American International University- Bangladesh

Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering

EEE 3214: Electrical Machines 2 Laboratory
Title: Study of Alternator Power
Introduction:
Apart from portable or mobile engine driven alternators (ac generator) operating in remote areas or
for emergency use, most ac generators feed into large electrical distribution networks where the
frequency and voltage have been established by other generators operating in the system. Alternators
are then said to feed into an infinite bus, meaning literally, a large electrical distribution system of
tremendous power. The existing frequency and voltage of this infinite bus cannot be altered by the
addition of any incoming alternator. The objective of this experiment is to observe these features of
an alternator.
Theory and Methodology:
The incoming alternator will have a constant flux in its air-gap because of the fixed- frequency and
voltage of the infinite bus it is connected to. The dc rotor current and/or the ac currents in the stator
normally produce the flux. Should the dc current be less than that needed to produce the required flux,
then the stator must supply the difference by drawing lagging reactive power from the infinite bus.
Conversely, if the dc rotor current is larger than required, the stator will draw leading reactive power from
the infinite bus, and the alternator looks like a capacitor.
Changing the dc excitation of an alternator that is "tied into an infinite bus can only cause it to exchange
more or less reactive power with the infinite bus.
An alternator can only deliver active power (watts) to an infinite bus by forcing its rotor to move ahead of
its normal no-load position. Mechanical torque must be applied to attain and keep this advanced rotor
position. The torque multiplied by speed is a measure of the mechanical power, which the alternator
receives, and therefore, the electric power it delivers. It is clear then, that the prime mover must apply
torque to the rotor. The more torque applied the greater will be the active power delivered by the
alternator until it reaches the limit of its capacity.
An alternator can smoothly glide into synchronous motor operation when the prime mover ceases to
deliver driving torque to it. In fact, an alternator (operating synchronous motor off the infinite bus) may
deliver mechanical power to its prime mover. An alternator, driven by a water turbine, can, in stepless
fashion, become synchronous motor, driving the water turbine as a water pump.
Pre-Lab Homework:
To study the effect of change in excitation and change in prime mover characteristics when alternator are
synchronized with an infinite bus.
Apparatus:
Description
DC
Motor/Generator

Model
8211

Synchronous
Motor/Generator
DC
Voltmeter/Amme
ter
AC Ammeter
AC Voltmeter
Three-Phase
Wattmeter
Synchronizing
Module
Power Supply
Hand Tachometer
Connection
Leads
Timing Belt

8241
8412
8425
8426
8441
8621
8821
8920
8941
8942

Precautions:
High voltages are present in this Laboratory Experiment! Do not make any connections with the power
on! The power should be turned off after completing each individual measurement!
Experimental Procedure:
1. Using your Synchronous Motor/Generator, DC Motor/Generator, Synchronizing Module, Power
Supply, DC Voltmeter/Ammeter, AC Ammeter and AC Voltmeter, connect the circuit shown in Figure
4-1. Note that the alternator output is connected through the Three-Phase Wattmeter and
Synchronizing Module to the fixed 415 V, 3-phase output of the Power Sup-ply, terminals 1, 2 and 3.
The rotor of the Synchronous Motor/Generator is connected to the variable 0-240 V dc output of the
Power Supply, terminals 7 and N. The dc shunt motor (DC Motor/Generator) is connected to the
fixed 240 V dc output of the Power Supply, terminals 8 and N.
2. a) Couple the DC Motor/Generator to the alternator (Synchronous Motor/ Generator) with the
Timing Belt.
b) Set the field rheostat of the DC Motor/Generator at its full cw position (for minimum resistance).
c) Place the synchronizing switch in its open position.
3. a) Turn on the Power Supply. Using your Hand Tachometer, adjust the rheostat of the DC
Motor/Generator for a motor speed of 1400 r/min.
b) Turn on the switch S and adjust the dc excitation of the alternator until the output voltage E, = 415
V ac.
c) Synchronize the alternator with the power line and turn on the synchronizing switch.
d) Carefully adjust the dc excitation of the alternator as well as the speed of the motor until both
wattmeter and varmeter indicate zero. Measure E 1, I1 and I2.
E1= 440V ac I1= .01 A ac I2 = .20 A dc
e) The alternator is now floating on the power line. It is neither receiving power from the line nor
delivering power to the line.
4. a) slowly increase only the dc excitation of the alternator until I 1= 0.17 A ac. Measure W1,W2 ,E1 and I2.
W1= 10 W W2 = 90 W
E1 = 440 V ac I2 = .28 A dc

Figure: 4-1
b) Calculate the apparent power delivered by the alternator and the power factor.
Apparent power S= VI; S = 74.8 VA
Active power P = VI COS; P = 10 W
d) Did an increase in dc excitation affect mainly the active or the reactive power delivered by the
alternator?
Active Reactive

5. Repeat Procedure 3 until both wattmeters indicate zero.

6. a) Slowly decrease only the dc excitation of the alternator until I 1 = 0,17 A ac.
b) Measure W1, W2 , E, and l2.
W1 =0 W W2 = 100 (lagging) W
E1= 440 V ac l2 = 0.17 A dc
c) Return the voltage to zero and turn off the Power Supply.
e) Calculate the apparent and active power delivered by the alternator.
Apparent power, S = 74.18 VA
Active power, P= 0 W
f) Did a decrease in dc excitation affect mainly the active or the reactive power delivered by the
alternator?
Active Reactive

g) Was the nature (positive, negative) of the reactive power the same in Procedures 4 and 6?
Yes No
Explain: At procedure 4 we increase the DC excitation and W2 was 90W (leading) but at procedure 6
we decrease the DC excitation and those time W2 was 100W lagging power factor.
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7. Repeat Procedure 3 until both wattmeters indicate zero.
8. a) Slowly decrease only the field excitation of the dc motor causing it to increase its torque until h
= 0,17 A ac. (The motor-speed cannot increase because it is locked-in with the alternator speed,
which, in turn, is locked-in with the power line frequency.
b) Measure W1, W2, ET and l2.
W1 = 100(lagging) W; W2 = 0 W
E1 = 440 V ac I2 = 0.20 A dc
c) Return the voltage to zero and turn off the Power Supply.
d) Calculate the apparent and active power delivered by the alternator.
Apparent power, S= 74.18VA
Active Power, P= 100 (lagging) W
e) Did an increase in torque affect mainly the active or the reactive power delivered by the alternator?
Active Reactive
9. Repeat Procedure 3 until both wattmeters indicate zero.
10. Adjust the dc excitation of the alternator and the torque of the DC Motor/Generator so that the
alternator delivers 60 W of real power at a power factor of 0.50. Make measurements using each
method.
a) Alternator over-excited
W1= 60 W; W2 = 104(lagging) W
E1 = 440 V ac; I2 = 0.13 A dc.
I1= 0.23 A ac
b) Alternator under-excited
W1= 60 W; W2 = 104 W
E1 = 440 V ac; I2 = 0.32 A dc.
I1= 0.22 A ac
11. Adjust the dc excitation of the alternator and the torque of the DC Motor/Generator so that the
alternator behaves as a perfect three-phase capacitance with a capacity 110 VAR Measure W1, W2 .
W1= 0 W; W2 = 110 W
12. Adjust the dc excitation of the alternator and the torque of the DC Motor/Generator so that the
alternator behaves as a perfect three-phase inductance with a rating of 110 var. Measure W 1, W2.
W1= 0 W; W2 = 110(lagging)W

Questions for report writing:

Answer the questions:
1) A generator delivers 10,000 kVA at a pcwer factor of 0.95.
a) If the dc excitation is reduced, will the apparent power increase or decrease?
Increase Decrease
b) If the dc excitation is increased, will the apparent power increase or decrease?

 Increase Decrease
2) A dc motor driving an alternator develops 100 kW. If the efficiency of the alternator is 94%,
calculate the active power it can deliver to an infinite bus.
Ans: Here, output is 100kW
[output/input] 100% = 94%
(100k/input) 100% = 94%
Input =106.38kW
P = 106.38 kW
3)The power factor of an alternator connected into an infinite bus does not depend on the electromechanical devices also connected to that bus.
Explain: The characteristics of a synchronous generator on infinite bus bars are quite
different from those when it is connected to another alternator and both are in
parallel. When two alternators are connected in parallel we have seen that a change
in the excitation changes the terminal voltage and p.f. is determined by load.
However change in excitation for an alternator connected to infinite bus bar will not
change the terminal voltage but the power factor only is affected whereas the
power developed by an alternator depends only on mechanical power input.
Or,
We know that the infinite bus bar is one which keeps constant voltage and
frequencies although the load varies and it does not varies where it is connected to
any other devices or not so the power factor of an alternator connected into an
infinite bus does not depend on the electro mechanical devices also the connected
bus
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4) The output frequency of an alternator tied into an infinite bus is dependent on the frequency of the
infinite bus.
Explain: The output frequency of an infinite bus and the output frequency of an
alternator they dont depends on each other but they have to be same to generate
that system.
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Reference(s):
[1] B.L.Theraja, A.K.Theraja,: A textbook of Electrical Technology, Volume- II, S. Chand &
company Ltd.
[2] Lab volt lab manual.