Synchronous Machines

Synchronous Machines
By
Dr. Krishna Roy
Assistant Professor
Electrical Engineering Department
NITR
Syllabus
Synchronous Machines:
Torque and power relations
V and O curves, hunting and surging, variable torque loading
The parallel operation
Synchronization
Active and reactive power sharing between alternators
Governor characteristics
Parallel operation of dissimilar generators
2
Syllabus
Synchronization
3
The parallel operation
4
Interconnected power network
All generators in a big power system network are interconnected with each other
So, in other words, all alternators are connected in parallel
5
Parallel operation of alternators
Alternators are connected to generating station bus
Generating station bus is connected to grid through transmission lines
Generator Vt
bus
f
Infinite bus
G2 (Grid)
G1
So, in other words, all alternators are connected in parallel
G1
G2
G3 Generator
bus
Plant1
Plant2 6
• In a power plant, a number of alternators are installed and
their output terminals are connected in parallel.
• This cluster of alternator units in different power stations

throughout the country are again connected in parallel
through transmission and distribution lines.
• Thus, all the synchronous machines in a country work in

parallel and they together form a very large equivalent AC
source.
• This total system of interconnected alternators spread

throughout a country is called infinite busbar.
7
• Similarly, different electrical loads on the consumer sides
are also not connected directly to a dedicated alternator.
• Rather, all electrical loads are also connected in parallel to

the infinite busbar.
• This infinite busbar is having the capability of keeping the

voltage and frequency more or less constant.
• Connection or disconnection of a small load or a source

(alternator) to the infinite busbar will not disturb the system
voltage and frequency.
8
Advantages of parallel operation of alternators
All commercial large alternators are thus connected in parallel:
Higher reliability
Easier maintenance of any alternator without disrupting load
 If cluster of smaller alternators are used, then they can be
added or put off according to load requirement and thus each
unit can be run at maximum efficiency
With increasing load demand, additional smaller alternator
units can be connected in parallel
9
Generator Vt
bus
f
Infinite bus
G2 (grid)
G1
G1
G2
G3 Generator
bus
Plant1
Plant2
10
• If any alternator requires maintenance or repairing, then it is
disconnected from busbar and its operation is stopped. But this
does not interrupt the supply in the load side as the load side gets
supply from infinite busbar rather than any dedicated alternator.
• In order to achieve maximum efficiency from an alternator, it

should be run near its full load capacity. Now, if a large alternator
is used instead of cluster of smaller alternator units, then under
low load conditions that large alternator will work at low
efficiency. If cluster of smaller alternators are used, then they can
be added or put off according to load requirement and thus each
unit can be run at maximum efficiency.
• Additional alternator units can be connected in parallel to the

infinite busbar, if there is increase in demand in the load side
with time. Therefore, initial capital cost of establishing a large
alternator by anticipating future load demands can be avoided. 11
Syllabus
Synchronization
12
Synchronization of alternators
The process of connecting an incoming alternator to an
infinite busbar or in parallel to another alternator is called
synchronization.
Conditions for parallel operation (or synchronization):
The generated voltage of the incoming alternator should

be equal to the infinite busbar (or another alternator)
voltage.
Frequency of the generated voltage of the incoming
alternator should be same as that of the frequency of the
busbar (or another alternator).
Phase sequence of the voltage of incoming alternator
should be same as that of phase sequence in the busbar (or
another alternator).
13
Conditions for synchronization - Terminal voltage
The generated voltage of the G1
incoming alternator should be 11kV
equal to the infinite busbar (or
another alternator) voltage.
Then both will supply current to
load Load
There will be no circulating
current between the alternators
11kV
G2
14
Conditions for synchronization - Terminal voltage
If the generated voltage of the G1
incoming alternator is different 10kV
from the infinite busbar (or
There will be circulating current
between the alternators Load
11kV
G2
15
Conditions for synchronization - Frequency
Frequency of the generated G1 11 kV
voltage of the incoming alternator 50Hz
should be same as that of the
frequency of the busbar (or
Then both will supply current to Load
load
current between the alternators 11kV
50Hz
G2
16
Conditions for synchronization - Frequency
If frequency of the generated G1 11kV
voltage of the incoming alternator 45Hz
is different from the frequency of
the busbar (or another alternator)
voltage.
There will be circulating current Load
between the alternators due to
difference in instantaneous
voltages 11 kV
50Hz
G2
17
Conditions for synchronization – Phase sequence
Phase sequence of the voltage of G1
incoming alternator should be
same as that of phase sequence in
the busbar (or another alternator).
Both will supply current to load Load
G2
18
Conditions for synchronization – Phase sequence
But if phase sequence of the G1 R-R
incoming alternator is different Y-B
from the phase sequence in the B-Y
busbar (or another alternator) R-Y-B
voltage. Load
There will be huge circulating
R-B-Y
G2
19
Methods of Synchronization
Three lamps method
Three dark lamps method
One dark two bright lamps method
Using synchroscope
20
Three lamps Method of Synchronization
Three dark lamps method:
Alternator is about to be
synchronized to the busbar (or a
second alternator).
A three-pole switch is used to
connect/disconnect (TPDT)
Initially the switch is kept open
21
Three incandescent lamps (bulbs)
are connected across the open
terminals of the three-pole switch
The bulbs will glow only when L1
there is a potential difference
between their two terminals
e.g. L1 will glow when A1 and A 2
are not at same potential
L2
L3 22
The incoming alternator is driven
at rated speed
Supplied with rated excitation in
rotor field L1
It starts to generate emf
L2
L3 23
The alternator speed and excitation are
controlled in such a way that:
Its voltage is close to bus voltage
Its frequency is close to bus frequency L1
We need to ensure 3 conditions before

closing the TPDT switch :
Voltage should be same
Frequency should be same
Phase sequence should be same
L2
We test one condition at a time
L3 24
Three dark lamps method: - Voltage test
Assume frequency same, phase sequence same
When alternator voltage is L1
different from bus voltage
All 3 bulbs will glow with equal
brightness
Now if the field supply is varied to
vary alternator voltage
Glow of the bulbs will slowly
reduce
When alternator and bus are at
same voltage, all 3 bulbs will stop
glowing
Put ON the TPDT switch L2
L3
25
Three dark lamps method: - Frequency test
Assume voltage same, phase sequence same
Suppose frequency of the L1
incoming alternator is little higher
than the busbar frequency
Three bulbs are connected across
the open terminals of the three-pole
switch
L2
L3
26
L1
A2 L1
A1
B1
L2
C2 B2
C1
L3
L2
L3
27
L1 If frequency of the incoming
alternator is little higher than the
A2 busbar frequency
A1
B1 Then busbar voltage phasor triad
L2 (A2-B2-C2) rotate at Ns
But alternator voltage phasor
triad (A1-B1-C1) rotate at higher
C2 B2 speed than Ns
C1
L3
28
L1 At every instant, glow of the
bulbs depend on the voltage
A2 across them
A1
B1 e.g. L1 glows due to the
L2 difference between voltages A1
and A2
C2 B2 Similarly L2 due B1 - B2
L3 due C1 - C2
L3 C1
29
Let us start with both triads
overlapping
A1 A2
So no voltage difference
So none of the bulbs glow
C2 B1
C1 B2
30
A1-B1-C1 rotates faster
(anticlockwise direction) than
A1 A2 A2-B2-C2
So phase difference between A1-

A2 increases
B1 So RED bulb glow increases

C2
C1 B2
Other two bulbs also glow
brighter simultaneously ( same
thing happens between B1-B2 and
C1-C2)
31
This process continues
32
B1
A1
C1
33
34
This is the maximum glow

position when the corresponding
C1
phasors are exactly opposite
A1
B1
35
Now the glow starts to reduce

again after reaching the
maximum
36
37
B1
A1
C1
38
A1 A2 So, glow of all the 3 bulbs are

identical
Brightness of all three bulbs rise
and fall simultaneously and
cyclically
B1 If the frequency difference is
C2
higher, then the rate of glow
C1 B2
change is faster
 If the frequency difference is
lower, then the rate of glow
change is slower
39
If the frequency difference is higher, then the rate of glow change is
faster
 If the frequency difference is lower, then the rate of glow change is
slower
So vary the alternator speed slowly so that the generated frequency is
changed
and hence the rate of glow change is slowed down
When the two frequencies are same, then the rate of change will
almost be zero, i.e., the glow will not change at all
Then adjust the speed very slightly and turn ON the synchronizing
switch when all the three bulbs go off indicating perfect
synchronization
40
Three dark lamps method: - Phase sequence test
Assume voltage same, frequency same
Three dark lamp method can also L1
be used to check for correct phase
sequence between alternator and
busbar
Incorrect phase sequence

A1 - A2
B1 - C2
C1 - B2
L2
L3
41
L1
A1 - A2
B1 - C2
A2 C1 - B2 L1
C2 B2
L2
L2
L3
L3
42
L1
Thus, glow of the three bulbs
will not be identical
A2 e.g., in this case
(L1<L3<L2)
This will indicate a wrong

phase sequence
C2 B2 Then interchange any two
connections keeping the third
connection same
L2
This will correct the phase
sequence and the glow of all 3
bulbs will be identical
L3 Now follow the same procedure
43
Three dark lamps method: - Drawbacks
A lamp becomes dark at nearly one-third of its rated voltage
So even if the alternator and busbar voltages do not match perfectly
but the differences (A1-A2, B1-B2 and C1-C2) at any moment is such
that it is within one-third of the rated voltage of the bulb, then all the
three bulbs will go dark
L1
A1 A2
L2
L3
B1 C2
C1
B2 44
So even if the alternator and busbar frequencies do not match

perfectly but the differences (A1-A2, B1-B2 and C1-C2) at any moment
is such that it is within one-third of the rated voltage of the bulb, then
all the three bulbs will go dark
L1
A2
L2
C2
L3 B2 45
So even if the alternator and busbar voltage and frequency do not
match perfectly but the differences (A1-A2, B1-B2 and C1-C2) at any
moment is such that it is within one-third of the rated voltage of the
bulb, then all the three bulbs will go dark
In that case, the operator may think that the alternator and busbar had
satisfied the conditions of synchronization may close the TPDT switch
This is obviously improper synchronization and the alternator may get

damaged.
46
In addition, since each of the lamps is connected across terminals,
they are subjected to double the phase voltage periodically if the
frequencies are different
L1
C1
A1
L2
B1
L3
This may cause any of the bulbs to get burnt out, misleading the
operator to faulty synchronization.
47
It is not possible to tell whether the alternator frequency is higher or
lower than the busbar frequency
Bulb glow will cyclically increase and reduce irrespective of
whichever phasor rotates faster than the other
A2 A2
C2
B2 C2 B2
48
It is not possible to tell whether the alternator frequency is higher or
lower than the busbar frequency
Bulb glow will cyclically increase and reduce irrespective of
whichever phasor rotates faster than the other
The only way to ascertain this is by trial an error
If by increasing the alternator speed, the rate at which brightening-

darkening cycle varies is found to reduce, then it indicates that the
speed change is being done in proper direction; otherwise the speed
need to be reduced.
49
One dark two bright lamps method:
In this method two of the three
lamps L2 and L3 are cross
connected while the lamp L1 is
connected as before. L1
L1: A1 - A2
L2: B1 - C2
L3: C1 - B2
But phase sequence of alternator

and bus bar is same
S1: A1 - A2
S2: B1 - B2
S3: C1 - C2
L2
L3 50
L1 L1: A1 - A2
L2: B1 - C2
L3: C1 - B2
L1
A2
C2
B2
L2
L2
L3
L3 51
L1 L1: A1 - A2 Glow of the three bulbs are not

L2: B1 - C2 identical
L3: C1 - B2 Even when everything is OK
Voltage same
A1 A22
Frequency same
Phase sequence same
The two phasor triads will

C22 B1 perfectly overlap each other
C1 B22 L1: OFF
L2 = L3 = Glow
Thus, when everything is OK,
L2
one bulb will be OFF and the
other two glow with equal
L3 brightness
Put ON the TPDT switch 52
One dark two bright lamps method: Opposite phase sequence
L1 L1: A1 - A2 When phase sequence is opposite

L2: B1 - C2 Alternator A1-B1-C1
L3: C1 - B2 Bus-bar A2-C2-B2
A2
L1
B2 L2
C2
L3
L2
L3 53
One dark two bright lamps method: Opposite phase sequence
L1 L1: A1 - A2 When phase sequence is opposite

L2: B1 - C2 Alternator A1-B1-C1
L3: C1 - B2 Bus-bar A2-C2-B2
A2
Glow of the three bulbs are
identical
Thus, this method can be used to

B2 L2 check if the phase sequence is
C2 correct or not
Equal brightness – wrong
phase sequence
L3 Unequal brightness – correct
phase sequence
54
One dark two bright lamps method: Different frequency
L1 L1: A1 - A2 Voltage same, phase sequence
L2: B1 - C2 but frequency is different
L3: C1 - B2 Alternator freq.>bus freq.
A1 A2
A1-B1-C1 rotate faster
A2-B2-C2 rotate slower
C2 B1
C1 B2
L2
L3
55
L1
L1: A1 - A2 Voltage same, phase sequence
A2 L3: C1 - B2 Alternator freq.>bus freq.

L2>L3>L1
C2 B2
L3 L2
56
L1

L2>L3>L1
C2 B2
L3 L2
57
L1

L2>L1=L3
C2
B2 L2↑ Thus, L2 will reach peak
L3↓
glow first followed by L1
L1↑
and then L3
L3 L2
58
L1

L2>L1=L3
C2
B2 L2↑ Thus, L2 will reach peak
L3↓
L1↑
and then L3
L3 L2
59
L1 L1: A1 - A2 Voltage same, phase sequence
L3: C1 - B2 Alternator freq.<bus freq.
A1 A2
C2 B1
C1 B2
L2
L3
60
L1
A1 L3: C1 - B2 Alternator freq.<bus freq.

L3>L2>L1
C1 B1
L3 L2
61
L1

L3>L2>L1
C1 B1
L3↑
L2↓
L1↑
L3 L2
62
L1

L3>L1=L2
C1 B1
L3↑ Thus, L3 will reach peak
L2↓
L1↑
and then L2
L3 L2
63
Voltage same, phase sequence Voltage same, phase sequence
but frequency is different but frequency is different
Alternator freq.>bus freq. Alternator freq.<bus freq.
A1-B1-C1 rotate faster A1-B1-C1 rotate slower

A2-B2-C2 rotate slower A2-B2-C2 rotate faster
L2↑ L3↑
L3↓ L2↓
L1↑ L1↑
L2 will reach peak glow first L3 will reach peak glow first
followed by L1 and then L3 followed by L1 and then L2
Thus, sequence of glowing of the bulbs gives an indication of which

one has higher frequency, incoming alternator or the bus
64
Thus, it can be identified which direction the frequency (speed) of
alternator needs to be varied
Frequency matching is then one by varying the speed of the alternator
If the frequency of alternator and the bus-bar is
L1 same, then
A1 coincides A2
B1 coincides B2
A1 A2
C1 coincides C2
Hence, L1 = OFF
L2 = L3 = Equal glow
C2 B1
C1 B2
Switch ON the synchronizing switch
L3
L2 65
In this method all the three lamps o not become dark at the same time
during synchronization
Therefore, chances of false synchronization

which may take place in three dark lamps method
L1 can be avoided
A1 A2
C2 B1
C1 B2
L3
L2 66
Synchronization using synchroscope
Connected across any two phases
The pointer indicates phase
difference between the voltages
of incoming alternator and the
busbar
Direction of movement of the

pointer with respect to the
reference axis on its scale
indicates whether the alternator is
running too fast or too slow
Speed of rotation of the pointer is

proportional to the difference in
frequencies of the alternator and
the busbar
67
68
When the frequency of the
alternator is higher than the
busbar; then the pointer moves in
clockwise direction
When the frequency of the

alternator is lower than the busbar;
then the pointer moves in
anticlockwise direction
The speed of the alternator is

accordingly adjusted so that the
pointer remains stationary
69
When alternator and busbar
voltages are coincident both in
phase an frequency, the pointer
stands on the reference line on the
dial
This indicates the instant of

correct synchronization
At that time the TPDT switch is

closed.
But synchroscope does not
indicate phase sequence
For that a separate phase sequence
meter is required
70

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So, in other words, all alternators are connected in parallel

• This cluster of alternator units in different power stations

• Thus, all the synchronous machines in a country work in

• This total system of interconnected alternators spread

• Rather, all electrical loads are also connected in parallel to

• This infinite busbar is having the capability of keeping the

• Connection or disconnection of a small load or a source

• In order to achieve maximum efficiency from an alternator, it

• Additional alternator units can be connected in parallel to the

Conditions for parallel operation (or synchronization):

The generated voltage of the incoming alternator should

We need to ensure 3 conditions before

So none of the bulbs glow

So phase difference between A1-

B1 So RED bulb glow increases

This is the maximum glow

phasors are exactly opposite

Now the glow starts to reduce

A1 A2 So, glow of all the 3 bulbs are

Incorrect phase sequence

This will indicate a wrong

So even if the alternator and busbar frequencies do not match

This is obviously improper synchronization and the alternator may get

The only way to ascertain this is by trial an error

If by increasing the alternator speed, the rate at which brightening-

But phase sequence of alternator

L1 L1: A1 - A2 Glow of the three bulbs are not

The two phasor triads will

L1 L1: A1 - A2 When phase sequence is opposite

L1 L1: A1 - A2 When phase sequence is opposite

Thus, this method can be used to

A1-B1-C1 rotate faster

A1-B1-C1 rotate faster

A1-B1-C1 rotate faster

A1-B1-C1 rotate faster

A1-B1-C1 rotate slower

A1-B1-C1 rotate slower

A1-B1-C1 rotate slower

A1-B1-C1 rotate faster A1-B1-C1 rotate slower

Thus, sequence of glowing of the bulbs gives an indication of which

Therefore, chances of false synchronization

Direction of movement of the

Speed of rotation of the pointer is

When the frequency of the

The speed of the alternator is

This indicates the instant of

At that time the TPDT switch is

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