lOMoARcPSD|13443985

Sri Muthukumaran Institute Of Technology

Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering
Academic Year 2021-2022/ Odd Semester
EE8401 Electrical Machines II
AT-I Question Bank
UNIT – I – SYNCHRONOUS GENERATOR
PART – A
1. What is meant by armature reaction in alternator? [N/D 2015]
The effect of armature flux on the main field flux is known as armature reaction.

2. Define voltage regulation of an alternator. [N/D 2015], [A/M 2016], [A/M 2017]
The voltage regulation of an alternator is defined as, the increase in terminal voltage whwn full load is
removed, assuming field current and speed remaining the same.
Eo V
Percentage Regulation = 100 ,
V
where E0 No load terminal voltage, V Full load rated terminal voltage

3. How can you distinguish between the two types of large synchronous generator from their
appearance? [A/M 2016]
1. Salient pole alternator 2.Non-Salient pole alternator
4. Distinguish between full-pitch coil and short-pitch coil. [N/D 2016]
Pole pitch is the center to center distance between two adjacent poles. One pole pitch is 180 degrees
electrical. Coil span is defined as peripheral distance between two sides of a coil. If the coil span is equal to
the pole pitch, then the armature winding is said to be full pitched one. If the coil span is less than the pole
pitch, then the winding is referred as short pitched

5. What are the conditions of parallel operation of alternator? [N/D 2016]

1. The terminal voltage of the incoming alternator must be the same as that of bus bars.
2. The frequency of incoming alternator must be the same as that of bus bars.
3. The phase of the incoming alternator must be same as that of bus bar voltage relative to the load i.e. the
phase voltage of the incoming machine and the bus bar should be in phase opposition.
4. The phase sequence of the voltage of incoming alternator must be the same that of bus-bar voltage.

6. What is the necessity of chording in the armature winding of a synchronous

machine? [N/D 2017]
 It shortens the ends of the winding and, therefore, there is a saving in the conductor’s material.
 It Reduces the effects of distorting harmonics and thus the waveform of the generated voltage is
improved and making it a sine wave.
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7. What do you mean by single layer and double layer winding? [A/M 2017]
Single Layer Winding:
In this type of winding, the complete slot is containing only one coil side of a coil. This type of winding is
not normally used for machines having commutators. In single layer windings permit the use of semi
enclosed and closed types of slots. Also the coils can be pushed through the slots from one end of the core
and are connected during the process of windings at the other end.
Double Layer Winding:
It consists of identical coils with one coil side of each coil in top half of the slot and the other coil side in
bottom half of another slot which is nearly one pole pitch away. It consists of two coil sides per slot. Each
layer may contain more than one coil side if large number of coils are required. For placing double layer
windings, usually open slots are used.

8. Two reaction theory is applied only to salient pole machines. Sate the reason. [A/M 2018]
The Non-salient pole rotor has a uniform air-gap and therefore, its reactance remains the same, irrespective
of the spatial position of rotor. But in salient pole machines, the air-gap is not uniform and its reactance
varies with the rotor position. Because of non-uniformity of the reluctance of the magnetic paths, the mmf
of the armature is divided into two components viz,
(i) one component is located along the axis of salient pole rotor known direct axis component (ii) the other
component is located perpendicular to the axis of salient pole rotor known as quadrature axis component.
These facts form the basis of the two-reaction theory applied to salient pole machines.

9. What are the advantages of salient pole type construction used for synchronous machine? [A/M
2018]
1. They allow better ventilation
2. The pole faces are so shaped that the radial air gap length increases from pole centre to the pole tips so
that flux distribution in the air-gap is sinusoidal in shape which will help the machine to generate
sinusoidal emf
3.Due to variable reluctance the machine develops additional reluctance power which is independent
of excitation.

10. What is the relation between speed and frequency of an alternator? Or Write the equation for
frequency of emf induced in an alternator. [N/D 2018]
120 f
NS ,
P
where, NS Synchronous Speed in rpm, f frequency in Hz, P Number of poles

11. Distinguish between the “Synchronous reactance’ and the ‘Potier reactance’ of a synchronous
generator. [A/M 2019]
Synchronous reactance Potier reactance
The sum of armature reaction reactance and the Potier reactance is the air gap reactance (leakage
leakage reactance are called as the reactance) of the synchronous machine at full
Synchronous reactance (Xs) load (rated voltage and current of armature).
Need to perform open circuit test & short Need to perform open circuit test & ZPF test
circuit test
12. Why the concept of Two reaction theory is applied only to salient pole machines? [A/M 2019]
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In non-salient pole type alternators the air gap is uniform. Due to uniform air gap, the field flux as well as
armature flux vary sinusoidally in the air gap. In non-salient type alternators, air gap length is constant and
reactance is also constant. Due to this the mmf of armature and field act upon the same magnetic circuit all
the time hence can be added vectorially. But in salient pole type alternator the length of the air gap varies
and the reluctance also varies. Hence the armature flux and field flux cannot vary sinusoidally in the air
gap. The reluctances of the magnetic circuits on which mmf act are different in case of salient pole
alternators.

PART – B

Constructional details – Types of rotors :

1. Describe with neat sketches, the constructional details of a salient pole type alternator. OR Describe the
principle and construction of slow speed operation generator with neat diagram. OR Explain the
construction and working principle of alternator in detail. (13) [N/D 2016], [A/M 2018], [N/D 2018]

Winding factors- emf equation:

2. Derive the emf equation of an alternator. (8) [N/D 2015], [N/D 2016], [N/D 2017], [N/D 2018]

Armature reaction – Phasor diagrams of non salient pole synchronous generator connected
to infinite bus:
3. Define armature reaction and explain the effect of armature reaction on different power factor loads of
synchronous generator. (8) [N/D 2015]
4. Explain the concept of armature reaction and mention the methods to reduce this effect. (8)
[A/M 2016]

Voltage regulation – EMF, MMF, ZPF and A.S.A methods:

5. List the methods used to predetermine the voltage regulation of synchronous machine and explain the
MMF method or Ampere-Turn method or Optimistic method. (13) [N/D 2016], [N/D 2017], [N/D 2018]
6. Explain step by step method of potier triangle method of determining the regulation of an alternator. (13)
OR Explain the procedure for POTIER method to calculate voltage regulation of alternator. (13)
[A/M 2018], [A/M 2017]
7. Explain the method of determining the voltage regulation of an alternator by Synchronous impedance
method or EMF method or Pessimistic method.

Synchronizing and parallel operation – Synchronizing torque -Change of excitation and mechanical
input - steady state power angle characteristics :
8. What is meant by Synchronizing? State the conditions for paralleling alternator with infinite bus bars. (5)
[N/D 2017]
9. Discuss the parallel operation of two alternators with identical speed load characteristics.
10. What is synchronizing power of an alternator? Derive an expression for the synchronizing power
between the two alternators connected in parallel.
11. Bring out the characteristics of two alternators working in parallel. What is the effect of change in
excitation and effect of change in steam supply on load sharing?

Two reaction theory –slip test:

12. Describe how the direct and quadrature axis reactances of a salient pole synchronous machine can be
estimated by means of slip test. (7) [N/D 2017]
13. Explain briefly the Two Reaction Theory.
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PART – C

1. A 3 phase, Y-connected, 1000 KVA, 2000 V, 50 Hz alternator gave the following open circuit
and short circuit test readings:
Field Current (A) 10 20 25 30 40 50
O.C. Voltage (V) 800 1500 1760 2000 2350 2600
S.C. armature current (A) - 200 250 300 - -
The armature effective resistance per phase is 0.2Ω. Draw the characteristic curves and
determine the full load percentage regulation at (i) 0.8 p.f. lagging, (ii) 0.8. p.f leading by MMF
method. (16) [N/D 2015], [A/M 2017]

2. A three phase star connected alternator is rated at 1600 KVA, 13500 V. The armature
resistance and synchronous reactance are 1.5 Ω and 30 Ω per phase respectively. Calculate the
percentage voltage regulation for a load of 1280 KW at at 0.8 p.f lagging and 0.8 p.f leading.

3. A three phase, 16 pole alternator has a star connected winding with 144 slots and 10
conductors per slot.
The flux per pole is 0.04 wb and it is sinusoidally distributed. The speed is 375 rpm. Find
frequency, phase emf and line emf. The coil span is 1600 electrical.

4. A 100 KVA, 3000 V, 50 Hz, three phase star connected alternator has an effective armature
resistance of 0.2 Ω. The field current of 40 A produces a short circuit current of 200 A and an
open circuit emf of 1040(line value). Calculate the full load voltage regulation at 0.8 p.f lagging
and 0.8 p.f leading.

5. A three phase, 6 pole star connected alternator revolves at 1000 rpm. The stator has 90 slots
and 8 conductors per slot. The flux per pole is 0.05 wb and it is sinusoidally distributed.
Calculate the voltage generated by the machine, if the winding is full pitched.

6. An 11 KV, 1000 KVA, three phase star connected alternator has a resistance of 2 Ω per
phase. The open circuit and full load zero power factor characteristics are given below. Find the
voltage regulation of the alternator for full load current at 0.8 p.f lagging by Potier method.
Field Current (A) 40 50 110 140 180
OC terminal voltage (V)
5800 7000 12500 13750 15000
(line value)
Line voltage zero p.f (A) 0 1500 8500 10500 12500

7. A three phase, 12 pole, 500 rpm, star connected alternator has 144 slots and 8 conductors per
slots. The coils are full pitched and the flux per pole is 0.08 wb. Determine the phase and line
emf’s. What will be the phase voltage if the coils are connected to form a balanced two-phase
winding? (15) [N/D 2018]
8. A 3-phase, 50Hz, star-connected alternator with 2-layer winding is running at 600 rpm. It has
12 turns/coil, 4 slots/pole/phase and a coil pitch of 10 slots. If the flux per pole is 0.035 Wb
sinusoidally distributed, find the phase and line emfs induced. Assume that the total turns/phase
are series connected. (13) [A/M 2019]

9. A 3-phase, star connected, 1000KVA, 11KV alternator has rated current of 52.5 A. The ac
resistance of the winding per phase is 0.45Ω. The test results are given below:
OC test: Field current=12.5A, Voltage between lines=422V
SC test: Field current=12.5A, line current=52.5A.
Determine the full load voltage regulation of the alternator at (i) 0.8pf lagging and (ii) 0.8 p.f.
leading. (13) [A/M 2019]

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UNIT – II – SYNCHRONOUS MOTOR

Principle of operation – Torque equation – Operation on infinite bus bars - V and Inverted V
curves – Power input and power developed equations – Starting methods – Current loci for
constant power input, constant excitation and constant power developed-Hunting – natural
frequency of oscillations – damper windings- synchronous condenser.
PART – A

1. When is a synchronous motor said to receive 100% excitation?

[N/D 2015] When Eb=V, synchronous motor receives 100% excitation

2. What are the causes of hunting? [N/D 2015]

Sudden changes of load .
Faults were occurring in the system which the
generator supplies. Sudden change in the field current.
Cyclic variations of the load torque.

3. List the inherent disadvantages of synchronous motor. [A/M 2016]

Higher cost
Necessity of a DC
excitation source Greater
initial cost
High maintenance cost

4. How do you change the operating speed of synchronous motor? [A/M 2016]
There are more than one way to change the speed of synchronous speed as speed is equal to (120
x frequency/no. of poles) and these are
 Change the frequency of electrical supply which can be changed by a two stage AC-DC-AC
conversion. Change in number of poles of motor, but this is a hardware feature so it can be
decided at the time manufacturing only

5. What are the various functions of damper winding provided with synchronous
motor? OR
What is the role of damper winding in synchronous motor? [N/D 2016] , [N/D 2017], [A/M
2019]
To reduce hunting or phase
swinging. To develop
necessary starting torque

6. What is meant by hunting? How hunting is minimized? [N/D 2016]

When a synchronous motor is used for driving a fluctuating load, the rotor starts oscillating
about its new position of equilibrium corresponding to new load. This is called as hunting.
Damper windings are used to prevent hunting. Damper windings are short circuited
copper bars are embedded in the faces of field poles of the motor.

7. What are V-curves? [A/M 2017]

The curves drawn between armature current and field current for different power inputs are
called as ‘V’ curves.

8. What is meant by synchronous condenser or phase modifier? OR How the synchronous

motor can be used as synchronous condenser? [A/M 2017], [A/M 2018], [N/D 2018]
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Synchronous motor operating at an over excited condition under no load is called as

Synchronous condenser. The synchronous condensers having leading power factor are widely
used for improving power factor of those power sytems. So it is called as synchronous capacitor
or phase modifier.

9. A 3-phase synchronous motor driving a constant load torque draws from infinite
bus at leading power factor. How power angle and power factor will change if the
excitation is increased? [N/D 2017]
When the excitation is increased, the power angle and power factor will also increased.

10. How does a change of excitation affect its power factor? [A/M 2018]
When the excitation of a synchronous motor is changed, the power factor also changes.
When the excitation is increased, power factor improves until it becomes unity & again an
increase in excitation the power factor becomes leading.
When the excitation is decreased, the power factor becomes leading.
11. Define pull in torque and pull out torque in synchronous
motor.[N/D 2018] Pull In Torque:
It pertains to the ability of the machine to pull into synchronism when changing from induction
to synchronous motor operation.
Pull Out Torque:
The maximum torque which the motor can develop without pulling out of step or synchronism is
called the pull out torque.

12. Why does the synchronous motor always run at synchronous speed? [N/D 2018]
A synchronous motor always runs at synchronous speed because of the magnetic locking
between the stator and rotor poles.
13. Draw the typical torque angle characteristics of synchronous machine. [A/M 2015]

13. Name the various torques associated with a synchronous generator/motor. [A/M 2019]
1. Starting torque 2.Running torque 3.Pull in torque 4.Pull out
torque

PART – B

Principle of operation - – Operation on infinite bus bars:

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1. Explain the working of synchronous motor with different excitations. (13) [A/M 2018]
2. Explain the effect of variable excitation on the behavior of the synchronous motor under
constant load condition. (13)
3. Draw and explain the phasor diagram of a synchronous motor operating at lagging and
leading power factor. (8) [N/D 2015]
4. Describe the principle of operation of synchronous motor. Or Explain briefly the features and
principle of operation of three phase synchronous motor. (13) [N/D 2017], [N/D 2018]

V and Inverted V curves:

5. Explain the effect of excitation on armature current and power factor of synchronous motor
and thereby obtain V and inverted V curves. (13) [ N/D 2015], [A/M 2016], [A/M 2017], [N/D
2016], [A/M 2015], [N/D 2018], [A/M 2019]

Current loci for constant power input, constant excitation and constant power developed:
6. Draw and explain the current loci of synchronous motor for constant power developed and
Draw and explain the current loci of synchronous motor for constant excitation. Or What are ‘
Constant excitation circles and constant power cycle’ for a synchronous motor? How are they
derived? (13) [N/D 2017]

synchronous condenser:
7. Explain how synchronous motor can be used as a synchronous condenser. Or Explain with
the help of phasor diagram, the operation of synchronous condenser.(8) [N/D 2017], [A/M 2019]

Torque equation - Power input and power developed equations:

8. Derive the expression for power developed in a synchronous motor. Also find the condition
for maximum power developed. Or With the help of phasor diagram, obtain the expression for
mechanical power developed by a synchronous motor. (13) [A/M 2019]

Starting methods:
9. Why synchronous motors are not self starting? Describe the various methods of starting the
synchronous motor. (13) [A/M 2016], [N/D 2016], [N/D 2017], [A/M 2019]

PART – C

1. A synchronous motor absorbing 75KW is connected in parallel with a factory load of 300KW
having a lagging power factor of 0.9 if the combined load has lagging power factor of 0.95, what
is the value of leading KVAR supplied by the motor and what power factor is it working?

2. A 3000V, 3phase, synchronous motor running at 1500RPM has its excitation kept constant
corresponding to no load terminal voltage of 3000V.Determine the power input, power factor
and torque developed for an armature current of 250A with synchronous reactance is 5Ω/ph and
armature resistance is neglected.

3. A 9KW, 400V, 3phase star connected synchronous motor has synchronous impedance per
phase of
(0.4+j3)Ω. Find the angle of retard and the voltage to which the motor must be excited to give a
full-load output at 0.8 leading power factor. Assume in efficiency of 90%.

4. A 100V(phase value) synchronous motor having 40% reactance and a negligible resistance is
to be operated at rated load at unity power factor, 0.8P.F lag and 0.8P.F lead, what are the values
of induced EMF. lOMoARcPSD|13443985
5. A 3300 V, delta connected motor has a synchronous reactance per phase of 18Ω. It operates at
a leading power factor of 0.707 when drawing 800KW from the mains. Calculate its excitation
emf. (8) [A/M 2016]

6. A 1000KVA, 11000 V, 3-phase star connected synchronous motor has an armature resistance
and reactance per phase of 3.5Ω and 40Ω respectively. Determine the induced emf and angular
retardation of the rotor when fully loaded at 0.8 p.f. lagging and 0.8 p.f. leading. (8) [N/D 2015],
[A/M 2017]

7. A 5KW, 3-phase star connected 50Hz, 440 V, cylindrical rotor synchronous motor operates at
rated condition with 0.8 p.f. leading. The motor efficiency excluding field and stator losses is
95% and Xs=2.5Ω. Calculate:
i) Mechanical power developed. ii) Armature current
iii)Back emf iv) Power angle
i) Maximum or pull out torque of the motor. [A/M 2018]