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EXPERIMENT NO. – 2
AIM: - To perform Short Circuit Test on Three Phase Alternator.

 APPARATUS :-

EQUIPMENT RATING
Rheostat -
Volt Meter 0-500V
Ampere Meter 0-5A
RMP Meter 0-5000rmp
DC Shunt Motor -
Alternator 3 KVA

 EXPERMENTAL CIRCUIT DIAGRAM

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 CIRCUIT DIAGRAM OF SIMULATOR (VIRTUAL LAB)

 Ratings of machine

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 THEORY: -

The most commonly used machine for generation of electrical power for commercial purpose is
the synchronous generator or alternator. An alternator works as a generator when its rotor
carrying the field system is rotated by a prime-mover which in this case is DC shunt motor. The
terminal voltage of an alternator changes with load. Alternators are by far the most important
source of electric energy. Alternators generate an AC voltage whose frequency depends entirely
upon the speed of rotation. The generated voltage value depends upon the speed, the dc field
excitation and the power factor of the load. As the DC field excitation of an alternator is
increased, its speed being held constant, the magnetic flux, and hence, the output voltage, will
also increase in direct proportion to the current. However, with progressive increases in DC field
current, the flux will eventually reach a high enough value to saturate the iron in the alternator.
Saturation in the iron means that there will be a smaller increase in flux for a given increase in
DC field current. Because the generated voltage is directly related to the magnetic flux intensity,
it can be used as a measure of the degree of saturation.
When an alternator delivering full rated output voltage is suddenly subjected to a short-circuit,
very large currents will initially flow. However, these large short-circuit currents drop off rapidly
to safe values if the short-circuit is maintained. The output voltage of an alternator depends
essentially upon the total flux in the air-gap. At no load this flux is established and determined
exclusively by the DC field excitation. Under load, however, the air-gap flux is determined by
the ampere-turns of the rotor and the ampere-turns of the stator. The latter may aid or oppose the
MMF (magneto motive force) of the rotor depending upon the power factor of the load. Leading
power factors assist the rotor, and lagging power factors oppose it. The short-circuit test provides
information about the current capabilities of a synchronous generator. It is performed by driving
the generator at its rated speed when the terminals of the armature winding are shorted. An
ammeter is placed in series with one of the three shorted lines. The field current is gradually
increased and the corresponding value of the armature current is recorded. When the per phase
short-circuit current is plotted as a function of the field current, the graph is called the short
circuit characteristic of a generator.

 PROCEDURE
1) Stator terminals are Short Circuited in order to perform SC test on alternator.
2) Close the DPST (Double Pole Single Throw) switch connecting the armature winding of DC
shunt motor to supply.
3) Rheostat is used as a potential divider. It is used to increase or decrease the stator voltage of
DC shunt motor.
4) Bring DC shunt motor to its rated speed (1500rpm) and Alternator is made to run at its
synchronous speed (1500rpm) using DC shunt motor.

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5) As DC shunt motor is connected mechanically to alternator, so both machines rotate with

same speed. Therefore we can observe speed of alternator in digital tachometer.
6) Close the DPST switch connecting the alternator to supply.
7) Vary DC excitation of alternator in steps to increase field voltage to its rated value.
8) Observe the readings of voltmeter and ammeter.
 OBSERVATION TABLE :-

 GRAPH :-

1] IFA VS ISC

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2] IFA VS Speed

3] IASH Vs Mot O/P

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4] VFA Vs IFA

 CONCLUSION:-

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