A moves at a speed which
synchronous machine is an ac machine in which the rotor synchronous
bears a constant
machine
relationship to the frequency of currents, in thenetworks operating at constant frequency of is one of the
armature winding. A
important types of electric machines. Large ac 50 Hz rely
exclusively on synchronous generators, also called the alternators, for the supply of electrical almos
Private, stand-by and peak-load plants with diesel or gas turbine prime movers also have energy.
[Link] motors provide constant speed industrial drives with the possibility of
constructed in larger sizes. Small size
synchronous
power factor
ction. Synchronous generally alternators are
economical. The modern trend is to build alternators of very large sizes capable of generating 500 MVAnot
even more. The synchronous motor is rarely built insmall sizes owing to superior performance
and economical construction of induction motors. characteristics
13.1.1. Operating Principle. The operating principle of a synchronous machine is
fundamentally
that of adc machine, but, unlike the latter, in the synchronous machine there is no the same as
need to rectify the time
varying emf which is induced in the armature winding. Consequently a synchronous machine does
require a commutator. It is, in fact, quite possible to use a dc generator as an alternator by
collector rings on the shaft and connecting these rings to the proper points on the armature placing a set of
nding on the rings can then be connected to the load. But unlike dc generator, they are to bewinding; bashes
definite constant speed as the frequency of generated emf is determined by that speed. The driven
at avery
latter is usually
referred to as the synchronous speed, for which reason these machines are frequently called the
generators. synchronous
SynchrOnous generators, because of absence of commutator, are comparatively simple and possess sev
eral important advantages over the dc generators.
13.1.2. Classification of Synchronous Machines. Synchronous
may be synchronous generators or synchronous motors. A
machines, according to their applications,
synchronous
which receives mechanical energy from a prime mover (steam turbine, generator a synchronous machine
is
which it is mechanically coupled and delivers electrical energy. A hydraulic turbine or diesel engine) to
energy from ac supply main and drives mechanical load.
synchronous motor receives electrical
The synchronous machinesmay be single-,two- or 3-phase types. In three-phase machines three
may be connected either in star or delta. Large ac machines are windings
invariably 3-phase type.
Basedonthe construction of the machines, the synchronous machines may be classified as () rotating
typeand() rotating field type.
agmalure
Sinceitis immaterial for generation of an induced emf whether a conductor moves across a magnetic
feld
orvice versa, synchronous generators may be constructed with eiher the armature or the field structure
therevolvingmember.
Rotating armature type alternator looks very much like a dc generator except that there are 3slip rings
inplaceoffcommutator (or 4 slip rings if it is desired to provide a connection to the generator neutral). In such
generatorsthe required magnetic field is produced by dc
electromagnets placed on the stationary member
stator, and the current generated is collected by means of
calledthe. brushes and slip rings on the revolving
calledthe rotor. Such an arrangement is
member, economical for the small low-voltage generators. Rotating
armature type alternators
are built only in small ratings up to
about 200 or 250 kVA because the voltage
generated is comparatively low and the current to be
collected by the brushes small, no difficulty being
experièncedin collecting such a current. Such machines are
suitable for small power plants, isolated lighting
plants, where medium orsmall size machines are
Practically all medium and large machines arerequired.
always constructed with revolving field. The advantages
ofstationary armature and revolving field system are
given below:
1. It is easier to insulate stationary armature winding
2. The load circuit can be connected directly
for very high voltage e.g. as high as 33,000 volts.
with the fixed
winding) without passing through slip rings and [Link] of the stator (or armature
3. The arrmature winding can be more easily braced in a
rigid
could be developed by the mechanical stresses set up dueframe to prevent any deformation which
to short-circuit currents and the high
centrifugal forces brought into play.
4. The armature winding is cooled more
readily because the stator core can be made large enough with
many air passages or cooling ducts for forced air circulation.
5. Only twoslip rings are required for the
supply of direct
current is to be supplied at low voltage of 125 or 250 V,current to the rotor and since the exciting
6. Since the exciting current is relatively small, the slip there is no difficulty in insulating them.
construction.
rings and the brush gear need be of only light
7. Due to simple, light and
robust construction of the
CAST IRON
rotor, higher speed of FRAME POLES
rotating dc field is ARMATURE
possible. SLOTS
ROTOR
Since in de machines, the ARMATURE
CORE
COmmutator makes necessary that
either the armature should be
I0ating one, or brushes should
Tevolve with the field, so it is
COnvenient to have armature as a
Toating mnember in dc machines.
with
Revolving field alternator
essential parts is shown in
Fig. 13.1. BASE
The synchronous machines PLATE
nay be classified as (i) salient pole
Lachines and (ii) cylindrical rotor
machines depending upon the type
Of Construction used for the
The salient pole constructionrotor. Fig. 13.1 Revolving
is Field Salient Pole
Type
Alternator
BasiC
Medium-and large-sized
used for generators and motors of all ranges of output and up to all butthe higher speeds.
generators for the highest speeds are of the cylindrical rotor type. mechanically coupled
The synchronous generators., based on the type of prme movers to which they are generators.
may be classified as () turbo-generators. (ii) hydrogenerators and (in) diesel engine driven
13.2 CONSTRUCTION
(or stator) and the Tield magnet
Synchronous machine Consists essentially of two parts namely the armature
system (or rotor).
laminations of special magnetic iron or steel alloy (silicon
1. Stator. The armature is an iron ing, formed of known as stator The
perinherv to accommodate armature conductors and is
wholehaving
Steel) slots
structure on itsininner
is held a frame which may be of cast iron or welded steel plates. The field rotatess in between
of the stator Conttnuously and therefore causes edd.
the stator, so that flux of the rotating feldcuts the core core is laminated. The laminations
current loss in the stator core. To minimize the eddy current loss, the stator
are stamped out in complete rings (for smaller machines) or in segments (for larger machines) and insulated
also have openings which make axial and radial
trom each other with paper or varmish. The stampingsview of stator and frame is shown in Fig. 13.2
ventilating ducts to provide efficient cooling. A general
open slots and (ii) semi-closed slots, as shoum
Slots prOVided on the stator core are mainly of two types (i)
is Figs 13.3 (a) and 13.3 (b) respectively.
form-wound and insulated prior to
Ihe open slots are more commonly used because the coils can be
exnenditure and more satisfactory winding method. This type of slots.
being placed in the slots giving least
slots have disadvantage of
also facilitate in removal and replacement of defective coils. But this type of in the emf wave. The semi.
distr1buting the air gap flux into branchesor tufts which tends toproduce ripples Totally closed slots
coils.
Closed type slots are better in this resnect but do nÍt permit the use of form-wound
are rarely used.
Fig. 13.2 (a) Open Slot (b) Semi-Closed Slot
Fig. 13.3
2. Rotor. The field system is just like that or a dc generator which is excited from a separate sourceof lz0
250 Vdc supply. The excitation is usuany proVided from a small de shunt or compound generator, krnown
an exciter. mounted on the shaft of the alternator itself., The field system of the alternator is rotated within Ul
armature ring and is known as rotor. 1e exCiüng current is supplied to the rotor through two slip rings a
brushes. The polarities of the field proauced are alternately North and South.
The power rating of the exciter is ordinarily 0.3 to 1% of power rating of synchronous-generator. The
ratedvoltage of the exciter is usually between 125 and 250 volts
Rotors are ftwo
of namely () salient-ppole type and (ii) smooth cylindrical type or non-salient pole
types
shown in Fig. 13.4.
Bothtypes are
Pole Type. The rotor of this type is used almost entirely for low- and moderate-speed alternators,
Salient cannot be
least expensive and provides ample space for the field ampere-turms. Salient poles
is
sineit
employedin high speed generators on account of very high peripheral speed (100
to 170 metres per second)
of.
the difficulty obtaining sufficient mechanical strength.
(a) Salient Pole Type Field Structure (b) Non-Salient Pole Type Field Structure
Fig. 13.4
The salient poles are made of thick
steel laminations riveted together and are
fixed to rotor by a dovetail joints. The
pole faces are usually provided with slots
for damper windings. These dampers are
aseful in preventing the hunting. The pole
faces are so shaped that the radial air gap
length increases from the pole centre to
the pole tips so that the flux distribution
Over the armature is sinusoidal and wave
form of generated emf is sinusoidal. The
field coils are placedon the pole-pieces
the
nd connected in series. The ends of
Iield windings are connected to a dc
SOurce through slip rings carrying brushes
the field struc Fig. 13.5 Salient Pole Field Structure
and mounted on the shaft of
ture.
structure has the following special features :
The salient pole feld length.
They have large diameter and short axial
() pitch.
cover about 2/3 of pole or diesel engines. The speed is 100 to 375 rpm.
(1) The pole shoes hydraulic turbines
(iii) These are employed with Type. The rotors of this type are used in very high-speed
Non-Salient Pole velocity, the diameter of the rotor is
Smooth Cylindrical or To reduce the peripheral reduced
turbines).
alternators (driven by steam Such rotors have two or four [Link]
and axial length is increased.
cylindrical steel forging which is
suitably
usually in strip
mechanically and
form, is placed. treated thermally.
The
which the field fastened by metal rings. The slots over coils are held in
It consists of a copper,
slots in
The forginghas radial
bronze wedges and
coil ends are certain portions of
place by steel or
hoje.
Fig. 13.7. Each slot is provided with aventilation
the core are omitted to form pole faces, as shown in cylindrical
the bottom. General view of an assembled
smooth rotor is shown in Fig. 13.6.
special features ·
The non-salient field structure has the foioWing length
and of very long axial
) They are of smalldiameter
(i) Less windage loss.
(1) High operating speed (3,000 rpm). operation.
noiseless
(iv) Robust construction and
SLIP RINGS
POLE
WEDGE N
FIELD
FIELD INSULATION WINDING
CONDUCTORS
WINDING
VENTILATION DUCTS
Fig. 13.7
Fig.13.6 Non-salient Pole (Cylindrical) Field Structure
the eccentricity in the air gap can result
Air Gap. A very small air gap increases the stray-load loss; also
reactance. A large air gap needs larger
from mechanical difficulties. This also increases the synchronous
pole pitch is between 0.008 to
excitation. A compromise has to be made. Generally the ratio of air gap to the
0.02.
13.3 PRODUCTION OF SINUSOIDAL ALTERNATING EMF
magnetic flux,
When the rotor is rotated by means of some primne mover, the arnmature conductors cut the
therefore, an emf is induced in the armature conductors, due to electromagnetic induction effect.
minimum
When the conductor is opposite the neutral planes, as at A, Cand E, induced emf in it is
because flux density is minimum there. When the conductor is opposite the middle of the poles, as at B, Dand
F, inducedemf in it is maximum, the direction of induced emf depends upon the name of the pole infiuencing
the conductor at any given instant. Thus an alternating emf is induced in the conductors which goes through
one complete cycle in an angular distance equal to twice of the pole pitch. Though the shape of the wave o
alternating induced emf is not exactly the sinusoidal but taken as sinusoidal.
13.4 FREQUENCY OF INDUCED EME
As mentioned above, an emf induced in conductor goes through one complete cycle in an angular aisa
equal totwice the pole pitch. CYCLE
If the number of poles on rotor of an alternator is P, then P/2
D
cycles of emf are completed in one revolution. The number of cycles
per second, known as frequency f will be equal to the product of
number of cycles of emf per revolution and number of revolutions
made per second by the rotor. 2xPOLE
P PITO
ie. Frequency, f = Xn
2
where n is the number of revolutions made per second by rotor Fig. 13.8
hree-PhaseSynchN
P N PN
...(13.1)
orf = X
2 60
2 120
isthe
Ni number of revolutions made per minute by the rotor.
of
frequency of induced emf or current induced in stator conductors depends upon the number
where
Hence
polesand
speed of rotor.
6-pole ac generator is running and producing the freguency of 60 Hz. Calculate the revolutions per
!Erample.
11 . AA
13.1. if the
generator. If the frequency is reduced to 20 Hz, how many number of poles will be required
f the
minuteof the same speed.
generatoris to be run at
Solution:
Frequency generated,f = 60 Hz
Number of poles, P = 6
120 f 120 x 60 = 1,200 rpm Ans.
Speed, N =
P 6
When frequency,f = 20 Hz
120 f 120x 20
=2 Ans.
Number of poles required, P = N 1,200