Instructor Checked

th
4 PERIOD ELECTRICIAN
APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM

MACHINE LABS
Section 8
THREE PHASE AC ALTERNATORS
(Reference ILM – 030401d)
© GPRC Publication 2018, v.1.1 Authored by Glyn Axworthy, ME, CME, RFAT
      Contributors: Katalin Ormay and Tanya Ironside
      Reviewers: Charles Sanderson, Anna Gillis, and David Ticheler
* Adapted from Alberta Career Development and Employment
Apprenticeship and Industry Training Division  
 THREE PHASE ALTERNATORS

RATIONALE:
The voltage regulation of a synchronous alternator is dependent on the magnitude of its
armature current and the power factor of that current. This module will investigate both of
these effects on terminal voltage.

OBJECTIVES:
Determine the effects that load has on power factor and terminal voltage of a single alternator.

3 Ø Power Meter

3
4
OBJECTIVE 1

Determine the effects of load and power factor on terminal voltage.

By the end of this module, the student will be able to:

1. State the relationship between voltage and rotational speed, voltage and field magnetic
flux; between frequency, number of poles and rotational speed in an alternator.

2. Correctly connect an alternating current generator to a load.

3. Load the alternator with a unity power factor load, a lagging power factor load and
a leading power factor load.

4. Draw the load curve characteristics from readings taken during load tests on the
alternator in #3 above.

5. Calculate the voltage regulation when various types of loads are connected to
an alternator.

6. Determine the efficiency of an alternator at different loads.

Basic Alternator
(Rotating armature –
stationary field)
 EXPERIMENT 1
Three Phase Alternator at No-Load

CHARACTERISTICS:
Unlike DC generators, alternators must be excited through their rotor in order to induce a
voltage in the stator. Alternators must be driven at a definite constant speed because the
frequency of the generated voltage is determined by that speed.
The amplitude of the generated voltage is proportional to the speed and to the value
of the DC flux. Before an alternator is ready to deliver voltage to a load:
a) It must be brought to synchronous speed.

b) It must be excited from a separate DC source.

c) Its terminal voltage must be adjusted to the correct value with the field rheostat.

APPARATUS:
1 Synchronous machine
1 Dc machine
1 Power supply
1 DC instrumentation group
1 AC instrumentation group
1 Tachometer
1 AC Clamp on Ammeter
PROCEDURE 1: Open Circuit Test – the load bank is not required for this test

a. Couple the 3 phase machine to the DC machine making sure the coupling pin is down all
the way. Also, use ratchet straps to keep the machines from separating.

b. Connect the DC machine to a faceplate starter, feed it from the rectifier and variable 3
phase supply (See photos and diagrams). Connect the 3 phase machine as required to
be able to generate 120/208 V 3 phase (series or parallel WYE).
See figures 1a or 1b (page 9).

c. Adjust the alternator’s field rheostat for maximum resistance.

(Rheostat at 0.)

d. Turn on AC feed to the alternator field circuit.

e. Close field circuit toggle switch.

f. Slowly turn the field potentiometer so current flows in the rotor circuit.

g. Return potentiometer to maximum “R” and turn switch off.

(This was just a quick check to see if the field circuit was operating correctly.)

h. Start the DC motor and adjust its field rheostat for a speed of 1800 RPM.
(Maintain the speed at a constant 1800 RPM.)

i. Excite the generator’s rotor. (Close the make before break toggle switch.)

j. Increase the alternator’s field current in eleven steps of 0.25 A each,

to a maximum of 2.75 A while keeping the speed constant at 1800 RPM.

k. Measure and record your readings as required by Table 1 (page 10).

l. Vary the DC motor field rheostat (speed) and note the effect on generated voltage as
The motor speeds up and slows down.

m. Turn the machines off.

PROCEDURE 2: Short Circuit Test – the load bank is not required for this test

a. Short-circuit the armature windings of the alternator as shown in Figures 2a or 2b (page 9).

b. Adjust the alternator’s field rheostat for maximum resistance.

(Rheostat at 0.)

c. Start the DC motor and adjust its speed for 1800 RPM.
(Maintain the speed at a constant 1800 RPM.)

d. Excite the generator’s rotor. (Close the make before break toggle switch.)

e. Increase the alternator’s field current by 0.25 A to a maximum of 2.75 A

while keeping the speed constant at 1800 RPM.

NOTE:
Use a clamp-on Ammeter for I2. DO NOT EXCEED 7.5 Amps on the stator winding

f. Measure and record your findings as required by Table 2 (page 10) for each step
indicated.

g. Turn off the machines.

Table 1 Table 2
Table 1 – Open Circuit Test Table 2 – Short Circuit
 Test
Rotor Field Current E1 Volts E2 Volts Rotor Field Current I2
0.00 0.00
0.25 0.25
0.50 0.50
0.75 0.75
1.00 1.00
1.25 1.25
1.50 1.50
1.75 1.75
2.00 2.00
2.25 2.25
2.50 2.50
2.75 2.75
 MAX. 7.5 Amps

CONCLUSIONS:
1. Why is it important to maintain a constant speed for the alternator?

2. From the data recorded in Table 1, plot on the following Graph (page 11) a curve
showing the open circuit phase voltage E1, versus the field exciting current.

3. With a different coloured pencil, plot a curve showing the armature short circuit current
vs the field exciting current.

4. From the graph on page 11, at what field current does the curve show that the magnetic
field is beginning to saturate?
Curve shows saturation beginning to occur at _______ Amps.

5. Calculate the synchronous impedance for your machine.

Synchronous impedance = ______ Ohms.
Notes:
 EXPERIMENT 2
Synchronous Alternator Under Load

CHARACTERISTICS:

The output voltage of a synchronous alternator varies in accordance with the nature of the
load. If the load is purely resistive, the power factor is 100% and the voltage drop will be
approximately8% to 20% of the no-load voltage. An inductive load brings a more
appreciable voltage drop of 25% to 50% of the no-load voltage and a capacitive load tends
to raise the alternator output voltage.

APPARATUS:
1 Synchronous machine
1 DC machine
1 Power supply
1 DC instrumentation group
1 AC volt meter
1 AC clamp-on ammeter
1 Hand tachometer
1 DC ammeter 0-25 A
3 Variable resistive loads
3 Variable inductive loads
3 Variable capacitive loads
* See photo on page 4 for variable 3 phase R L C load bank
PROCEDURE 1: Resistive Load – the load bank is required for this procedure

a. Couple the synchronous machine to the DC machine as previously described.

b. Connect the motor as a shunt motor with a 3 point starter. Connect the alternator
output leads to the variable 3 phase load bank for 120/208 volt 4 wire. Clamp load
terminals with ammeters as per photo on page 4.

c. Adjust the alternator’s field rheostat for 100% resistance and the resistive load
in the off or open position. The P.F. knob must be set to UNITY; load variacs to 0.

d. Start the DC machine and adjust its field rheostat for a speed of 1800 RPM.

THIS SPEED MUST BE MAINTAINED CONSTANT DURING THIS EXPERIMENT.

Adding load causes the motor to slow which will have the effect of reducing the
generated voltage.
KEEP RPM CONSISTANT AND KEEP THE DC MOTOR INPUT VOLTS AT 125 V.

e. After exciting the alternator’s rotor, adjust the field rheostat for 208 V.
AC at no-load, and DO NOT readjust this voltage during the experiment.

f. Load the alternator as indicated by Table 1, taking care not to exceed 20 A

of armature current for the DC motor or 7.2 A for the alternator. You may not reach
7 Amps if Imotor reaches 20 Amps first

g. Measure and record your readings in Table 1. At exactly 7 Amps balanced,

the input power from the DC motor is ____________ Watts.

h. Reduce loads to 0. Turn off the machines.

Table 1 - Resistive Table 2 - Inductive Table 3 - Capacitive

I1 (alt.) E (volts) I (motor) I1 (alt.) E (volts) I (motor) I1 (alt.) E (volts) I (motor)
0 208V 0 208V 0 208V
1 1 1
2 2 2
3 3 3
4 4 4
5 5 5
6 6 6
7 7 7
PROCEDURE 2: Inductive Load – the load bank is required for this procedure
 a. Replace resistive load in procedure 1 by the inductive load by switching the power
factor knob to LAG

b. Repeat steps c, d, e and f of Procedure 1.

c. Record your findings in Table 2 (page 14). At exactly 7 Amps balanced, the input power

for the DC motor is ____________ Watts.

d. Reduce loads to 0. Turn off equipment.

PROCEDURE 3: Capacitive Load – the load bank is required for this procedure

a. Replace the inductive load in 2 by the capacitive load by switching the P.F. knob to LEAD

b. Repeat steps c, d, e and f of Procedure 1.

c. Record your findings in Table 3 (page 14). At exactly 7 Amps balanced, the input power

for the DC motor is ____________ Watts.

d. Reduce loads to 0. Turn off equipment.

1. Referring to the 3 - 3Ø, pure type loads in each procedure, part c, which type of load
requires the most input power to create?

2. Which requires the least?

Graph 1
CONCLUSIONS:

1. From data of Table 1, (page 14) plot on Graph 1 (page 16) the curve showing alternator
voltage vs. resistive load current.

2. Calculate the percentage voltage regulation of the alternator under resistive load.

3. On the same graph, plot, from the values in Table 2, the curve showing voltage
vs inductive load.

4. Calculate the percentage voltage regulation of the alternator under inductive load.

5. On the same graph, plot from the values in Table 3 the curve showing alternator voltage
vs capacitive load current.

6. Calculate the percentage voltage regulation of the alternator under capacitive load.
SELF-CHECK: OBJECTIVE 1

1. Upon what three factors does the voltage drop of an alternator depend?

2. How does a lagging alternator stator current affect excitation field flux
and with what consequences?

3. What determines the power factor for a single (stand alone) alternator?

4. How does an increase in field excitation affect a single (stand alone) alternator?

5. How does an increase in power input from the prime mover affect a single
(stand alone) alternator?
SELF-CHECK ANSWERS

1. IARA = VdA

Xsync caused by armature reaction Zsync

2. The armature (stator) flux opposes the field flux therefore reducing the terminal voltage
resulting in poor voltage regulation.

3. The power factor requirements of the load.

4. Increased voltage and therefore a very slight drop in speed.

5. Increased rotational frequency and therefore an increase in voltage proportional

To the speed change.
NOTES: