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Alternators
Parallel Operation of Alternators [3/21.1/p.471]
Power plants whether in DC or AC station, will be generally found to have several
smaller generators running in parallel rather than large single units capable of supplying the
maximum peak load. These smaller units can be run singly or in various parallel
combinations to suit actual load demand.
Why are synchronous generators operated in parallel?
There are several advantages to operate alternators in parallel:
1. Several generators can supply a bigger load than one machine by itself.
2. Having many generators increase the reliability of power system since the failure of
any one of them does not cause a total power loss to the load.
3. Having many generators operating in parallel allows one or more of them to be
removed for shutdown and preventive maintenance.
4. If only one generator is used and it is not operating near full load, then it will be
relatively inefficient. But with several smaller machines it is possible to operate only a
fraction of them. The ones that do operate are operating near full load and thus more
efficiently.
5. Having many generators increase the flexibility of power system by selling to the
industry or buying the power from the generation station of industry.
6. Connecting parallel the additional small unit future load demand can be fulfilled.
1. If the effective voltage are unequal, it is obvious that there is then a resultant voltage
between the two armatures, and hence a circulating current. Despite the fact that
satisfying some of the other necessary conditions may allow the incoming generator
to pick up some of the load, power may be lost within both generators because of this
circulating current.
2. The armatures of the alternators are shown schematically in Fig. 21.1, and the triple-
pole single-throw switch is used to connect the like terminals together.
If no current is to flow between the two armatures, then the resultant voltage in any
closed path taken between the two generators should be zero.
If path consisting of phases a and b of both generators is taken, and the starting point
is point o running generator, the net voltage will be
E R = E oa + E AO + E ob + E BO
For proper paralleling, the phase rotation should be the same for both machines, or
that shown in Fig. 21.2. If the effective voltage values are same, it is seen that this
figure that Eoa and EAO add up to zero, and likewise Eob and EBO also add up to zero.
There is thus no resultant voltage in the path that has been chosen, and there is no
circulating current. If any other path is chosen, the result is that same.
If, however, the incoming machine had a phase rotation of ACB, its phasor diagram
would appear as that in Fig. 21.3. It is obvious that Eoa+EAO would again add up to
zero. Now, however, we see that when we add EOB and Ebo, the phasor addition does
not give us zero.
Instead, as seen from Fig. 21.4, the resultant ER has a relatively large magnitude, and
at this instant is equal to 1.73 times the phase voltage. This is actually equal to the line
voltage, and there will be a circulating current. Again, if any other path is chosen, it
will be seen that there is always a resultant voltage when the phase sequence is
different, and hence there is circulating current between the two machines.
3. When the phase sequences are correct and the voltages are in exact phase opposition,
there is no circulation current. Suppose, however, that the incoming machine voltages
lag the running machine voltages by an angle α, as shown in Fig. 21.5. Now each of
the corresponding phases will have a resultant voltage, as seen when Eao and EOA are
adding in Fig. 21.6. The same magnitude of resultant voltage will be present for each
of the other phase, and so circulating current will exist.
4. It can be assumed that the running machine is operating at rated frequency. If,
however, the incoming machine is rotating slightly faster than its rated speed, its
frequency will be higher than that of the running machine. Effectively we may say
that the voltage phasors of the running machine are stationary, while of the incoming
one rotate around them at frequency which is equal to the difference between the two
machines. Thus, at some instant, the voltages may be in exact phase opposition, but at
all other times there will be a phase difference such that a resultant voltage will exact
as shown in Fig. 21.7. At some other instant, two phase voltages will be 180o apart, so
that the potential difference will be their arithmetic sum.
If both frequencies are exactly same, there is a very small chance that exact phase
opposition will exist. This is so, since it is only at one instant of the entire 360o phasor
rotation (one cycle) that the phase opposition can occur, and therefore it is more likely
that a resultant voltage will exist when the frequencies are identical.
For this reason, why synchronizing two alternators, it is more convenient to allow a
very slightly difference in frequencies to exist, and then choose the proper moment to
place the two machines in parallel.
The prime mover of the incoming machine is started, and the alternator is brought out
to near its rated speed. By adjusting field current, its terminal voltage is made the same as
that of the running alternator.
The lamps in the circuit will now flicker at a rate equal to the difference in the
frequency of the alternator. If the phases are properly connected, all the lamps will be bright
and dark at the same time. If this is not the case, then it means that the phase sequences are
not correct, and it is simply necessary to interchange two leads of the incoming machine.
Further adjustment of the incoming prime mover is now necessary, until the lamps
flicker at a very low rate, usually less than one dark period per second. Final adjustment of
the incoming voltage is again made and the synchronizing switch is thrown in the middle of a
dark period.
1. Lamps go dark at some what less than half their rated voltage, and so the
synchronizing switch may be closed when there is a considerable phase difference
between the machines, with a high circulating current resulting in possible damage
to the machines.
2. The lamp filaments might burn out. For this reason it is desirable to have the two
frequencies nearly equal, so that synchronizing is not dependent on a constant
dark period.
The synchroscope is a single-phase instrument having two coils, both on the stator,
one connected across two lines of the running machine or bus bar and one connected across
two lines of the incoming alternator.
The synchroscope is thus actually a single-phase motor, setting up a rotating field
revolving at a speed that is the difference between the frequencies of the two stator coils.
Therefore, before it is first used, the proper phase sequence must be established by some
other method. Hence, one of the lamp methods is commonly used together with the
synchroscope.
It should be clearly understood that the two emf’s are in opposition, so far as their
local circuit is concerned but in the same direction with respect to the external circuit. Hence,
there is no resultant voltage (assuming E1=E2 in magnitude) round the local circuit.
But now suppose that due to change in speed of the governor of second (incoming)
machine, E2 falls back by a phase angle of α electrical degrees as shown in Fig. 35.82 (c)
(though still E1=E2). Now, they have a resultant voltage Er which when acting on the local
circuit, circulates a current known as synchronizing current. The value of this current is
given by
E
I sy = r where, Zs is the synchronous impedance of the phase windings of both
Zs
machines (or of one machine only if it is connected to infinite bus-bar).
The current Isy lags behind Er by an angle θ given by tanθ=Xs/Ra where Xs is the
combined synchronous reactance of the two machines and Ra is the combined resistance of
their armature. Since Ra is negligibly small, θ is almost 90o. So Isy lags Er by 90o.
It is seen that Isy is generating current with respect to machine No. 1 (running
machine) and motoring current with respect to machine No. 2 (incoming machine)
(remember when the current flows in the same direction as emf, then the alternator acts as a
generator, and when it flows in the opposite direction, the machine acts as a motor). Thus
current Isy sets up a synchronizing torque, which tends to retard the generating machine and
accelerate the motoring machine.
Similarly, if E2 tends to advance in phase [Fig. 35.82(d)], then Isy, being generating
current for machine No. 2, tends to retard it and being motoring current for machine No. 1
tend to accelerate it.
Hence, any departure from synchronism results in the production of a synchronizing
current Isy which set up synchronizing torque. This re-establishes synchronism between the
two machines by retarding the leading machine and by accelerating the lagging machine.
This current Isy is superimposed on the load currents in the case the machines are
loaded.
E E
Now, S. C. (Short Circuit) current I SC = =
Zs X s
αE 2 E
∴ Psy = = αE = αEI SC (Approximately)
Xs Xs
αE 2 E
∴ Psy = = αE= αEI SC sin θ (More accurately)
Xs Xs
Total synchronous power for three phases is: ∴ P3 sy = 3Psy = 3αEI SC sin θ
∴ P3 sy = 3αEI SC (Approximately)
Example 37.43. Find the power angle when 1500 kVA, 6.6 kV, 3-phase, Y-connected
alternator having a resistance of 0.4 ohm and a reactance of 6 ohm per phase delivers
full-load current at normal rated voltage and 0.8 PF lag. Draw the phasor diagram.
Solution: Given, VA= 1500×103; VL=66×103; Ra=0.4 ohm; Xs=6 ohm; cos φ = 0.8
The angle α between V and E0 is known as power angle, load angle or torque angle.
1500 × 10 3
Full load current is, I = = 131 A
3 × 66 × 10 3
66 × 10 3
Voltage/phase, V = = 3810 V
3
φ = cos −1 (0.8) = 36.86° = 36°50' ∴ sin φ = 0.6
From the vector diagram, we obtain
AB V sin φ + IX S 3810 × 0.6 + 131 × 6
tan(φ + α ) = = = = 0.991
OA V cos φ + IRa 3810 × 0.8 + 131 × 0.4
φ + α = tan −1 (0.991) = 44.741
α = tan −1 (0.991) = 44.741 − φ = 44.741 − 36.86 = 7.85
Using Admittances
The terminal voltage may also be expressed in terms of admittances as shown below:
V = IZ = ( I 1 + I 2 ) Z; ∴ I = I 1 + I 2 = V / Z = VY
E −V E −V
I1 = 1 = ( E1 − V )Y1 ; I2 = 2 = ( E 2 − V )Y 2
Z1 Z2
I = I 1 + I 2 = ( E1 − V )Y1 + ( E 2 − V )Y 2
VY = I ; VY = ( E1 − V )Y1 + ( E 2 − V )Y2
VY = E1Y1 − VY1 + E 2Y2 − VY2
VY + VY1 + VY2 = V (Y + Y1 + Y2 ) = E1Y1 − VY1 + E 2Y2 − VY2
E Y + E 2Y 2
V= 1 1
Y + Y1 + Y 2
Example 37.44. A 3000 kVA, 6 pole alternator runs at 1000 rpm in parallel with other
machine on 3300 V busbars. The synchronous reactance of both machines is 25% of
the voltage per phase. Calculate the synchronizing power for one mechanical degree
of displacement and the corresponding synchronous torque.
Solution: It may please be noted that here the alternator is working in parallel with many
alternators. Hence, it may be considered to be connected to infinite bus-bars.
3300
Voltage/phase, E = = 1905 V
3
kVA 3000 × 10 3
Full load current, I = = = 525 A
3V L 3 × 3300
Now, synchronous reactance drop is 25% of phase voltage. Thus IX s = 0.25 × 1905
0.25 × 1905
Xs = = 0.9075 Ω
525
Here, α = 1° (mech.); α = 1 × (6 / 2) = 3° (elec.)
3×π π
α= = rad
180 60
3αE 2 3 × π × 1905 2
Also, Psy = = = 628.4 kW
Xs 60 × 0.9075 × 1000
60 Psy Psy 628.4 × 10 3
Tsy = = 9.55 = 9.55 = 6000 N − m
2πN s Ns 1000
Example 37.50. Two single-phase alternators operating in parallel have induced EMFs an
open circuit of 230∠0o and 230∠10o volts and respective reactances of j2 oham and
j3 ohm. Calculate (i) terminal voltage, (ii) currents, and (iii) power delivered by each
of alternators to a load of impedance 6 ohm (resistive).
Solution: Given, Z1=j2; Z2=j3; Z=6; E1=230∠0o =230+j0
and E2=230∠10o 230(0.985+j0.174)=(226.5+j39.9)
( E − E 2 ) Z + E1 Z 2 [230 + j 0 − (226.5 + j 39.9)]6 + (230 + j 0) j 3
(ii) I1 = 1 =
Z1 Z 2 + Z ( Z1 + Z 2 ) j 2 j 3 + 6( j 2 + j 3)
I 1 = 14.3 − j 3.56 = 14.73∠ − 14°
( E − E1 ) Z + E 2 Z 1 [(226.5 + j 39.9) - (230 + j 0)]6 + (226.5 + j 39.9) j 2
I2 = 2 =
Z1 Z 2 + Z ( Z1 + Z 2 ) j 2 j 3 + 6( j 2 + j 3)
I 2 = 22.6 − j1.15 = 22.63∠ − 3.4°
(i) I = I 1 + I 2 = (14.3 − j 3.56) + (22.6 − j1.15) = 36.9 − j 4.71 = 37.2∠ − 7.3°
V = IZ = (36.9 − j 4.71)6 = 221.4 − j 28.3 = 223.237.2∠ − 7.3°
(iii) P1 = VI 1 cos φ1 = 223.2 × 134.73 × cos 14° = 3190 W
P2 = VI 2 cos φ2 = 223.2 × 22.63 × cos 3.4° = 5040 W
The two machines now deliver load currents I1 and I2 at respective PF”ss of cosφ1 and
cosφ2. These changes in the load currents lead to changes in PF’s, such that cosφ1 is reduced,
whereas cosφ2 is increased. However, effect on the kW loading of the two alternators is
negligible, but kVAR1 supplied by alternator No. 1 is increased, whereas kVAR2 supplied by
alternator No. 2 is correspondingly decreased as shown by triangles of Fig. 37.92(c).
Now, suppose that excitations of the two alternators are kept the same but steam
supply to alternator No. 1 is increased i.e. power input to its prime mover is increased. Since
the speeds of the two machines are tied together by their synchronous band, machine No. 1
can not overrun machine No. 2. Alternatively, it utilizes its increased power input for
carrying more load than No. 2.
Example 37.51. Two identical 3-phase alternators work in parallel and supply a total load of
1500 kW at 11 kV at a PF of 0.867 lagging. Each machine supplies half the total power. The
synchronous reactance of each is 50 ohm per phase and the resistance is 4 ohm per phase.
The field excitation of the first machine is so adjusted that its armature current is 50 A
lagging. Determine the armature current of the second alternator and the generated voltage of
the first machine.
1500 × 10 3
Solution: Load current at 0.867 PF lagging is I = = 90.8 A
3 × 11 × ×10 3 × 0.867
cos φ = 0.867; sin φ = 1 − cos 2 φ = 1 − (0.867) 2 = 0.498
Wattful component of the current I cos φ = 90.8 × 0.867 = 78.72 A
Wattless component of the current I sin φ = 90.8 × 0.498 = 45.218 A
Each alternator supplies half of each of the above two component when conditions are
identical (Fig. 37.94).
90.8
Current supplied by each machine, I 1 = I 2 = = 45.4 A
2
Since steam supply of first machine is not changed, the working components of both
machines would remain the same at I1 cos φ = I 2 cos φ = 78.72 / 2 = 39.36 A . But the wattles or
reactive components would be redivided due to change in excitation. The armature current of
the first machine is changed from 45.2A to 50A.
∴ Wattless component of the first machine= 50 2 − 39.36 2 = 30.83 A
∴ Wattless component of the second machine=45.2-30.83=14.37 A.
The new current diagram is swown in Fig. 37.95(a)
(i) Armature current of the second machine, I 2 = 39.36 2 + 14.37 2 = 41.9 A
(ii) Terminal voltage/phase=11,000/√3=6350 V
Considering the first machine,
IR drop= 4×50=200 V; IX drop=50×50=2,500 V;
(a) (b)
Fig. 37.94 Fig.37.95
Line voltage=√3×8254.41=14297.06 V
References
[1] B. L. Theraja, A. K. Theraja, “A Textbook of ELECTRICAL TECHNOLOGY in SI Units
Volume II, AC & DC Machines”, S. Chand & Company Ltd., (Multicolour illustrative
Edition).
[2] A. F. Puchstein, T. C. Lloyd, A.G. Conrad, “Alternating Current Machines”, © 1942,
Asia Publishing House, Third Edition (Fully revised and corrected Edition 2006-07).
[3] Jack Rosenblatt, M. Harold Friedman, “Direct and Alternating Current Machinery”,
Indian Edition (2nd Edition), CBS Publishers & Distributors.
[4] A. E. Fitzgerald, Charles Kingsley, Jr. Stephen D. Umans, Electric Machinery, 5th
Edition in SI units, ©1992 Metric Edition, McGraw Hill Book Company.
[5] Irving L. Kosow, Electrical Machinery and Transformers, Second Edition, Prentice –Hall
India Pvt. Limited.
Synchronizing Current: After a suitable synchronism, the current due to the any departure
from synchronism is called synchronizing current Isy.
Synchronizing Torque: The torque which is set up by synchronizing current is called
synchronizing torque.
This re-establishes synchronism between the two machines by retarding the leading machine
and by accelerating the lagging machine.
If the second condition (the individual phase voltages which are to be connected to
each other must be in exact phase opposition) is not met, the lamps are shown always bright.
By changing the connection, the individual phase voltages can be made exact phase
opposition.
The lamps in the circuit will now flicker at a rate equal to the difference in the
frequency of the alternator. If the phases are properly connected, all the lamps will be bright
and dark at the same time. If this is not the case, then it means that the phase sequences are
not correct, and it is simply necessary to interchange two leads of the incoming machine.
Further adjustment of the incoming prime mover is now necessary, until the lamps
flicker at a very low rate, usually less than one dark period per second.
Final adjustment of the incoming voltage is again made and the synchronizing switch
is thrown in the middle of a dark period.