To sum up,

The Turbine

The turbine (prime mover) converts some kind of energy (steam, water, wind) into mechanical energy, as
illustrated in Fig. 14.

Fig. 14 Turbine generator

Rotation speed of synchronous generator

By the definition, synchronous generators produce electricity whose frequency is synchronized with the

mechanical rotational speed.

𝑃
𝑓𝑒 = 𝑁
60 𝑟

where fe is the electrical frequency in Hz

Nr is the rotor speed of the machine

P is the pairs of pole

❑ Steam turbines are most efficient when rotating at high speed; therefore, to generate 60 Hz, they are

usually rotating at 3600 rpm (2-pole). Because steam-turbines are able to achieve high speeds, and

because operation is more efficient at those speeds, most steam turbines are 2 poles, operating at 3600

RPM. Salient poles incur very high mechanical stress and windage losses at this speed and therefore

cannot be used. All steam-turbines use smooth rotor construction.

❑ Water turbines are most efficient when rotating at low speeds (200-300 rpm); therefore, they usually turn

generators with many poles. Because hydro-turbines cannot achieve high speeds, they must use a higher

number of poles, e.g., 24 and 32 pole hydro-machines are common. But because salient pole construction

is less expensive, all hydro- machines use salient pole construction.

 Induced voltage in a three-phase winding

In three coils, each of N turns, placed around the rotor magnetic field, the induced in each coil will have the

same magnitude and phases differing by 120 degree.

𝑒𝑎𝑎′ = 𝑁 ∅ 𝜔𝑟 cos 𝜔𝑡

𝑒𝑏𝑏′ = 𝑁 ∅ 𝜔𝑟 cos(𝜔𝑡 − 120)

𝑒𝑐𝑐 ′ = 𝑁 ∅ 𝜔𝑟 cos(𝜔𝑡 − 240)

Peak voltage

𝐸𝑚𝑎𝑥 = 𝑁∅𝜔𝑟 = 2𝜋𝑁∅𝑓

And the RMS voltage is
2𝜋𝑁∅𝑓
𝐸𝐴 = = 2𝜋 𝑁∅ 𝑓 = 𝐾∅ 𝑓
√2
Where K is the construction factor, ∅ is the flux and 𝜔is the rotation Fig. 12
speed.
Since flux in the machine depends on the field current through it, the internal generated voltage is a function of

the rotor field current as shown in Fig. 13.

The field current IF is

related to the flux 
and EA is directly
proportional to the
flux, the internal
generated voltage EA
is related to the field
current. This plot is
called the
magnetization curve
or the open-circuit
characteristic of the
machine.
Fig. 13 Magnetization curve (open-circuit characteristic) of a synchronous machine
 Conceptual description

The following outlines the conceptual steps associated with production of power in a synchronous generator.

❑ DC is supplied to the field winding.

❑ If the rotor is stationary, the field winding produces magnetic flux which is strongest radiating outwards from

the centre of the pole face and diminishes with distance along the air-gap away from the pole face centre.

❑ The turbine rotates the rotor. This produces a rotating magnetic field in the air gap, θ

❑ Given that the stator windings are fixed on the stator those conductors will see a time varying flux. Thus, by

Faraday’s law, a voltage will be induced in those conductors. Because the phase windings are spatially displaced

by 120°, then we will get voltages that are time-displaced by 120°. If the generator terminals are open- circuited,

then the amplitude of the voltages are proportional to speed and magnetic field strength. And our story ends here

if generator terminals are open-circuited.

 ❑ If, however, the phase (armature) windings are connected across a load, then current will flow in each one of

them. Each one of these currents will in turn produce a magnetic field. So there will be 4 magnetic fields in

the air gap. One from the rotating DC field winding, and one each from the three stationary AC phase

windings.

❑ The three magnetic fields from the armature windings will each produce flux densities, and the composition of

these three flux densities result in a single rotating magnetic field in the air gap.

❑ This rotating magnetic field from the armature will have the same speed as the rotating magnetic field

from the rotor, i.e., these two rotating magnetic fields are in synchronism.