Chapter-8

SYNCHRONOUS GENERATOR
Art-37.18, P-1426
A synchronous generator is a synchronous machine which converts mechanical
power into AC electric power through the process of electromagnetic induction.
Synchronous generators are also referred to as alternators or AC generators. The
term "alternator" is used since it produces AC power

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 Definition and Vector Diagram of an Alternator
# Alternator:
An Alternator is a synchronous machine which converts mechanical
power to electrical power. It is also called synchronous generator.

# Vector Diagram of an Alternator-37.18/1426

Considering unity, lagging and leading power factor, vector diagram
of Alternator are shown in Fig. 1(a), Fig. 1(b), and Fig. 1(c),
respectively.
Here,
E0 = No load e.m.f., E = Load induced e.m.f.
V = terminal voltage, Ra = Armature resistance
Xa = Armature reactance
XL = Leakage reactance
Z = Armature impedance
Xs = Synchronous reactance
Zs = Synchronous Impedance 4
Definition and Vector Diagram of an Alternator

Fig. (a): Unity pf (b): Lagging pf (c) Leading pf 5

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Voltage Regulation of Alternator. Art-37.19/P-1427

The voltage regulation of an alternator is defined as “the

rise in voltage when full-load is removed (field excitation
and speed remaining the same) divided by the rated
terminal voltage.”
Voltage regulation (%) =
Here, Eo and V are the no load e.m.f. and terminal voltage,
respectively.

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Determination of Voltage Regulation. Art-37.20

In case of small machine, the regulation can be found by

previous method. But this method is prohibited for large
machine. Some methods to determinate the voltage regulation
in case of large machine are mentioned as follows:

1. Synchronous Impedance or E.M.F. Method.

2. The Ampere-turn or M.M.F. Method.
3. Zero Power Factor or Potier Method.

All these methods require—

i) Armature (or stator) resistance
ii) Open-circuit/No-load characteristic
iii) Short-circuit characteristic

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 Synchronous Impedance Method. Art-37.21/1431
Following procedural steps are involved in this method:
i) Open circuit characteristic (O.C.C) is plotted from the given data.
ii) Short circuit characteristic (S.C.C) is plotted from the given data.
iii) Find the armature resistance Ra.
iv) After knowing Ra and Xs, a vector diagram to be drawn for
any load and any power factor.

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Thanks to all

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