BRIEF DESCRIPTION ABOUT AC EXCITATION SYSTEM

Whether the excitation is DC, AC or STATIC, the basic purpose of all exciter is
same that is to provide direct current to the field winding of synchronous
generator and to perform control and protective functions.
Considering AC exciters, the direct current is provided to generator via alternator
with the help of rectifier. The rectifiers can be of two types, stationary rectifiers
and rotating rectifiers and the method of excitation can also be of two types i.e.
self-excitation and separate excitation. Therefore, depending on the type of
rectifier and the method of excitation we have different combinations. Usually
separate excitation system is used for AC exciters. Stationary rectifier system is
also known as field controlled alternator rectifying system. With stationary
rectifier system, dc output is fed to the field winding through slip rings. The shaft
of an AC exciter is coupled with shaft of main generator and is self-excited. Fig 1
shows the simplified diagram of stationary diode type rectifier system.

The brushless excitation system or rotating diode type excitation system is a

pilot generator supplies Dc to the stator of main exciter. The AC supply of the
main exciter is then rectified via rotating diode. The obtained DC is fed to the
main rotor of the synchronous generator. The figure below shows the brushless
excitation system.

Depending on the categorization of exciter system well discuss two model

AC exciter models, one of field-controlled alternator excitation system with non-

controlled rectifiers i.e. AC1A model and the other is the alternator supplied
controlled rectifier excitation system modelled as AC4A exciter model.
A brushless rotating rectifier exciter system, represented by AC1A.