuit breaker connecting the generator to the system
may be closed and the generator will then stay in synchronism with the
system.[3]

An alternative technique used a similar scheme to the above except that the
connections of two of the lamps were swapped either at the generator
terminals or the system terminals. In this scheme, when the generator was in
synchronism with the system, one lamp would be dark, but the two with the
swapped connections would be of equal brightness. Synchronizing on "dark"
lamps was preferred over "bright" lamps because it was easier to discern the
minimum brightness. However, a lamp burnout could give a false-positive for
successful synchronization.
From top to bottom:
Synchroscope [ edit ] synchroscope, voltmeter,
frequency meter. When the
Main article: Synchroscope two systems are synchronized,
Another manual method of synchronization relies on observing an instrument the pointer on the synchrosope
is stationary and points straight
called a "synchroscope", which displays the relative frequencies of system up.
and generator. The pointer of the synchroscope will indicate "fast" or "slow"
speed of the generator with respect to the system. To minimize the
transient current when the generator circuit breaker is closed, usual
practice is to initiate the close as the needle slowly approaches the
in-phase point. An error of a few electrical degrees between system
and generator will result in a momentary inrush and abrupt speed
change of the generator.

Synchronizing relays [ edit ]

Synchronizing relays allow unattended synchronization of a machine This synchroscope was used to
with a system. Today these are digital microprocessor instruments, synchronize a factory's power plant with
but in the past electromechanical relay systems were applied. A the utility's power grid.

synchronizing relay is useful to remove human reaction time from the

process, or when a human is not available such as at a remote controlled generating plant. Synchroscopes or
lamps are sometimes installed as a supplement to automatic relays, for possible manual use or for monitoring
the generating unit.

Sometimes as a precaution against out-of-step connection of a machine to a system, a "synchro check" relay
is installed that prevents closing the generator circuit breaker unless the machine is within a few electrical
degrees of being in-phase with the system. Synchro check relays are also applied in places where several
sources of supply may be connected and where it is important that out-of-step sources are not accidentally
paralleled.

Synchronous operation [ edit ]

While the generator is synchronized, the frequency of the system will change depending on load and the
average characteristics of all the generating units connected to the grid.[1] Large changes in system frequency
can cause the generator to fall out of synchronism with the system. Protective devices on the generator will
operate to disconnect it automatically.

Synchronous speeds [ edit ]

Synchronous speeds for synchronous motors and alternators depend on the number of poles on the machine
and the frequency of the supply.

The relationship between the supply frequency, f, the number of poles, p, and the synchronous speed (speed
of rotating field), ns is given by:

In the following table, frequencies are shown in hertz (Hz) and rotational speeds in revolutions per minute
(rpm):

No. of poles Speed (rpm) at 50 Hz Speed (rpm) at 60 Hz

2 3,000 3,600

4 1,500 1,800

6 1,000 1,200

8 750 900

10 600 720

12 500 600

14 429 514

16 375 450

18 333 400

20 300 360

22 273 327

24 250 300

26 231 277

28 214 257

30 200 240

See also [ edit ]

Phase synchronization
High-voltage direct current: allows power transmission between AC transmission systems that are not
synchronized

References [ edit ]

1. ^ a b c Soft synchronization of dispersed generators to micro grids for smart grid applications
2. ^ Terrell Croft and Wilford Summers (ed), American Electricans' Handbook, Eleventh Edition, McGraw Hill,
New York (1987) ISBN 0-07-013932-6 pages 7-45 through 7-49
3. ^ Donald G. Fink and H. Wayne Beaty, Standard Handbook for Electrical Engineers, Eleventh Edition,
McGraw-Hill, New York, 1978, ISBN 0-07-020974-X pp. 3-64,3-65

Sources [ edit ]

The Electrical Year Book 1937, published by Emmott and Company Limited, Manchester, England, pp 53–
57 and 72

External links [ edit ]

Flash Animation on Alternator Synchronization .

Category: AC power

This page was last edited on 13 March 2023, at 16:56 (UTC).

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