Lesson 4.

3-Phase Alternator

A 3-phase alternator or 3-phase synchronous generator is a machine that converts mechanical energy into 3-phase electrical energy through the process of
electromagnetic induction.

What is the difference between AC and DC generators?

AC Generators DC Generators

A mechanical device that converts mechanical A mechanical device that converts mechanical
energy into AC electrical power energy into DC electrical power

The electrical current reverses direction The electrical current flows in one direction only.
periodically.
Does not have commutators Have commutators to make the current flow in
one direction
Have slip rings Have spilt-ring commutators

One cycle of EMF is induced in a conductor when one pair of poles passes over it. The EMF in an armature conductor goes through one cycle in angular
distance equal to twice the pole-pitch. Thus:

Frequency (f) = P/2 x N/60= PN/120 Hz

Where:
P = number of poles
N = speed of the rotor (rpm)
f = frequency of generated EMF in Hz

Two types of armature winding most commonly used for 3-phase alternators are:

 Single-layer winding (concentric or chain windings) – the number of slots is equal to twice the number of coils or equal to the number of coil sides
 Double-layer winding (two-layer windings) – the number of slots in stator (armature) is a multiple of the number of poles and the number of phases.
Example: A 4-pole, 3-phase alternator may have 12, 24, 36, 48 etc. slots all of which are seen to be multiple of 12 (4 x 3)

For the maximum voltage, the coils should be full-pitched (kp =1).

Wye and Delta Connection

∗ 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑛 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑛𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑒𝑑 𝑖𝑛 𝑑𝑒𝑙𝑡𝑎

𝐸∅ = 𝐸𝐿

∗ 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑛 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑛𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑒𝑑 𝑖𝑛 𝑤𝑦𝑒

𝐸𝐿 = √3𝐸∅

Pitch factor or coil-span factor kp or kc is defined as

Where: α = chording angle = pole pitch x 1800

Note: kp is always less than or equal to 1. It is usually given in the question, if not, assume kp = 1 (full pitch)

Sample Problem
1. Calculate the pitch factor under given windings:
a. 36 stator slots, 4 poles, coil span 1 to 8
b. 72 stator slots, 6 poles, coil span 1 to 10
c. 96 stator slots, 6 poles, coil span 1 to 12
Distribution factor (kd) is defined as

6.

Where: β = slot angle = 1800 / slots / pole

m = slots / phase / pole

Sample Problem
1. Calculate the distribution factor for the following
a.) 36 slots, 4 pole, 3 phase winding
b.) 3 phase alternator having 12 slots per pole
c.) 9 slots per pole, 3 phase, coil pitch is 7 slots

Equation for Induced EMF

Eθ = 4.44 kp x kd x f x Φ x N
Eθ = 2.22 kp x kd x f x Φ x Z ; because N = Z / 2

Where:
kp = pitch factor
kd = distribution factor
f = frequency
Φ = flux / pole (Wb)
N = number of turns
Z = number of conductors

Sample Problem:
1. What is the frequency of the voltage generated by a three-phase alternator having 6 poles and rotating at 1200 RPM?
2. Find the number of poles of a 3 phase alternator running at 600 rpm with frequency of 120Hz.
3. The following information is given in connection with an alternator: 𝑠𝑙𝑜𝑡𝑠 = 144; 𝑝𝑜𝑙𝑒𝑠 = 8; 𝑟𝑝𝑚 = 900; 𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑛𝑠 𝑝𝑒𝑟 𝑐𝑜𝑖𝑙 = 6; ∅ = 1.8 × 106; 𝑐𝑜𝑖𝑙
𝑠𝑝𝑎𝑛 = 𝑠𝑙𝑜𝑡𝑠 1 𝑡𝑜 16; 𝑤𝑖𝑛𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑛𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑠 = 𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑟. What is the voltage generated between terminals?
4. A 4-pole, 3-phase, star-connected alternator armature has 12 slots with 24 conductors per slot and the flux per pole is 0.1 Wb sinusoidally distributed.
Calculate the line emf generated at 50 Hz.
5. A three-phase wye-connected 50 Hz, 2-pole synchronous machine has a stator with 2, 000 turns of wire per phase. What rotor flux would be required
to produce a terminal (line to line) voltage of 5 kV?
6. A 3-phase, 8-pole generator is delta-connected. The terminal voltage is 2, 400 Volts while the line current is 500 Amperes. If the machine is
converted to wye, what will be the terminal voltage in volts?