AC MACHINES

ALTERNATOR

DR. ROGELIO B. ANIEZ, JR. ,PEE

Professor
ALTERNATING CURRENT GENERATOR
-is a rotating machine used to convert
mechanical energy into an alternating-current
electrical power.
AC GENERATOR IS USUALLY CALLED
- alternator
- synchronous generator
ALTERNATOR PRIME MOVER
1. Direct -connected Engine-driven AC
Generator
2. Water-wheel AC Generator

1. Turbine-driven AC Generator
1. Direct –connected engine-driven
ALTERNATOR PRIME MOVER
- gasoline or diesel
- operate at very low speeds
25KW : 257 rpm to 450 rpm
500 KW: 109 rpm to 200 rpm
Full load Efficiency: 85 to 96%
2. Water-wheel AC Generator
Vary the speed in a wide range
Small sizes: 100 to 900 rpm
Intermediate ratings: 72 to 574 rpm
Largest ratings: 72 to 180 rpm
3. Turbine-driven AC Generator
- run at high speed
varies: from 750 rpm to 3,600 rpm
- Horizontal Construction
- Efficiencies: from 97% to 98.5% fro
hydrogen-cooled generator
FREQUENCY
The commercial power frequency commonly
used throughout the Philippines = 60 HZ
US : 60 and 25 Hz
Europe: 50 and 45 Hz
The frequency of an alternator depends upon its
speed and number of poles.

PN
f = ---------
120
CONSTRUCTION
1. Revolving Field Type
2. Revolving Armature Type
3. Inductor-type Generator
Revolving - Field Type
2. Revolving Armature Type
STATOR
ROTOR
1. Salient pole or Projecting poles
- slow speed

2. Non- salient pole

- high speed
Salient pole
NON-SALIENT POLE
COOLING
Slow-speed :
-- air-cooled by natural or forced ventilation

High-speed:
-- hydrogen cooling
Example
The Binga Hydroelectric Plant has a synchronous
generator whose rating is : 3 phase ; 27,800
kVA; 0.9 pf ; 60 Hz ; 13,800 volts; 327.3 RPM;
a). How many poles are there in the alternator?
b). What is the rated current?
c). Assuming that the generator efficiency is
83.33%, what must be the horsepower rating
of the hydraulic turbine driving the generator?
Answer: 22 , 1,163 amp , 40,000 HP
Example:
A steam turbine generator is rated at 50,000 kW ,
0.8 pf , 3 phase , 60 Hz , and there are two
poles
a). What must be the rated RPM of the machine?
b). What is the rated current?
c). If the generator efficiency is 90%, compute for
the torque in pound-feet applied to the shaft of
the generator at rated speed?
ANSWER: 3,600 RPM , 2,615 amp , 108,647 lb-ft