Synchronous Machines

• Synchronous machines can be operated as generator or motor

• It is most commonly used as synchronous generator

Mechanical power
Synchronous Electric power
generator AC & 3-phase
Magnetic field
 Synchronous Machines
❑ Construction
1. Stator

• The stator is the stationary part of the alternator

• It carries the armature winding in which the

voltage is generated

• Armature winding are 3-phase coils shifted in

space by 120 degrees
 Synchronous Machines
❑ Construction
2. Rotor
• The rotor is the rotating part of the alternator

• The rotor carries the field winding

• Field coil is connected to DC source to

produce the main field flux.

• The rotor may be one of two types:

a. Salient pole rotor

b. Cylindrical rotor
 Synchronous Machines
a. Salient pole rotor
• salient pole rotor consists of poles
projecting out from the surface of the
rotor core
• This type is used in the low and
medium speed (from 120 to 400
RPM)

• Low speed rotors of the alternators

possess a large diameter to provide
the necessary space for the poles 4-pole machine 12-pole machine

Speed No of poles
 Synchronous Machines
b. Cylindrical rotor
• there are no-physical poles to be
seen as in the salient pole rotor.

• Slots are cut in the rotor

• The field windings are placed in these

slots and is excited by DC supply
• This type is used in the high-speed
rotors (1500 to 3000 RPM)

Speed No of poles
 Synchronous Machines
❑ Operation
• An alternator or synchronous generator works on the principle of electromagnetic induction
When the armature winding of alternator subjected to the rotating
magnetic field, the voltage will be generated in the armature winding.
 Synchronous Machines
❑ Operation

• The frequency of the generated ENF is : P: no of pole pairs

n: rotor speed in rpm

• The generated EMF has the following formula F: frequency

T: no of turns
Ø : flux
Kw: winding factor
 Permanent Magnet
Synchronous Motor (PMSM)
❑ Construction

• Stator carries 3-phase windings

• Instead of using winding for the rotor,

permanent magnets are mounted to create a
rotating magnetic field.
 Permanent Magnet
Synchronous Motor (PMSM)
❑ Operation

• When the stator winding is energized by giving

the 3-phase supply, a rotating magnetic field is
created in between the air gaps.

• This produces the torque when the rotor field poles

hold the rotating magnetic field at synchronous
speed and the rotor rotates continuously
 Permanent Magnet
Synchronous Motor (PMSM)
❑ Features

• These motors are not self-starting, it is

necessary to provide a variable frequency
power supply.

• These motors rotate at constant speed which

is the synchronous speed according to the
relation: