College of Engineering Technology

AEEP2211
Electrical Machines

Laboratory Exercise #8
The Synchronous Generator No – Load operation

SECTION: Group: DATE:

Student Name: Rayyan Irshad No.: 60302204

Student Name: Mahmoud Firas No.:

Student Name: Farzhan Kabeer No.:

Student Name: Haseeb Ahmad

Instructor Name:

1
 Unit 4

Synchronous Generators (Alternators)

U N IT O BJECTIVE When you have completed this unit, you will be familiar with the main
characteristics and no-load operation of a three-phase synchronous generator.
You will also be familiar with the simplified equivalent circuit of a three-phase
synchronous generator, as well as with the voltage regulation characteristics of
the generator when it supplies power to either a resistive, an inductive, or a
capacitive load. You will know how to manually synchronize a three-phase
synchronous generator to an ac power network, as well as how the generator
operates after synchronization to the network.

D IS C U S S IO N O U T L IN E The Discussion of Fundamentals covers the following points:

§ Introduction to three-phase synchronous generators

DISCUSSION OF Introduction to three-phase synchronous generators

FUNDAMENTALS
The three-phase synchronous generator (also called three-phase synchronous
alternator) produces most of the electricity used today. It is found in all electrical-
power generating stations, whether they are of the hydroelectric, diesel, coal-
fired, wind turbine, or nuclear type. Three-phase synchronous generators
(alternators) also produce the electricity used in motor vehicles such as cars and
trucks.

The basic principle of operation of three-phase synchronous generators is quite

simple and can be illustrated using the simplified single-phase synchronous
generator shown in Figure 4-1.

© F e sto D id a ctic 8 6 3 6 4 -0 0 101

Unit 4 – Synchronous Generators (Alternators) ⬥ Discussion of Fundamentals

Electromagnet
rotor

Pair of poles

Torque produced by an external

source of mechanical power

Stator winding

Figure 4-1. Simplified single-phase synchronous generator.

In this synchronous generator, an electromagnet creates a magnetic field in the

rotor. The electromagnet rotor is coupled to an external source of mechanical
power (e.g., a wind or water turbine) to make it rotate. As a result, a continually-
changing magnetic flux passes through the stator winding as the rotor magnetic
field rotates, inducing an alternating voltage across the stator winding. The
synchronous generator has thus converted mechanical power from an external
source to electrical power which can be supplied to any load connected to the
generator. The output voltage E0 as a function of time t of the single-phase
synchronous generator is shown in Figure 4-2.
(V)
0E
voltage Output

Figure 4-2. Output voltage EO as a function of time t of the single-phase synchronous

generator shown in Figure 4-1.

102 © F e sto D id a ctic 8 6 3 6 4 -0 0

Unit 4 – Synchronous Generators (Alternators) ⬥ Discussion of Fundamentals

The way the conductors are wound in the stator of any synchronous generator
determines the waveform of the voltages induced across the stator windings. The
stator-winding conductors in a three-phase synchronous generator are usually
wound in such a way that the induced voltages have a sinusoidal waveform.

The stator in a three-phase synchronous generator consists of three windings

located at 120° from one another. As a result, the three sine-wave voltages
induced in the stator windings are also phase shifted by 120° with respect to
each other. The stator of a three-phase synchronous generator is in fact very
similar to the stator of the three-phase squirrel-cage induction motor shown in
Figure 2-5.

Figure 4-3. Stator of a large three-phase synchronous generator with a power rating
of 350 MVA. This generator is installed in a power plant in Charlotte, North Carolina, USA
(© Siemens AG 2012, all rights reserved).

© F e sto D id a ctic 8 6 3 6 4 -0 0 103

 Exercise 4-1

Three-Phase Synchronous Generator No-Load Operation

E XERCISE O BJECTIVE When you have completed this exercise, you will be familiar with the main
characteristics and no-load operation of a three-phase synchronous generator.
You will know how the speed and field current of a three-phase synchronous
generator affect the amplitude and frequency of the voltages produced by the
generator.

D IS C U S S IO N O U T L IN E The Discussion of this exercise covers the following points:

§ Characteristics of a three-phase synchronous generator operating

without load

D ISCUSSION Characteristics of a three-phase synchronous generator operating without

load

In three-phase synchronous generators, the stronger the rotor electromagnet

(i.e., the stronger the generator field current IF), the greater the magnetic flux
passing through the stator windings, and the greater the amplitude of the
alternating voltages induced across the stator windings. Furthermore, the faster
the rotor turns (i.e., the faster the generator speed nGen.), the faster the rate of
change in the magnetic flux passing through the stator windings, and thus, the
higher the amplitude of the voltages induced across the stator windings. In brief,
the amplitude of the voltages produced by a three-phase synchronous generator
is proportional to the generator speed nGen. and field current IF.

The frequency ƒ 0 of the voltages induced across the stator windings of a three-
phase synchronous generator is also proportional to the generator speed nGen..
When the rotor of the synchronous generator shown in Figure 4-1 rotates at a
speed of one revolution per second, the frequency of the induced voltage is 1 Hz.
Since the speed nGen. of a synchronous generator is usually expressed in
revolutions per minute, the expression is divided by 60 s. The resulting equation
relating the speed nGen. of a three-phase synchronous generator to the output
frequency ƒ 0 of the generator is given below. This equation is valid only if the
generator has a single pair of magnetic poles per stator winding (like the
synchronous generator shown in Figure 4-1).

n Gen. (4-1)
ƒ0 =
60 s

where ƒ0 is the frequency of the voltage waveform induced across each

stator winding of the three-phase synchronous generator,
expressed in hertz (Hz)
nGen. is the rotor speed of the three-phase synchronous generator,
expressed in revolutions per minute (r/min)

© F e sto D id a ctic 8 6 3 6 4 -0 0 105

Ex. 4-1 – Three-Phase Synchronous Generator No-Load O peration ⬥ Discussion

Large, three-phase synchronous generators, however, usually have several north

and south magnetic poles in each stator winding instead of just a single pair like
the generator illustrated in Figure 4-1. The output frequency ƒ0 which can be
obtained for a given generator speed nGen. increases with the number of pairs of
magnetic poles in each stator winding of the generator. This means that the
output frequency ƒ0 of a three-phase synchronous generator is proportional to
the generator speed nGen. and to the number of pairs of magnetic poles N Pairs per
stator winding in the generator. The resulting equation used to determine the
output frequency ƒ 0 of any synchronous generator is given below.

The supplied Synchronous n Gen. N Pairs (4-2)

ƒ 0=
Motor/Generator has two 60 s
pairs of magnetic poles per
stator winding
where N Pairs is the number of pairs of magnetic poles for each stator winding
of the three-phase synchronous generator

Although small technical differences exist between a three-phase synchronous

machine designed to operate as a motor and a three-phase synchronous
machine designed to operate as a generator, both modes of operation can be
demonstrated using the same three-phase synchronous machine.

Figure 4-4. Sectional view of a 600 MVA hydrogen-cooled three-phase synchronous

generator (© Siemens AG 2012, all rights reserved).

106 © F e sto D id a ctic 8 6 3 6 4 -0 0

Ex. 4-1 – Three-Phase Synchronous Generator No-Load Operation ⬥ Procedure Outline

P R O C E D U R E O U T L IN E The Procedure is divided into the following sections:

§ Set up and connections

§ Three-phase synchronous generator no-load operation
§ Three-phase synchronous generator characteristics

PROCEDURE

High voltages are present in this laboratory exercise. Do not make or modify any
banana jack connections with the power on unless otherwise specified.

Set up and connections

In this section, you will set up a circuit containing a prime mover mechanically
coupled to a synchronous generator. You will then set the measuring equipment
required to study the synchronous generator no-load operation.

1. Refer to the Equipment Utilization Chart in Appendix A to obtain the list of

equipment required to perform this exercise.

Install the required equipment in the Workstation.

Before coupling rotating machines, make absolutely sure that power is turned off
to prevent any machine from starting inadvertently.

Mechanically couple the Synchronous Motor/Generator to the Four-Quadrant

Dynamometer/Power Supply using a timing belt.

2. Make sure that the ac and dc power switches on the Power Supply are set to
the O (off) position, then connect the Power Supply to a three-phase ac
power outlet.

Make sure that the main power switch on the Four-Quadrant Dynamometer/
Power Supply is set to the O (off) position, then connect its Power Input to an
ac power outlet.

Connect the Power Input of the Data Acquisition and Control Interface to a
24 V ac power supply. Turn the 24 V ac power supply on.

3. Connect the USB port of the Data Acquisition and Control Interface to a USB
port of the host computer.

Connect the USB port of the Four-Quadrant Dynamometer/Power Supply to

a USB port of the host computer.

© F e sto D id a ctic 8 6 3 6 4 -0 0 107

Ex. 4-1 – Three-Phase Synchronous Generator No-Load Operation ⬥ Procedure

4. Turn the Four-Quadrant Dynamometer/Power Supply on, then set the

Operating Mode switch to Dynamometer. This setting allows the Four-
Quadrant Dynamometer/Power Supply to operate as a prime mover, a brake,
or both, depending on the selected function.

5. Turn the host computer on, then start the LVDAC-EMS software.

In the LVDAC-EMS Start-Up window, make sure the Data Acquisition and
Control Interface and the Four-Quadrant Dynamometer/Power Supply are
detected. Make sure the Computer-Based Instrumentation function is
available for the Data Acquisition and Control Interface. Select the network
voltage and frequency that correspond to the voltage and frequency of your
local ac power network, then click the OK button to close the LVDAC-EMS
Start-Up window.

6. Connect the equipment as shown in Figure 4-5.

L1

L2
Prime Synchronous
mover generator

L3

Figure 4-5. Prime mover coupled to a synchronous generator.

108 © F e sto D id a ctic 8 6 3 6 4 -0 0

Ex. 4-1 – Three-Phase Synchronous Generator No-Load Operation ⬥ Procedure

7. In LVDAC-EMS, open the Four-Quadrant Dynamometer/Power Supply

window, then make the following settings:

- Set the Function parameter to CW Constant-Speed Prime Mover/

Brake.

- Set the Speed parameter to the synchronous speed nS of the

Synchronous Motor/Generator.

a The synchronous speed of the Synchronous Motor/Generator is 1500 r/min at

a local ac power network frequency of 50 Hz and 1800 r/min at a local ac
power network frequency of 60 Hz.

- Set the Pulley Ratio parameter to 24:24.

8. In LVDAC-EMS, start the Metering application. Make the required settings in

order to measure the rms value (ac) of the three-phase synchronous
generator output voltage E0 (input E1), as well as the generator output
frequency ƒ 0 (input E1). Set another meter to measure the dc value of the
field current IF (input I1) in the rotor electromagnet.

Click the Continuous Refresh button to enable continuous refresh of the

values indicated by the various meters in the Metering application.

9. On the Synchronous Motor/Generator, set the Exciter switch to the closed

position (I), then adjust the Exciter knob to about ¾ of the maximal excitation.

a Maximal excitation is obtained when the Exciter knob of the Synchronous

Motor/Generator is set to the fully-clockwise position.

Three-phase synchronous generator no-load operation

In this section, you will make the constant-speed prime mover rotate at the
synchronous speed of the three-phase synchronous generator. You will observe
on the Oscilloscope the waveforms of the voltages produced by the three-phase
synchronous generator and determine the phase shift between the voltage
waveforms. You will then vary the speed of the constant-speed prime mover and
observe the effect on the generator output voltage waveforms. Finally, you will
decrease the field current in the rotor electromagnet and observe the effect on
the generator output voltage waveforms.

10. In the Four-Quadrant Dynamometer/Power Supply window, start the prime

mover.

On the Power Supply, turn the dc power source on.

© F e sto D id a ctic 8 6 3 6 4 -0 0 109

Ex. 4-1 – Three-Phase Synchronous Generator No-Load Operation ⬥ Procedure

11. In LVDAC-EMS, open the Oscilloscope, then make the appropriate settings
in order to observe the voltage waveforms measured using inputs E1, E2,
and E3 (i.e., the waveforms of the voltages induced across each stator
winding of the three-phase synchronous generator).

a On the Synchronous Motor/Generator, readjust the Exciter knob so that the

rms value of the voltages measured on the Oscilloscope is as close as
possible to your local ac power network voltage.

Are all the voltage waveforms shown on the Oscilloscope sinusoidal?

q Yes q No

12. Using the Oscilloscope, determine the phase shift θ between the first and
second voltage waveforms (voltages at inputs E1 and E2).
Time interval d
θ= 360° =(6.6ms/20ms)*360=118.8 °
Period T

Is the phase shift θ between the two voltage waveforms close to 120°?

q Yes q No

13. Are the phase shifts θ between the other voltage waveforms similar to the
phase shift between the first and second waveforms you calculated in the
previous step?

q Yes q No

Can you conclude that all three voltage waveforms produced by the three-
phase synchronous generator are phase shifted 120° with respect to one
another?

q Yes q No

14. In the Four-Quadrant Dynamometer/Power Supply window, slowly decrease

the Speed parameter to 1000 r/min. While doing this, observe on the
Oscilloscope the voltage waveforms at inputs E1, E2, and E3.

How does the amplitude of the voltage waveforms produced by the three-
phase synchronous generator vary as the speed nGen. of the generator
decreases? Explain why.
E1, E2, E3 decreases. Current remains constant. Phase shift
Increases. Frequency decreases.

110 © F e sto D id a ctic 8 6 3 6 4 -0 0

Ex. 4-1 – Three-Phase Synchronous Generator No-Load Operation ⬥ Procedure

How does the frequency ƒ 0 of the voltage waveforms produced by the three-
phase synchronous generator vary as the speed nGen. of the generator
decreases? Explain why.

Frequency decreases.

15. Does varying the speed nGen. of the three-phase synchronous generator
affect the phase shift θ between the voltage waveforms produced by the
generator? Why?
because frequency decreases.

16. On the Synchronous Motor/Generator, slowly decrease the field current IF by

turning the Exciter knob counterclockwise. While doing this, observe on the
Oscilloscope the voltage waveforms at inputs E1, E2, and E3.

How does the amplitude of the voltage waveforms produced by the three-
phase synchronous generator vary as the generator field current IF
decreases? Explain why.
Both decrease

17. Does varying the field current IF of the three-phase synchronous generator
affect the output frequency ƒ 0 and the phase shift θ between the output
voltage waveforms? Why?
no

18. In the Four-Quadrant Dynamometer/Power Supply window, stop the prime

mover.

On the Power Supply, turn the dc power source off.

© F e sto D id a ctic 8 6 3 6 4 -0 0 111

Ex. 4-1 – Three-Phase Synchronous Generator No-Load Operation ⬥ Procedure

112 © F e sto D id a ctic 8 6 3 6 4 -0 0

Ex. 4-1 – Three-Phase Synchronous Generator No-Load Operation ⬥ Procedure

Three-phase synchronous generator characteristics

In this section, you will modify the circuit of Figure 4-5 by adding a resistive load
in series with the dc power source. You will set the constant-speed prime mover
to rotate at the synchronous speed of the three-phase synchronous generator.
You will then record in the Data Table the generator speed, output voltage, field
current, and frequency for different field current values. You will calculate the
theoretical frequency of the generator, and compare the result with the measured
generator frequency. You will plot a graph of the generator output voltage as a
function of the generator field current, and interpret the results. You will then set
the prime mover speed to 0 r/min and the three-phase synchronous generator
field current to a fixed value. You will record in the Data Table the generator
speed, output voltage, field current, and frequency while increasing the generator
speed up to a certain value. You will plot a graph of the generator output voltage
as a function of the generator speed, and interpret the results. Finally, you will
plot a graph of the three-phase synchronous generator frequency as a function of
the generator speed, and interpret the results.

19. Modify the circuit to the one shown in Figure 4-6.

L1

Prime Synchronous L2
mover generator

L3

Local ac power network

R1
Voltage Frequency (Ω)
(V) (Hz)

120 60 ∞
220 50 ∞
240 50 ∞
220 60 ∞

Figure 4-6. Prime mover coupled to a three-phase synchronous generator.

20. Open all switches on the Resistive Load module so that the resistance of
resistor R1 is infinite.

© F e sto D id a ctic 8 6 3 6 4 -0 0 113

Ex. 4-1 – Three-Phase Synchronous Generator No-Load Operation ⬥ Procedure

21. In the Four-Quadrant Dynamometer/Power Supply window, set the Speed

parameter to the synchronous speed nS of the Synchronous Motor/
Generator, then start the CW Constant-Speed Prime Mover/Brake.

On the Power Supply, turn the dc power source on.

22. In LVDAC-EMS, open the Data Table window.

Set the Data Table to record the three-phase synchronous generator

speed nGen. indicated in the Four-Quadrant Dynamometer/Power Supply
window.

Also, set the Data Table to record the three-phase synchronous generator
output voltage E0 (input E1) and frequency ƒ 0 (input E1), as well as the
generator field current IF (input I1) indicated in the Metering application.

In the Data Table window, click on the Record Data button to record the
values of the three-phase synchronous generator speed nGen., output
voltage E0, output frequency ƒ 0, and field current IF.

23. Modify the resistance of resistor R1 and adjust the Exciter knob on the
Synchronous Motor/Generator until the value of the field current IF is as
close as possible to the minimum field current IF corresponding to your local
ac power network voltage and frequency, as indicated in Table 4-1. For
example, if your local ac power network voltage and frequency are 120 V
and 60 Hz, respectively, set the generator field current IF as close as
possible to 200 mA.

Table 4-1. Range of the three-phase synchronous generator field current IF.

Local ac power network

Range of generator
field current IF
Voltage Frequency (mA)
(V) (Hz)

120 60 200 to 780

220 50 80 to 460
240 50 80 to 460
220 60 80 to 460

24. In the Data Table window, click on the Record Data button to record the
values of the three-phase synchronous generator speed nGen., output
voltage E0, output frequency ƒ 0, and field current IF.

114 © F e sto D id a ctic 8 6 3 6 4 -0 0

Ex. 4-1 – Three-Phase Synchronous Generator No-Load Operation ⬥ Procedure

25. Modify the resistance of resistor R1 and adjust the Exciter knob on the
Synchronous Motor/Generator to increase the generator field current IF to
the maximum field current value corresponding to your local ac power
network voltage and frequency (see Table 4-1) in 11 or 12 equally distributed
steps. For example, if your local ac power network voltage and frequency
are 120 V and 60 Hz, respectively, increase the field current to 780 mA in 11
or 12 equally distributed steps. For each field current value, record the
generator parameters in the Data Table.

a It may be necessary to short-circuit resistor R1 to obtain the maximum value of

motor field current IF.

26. On the Power Supply, turn the dc power source off.

In the Four-Quadrant Dynamometer/Power Supply window, stop the prime

mover.

27. In the Data Table window, save the recorded data.

28. Calculate the theoretical output frequency ƒ 0 of the Synchronous

Motor/Generator using Equation (4-2).

a There are two pairs of magnetic poles in each stator winding of the
Synchronous Motor/Generator.

Theoretical output frequency ƒ0 = Hz

29. Compare the theoretical output frequency ƒ 0 of the Synchronous

Motor/Generator with the generator output frequency ƒ0 you recorded in the
Data Table window. Are both values approximately equal?

q Yes q No

30. Plot a graph of the three-phase synchronous generator output voltage E0 as

a function of the generator field current IF using the results you recorded to
the Data Table.

© F e sto D id a ctic 8 6 3 6 4 -0 0 115

Ex. 4-1 – Three-Phase Synchronous Generator No-Load Operation ⬥ Procedure

116 © F e sto D id a ctic 8 6 3 6 4 -0 0

Ex. 4-1 – Three-Phase Synchronous Generator No-Load Operation ⬥ Procedure

Observe the graph you just plotted. Does the three-phase synchronous
generator output voltage E0 increase with the field current IF?

q Yes q No

31. Does the relationship between the three-phase synchronous generator

output voltage E0 and field current IF become non-linear at high field current
values, indicating that the stator windings are saturated?

q Yes q No

© F e sto D id a ctic 8 6 3 6 4 -0 0 117

Ex. 4-1 – Three-Phase Synchronous Generator No-Load Operation ⬥ Procedure

Final Comments / Conclusion:

118 © F e sto D id a ctic 8 6 3 6 4 -0 0