Based on the video of parallel operation of Alternators.

Synchronizing AC generators – Part I (Introduction and Sync Lamps)

Two generators, motor or speed control, variable frequency device, step-up

transformers current transformer, two circuit breakers, and three neon light bulbs
were used to introduce how synchronization works. In order to connect both
generators, one of the two circuit breakers must be closed which its output will powers
the three wires that is connected to three neon light bulbs. As the generator spin, the
motor’s speed can be controlled to a rapid or slow circulation. While managing the
speed control, the three light neon light bulbs will indicate how much is the phase
difference between the two generators. If it blinks rapidly, this means that they are
continuously running out of sync with each other. If it blinks slowly, then both of the
generator’s voltage, frequency, phase angle, phase sequence, and the source of the
power were mostly in sync which were needed for its parallel connection. To be able
to synchronize both generators, the remaining open circuit breaker should be closed
while the neon light bulbs turned completely dark. After all the breaker turned off,
the generator is now at its synchronized rotation. Synchronizing AC generators are
important since two generators can only deliver a reliable electrical power both of its
parameters were match closely to each other. This can also offer the generator’s
highest efficiency, can adopt in increased capacity, can continue to operate even if its
in under maintenance, and the system can be adjusted depends on the load needed.

Synchronizing AC generators – Part II (Strobe Light View)

In order to physically see the synchronization of two generators, a strobe light

and a tape is used. With the same connection, materials, and procedure done based
on the part I were synchronization of two generators were attained. The tape was
attached to the rotating part of both generators and the strobe lights were pointed at
the tape in order to see its speed of rotation. When all the circuit breakers are turned
off, both tapes were mostly aligned to each other which illustrates the characteristics
of a synchronized generators and a parallel connection wherein having the same
voltage, frequency, phase angle, phase sequence, and equal power source. The
comparison of alignment of the tapes will show the physical illustration of
synchronized two generators. Whenever there is a slight change on its frequency,
slight phase changing will also occur but both generators will still be in sync with
each other. These two generators can also fall out of sync if it is slowed to far and can
cause to an incident of pole slipping.
 Synchronizing AC generators – Part III (Sync and Unsync)

With the same materials used, two three-phase generation, AC motors, speed
control, strobe light, tape, variable frequency device, step-up transformers current
transformer, bank lights and circuit breakers. At the beginning of the process, while
the two generators were rotating at different speed, it markedly illustrates their un-
synchronization by the use of tape at the rotating shaft and strobe light pointed at it.
As it continues to circulate at its un-synchronize manner, the bank of lights will
visualize if both of the three-phase generator are in-phase and out-of-phase. When its
lights are up means they were 180 degrees out-of-phase and if the lights are off
therefore, they were in-phase with each other. In order to lock in sync both
generators, the circuit breaker must be turned off when both of the tape at rotating
shaft are near to each other and the bank of light is off. In that condition both of the
generators have the same value of voltage, frequency, phase angle and sequence, and
waveform of generator. There are many other positions where it is possible to lock
the generators while the bank of lights was off. It illustrates the multiple poles of the
generators but there is only one place were both generators are in sync with each
other. After switching on the circuit breaker, the generators will drift away to each
other continuing the reverse rotation of one of the generators and the other one will
stay in its position and it is called un-synchronized generators.

Synchronizing AC generators – Part IV (Phase Deviation)

Starting with both generators in sync visible from the tape at the rotating shaft
of generator and the strobe light pointing at it. Since the generators were electrically
coupled to each other, even they were rotating at different speed or frequency both of
them will stay in sync and only there will be a slight splaying of their angles. Moving
the speed or frequency slowly of the prime mover and therefore will act as a motor
and receives power from the background generator which act as a true generator
since it won’t be spinning hard and tries to reduce its speed of rotation. By this
situation, as written before, there will be a slight splaying happening and the prime
mover who acts as a motor will be at behind rotation of the background generator.
And by moving the speed up of the prime mover, it will act as the true generator and
the background generator will act as a motor. The true generator will be the one
which needed to spin hard as it tries to catch up with the speed of the motor and will
follow the direction of the torque in order to stay in sync. In this situation, the
background generator will be the one which is at behind rotation of the foreground
generator. By bringing back the frequency to its original speed will make both of the
generators be equal to each other without labouring to each other.