Synchronous Generator
PARALLEL OPERATION OF ALTERNATORS.
It is never advisable to connect a stationary alternator to live bus-bars, because, stator induced
e.m.f. being zero, a short-circuit will result. For proper synchronization of alternators, the following
three conditions must be satisfied : 1. The terminal voltage (effective) of the incoming alternator
must be the same as bus-bar voltage. 2. The speed of the incoming machine must be such that its
frequency (= PN/120) equals bus-bar frequency. 3. The phase of the alternator voltage must be
identical with the phase of the bus-bar voltage. It means that the switch must be closed at (or very
near) the instant the two voltages have correct phase relationship. Condition (1) is indicated by a
voltmeter, conditions (2) and (3) are indicated by synchronizing lamps or a synchronoscope
Conditions of parallel operation
It is never advisable to connect a stationary alternator to live bus-bars, because, stator induced e.m.f.
being zero, a short-circuit will result. For proper synchronization of alternators, the following three
conditions must be satisfied :
1. The terminal voltage (effective) of the incoming alternator must be the same as bus-bar voltage.
2. The speed of the incoming machine must be such that its frequency (= PN/120) equals bus-bar
frequency.
3. The phase of the alternator voltage must be identical with the phase of the bus-bar voltage. It means
that the switch must be closed at (or very near) the instant the two voltages have correct phase
relationship.
Condition (1) is indicated by a voltmeter, conditions (2) and (3) are indicated by synchronizing lamps or a
synchronoscope.
It will be noted that when the uncrossed lamp L1 is dar
the other two ‘crossed’ lamps L2 and L3 are dimly but
equally bright. Hence, this method of synchronizing is
also sometimes known as ‘two bright and one dark’
method.
Fig: All Dark Lamp Method
Fig: Two Bright and One Dark Lamp Method
CamScanner
CamScanner
Synchronizing power and torque
37.32. Synchronizing Current
Synchronizing Current Once synchronized properly, two alternators continue to run in
synchronism. Any tendency on the part of one to drop out of synchronism is immediately
counteracted by the production of a synchronizing torque, which brings it back to synchronism.
When in exact synchronism, the two alternators have equal terminal p.d.’s and are in exact
phase opposition, so far as the local circuit (consisting of their armatures) is concerned. Hence,
there is no current circulating round the local circuit. As shown in Fig. 37.82 (b) e.m.f. E1 of
machine No. 1 is in exact phase opposition to the e.m.f. of machine No. 2 i.e. E2. It should be
clearly understood that the two e.m.f.s. are in opposition, so far as their local circuit is
concerned but are in the same direction with respect to the external circuit. Hence, there is no
resultant voltage (assuming E1 = E2 in magnitude) round the local circuit.
Synchronizing power and torque
sin θ ≅ 1. This power output from machine No. 1 goes to supply (a) power input to
machine No. 2
(which is motoring) and (b) the Cu losses in the local armature circuit of the two
machines. Power input to machine No. 2 is E2 ISY cos φ2 which is approximately equal
to E2 ISY. ∴ E1 ISY = E2 ISY + Cu losses
By increasing the input to its prime mover, an alternator can be made to take a greater share of the load, though at a different
power factor. The points worth remembering are :
1. The load taken up by an alternators directly depends upon its driving torque or in other words, upon the angular advance of
its rotor. 2. The excitation merely changes the p.f. at which the load is delivered without affecting the load so long as
steam supply remains unchanged. 3. If input to the prime mover of an alternator is kept constant, but its excitation is
changed, then kVA component of its output is changed, not kW.
Example 37.52. Two alternators A and B operate in parallel and supply a load of 10 MW at 0.8 p.f. lagging (a) By
adjusting steam supply of A, its power output is adjusted to 6,000 kW and by changing its excitation, its p.f. is
adjusted to 0.92 lag. Find the p.f. of alternator B. (b) If steam supply of both machines is left unchanged, but
excitation of B is reduced so that its p.f. becomes 0.92 lead, find new p.f. of A.
Solution. (a) cos φ = 0.8, φ = 36.9°, tan φ = 0.7508; cos φA = 0.92, φA = 23°; tan φA = 0.4245
P,load kW= 10,000; Q,load kVAR = 10,000 × 0.7508 = 7508 (lag)
PA,kW of A = 6,000; QA,kVAR of A = 6,000 × 0.4245 = 2547 (lag)
PB, kW of B = P-PA=(10,000 − 6,000) = 4,000;
QB, kVAR of B = Q-QA=(7508 − 2547) = 4961 (lag) the convention that lagging kVAR is taken as negative we have
∴ kVA of B = 4,000 − j4961 = 6373 ∠ −51.1°; cos φB = cos 51.1° = 0.628
(b) Since steam supply remains unchanged, load kW of each machine remains as before but due to change in
excitation, kVARs of the two machines are changed.
PB, kW of B = 4,000; QB,new kVAR of B = 4000 × 0.4245 = 1698 (lead)
PA,kW of A = 6,000; QA,new kVAR of A = −7508 − (+1698) = − 9206 (lag.)
∴ new kVA of A = 6,000 − j9206 = 10,988 ∠ −56.9°; cos φA = 0.546 (lag
Example 37.56. Two 20-MVA, 3-φ alternators operate in parallel to supply a load of 35MVA at 0.8 p.f. lagging.
If the output of one machine is 25 MVA at 0.9 lagging, what is the output and p.f. of the other machine?
Solution. Load MW = 35 × 0.8 = 28; load MVAR = 35 × 0.6 = 21
First Machine: cos φ1 = 0.9, sin φ1 = 0.436; MVA1 = 25, MW1 = 25 × 0.9 = 22.5 MVAR1 = 25 × 0.436 = 10.9
Second Machine: MW2 = MW − MW1 = 28 − 22.5 = 5.5 MVAR2 = MVAR − MVAR1 = 21 − 10.9 = 10.1
Example 37.57. A lighting load of 600 kW and a motor load of 707 kW at 0.707 p.f. are supplied
by two alternators running in parallel. One of the machines supplies 900 kW at 0.9 p.f. lagging.
Find the load and p.f. of the second machine.
Example 37.59 Two 3-φ synchronous mechanically-coupled generators operate in parallel on the same load.
Determine the kW output and p.f. of each machine under the following conditions: synchronous impedance of
each generator : 0.2 + j2 ohm/phase. Equivalent impedance of the load : 3 + j4 ohm/phase. Induced e.m.f.
per phase, 2000 + j0 volt for machine I and 2200 + j 100 for II
[ As P=VI* ]