AC Machine

Synchronous Induction

Generator Generator

Motor Motor
Synchronous Machines: Constructional
features and Excitation Schemes

Lecture-1
• Stator
• Rotor
– Cylindrical Rotor
– Salient Pole rotor
 View of machine parts
• Stator
Salient Pole Rotor
Salient Pole

2 Pole

4 Pole
Cylindrical rotor has almost uniform air gap
Synchronous Generators:
• Also known as Alternators
• Convert the mechanical power into an AC electrical power at a
particular voltage and frequency
• Always run at a constant speed called Synchronous Speed
• Synchronous speed is the speed of the revolution of the
magnetic field in the stator winding of the machine
• It is denoted by Ns

𝟏𝟐𝟎𝒇
𝑵𝒔 = 𝒓. 𝒑. 𝒎.
𝑷
where, P = No. of Poles of the Rotor
f = Frequency in Hertz
Therefore,
𝑃𝑁
𝑓=
120

Construction:

• DC current is applied to the rotor winding (field winding)

producing a rotor magnetic field (main magnetic field)
• Rotor is then turned by external means producing a rotating
magnetic field
• Armature windings are the windings where the main voltage
is induced (stator windings)

Stator (Armature):

• Iron ring, formed of laminations, having slots on its inner

periphery to accommodate armature winding
• Field rotates in between the stator
• flux of the rotating field cuts the core of stator continuously
and causes eddy current loss in the stator core

Rotor:
• Carries the field windings
• Are of two types
➢ Salient Construction
➢ Smooth Cylindrical Construction or Non – Salient
Construction
Salient Pole Rotor:

• Poles are projected outwards

• Have large diameters and short axial lengths
• Used for low and medium (120 – 500 rpm) speed synchronous
generators
example: Water turbines
• Require a large number of poles because of low speeds
• Simpler and cheaper to manufacture
Cylindrical Rotor:

• It consists of slots milled out along its outer surface for

housing field magnetizing field coils
• Two or four regions are left un-slotted for creating non-
projecting poles
• Small diameters and very long axial lengths
• Used in steam turbine driven alternators which run at very
high speeds (up to 3000 rpm)
Excitation Scheme:
• DC supply given to the field windings to produce rotor
magnetic field
• Three methods are used
➢ By means of Slip Rings and Brushes
➢ From a small DC shunt generator called an Exciter
➢ Brushless Excitation System