ALTERNATORS

SYNCHRONISING & LOAD SHARING

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 Paralleling of Alternators
• Alternators have to be run in parallel continuously when a single generator cannot feed the
entire load.

• Alternators have to be run for a short time in parallel to change over load from one to another

• Parallel running involves Synchronising and Load sharing/transfer.

• For synchronising, Voltage, Frequency and Phase sequence of the incoming generator has to
be same as that of the generator already connected to the busbars.

• Fine tuning of synchronising can be done with the help of Synchroscope and or Synchronising
Lamps.

• The breaker of the incoming generator is to be closed after synchronisation is achieved,

• The total load on the busbars (KW and KVAR) is to be shared by the generators after
synchronising.

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 Sequence of Synchronising
• Voltage and frequency of the incoming
alternator to be brought equal to that of
busbar voltage and frequency.
• Mode of Synchronising (Manual/Semi
automatic/Automatic) to be selected.
• Closing of the breaker of the incoming
alternator as per the mode of synchronising
selected.

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 Synchroscope

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 Synchronising with lamps

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 Synchronising mode - 1
• Manual
• Voltage , Frequency and Phase angle of the
incoming generator are brought very nearly
close to that of busbar.
• The breaker of the incoming generator is then
manually closed by watching the position of
the synchroscope and/or the synchronising
lamps

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 Synchronising mode - 2
• Check Synchonising (Semi-Automatic)
• A Check-synch. unit electronically monitors voltage,
frequency and phase angle of the incoming
generator w.r.t the busbars and energises a check-
synch. relay at synchronism.
• The closing of the incoming generator is mechanically
initiated but the breaker will be closed only when the
check-synch relay contact is made.
• This method provides an useful safeguard against
operator error but retains overall watch keeper
control for adjusting voltage and frequency.

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 Synchronising mode - 3
• Auto Synchronising
• The auto-synchronising electronic equipment
does everything an operator would do –
senses and controls the voltage and frequency
then initiates a circuit-breaker close signal at
the correct instant.

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 A typical MSB layout

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 Typical metering/switching
for synchronising
• Double Voltmeter
• Double Frequency meter
• Synchroscope
• Generator selector switch
• Synchronising mode selector switch
• Auto Synchronising Relay
• Check Synchronising Relay
• Synchronising Lamps
• Synchronising lamp switch

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 Synchronising circuit &
Synchronising Panel

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 Synchronising Power

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 Synchronising Torque
Two alternators in parallel& on “no load”

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 Synchronising Power/Torque
Two alternators in parallel & “on
load”

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 Load Sharing of Alternators

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 Load Sharing
• Power sharing(KW) is directly controlled by
the governor. Raise the governor setting of the
incoming machine and lower the setting on
the running machine.
• Current sharing (KVAr) is controlled by
(a) Manual Voltage Regulator or
(b) Trimmer of the Auto Voltage Regulator
by observing the KVAr or the Power Factor
meters

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 Alternators in parallel
Effect of change in excitation

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 Alternators in parallel
Effect of change in Governor setting

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