Report: Three Phase Alternator

Members: Ralph Medino

Wenmar B. Macasabuang
Lyle Nobleza
Sean Lawrence Macalalad

Three Phase Alternator

In this presentation we will

- Explain what an alternator is.
- Explain how a three-phase alternator works.
- Give examples where three phase alternator is used
- Discuss the advantage of using three phase alternator.
Electronic Induction
- Before we can explain what an alternator is first we must discuss what
Electronic Induction means.
- Electromagnetic or magnetic induction is the production of an electromotive
force across an electrical conductor in a changing magnetic field.
Diagram
a. b.

(Wire rotates around Magnetic Field) (Magnetic Field rotates around Wire)
Most Alternators use method b.
What is an alternator?
- An alternator is an electrical generator that converts mechanical energy to
electrical energy in the form of alternating current.
How does an alternator work?
- alternators use a rotating magnetic field with a stationary armature.
What is an alternator?
- An alternator is an electrical generator that converts mechanical energy to
electrical energy in the form of alternating current.
How does an alternator work?
- alternators use a rotating magnetic field with a stationary armature.
What is a Three Phase Alternator?
- The three-phase alternator, as the name implies, has three single-phase
windings spaced such that the voltage induced in any one phase is displaced by
120º from the other two.

How does it work?

- As soon as the magnet rotates inside. an electrical voltage is induced in each of
these coils a 360 degree rotation of this magnet corresponds to a complete period time
of the induced voltage in the line diagram.
Types of Connections in a Three Phase Alternator

Wye connection:
A Wye (Y) configuration is when all the loads in an AC system are connected at a
single point. Normally, the loads are unbalanced in a Y configuration. A neutral cable is
connected at that center point where the three phases meet.
Advantages of the Wye connection:
- provide multiple voltages without the need for additional transformers
- reduce cost in many applications.
Delta Connection
The Delta configuration has the 3 phases connected like in a triangle. They don't
normally have a neutral cable. In Delta configuration, the phase voltage is equal to the
line voltage whereas in Y configuration, the phase voltage is the line voltage divided by
√3.
Advantages of Delta Connection
- higher reliability
- durable

Parts of Alternator:
Diagram:

Rotor - the rotor consists of a coil of wire wrapped around the core. A magnetic field is
produced around the core by the current through wire coil called “field” current.
Stator – the stator does not turn and is fixed to the shell of the alternator.
Output Diodes (Bridge Rectifier) - in a DC system AC voltage is of little use, so it has to
be converted to DC before it can be used. This conversion to DC takes place in Bridge
Rectifier.
Diode Trio - consists of three diodes, one per phase, which provides field current to the
alternator regulator.
Voltage Regulator - controls the amount of field current input that is allow to pass
through to the rotor winding.

Equation:
Alternator Frequency
f = no . of poles× speed of rotor
P N PN
f= × →f=
2 60 120
f is the frequency, expressed in hertz, (Hz)
N is is the speed, expressed in revolutions per minute (rpm), (rev/min)
P is the number of pairs of poles of each stator winding.

Example:
A 2 pole, 3600 rpm alternator has a frequency of 60 Hz; determine as follows:
Sol.
NP 2(3600)
f= → 60=
120 120
A 4 pole,, 1800 rpm generator also has a frequency of 60 Hz. A 6 pole, 500 rpm
generator has a frequency of:
Sol.
NP 6 (500)
f= → =25 Hz
120 120

Equation:
Alternator EMF

E=4.44 fN ∅ ×10−8
∅ −8
Eave =N ×10
t
1
t=
4f
∅ −8 −8
Eave =N × 10 =4 fN ∅ ×10
1
4f

Note: the effective value of the voltage is 1.11 times the average value
−8
E=(1.11)4 fN ∅ × 10
−8
E=4.44 fN ∅ ×10
E is effective voltage, (volts)
f is frequency in hertz, (Hz)
N is number of turns in coil
∅ is flux per pole maxwell

note: 1 weber = 108 maxwells

Example:
1. Calculate the effective voltage in one phase of alternator, given the following
particulars: f=60 cps; turn per phase N=240; flux per pole ∅ =2.08x106 maxwells.
Sol.
−8
E=4.44 fN ∅ ×10
6 −8
E=4.44 (60)(240)(2.08× 10 )×10
E=1329.8688 volts
E=1330 volts
2. Calculate the effective voltage generated in a six-turn full pitch coil of a 25 cycle
alternator if the flux per pole is 7.2 ×105 maxwells.
Sol.
−8
E=4.44 fN ∅ ×10

E=4.44 (25)(6)(7.2× 105)×10−8

E=4.7952 volts
E=4.8 volts

Applications
The three-phase synchronous generator, or alternator, produces most of the
electricity used today. It is found in all electrical-power generating stations, whether they
are of the hydroelectric, diesel, coal-fired, wind turbine, or nuclear type. The alternator
also generates the electricity used in motor vehicles like cars and trucks.
Applications & Examples
Car Alternator
Generator

Hydroelectric

Wind Turbine

Advantages of Three Phase Alternator

Three-phase system has many advantages over single-phase system. Let us see a few
of them.
1) For a given dimension of the generator, three-phase machine produces higher
power output than a single-phase machine.
2) For the same capacity, three-phase alternator is smaller in size when compared
to single phase alternator.
3) Three-phase transmission system is cheaper. A relatively thinner wire is
sufficient for transmission of three-phase power.
4) The efficiency of three phase operated devices and appliances is higher than
the single-phase operated machines.
5) The output rating of machines can be increased by increasing the number of
phases in a system.
6) Three-phase has the ability to deliver nearly twice the power of single-phase
system without requiring twice the number of wires.
7) A 3-phase induction motor is self-started as the magnetic flux produced by the 3-
phase supply is rotating in nature with a constant magnitude.
8) A DC rectified from the 3-phase supply is having a ripple factor of 4%
and DC rectified from the 1-ø supply is having a ripple factor of 48.2%.