Internal Generated Voltage of Loaded Machines

The per-phase equivalent circuit of a synchronous generator consists of an internal generated

voltage in series with the synchronous impedance (or reactance only). KVL equations is
EA = V + jXSIA + RAIA or EA = V + jXSIA
A similar equation exists for the generator under subtransient and transient conditions
EA” = V + jX”IA and EA’ = V + jX’IA
The internal generated voltage under the two conditions can be calculated from a knowledge of
the load current IA and terminal voltage V. These are the voltages driving the subtransient and
transient fault current flow from the generator. They are called the voltage behind the
subtransient and transient reactances.

For a synchronous motor, we have the same equivalent circuit except that the current I A is
reversed. The equation for the internal generated voltages becomes
EA = V - jXSIA EA” = V - jX”IA and EA’ = V - jX’IA

Example 3: A 100 MVA, 13.8 kV, 0.9 pf lagging, Y-connected, 3-phase, 60 Hz synchronous
generator is operating at rated voltage when a symmetrical 3-phase fault occurs at its
terminals. The reactance’s in per unit to the machine’s own base are:
Xs = 1.00 X’ = 0.25 X” = 0.12
a. If the generator operated at full load when the fault develops, what is the subtransient
fault current produced by this generator?
b. If the generator operates at no load when the fault develops, what is the subtransient
fault current produced by this generator? (i.e., ignore the effects of pre-fault load)
c. How much difference does calculating the voltage behind the subtransient reactance ,ke
in the fault calculation?
Solution:
a. The base current is Ibase = 100 MVA / 3(13.8 kV) = 4184 A. Before the fault, the generator is
operating at rated condition, and the per unit current I A = 1.0-25.84 pu. The voltage behind
the subtransient reactance is
EA” = V + jX”IA = 10 + (j12)(1.0-25.84) = 1.0585.86
Therefore, the per unit current when the terminals are shorted is
If = 1.0585.86 / j0.12 = 8.815-84.1 = 36.880 A
b. Before the fault, the generator was assumed to be a no load, so 0.00. The voltage behind the
subtransient reactance is
EA” = V + jX”IA = 10 + (j12)(0.00) = 1.00
Therefore, the per unit current when the terminals are shorted is
If = 1.00 / j0.12 = 8.833-90 = 34,870 A
c. The difference in fault current calculations between the two cases is (36880-34870)/34870 =
5.76%