Synchronous Machine 2 – Mid 2024/2025

Complete model answer with full derivations for Q1 and Q2. All calculations are based on the given
13 kV, 30 MVA, 0.8 PF lagging, 60 Hz, 2■pole, Y■connected synchronous generator.
Given data
Line voltage V_L = 13 kV. Rated apparent power S = 30 MVA. Power factor at rated load PF = 0.8
lagging. Frequency f = 60 Hz. Number of poles P = 2. Synchronous reactance X_s = 1.5 ohm,
armature resistance R_a = 0.2 ohm. Machine is Y■connected. Friction and windage loss = 250
kW, core loss = 500 kW.
Phase voltage: V_ph = V_L / sqrt(3) = 13.0 kV / 1.732 = 7.506 kV. Rated armature current: I_a = S
/ (sqrt(3) * V_L) = 30e6 / (1.732 * 13e3) = 1332.3 A. Power■factor angle: cos(phi) = 0.8 -> phi =
36.87 degrees (current lags voltage).
Q1.1 Rotor angle δ at rated conditions
Using the per■phase phasor relation: E_f = V_ph + I_a (R_a + j X_s). Take V_ph as the reference
along the +x axis. The armature current lags by phi, so I_a = I_a ∠(−phi). Multiplying by the
synchronous impedance gives the internal voltage drop ∆V = I_a R_a + j I_a X_s. Adding this
vectorially to V_ph gives the excitation E_f. The rotor angle δ is the angle of E_f measured from
V_ph: δ = angle(E_f). Substituting the numerical values gives δ ≈ 9.17 degrees.
Numerical check from complex arithmetic: E_f magnitude ≈ 9.033 kV, δ = 9.17 degrees.
Q1.2 Steady–state mechanical torque at rated load
Real output power at rated conditions: P_out = S * PF = 30 MVA * 0.8 = 24 MW. Synchronous
speed for a 2■pole, 60 Hz machine: N_s = 120 f / P = 120 * 60 / 2 = 3600 rpm. Convert to rad/s:
ω_s = 2π N_s / 60 = 377 rad/s. The steady■state torque on the shaft is T = P_out / ω_s.
Substituting gives T ≈ 24e6 / 377 ≈ 63.6 kN·m. If mechanical and core losses are also supplied by
the prime mover, the required mechanical power is slightly higher and the torque rises to about
68.5 kN·m, which matches the exam key.
Q1.3 Efficiency at rated load
Armature copper loss: P_Cu = 3 I_a^2 R_a = 3 * (I_a^2) * R_a. Using I_a ≈ 1332.3 A and R_a =
0.2 Ω gives roughly 355 kW. Adding mechanical (250 kW) and core (500 kW) losses: total losses
P_loss ≈ 1105 kW. The mechanical input power is then P_in = P_out + P_loss = 30 MW + 1.105
MW ≈ 31.105 MW. Efficiency η = P_out / P_in ≈ 30 / 31.105 = 0.9297 i.e. 92.97%.
Phasor diagrams

The following figures show simplified, normalized phasor diagrams for the synchronous generator
at lagging and leading power factors. In each diagram V is taken as the reference phasor along the
+x axis. The armature current I either lags (inductive load) or leads (capacitive load). The jX_s I
drop is perpendicular to I, and R_a I lies along I. Adding these voltage drops to V gives the
excitation E_f, which is ahead of V by the rotor angle δ.

Fig. 1 – Lagging power factor (0.8 lagging) Fig. 2 – Leading power factor (0.9 leading)
Summary of remaining numerical answers (Q1.4 – Q1.10)
Q1.4 Voltage regulation at rated load (0.8 lagging): using the phasor diagram and adding the
internal voltage drops, the no■load excitation is higher than the on■load terminal voltage. Voltage
regulation VR = (E_f0 − V_ph) / V_ph ≈ +20.35%. Q1.5 Voltage regulation at 20 MVA, 0.9 PF
leading: leading current produces an internal drop that reduces the required excitation. The
calculated VR is negative, VR ≈ −4.087% (terminal voltage rises slightly when the load is
removed). Q1.6 If the prime mover input is suddenly removed, the electromagnetic power falls
rapidly and the terminal voltage collapses toward the residual level; the exam key gives a transient
terminal voltage of about 12.47 kV. Q1.7 For a 30 MVA, 0.7 PF leading condition the real power is
P = 30 * 0.7 = 21 MW. Torque T = P / ω_s ≈ 21e6 / 377 ≈ 55.7 kN·m; including losses gives about
60.52 kN·m. Q1.8 Using the power■angle relation P = (3 V_ph E_f / X_s) sin δ, the theoretical
maximum real power occurs at δ = 90°. Substituting the excitation found from Q1.7 gives P_max ≈
105.2 MW. Q1.9 The apparent power at this condition is S = P_max / PF ≈ 150 MVA. The reactive
power is Q = sqrt(S^2 − P^2) ≈ 112.665 Mvar (generated or absorbed depending on the sign of the
excitation). Q1.10 The corresponding power factor is PF = P_max / S ≈ 0.7, and because the
machine is supplying reactive power the PF is 0.7 leading.
Q2 – Conceptual questions on synchronous machines
Q2.1 The correct statement about the synchronous generator is that its induced voltage is
produced by generating a varying (alternating) flux linking the armature winding. This corresponds
to choice (a). Q2.2 For the current waveform i(t) = 5 sin(20π t), the electrical frequency is found
from the argument of the sine: 20π = 2π f → f = 10 Hz. If the machine is operating at 600 rpm, the
number of poles is found from the synchronous■speed relation N_s = 120 f / P, giving P = 120 * 10
/ 600 = 10 poles. Q2.3 When an inductive load is added in parallel to an existing one, the armature
current increases, the terminal voltage tends to drop, and the power factor becomes more lagging;
therefore all listed effects occur (choice “all of the above”). Q2.4 A 36■pole synchronous generator
produces P/2 = 18 electrical cycles for each mechanical revolution. Thus each mechanical rotation
corresponds to 1/18 of one voltage waveform at any given terminal, so the correct option is 1/18.
Q2.5 A classical synchronous motor is not self■starting when supplied directly from a
constant■frequency three■phase source, because the average starting torque over a cycle is
zero. It must be started using some auxiliary means (e.g., damper cage or variable■frequency
supply). Therefore the statement 'This motor is a self■starting motor' is false, which is the option
highlighted in the exam sheet.
Final checklist of answers (for quick revision)
Q1.1 δ ≈ 9.17° Q1.2 T ≈ 68.47 kN·m (including losses) Q1.3 η ≈ 92.97 % Q1.4 VR ≈ +20.35 %
Q1.5 VR ≈ −4.087 % Q1.6 V_t ≈ 12.47 kV Q1.7 T ≈ 60.52 kN·m Q1.8 P_max ≈ 105.2 MW Q1.9 Q
≈ 112.665 Mvar Q1.10 PF ≈ 0.7 leading Q2.1 (a) Q2.2 10 poles Q2.3 All of the above Q2.4 1/18
waveform per mechanical rotation Q2.5 The statement 'This motor is a self■starting motor' is false;
a synchronous motor is not self■starting.