1

Three-Phase Synchronous Generator

Lecture By:
Dr. Walid A. M. Ghoneim,
Associate Professor in Electrical Engineering
Electrical Engineering and Control Department
College of Engineering and Technology
Arab Academy for Science, Technology and Maritime Transport

Dr. Walid Ghoneim

Dr. Walid Ghoneim

Dr. Walid Ghoneim

Basics of Electrical Energy Generation

Induced Voltage

Static
Transformer
E = N . d/dt

Moving conductors
and moving field
Induction Machines

Dynamic
Moving Machines
E = B. L . V
E: Generated EMF
B: Flux Density
L: Conductor length
V: RELATIVE SPEED between
conductor and magnetic field

Stationary conductors
and moving field
Synchronous
machines

Stationary field
and moving
conductors
D.C. Machines

Dr. Walid Ghoneim

1 Introduction:
Alternating-current (ac) generators are commonly referred to as
synchronous generators or alternators.
A synchronous machine (Generator or Motor) operates at
synchronous speed, that is, at the speed at which the
magnetic field created by the field coils rotates.
The synchronous speed Ns, in revolutions per minute (rpm) as:

Ns = 120 * f / P
Where f is the frequency in hertz (Hz) and P is the number of poles in
the machine.

Thus, for a 4-pole synchronous generator to generate power at 50 Hz,

its speed of rotation must be 1500 rpm.
Generally,
f = P.Ns / 120

Dr. Walid Ghoneim

1 Introduction:
The relative speed of a conductor with respect to the
magnetic flux in a machine is responsible for the induced emf in
that conductor.
From the induced emf point of view it really does not
matter whether the conductors (coils) rotate in a
stationary magnetic field or a rotating magnetic field
links a stationary conductor (coil).
The latter is more suitable for synchronous generators.
Thus, the stationary member (stator) of a synchronous
generator is commissioned as an armature, and the rotating
member (rotor) carries the field winding to provide the
required flux.

Dr. Walid Ghoneim

1 Introduction:
There are numerous reasons for such construction of a synchronous
generator, some of which are listed below:
1. Most synchronous generators are built in much larger sizes than their
dc counterparts.
This increase in power requires thicker conductors in its
armature winding to carry high currents and to minimize
copper losses.
Deeper slots are therefore needed to house thicker conductors.
Because the stator can be made large enough with fewer
limitations, it inadvertently becomes the preferred member
to house the armature conductors.

Dr. Walid Ghoneim

1 Introduction:
2. Since the output of a synchronous generator is of the alternating
type, the armature conductors in the stator can be directly connected
to the transmission line.
This eliminates the need for slip rings for ac power output.
3. Since most of the heat is produced by the armature winding, an
outer stationary member can be cooled more efficiently
than an inner rotating member.
4. Since the armature winding of a synchronous machine is more
involved than the field winding, it is easier to construct it on the
stationary member.

Dr. Walid Ghoneim

1 Introduction:
5. Since the induced emf in the armature winding is quite high, it is
easier to insulate it when it is wound inside the stator
rather than the rotor. A rigid frame also enables us to brace the
armature winding more securely.
6. The placement of a low-power field winding on the rotor is easy.
The power to the field winding can be supplied via slip
rings and brushes.
If the field is supplied by permanent magnets, the slip rings can
also be dispensed with.

Dr. Walid Ghoneim

10

2 Construction - The Stator:

Also known as the armature, is made of thin laminations of highly
permeable steel in order to reduce the core losses.
The stator laminations are held together by a stator frame.
The frame may be of cast iron or fabricated from mild steel plates.
The frame is designed not to carry the flux but to provide mechanical
support to the synchronous generator.
The inside of the stator has a many slots that are intended to carry the
thick armature conductors (coils or windings).
The armature conductors are symmetrically arranged to form a
balanced polyphase winding.
To this end, the number of slots per pole per phase must be an integer.
The induced emf per phase in large synchronous generators
is in kilovolts (kV) with a power handling capacity in megavolt-amperes (MVA).

Dr. Walid Ghoneim

2 Construction - The Stator:

11

The axial length of the stator core is comparatively short for

slow-speed, large diameter generators.
These generators have many poles and are left open on both ends for
self-cooling.
They are installed at locations where hydroelectric power
generation is possible.

Dr. Walid Ghoneim

2 Construction - The Stator:

The axial length of high-speed generators having 2 or 4
poles can be many times its diameter.
These generators require forced air circulation for cooling and are
totally enclosed.
They are used when the rotors are driven by gas or steam
turbines.

12

Dr. Walid Ghoneim

13

2 Construction - The Rotor:

Two types of rotors are used in the design of synchronous generators,
the cylindrical rotor and a salient-pole rotor.
The rotor is rotated at the synchronous speed by a prime
mover such as a steam turbine.
The rotor has as many poles as the stator, and the rotor winding
carries dc current so as to produce constant flux per pole.
The field winding usually receives its power from a 115- or 230-V dc
generator.
The dc generator may be driven either by the same prime mover
driving the synchronous generator or by a separate electric motor.

Dr. Walid Ghoneim

14

2 Construction - The Rotor:

The salient-pole rotor is used in low- and medium-speed
generators because the windage loss is small at these speeds.
It consists of an even set of outward projecting laminated poles. Each
pole is dovetailed so that it fits into a wedgeshaped recess or is bolted
onto a magnetic wheel called the spider.
The field winding is placed around each pole, as indicated in Figure.
The poles must alternate in polarity.

Dr. Walid Ghoneim

2 Construction - The Rotor:

15

Dr. Walid Ghoneim

2 Construction - The Rotor:

16

Dr. Walid Ghoneim

17

2 Construction - The Rotor:

The cylindrical rotor is employed in high-speed turbo-generator.
It is made of a smooth solid forged steel cylinder with a number of
slots on its outer periphery.
These slots are designed to accommodate the field coils, as shown.
The cylindrical construction offers the following benefits:
It results in a quiet operation at high speed.
It provides better balance than the salient-pole rotor.
It reduces the windage loss.

Dr. Walid Ghoneim

2 Construction - The Rotor:

18

Dr. Walid Ghoneim

19

3 Armature Windings:
The stators (armatures) of most synchronous generators are wound
with three distinct and independent windings to generate
three-phase power.
Each winding is said to represent one phase of a three-phase
generator.
The three windings are exactly alike in shape and form but are
displaced from each other by exactly 120 electrical in order
to ensure that the induced emfs in these windings are
exactly 120 in time phase.
The three-phase windings may be connected to form either a star (Y)
or a delta () connection.
If the windings are internally connected to form a Y connection, the
neutral point is also brought out so that it can be properly grounded
for safe operation.

Dr. Walid Ghoneim

3 Armature Windings:

20

Dr. Walid Ghoneim

3 Armature Windings:

21

Dr. Walid Ghoneim

22

4 Distribution Factor:
In order to make the induced emf approach a sinusoidal
function, there are always more than one coil in a phase
group.
These coils in a phase group are connected in series as
depicted by the winding diagrams.
Since the coils are displaced spatially from each other, the induced
emfs in these coils are not in phase.
If Ec is the induced emf in one coil and n is the number of coils in a
phase group, the induced emf in the phase group Epg is:
Epg = k . N . Ec

Dr. Walid Ghoneim

5 Winding Connections:
In order to explain the winding
connections, let us consider the
phase windings of a 6-pole, threephase stator (armature) of a
synchronous generator with a
salient-pole rotor, as in Figure.
Each phase group is indicated by a
single coil.
For a clockwise rotation and the
positive phase sequence, phases B
and C are displaced by 120 and 240
electrical with respect to phase A for
each of the 6 poles.
The polarity of the induced emf in
each phase group at one instant of
time is marked by a dot (a).

23

Dr. Walid Ghoneim

24

5 Winding Connections:
There are three distinct ways of connection:
Let us now consider only one of the three phases and the other two
phases are connected in exactly the same way.
The magnitude of the induced emf at any time in each phase group of
phase A is the same.
We can establish a series connection simply by connecting all six
phase groups in series, as indicated in Figure.
The generated voltage per phase (phase voltage) is six times the
induced emf in each phase group, but there is only one current path.
The Phase Voltage is: Ea = p . Epg
For a synchronous generator to be connected to a highvoltage transmission line, this is the preferred connection.

Dr. Walid Ghoneim

25

5 Winding Connections:
The three phase groups under the north poles can be connected in
series.
Similarly, we can connect the three phase groups under the south
poles in series.
The two groups can then be connected in parallel, as indicated
in Figure.
The phase voltage is one-half of the series connection, but the currentcarrying capacity is twice as much.

Dr. Walid Ghoneim

26

5 Winding Connections:
We can also establish a parallel connection by connecting all the phase
groups in parallel, as indicated in Figure.
The phase voltage is simply equal to the induced emf in a
phase group, but there are six parallel paths.
This is good for Large Power and Low Voltage generation (emergency)
In general, for a synchronous generator having P poles and a parallel
paths, the phase voltage, Ea is:
Ea = (p/a) . Epg

The two terminals (the starting

and finishing ends), of each
phase are brought out to form
either a Y or a connection.
If the generator is to be
connected to a high-voltage
transmission line, the preferred
connection is the Y connection.

Dr. Walid Ghoneim

27

6 Induced emf Equation:

Let us assume that the total flux emanating per pole of a round rotor
revolving at an angular velocity of , is p.
As the flux revolves, the flux linking the coil at any time t can be
expressed as:
c = p . k . cos t , where = 2..f (rad/sec.)

For a coil with Nc turns, the induced emf in the coil, from
Faraday's law is:
Ec = Nc . k . . p . sin t

The maximum value of the induced emf is:

Em = Nc . k . . p

and its rms value is:

Erms = Em / 2 = 4.44 . f . Nc . k . p

Dr. Walid Ghoneim

28

6 Induced emf Equation:

Since a phase group usually has more than one coil connected in
series, the induced emf in the phase group is:
Epg = n . Ec = 4.44 . f . n . Nc . k . p
Where n is the number of series coils in ONE phase group, and k is the
WINDING FACTOR.
For a generator having P poles and a parallel paths, the
induced emf per phase (phase voltage) is:
Ea = (P/a) . Epg = (P/a) . 4.44 . f . n . Nc . k . p
Ea = Constant . f . p

Dr. Walid Ghoneim

29

7 The Equivalent Circuit:

The terminal voltage of a dc generator is smaller than the generated
voltage owing to (a) the voltage drop across its armature winding and
(b) the decrease in the armature flux caused by the armature reaction.
However, the terminal voltage of an ac generator depends
upon the load and may be larger or smaller than the
generated voltage.
In fact, we aim to show that the terminal voltage may actually be
higher than the generated voltage when the power factor (pf) is
leading.
For unity and lagging power factors, the terminal voltage is
smaller than the generated voltage.

Dr. Walid Ghoneim

30

7 The Equivalent Circuit:

Armature Resistance Voltage Drop
Let Ea be the per-phase generated voltage of a synchronous generator
and Ia the per-phase current supplied by it to the load.
If Ra is the per-phase resistance of the armature winding, then Ia.Ra
is the voltage drop across it.
The Ia.Ra voltage drop is in phase with the load current Ia.
Since Ra also causes a power loss in the generator, it is kept as small
as possible, especially for large machines.

Dr. Walid Ghoneim

31

7 The Equivalent Circuit:

Armature Leakage-Reactance Voltage Drop
The current Ia in the armature winding produces a flux.
A part of the flux, the so-called leakage flux, links the armature
winding only and gives rise to a leakage reactance Xa.
The leakage reactance causes a voltage drop jIa.Xa, which leads Ia by
90".
The vector diagrams depicting relationships between the per-phase
generated voltage Ea, the per-phase terminal voltage Va, and the
voltage drops Ia.Ra, and jIa.Xa for three types of loads are shown in
Figure.
The per-phase terminal voltage Va is obtained by
subtracting the voltage drops Ia.Ra and Ia.Xa from Ea.
Ea = Va (Ia.Ra + jIa.Xa)
Ia = IL = Va / ZL

Dr. Walid Ghoneim

7 The Equivalent Circuit:

The Load

The FieldCircuit

The Equivalent Circuit

Lagging P.F.
Leading P.F.

Unity P.F.

32

Dr. Walid Ghoneim

8 The Voltage Regulation:

The voltage regulation of a synchronous generator is
defined as the ratio of the change in the terminal voltage
from no load to full load to the full-load voltage.
Since Ea is the no-load voltage and Va is the terminal
voltage at full load, the percent voltage regulation is:
V.R. % = [ (Ea Va) / Va ] * 100

33

Dr. Walid Ghoneim

34

9 The Power Flow Diagram:

The rotor of a synchronous generator is connected to a prime mover
which may, a steam turbine, a gas turbine, a diesel engine, or the like.
If the prime mover exerts a torque Ts at the shaft at an angular
velocity of s, the mechanical power supplied to the rotor (the
mechanical power input) is:
Pin_m = Ts . s

The dc power input to a wound rotor is Vf.If, where Vf is the dc

voltage across the field winding and If is the dc current through it.
Thus, the total power input is:
Pin = Ts . s + Vf.If

Dr. Walid Ghoneim

35

9 The Power Flow Diagram:

The losses in a synchronous generator consist of mechanical
loss, magnetic loss, the copper loss in the armature winding,
and the field-excitation loss in the field winding.
We subtract the mechanical loss, magnetic loss, and the field-winding
loss from the input power to obtain the power developed by the
armature.
By subtracting the copper losses in the armature from the developed
power, we obtain the output power of a synchronous
generator, as illustrated by the power-flow diagram.

Dr. Walid Ghoneim

36

9 The Power Flow Diagram:

If Va is the per-phase load voltage, Ia is the per-phase load current,
and is the phase angle (load angle) between Va and la, the power
output of a synchronous generator is:
Po = 3.Va.la. Cos
The copper loss in the armature winding is:
Pcu = 3. Ia2 . Ra
Since the machine rotates at constant speed, then the rotational losses
are constant.
Also, the magnetic losses are constant (Vf.If).
The last two are called the CONSTANT LOSSES = Pc.
The efficiency of the generator is:
= 3.Va.la. Cos / (3.Va.la. Cos + Pc + 3. Ia2 . Ra)
The Condition for maximum efficiency is: Pc = 3. Ia2 . Ra

Dr. Walid Ghoneim

10 Parallel Operation of Synchronous

Generators:

37

The generation of electric power, its transmission, and its

distribution must be conducted in an efficient and reliable
way with the least number of interruptions.
As the demand for electric energy can fluctuate from a light load to a
heavy load and vice versa several times during the day, it is almost
impossible to operate a single alternator at its maximum efficiency at
all times.
To guarantee reliability and the continuity of electric service, it
becomes necessary to generate electric power at a central location
where several alternators can be connected in parallel to meet the
power demand.
When the demand is light, some of the alternators can be taken off
line while the other alternators are operating at their maximum
efficiencies.

Dr. Walid Ghoneim

38

10 Parallel Operation of Synchronous

Generators:
As the demand increases, another alternator can be put on line
without causing any service interruption.
Not only are all the alternators at one location connected in parallel to
a common line known as an infinite bus but there may be many
power generating stations feeding the same bus.
Therefore, the following requirements have to be satisfied
prior to connecting an alternator to the infinite bus.
1. The frequency of the incoming alternator must be exactly
equal to that of the infinite bus.
2. The line voltage of the (incoming) alternator must be equal
to the constant voltage of the infinite bus.
3. The phase sequence of the incoming alternator must be
identical to the phase sequence of the infinite bus

Dr. Walid Ghoneim

10 Parallel Operation of Synchronous

Generators:

39

Dr. Walid Ghoneim

Thank You

and
All the best
Walid Ghoneim

40