Stamford Alternator

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Methods

• Electricity can be produced by a variety of methods.

– A common method of producing electricity is through a

chemical reaction. A device that produces electricity through
a chemical reaction is call a Battery. A Battery has a major
disadvantage is that only a small amount of electricity can be
produced.
– Most industries require large amount of electricity. To provide
the electricity needed for industries, an electromagnetic
generator is used.

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Basic Design Theory

• All AC Generator must have the following:-

– A magnet – to produce the magnetic field excitation.
– A piece of wire – usually coils of copper wire.
– Relative movement between these tow at a constant
rotational speed.

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Basic Design Theory

• Curve (1) machine characteristic with minimum fixed field to

sustain no load voltage ‘V’.
• Curve (2) machine characteristic with maximum available fixed
field form variable d.c. supply
• Curve (3) typical desired machine characteristic using variable
d.c. supply to provide variable field
• The external variable d.c. supply to the rotating coil through the
sliprings and the static supply connected to the brushgear.

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Basic Design Theory

• A major problem associated with the generators that used

sliprings and brushgear is that the brushes will wear out.
• The design is further improved using a second a.c. generator (an
exciter) to make the basic brushless machine to overcomes this
problem.
• Instead of having manual control over the variable d.s. supply to
the field coil, an automatic control system is developed.

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Basic Design Theory

• Factor governing the rotational speed and the output voltage.

– Speed
Output frequency (Hz) = Driven Speed (rev/min) x No. of magnetic poles
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– Voltage
Output voltage (V) depend on 1) Driven Speed (rev/min)
2) No. of turns or copper wire in output
windings
3) Strength of magnetic field produced
by the main field excitation magnetic
poles

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Basic Design Theory

• 2 popular methods of voltage control system for a.c. generators

are
– Closed loop electronic system.
– Open loop transformer system.

• Mainly we are using the electronic control system which we

known as the automatic voltage regulator (AVR)

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Operating Principle

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Operating Principle

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Temperature Performance Of Alternator

• Losses in the copper windings in the form of heat.

• This heat generated caused the winding and insulation
temperature to increase, which in turn means that the winding
resistance will also increase.
• If excessive loads are applied, the insulation temperature may
increase beyond the temperature class normally specified and
lead to a winding burn out.
• A.C. generators are designed and insulated to operate on full
load within permitted temperature
• The insulation system must be retain its properties over this
operating temperature range for the lifetime of the machine.

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Temperature Performance Of Alternator

• Insulation materials are assessed on their ability to retain their

insulation properties up to a maximum specified temperature for
a specified lifetime.
• A usually accepted insulation lifetime is 100,000 hours of
continuous operation at the maximum permitted temperature
specified.

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Ambient Temperature

• Ambient temperature can be defined as the temperature of the

surrounding air at a particular location.
• The output must be multiplied by the following factors for higher
ambient temperatures.

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Altitude

• Up to 1000 m (3300 ft) above the sea level, the change in air
density is insufficient to radically alter the thermal transfer
properties of the air.
• Above 1000 m the effectiveness of the air is reduced sufficiently
to make de-rating necessary.
• Standard are agreed that to avoid overheating due to this
reduction in coolant effectiveness, machines operating at high
altitudes must be de-rated.

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Altitude

• No greater output is allowed from a machine operating at sea

level to one operating at 1000 m above sea level.

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Humidity

• Humidity is a measure of the moisture content of the air in which

a machine is situated.
• It is normally measured as “relative humidity” (rh) where 100% rh
is air fully moisture saturated. (I.e. the point at which
condensation occurs) and 0% rh is air absolutely dry.
• For successful operation in the high humidity levels found in
tropical regions, machines are said to be “tropicalised”. This
involves correct choice of insulation materials and care
assessment of the impregnation varnish system and methods
(Anti-condensation heaters can be used)

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Starting And Stopping Operations

• IMPORTANT:
– When the system is set to work for the first time, which has to
be done at a reduced speed, the operator shall check that no
anomalous noises can be detected. If an anomalous noise is
detected, stop the system immediately and improve the
mechanical coupling.

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Starting Up – Electrical Checks

• Inspect also
– That the machine to power supply interconnection is made according to
the drawing.Make sure before start that the terminal nuts are properly
tightened
– That the terminal links correspond to diagram
– That the control panel protection equipment is correctly set
– For separately fitted regulator, that the connections between alternator
and panel correspond to wiring diagram
– That there is no short-circuit due to faulty connections either L-L or L-N
between the terminals of the alternator and the power switch or breaker
(this part of the circuit is not protected-by the breaker)

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Starting Up – Mechanical Checks

• Before starting up
– Check that all foot and flange bolts are tightened
– Make sure that the cooling air circulates freely around and
through the machine
– Check that all louvres, guards, etc…. Are correctly fitted
– For single bearing alternators the discs are fastened to the
coupling hub with bolts
– For two bearing alternators that coupling is correct

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Windings Connection

• To reconnect from a star to delta

connection, modify the linking
arrangements on the output terminal
board.
• The alternator must always be earthed
by sufficiently rated cables, using one
of the inside or outside terminals.
• After completing output connections
ensure that the terminal box cover is
securely in place.

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Before The Maintenance

• Before any cleaning, lubrication or maintenance operation,

ensure that the generator is stationary and disconnected from the
power supply
• The people in chare of the handling must always wear work
gloves and safety shoes
• Do not operate the generator with protective covers, access
covers or terminal box covers removed
• Disable engine starting circuits before carrying out maintenance

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Maintenance

• Cooling circuit
It is recommended to check that the cooling air circulation is not restricted.

• Bearings
The bearings are sealed for life
Maximum grease life : 20,000 hours (Apx. 40,000 hours) or 3 years

• Temperature rise of ball bearings:

Periodically check that the temperature of the bearings does not exceed 50°C
above ambient temperature. If higher, it is necessary to stop the machine to
proceed for a general inspection.

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Long Downtime

• In order to avoid such troubles, it is recommended to fit anti

condensation heaters and to run the machine periodically.
• During the long downtime, the anti condensation heaters must
operate full time.
• If the area is affected by vibration, try to reduce the effect of
these vibrations by placing the generator on a damper support
(rubber disc or similar) and turn the rotor a fraction of a turn once
a fortnight to avoid marking the bearing rings.

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Cleaning And Lubrication

• NEVER USE LIQUIDS OR WATER.

• DO NOT CLEAN THE INSIDE ELECTRIC COMPONENTS WITH

COMPRESSED AIR, BECAUSE THIS MAY CAUSE SHORT
CIRCUITS OR OTHER ANOMALIES.

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Troubleshooting

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Troubleshooting

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