Name: Maturan, Renz Myko B.

Date: November 28, 2022

Subject & Section: EE 330 AC/DC Machineries – C
ASSIGNMENT 7
ALTERNATING CURRENT GENERATORS

1. Introduction to Elementary AC Generator

An ac generator is the most basic elementary generator that is constructible. Using the
simple ac generator, basic generating concepts can be best understood. The AC generator will
therefore be discussed first for this reason. A discussion of the dc generator will come later. An
elementary generator (fig. 1-2) is made up of a wire loop that is positioned to allow rotation in a
stationary magnetic field. The loop will experience an induced emf as a result. To pick up or use the
induced emf, sliding contacts (brushes) connect the loop to an external circuit load.

2. Alternator Construction

We could use our expensive cars without worrying about fast running out of electricity
thanks to the creation of alternators. Electrical machines that transform mechanical energy into
electrical energy include alternators, which are a type of generator (AC generator). Alternating
current would be used to create this energy (AC). They go by the name Synchronous Generators as
well.
3. Types of Alternators
Alternator construction enables two types of alternators to be designed:

- Salient Pole Type

This design contains more poles and as a result its rotor diameter is large. Plus, the axial
length is smaller in Salient Pole type. This type of alternator has low-speed prime movers such as
hydraulic turbines. You can use this design when you need low and medium speed applications like
that of hydropower stations or diesel power stations. It is worth mentioning that the Salient Pole
rotor can cause excessive windage loss when driven at high speed and its construction is not
suitable for high mechanical stress.

- Cylindrical Pole Type

Unlike Salient Pole type alternator, the alternator construction of Cylindrical Pole type
includes either 2 or 4 poles. Due to the number of poles, the rotor diameter is small and yet again
unlike the previous one, its axial length is larger. You can use the Cylindrical Pole type alternator
when you need high speed. The prime movers of this alternator are of high speed and can be used
in steam power stations or gas power stations. The construction of a cylindrical rotor has
mechanical robustness which makes it noiseless when operating at a very high speed.

4. Frequency of Alternator Output

The alternator's frequency is a function of both the number of field poles and the rotational
speed of the field poles. One full cycle of the voltage produced by a pair of field poles—one north
pole and one south pole—passing across an armature coil.

Let,

𝑃 = Number of rotor field poles

𝑁 = Speed of rotor or field poles in RPM

𝑓 = Frequency of the generated voltage in Hz

In one revolution of the rotor, an armature coil is cut by (P/2) north poles and (P/2) south
poles. Since one cycle of the voltage is generated in the armature coil when a pair of field poles
passes over the coil. Thus, the number of cycles generated in one revolution of the rotor will be
equal to the number of pairs of poles i.e.
5. AC Generator Characteristics

6. Single-Phase Alternator

A SINGLE-PHASE alternator is a generator that generates a single, constantly alternating

voltage. This definition applies to each alternator that has been covered thus far. The windings of
the stator (armature) are linked together in series. Thus, a single-phase ac voltage is created by
adding the individual voltages. A simple alternator with a single-phase output voltage is shown in
Figure 3-5.

The definition of phase as you learned it in studying ac circuits may not help too much right
here. Remember, "out of phase" meant "out of time." Now, it may be easier to think of the word
phase as meaning voltage as in single voltage. The need for a modified definition of phase in this
usage will be easier to see as we go along.
 Single-phase alternators are found in many applications. They are most often used when the
loads being driven are relatively light. The reason for this will be more apparent as we get into
multiphase alternators (also called polyphase).

Power that is used in homes, shops, and ships to operate portable tools and small
appliances is single-phase power. Single-phase power alternators always generate single-phase
power. However, all single-phase power does not come from single-phase alternators. This will
sound more reasonable to you as we get into the next subjects.

7. Two-Phase Alternators

Two phase implies two voltages if we apply our new definition of phase. And, it’s that
simple. Atwo-phase alternator is designed to produce two completely separate voltages. Each
voltage, by itself,may be considered as a single-phase voltage. Each is generated completely
independent of the other.Certain advantages are gained.

Generation of Two-Phase PowerFigure 3-6 shows a simplified two-pole, two-phase

alternator. Note that the windings of the twophases are physically at right angles (90º ) to each
other. You would expect the outputs of each phase tobe 90º apart, which they are. The graph shows
the two phases to be 90º apart, with A leading B. Notethat by using our original definition of phase
(from previous modules), we could say that A and B are 90ºout of phase. There will always be 90º
between the phases of a two-phase alternator.

8. Three-Phase Alternators

The three-phase alternator, as the name implies, has three single-phase windings spaced
such that the voltage induced in any one phase is displaced by 120º from the other two. A
schematic diagram of a showing all the coils becomes complex, and it is difficult to see what is
actually happening.

The simplified schematic of, view A, shows all the windings of each phase lumped together
as one winding. The rotor is omitted for simplicity. The voltage waveforms generated across each
phase are drawn on a graph, phase-displaced 120º from each other. The three-phase alternator as
shown in this schematic is made up of three single-phase alternators whose generated voltages are
out of phase by 120º. The three phases are independent of each other.

9. Wye Connection

A three-phase circuit with a wye (Y), commonly referred to as a "Y" connection, connects all
three loads to a single neutral point. Wye-connected systems carry a fourth neutral wire, usually
grounded but occasionally left floating, in contrast to delta connections (ungrounded wye system).

In wye configuration, the loads are unbalanced in a Y configuration and a neutral cable is
connected where the three phases meet at the center. This central point forms the electrical neutral
point which is represented by “N” and may be grounded. Unlike delta connection, it’s a three-phase
four-wire system (3- Phase, 4-Wires) meaning it can be either a three-wire circuit or a four-wire
circuit.
10. Delta Connection
A three-wire circuit called a delta connection is used in three-phase electrical systems, and
it consists of three pieces that resemble a triangular configuration of electrical three-phase
windings. The delta connection, also known as the mesh connection, is created by attaching one
end of a winding to the beginning end of another, and the connection is then extended to create a
closed loop. It is so called because it resembles the Greek letter “Δ”.

The supply terminal is taken out from the three junction points. In short, all the three coils
are connected in series to form a closed circuit or mesh, which resembles a triangle. They don’t
have a neutral cable.

11. Power in Three-Phase Circuits

As its name implies, 3-phase power systems provide three separate currents, each
separated by onethird of the time it takes to complete a full cycle. But, as opposed to single-phase,
where the two hot legs are always 180 degrees apart, with 3-phase, the currents are separated by
120 degrees.

In Figure 2 below, you’ll see that when any one line is at its peak current, the other two are
not. For example, when phase 1 is at its positive peak, phases 2 and 3 are both at -0.5. This means,
unlike singlephase current, there’s no point at which no power is being delivered to the load. In fact,
at six different positions in each phase, one of the lines is at peak positive or negative position.

For practical purposes, this means the collective amount of power supplied by all three
currents remains constant; you don’t have cyclical peaks and valleys as with single-phase.

Computers and many motors used in heavy machinery are designed with this in mind. They
can draw a steady stream of constant power, rather than having to account for the variation
inherent in singlephase AC power. As a result, they use less energy

As an analogy, think of a single-cylinder versus a three-cylinder engine. Both operate on a

fourstroke model (intake, compression, power, exhaust). With a single-cylinder engine, you get only
one “power” cycle for every four strokes of the cylinder, which provides for rather uneven power
delivery. A three-stroke engine, by contrast, will provide power in three alternating phases (again
separated by 120 degrees), for smoother, more constant and efficient power.

12. Synchronizing Generators

Generator synchronization is the process of matching an alternator (generator) or other

source's voltage, frequency, phase angle, phase sequence, and waveform with a sound or
functioning power system. Before the generator is reconnected to the electrical grid, this is
completed. The system can resume normal operation once a generator is synchronized with the
parameters of another generator, alternator, or bus bar.

Generator synchronization to a power system must be conducted carefully to prevent

damage to the unit, as well as the power system itself. When synchronizing a generator to a power
system, the frequency and voltage of the generator must match closely. The rotor angle and the
instantaneous power system phase angle must be close prior to closing the generator breaker and
connecting the isolated generator to a power system.

For generator synchronization, an automatic synchronizer with manual control capabilities

that can be used as a backup is typically used to automate the synchronization process.
Synchronizing panels typically alert the operator to any governor and excited adjustments that need
to be made as well as when it is deemed appropriate to shut off the breaker.