ADDIS ABABA SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY UNIVERSITY

COLLAGE OF ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL ENGINEERING

DEPARTMENT OF ELECTROMECHANICAL ENGINEERING

Course Title:- Introduction to Electrical Machine

Course Number:- EMEg2261

Contact Hours (Per Week): 3

Laboratory Title: - Magnetic characteristics of Synchronous generator

Laboratory Number- VIII

Materials Required for the Lab

➢ Variable AC source
➢ Variable DC source
➢ Connectors
➢ Variable Resistance
➢ Digital Multi meters
➢ Synchronous machine

Objectives

➢ To understand how A C machine operates

➢ To show magnetic or Open characteristics curve of AC generator

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Pre-laboratory preparation
➢ Read the information section of the lab manual and lab instruments description. Be ready
to answer questions related to AC machine theory and practical measurements.
➢ All measurement should be done by selecting your digital Multi meter to AC or DC
voltage and current with maximum range when you measure voltage and current
respectively.
➢ Don’t turn the power on before your circuit has been checked by your instructor, when
the layout has been completed, have your instructor to check you circuit connections get
his/her permission

Theory
A synchronous machine rotates at a constant speed in the steady state. Unlike induction
machines, the rotating air gap field and the rotor in the synchronous machine rotate at the same
speed, called the synchronous speed. Synchronous machines are used primarily as generators of
electrical power. In this case they are called synchronous generators or alternators. They are
usually large machines generating electrical power at hydro, nuclear, or, thermal power stations.
Synchronous generators with power ratings of several hundred MVA (mega-volt-amperes) are
quite common in stations. Synchronous generators are the primary energy conversion devices of
the world's electrical power systems today. In spite of continuing research for more direct energy
conversion techniques, it is conceded that synchronous generators will continue to be used well
into the next century.

The excitation voltage is proportional to the machine speed and excitation flux, and the
latter in turn depends on the excitation current If. The variation of the excitation voltage
with the field current is shown in Figure 1. The induced voltage at If = 0 is due to the
residual magnetism. Initially the voltage rises linearly with the field current, but as the
field current is further increased, the flux φf does not increase linearly with If because of
saturation of the magnetic circuit, and therefore Ef levels off. If the machine terminals
are kept open, the excitation voltage is the same as the terminal voltage and can be

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measured using a voltmeter. The curve shown in Figure 1 is known as the open-circuit
characteristic (OCC) or- magnetization characteristic of the synchronous machine

Ef=k*Ф*W

➢ There are basically two tests of synchronous generator parameters

- Open circuit test

- Short circuit test

Open circuit test

Procedure
1. Rated Quantities

From the Synchronous generator nameplate, note the rated values of apparent power (S1), and
voltage (V).Calculate the rated maximum currents delivered by generator so that do not exceed
these values.

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2. Purpose of the test

The purpose of this test is to show the open-circuit characteristic (OCC) or- magnetization
characteristic of the synchronous machine

3. Electric diagram of open circuit tests

Figure 2

4. Steps for Open circuit test

a) To obtain the open circuit characteristics the machine (Generator) is driven at rated speed

b) No load is connected at the terminals.

c) Field current is increased from 0 to maximum.

d) Record values of the terminal voltage and field current value.

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5. Measurement table

Readings of the line-to-line voltage are taken for various values of field current

No Excitation current(A) Output Voltage(V)

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6. Draw a graph of output voltage versus field current.

7. What do you understand from open circuit testing of generator?

8. CONCLUSIONS:
By observing graphs understood that….