Experiment 1

American International University- Bangladesh

Faculty of Engineering (EEE)
Electrical Machines 2 Laboratory
Experiment Name: Study of Three-Phase Alternator.

Introduction:

An alternating-current generator is frequently referred to as an alternator. Alternator is also called

the synchronous generator because it should be operated (by prime mover) in a speed (synchronous
speed) in order to get an induced EMF of the required frequency (infinite bus-bar frequency).

AC generator or alternators (as they are usually called) operate on the same fundamental principles
of electromagnetic induction as DC generators. They also consist of an armature winding and a
magnetic field. But there is one important difference between the two. Whereas in DC generators,
the armature rotates and the field system is stationary, the arrangement in alternators just the
reverse of it. In their case, standard construction consist of armature winding mounted on a
stationary element called stator and field windings on a rotating element called rotor.

Theory and Methodology:

Alternators are, by far, the most important source of electric energy. Alternators generate an AC
voltage whose frequency depends entirely upon the speed of rotation. The generated voltage value
depends on the speed, the DC field excitation and the power factor of the load.

As the DC field excitation of an alternator is increased, while its speed held constant, the magnetic
flux and the output voltage will increase in direct proportion to the current. However, with
progressive increase in DC field current, the flux will eventually reach a high enough value to
saturate the iron in the alternator.

Saturation in the iron means that there will be a smaller increase in flux for a given increase in DC
field current. Because the generated voltage is directly related to the magnetic flux intensity, it can
be used as a measure of the degree of saturation.

The three phases of the alternator are mechanically spaced at equal intervals from each other, and
therefore, the respective generated voltages are not in phase, but are displaced from each other by
120 electrical degrees.

When an alternator delivering full rated output voltage is suddenly subjected to a short-circuit, very
large currents will initially flow. However, these large short-circuit currents drop off rapidly to safe
values if the short-circuit is maintained.

The output voltage of an alternator depends essentially upon the total flux in the air -gap. At no
load, this flux is established and determined exclusively by the DC field excitation.
No-load saturation curve:

Figure: 1

A typical no load saturation curve is shown in Figure 1.It has generator output voltage plotted
against field current. The lower straight line portion of the curve represents the air gap because the
magnetic parts are not saturated. When the magnetic parts start to saturate, the curve bends over
until complete saturation is reached. Then the curve becomes a straight line again.

Pre lab Homework: Learn the basic concept about alternators.

Equipments:

Description Model

Four-Pole Squirrel Cage Induction Motor 8221

Synchronous Motor/Generator 8241
DC Voltmeter/Ammeter 8412
AC Ammeter 8425
AC Voltmeter 8426
Synchronizing Module 8621
Power Supply 8821
Connection Leads 8941
Timing Belt 8942

Precautions:

High voltages are Present in the Laboratory Experiment! Do not make any connections with the
power on! The power should be turned off after completing each individual measurement!

Procedure:

1) Using your Three-Phase Synchronous Motor/Generator, Four-Pole Squirrel-Cage Induction

 Motor, Power Supply, AC Voltmeter, AC Ammeter and DC Voltmeter/Ammeter, connect
the circuit shown in Figure 2. The Four-pole Squirrel-Cage Induction Motor will be used to
drive the Synchronous Motor/Generator as an alternator. Its speed will be assumed constant
during this Laboratory Experiment. Note that the Four-Pole Squirrel-Cage Induction Motor
is connected to the fixed 415 V, 3-Ф output of the power supply, terminal 1, 2 and 3. The
rotor of the alternator is connected to the variable 0-240 V DC output of the Power Supply,
terminal 7 and N.

Figure: 2

2) a) Couple the Four-Pole Squirrel Cage Induction Motor to the Synchronous

Motor/Generator with the Timing Belt.

b) Set the field rheostat of the Synchronous Motor/Generator at its full cw position (for
zero resistance).

c) Set the Power Supply voltage control at its full ccw position (for zero dc voltage).

3) a) Turn on the Power Supply. The motor should be running.

b) With zero dc excitation (switch S open), measure and record E1, E2 and E3 (use the lowest
ranges of the voltmeters).

E1 = ________ V ac E2 = _______ V ac E3 = _________ V ac

c) Explain why there is an ac voltage generated in the absence of dcc excitation.

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4) a) Turn off the rotor excitation toggle switch of the Synchronous Motor/Generator (down
position). Gradually increase the DC excitation from zero to 0.05A DC using the Power
Supply voltage control.

b) Measure and record in Table1-1 the three generated voltages E1, E2 and E3.

Table: 1.1

I1 E1 E2 E3 Eav
A V V V V
0
0.05
0.10
0.15
0.20
0.25
0.30
0.35
0.40
0.50

c) Repeat (b) for each of the DC currents listed in Table 1-1.

d) Return the voltage to zero and turn off the Power Supply.

5) Calculate and record in Table 1–1 the average output voltage of the Synchronous
Motor/Generator for each of the listed DC currents.

6) a) Turn on the Power Supply and adjust the DC excitation until E 1 = 415 Vac. Measure
and record E2 and E3.

E1 = 415 V ac E2 = _______ V ac E3 = _________ V ac

b) Turn off the Power Supply without touching the voltage adjusts control.

c) Reconnect the three AC voltmeters so they will measure the voltages across each of the three
stator windings.

d) Turn on the Power Supply. Measure and record the generated voltages across each of
the wye connected stator windings.

E 1 to 4 = ___________ V ac E 2 to 5 = ___________ V ac

E 3 to 6 = ___________ V ac

e) Return the voltage to zero and turn off the Power Supply.
f) Compare the results of (a) and (d). Do the results correspond to what you would expect
to find coming from a normal three-phase power Supply?

□ Yes □ No

7) Using your Synchronizing Module, connect the circuit shown in Figure 3. Note that the
switch is wired to present a dead short across the alternator windings when it is closed.

8) a) Set the synchronizing switch to its open position.

b) Turn on the Power Supply and adjust the DC excitation until E1 = 415 Vac. The motor
should be running and the three lamps on the synchronizing module should be illuminated.

c) Measure and record the DC exciting current I1.

I1 = ___________ A dc

d) Apply a short-circuit to your alternator by closing the synchronizing switch and note the
behavior of the AC current I2.

Figure: 3

e) To what approximate peak value did I2 increase?

I2 = ___________ A ac

f) What is the final steady-state value of I1 and I2?

I1=_________A dc I2 = _________A ac

g) Return the voltage to zero and turn off the Power Supply.
 Questions:

1) a) Plot your recorded average voltage values vs dc current values from Table 1–1 on the
graph of Figure 4.

b) Draw a smooth curve through your plotted points.

c) Up to what voltage is the curve a reasonably straight line?

E = _________ V ac

d) At what voltage is the knee of the saturation curve?

E = _________ V ac

Figure 4

e) Explain why the voltage increases less rapidly as the DC current increases

2) Comment on the reasons for not operating an alternator near the knee of its saturation curve.

3) An alternator is much less likely to burn out on a sustained short-circuit than a separately
excited dc shunt generator. Explain.

References:

[1] B.L.Theraja, A.K.Theraja,: A textbook of Electrical Technology, Volume- II, S. Chand &
company Ltd.
[2] Lab volt lab manual.