A JOURNAL OF COMPOSITION THEORY ISSN : 0731-6755

Virtual Model for Automatic

Synchronization of Alternator with Infinite
Busbar using MATLAB SIMULINK
1 2
A.U.Neshti P.M.Murari
1 2
Department of Electrical & Electronics Engineering Department of Electrical & Electronics Engineering
1 2
Hirasugar Institute of Technology Hirasugar Institute of Technology
1 2
Nidasoshi-591236, India Nidasoshi-591236, India
1 2
[email protected] [email protected]
3
Kumara R. N.
3
Department of Electrical & Electronics Engineering
3
Hirasugar Institute of Technology
3
Nidasoshi-591236, India
3
[email protected]

ABSTRACT

Now a days, Load demand is increasing due to increasing use of electric power. Existing system may
not be sufficient to meet with the demand and hence additional units of alternators to be added to satisfy the
increased demand. Synchronizing a generator to the power system must be done carefully in order to prevent
damage to the generator and disturbances to the power system. Traditionally, manual adjustments are done by
the skilled operator for synchronization of alternator. Here we are using MATLAB SIMULINK to create the
virtual model for the designing and real time operation for automatic synchronization of alternator with infinite
bus bar. Along with the auto synchronization the parameters like voltage, frequency, phase angle and phase
sequence are monitored by using MATLAB SIMULINK. The developed automatic synchronization unit is
reliable and precise to be used for monitoring, measuring and parallel operations of the synchronous generators.
Keywords—Synchronization, Auto synchronizer, Alternator, Busbar, Microcontroller.

I. INTRODUCTION

The process of connecting and operating two or more alternator in parallel to each other or connecting
one alternator to the infinite bus bar is known as synchronization of alternator. Electrical power generation and
transmission system consists of the interconnection of large numbers of alternator operating in parallel,
interconnected by transmission lines and supplying a large number of widely distributed loads. The phase
sequence, voltage and frequency of the infinite bus bar are mostly same and considered constant. There are
many benefits of parallel operation of alternator like the continuity of power supply, reliability, expandability,
flexibility and high efficiency. The above mention needs cannot be met by a single alternator so several
alternators are connected in parallel to supply power for large loads. During periods of scheduled maintenance,
inspection, damage, light load, one or more alternator may be shut down and cut off from the infinite bus bar.
During when the remaining alternator operate to meet the power demand of loads and maintains the continuity
of supply. If there is an increasing demand in future machines can be added without disturbing the original
installation. The manual method of synchronization demands a skilled operator and is suitable for no-load
operation or normal frequency condition. Under emergency condition such as lowering of frequency or
synchronizing of large machines a very fast action is needed, which may not be possible for a human operator.
Synchronizing a generator must be done carefully.
Poor synchronizing can:
1. Damage the generator and prime mover.
2. Damage the generator and step up transformer windings caused by high currents.
3. Cause disturbances such as power oscillations and voltage deviation.
4. Protective relay element interprets the condition as an abnormal operating condition and trip the generator.
Hence there is a need for automatic synchronization. In automatic synchronization process, the
adjustment of the magnitude of phase voltage, phase angle, phase sequence and the generating frequency of the
incoming alternator is done automatically. When all the parameters of synchronization are satisfied and

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A JOURNAL OF COMPOSITION THEORY ISSN : 0731-6755

synchronized with that of the infinite bus bar, the incoming machine is connected to the infinite bus which is
done by the electrical contactors under the instructions from microcontroller. The automatic synchronization of
alternator uses microcontroller which makes the synchronization technique much user friendly.

II. OBJECTIVES

The main objective of this paper is automatic synchronization of alternator to provide uninterrupted
power supply as per load demand. The adjustment of magnitude of voltage, frequency, phase angle and phase
sequence of incoming alternator is done automatically. Under emergency condition such as lowering of
frequency or synchronizing of large machines a very fast action is needed, which can be provided by automatic
synchronization process. A MATLAB SIMULINK is an interactive, graphical environment for modeling,
simulating, and analysing of dynamic systems which overcome the problem of existing tools. The operation of
auto synchronization of alternator is illustrated by using MATLAB SIMULINK. The aim of our paper is to
create the virtual model for the designing and real time operation for automatic synchronization of alternator
with infinite bus bar.

III. METHODOLOGY

A. Introduction to Matlab Simulink

Simulink, an add-on product to MATLAB, provides an interactive, graphical environment for
modeling, simulating, and analyzing of dynamic systems. It enables rapid construction of virtual prototypes to
explore design concepts at any level of detail with minimal effort. For modeling, Simulink provides a graphical
user interface (GUI) for building models as block diagrams. It includes a comprehensive library of pre-defined
blocks to be used to construct graphical models of systems using drag-and-drop mouse operations. The user is
able to produce an “up-and-running” model that would otherwise require hours to build in the laboratory
environment.
B. Model Creation
Creating a working model with Simulink is straightforward. The process involves four basic steps as
depicted in the following flowchart.

Fig.1 Flowchart for Model Creation

First you will gather all the necessary blocks from the Library Browser. Then you will modify the
blocks so that they correspond to the blocks of the desired model. Lastly, but not the least, you will connect the
blocks with lines to form the complete system and set the overall simulation parameters. After this, you will
simulate the complete system to verify that it works.
C. Simulink Model Design For Auto Synchronization
As it is an auto synchronization, the whole process will run automatically with the help of controller.
There are four major parameters have to be matched for synchronization of alternator with bus bar. They are
 Voltage
 Frequency
 Phase angle
 Phase sequence

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1) Block Diagram and Flowchart: The above block diagram shows simplified connection of automatic
synchronization. Here generator-1 is the reference generator which is already connected to a busbar and the load
is also connected to the busbar.

Fig. 2 Block diagram of auto synchronization

In order to connect a new incoming generator (G2) to the bus bar some of the parameters need to be
satisfied such as voltage, frequency, phase angle and phase sequence same as that of the reference generator.

Fig. 3 Flowchart for auto synchronization

The parameters of reference generator are fetched and given to controller. Now the parameters of
incoming generator are compared with reference generator G1 and controller will adjust the parameters of
incoming generator same as that of the reference generator. When all the parameters are satisfied then the
controller sends control signal to the switch, which will change the status of switch and new incoming generator
is get synchronized with busbar.
2) Design of Simulink Model: The virtual Simulink model for the designing and real time operation for
automatic synchronization of alternator with infinite bus bar is shown below.

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Fig.4 Simulink Model for Auto-synchronization

The proposed system is simulated according to single line diagram of Fig.2 and consists of a three-
phase reference alternator connected to bus bar and another three-phase incoming alternator that should be
synchronized and tied with a three-phase infinite busbar. In between, there is a switch that will operate based on
controller signal. Other peripherals have been used such as a controller to synchronize alternator to grid as
shown in Fig.4 along with that coupling-1 and coupling-2 subsystem blocks are used to reduce the complexity
of model.
Controller subsystem block consist of all control actions which includes comparison between the
parameters of reference generator and incoming generator. If the parameters are matched then, controller sends
the signal to a switch to close, otherwise controller sends the control signal to the incoming generator to adjust
its parameters same as that of reference generator.

IV. SIMULATION RESULT

Inputs: Reference generator Incoming generator
Line voltage - 440V Line voltage - 500V
Phase angle – 0 Phase angle - 240
Frequency – 50 Frequency – 100

Fig.8 Incoming generator parameters

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Output: Incoming generator parameters after control action taken by controller.

Line voltage – 440V
Phase Angle – 0º
Frequency – 50Hz
Phase Sequence – RYB
Waveform showing position of Switch (0 for open and 1 for close) Position of Switch – 1 (Closed) as
shown in fig 11

Fig.9 Output waveform of incoming generator

Fig.11 Output waveform of switch

Fig.12 Output waveform of bus bar

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V. ADVANTAGES

1 Reliability of the whole power system increases.

2 Simulink model gives visualize results without the need for complicated and time-consuming
programming.
3 Simulink model provides behavior of the system without building it.
4 Precise to be used for monitoring, measuring and parallel operations of the synchronous
generators.
5 Because of proper synchronization there are no disturbances such as power oscillations and
voltage deviation.
6 More convenient than conventional method.

VI. DISADVANTAGES

1 Auto synchronization Simulink model may be very expensive in practical implementation.

VII. APPLICATIONS

1. Power grid and Industrial applications

VIII. CONCLUSION

In this paper, a simple yet effective technique for digital synchronization of an alternator to the grid has
been presented. Moreover, the technique enabled automatic control over the power delivered to the grid through
the alternator by satisfying Synchronization parameters. The presented results illustrate the system operation
over wide range of references ensuring the stability of the system. These results reveals the novelty and
effectiveness of the proposed system. The parameters like voltage, frequency, phase sequence and phase angle
of alternator and busbar are observed using scope.

REFERENCES

1 Amin, U., Ahmad, G., Zahoor, S. and Durrani, F. (2014) Implementation of Parallel SynchronizationMethod of
Generators for Power & Cost Saving in University of Gujrat. Energy and Power Engineering, 6, 317-332.
2 NiyasThayyil,(2017) 8085 Microprocessor Based Auto Synchronizer in Calicut University Institute of Engineering and
Technology, University of Calicut, vol. 7 issue no. 9.
3 Ashfaq Hussain, Dhanpat Rai & Co. (Pvt) Ltd., Electric Machines. (Second Edition), 2005.
4 DSP-Based Simple Technique forSynchronization of 3 phase Alternators with Active and Reactive Power Load
Sharing by M. I. Nassef, H. A. Ashour, H. Desouki Department of Electrical and Control Engineering, Arab Academy
for Science & Technology, Alexandria, Egypt.

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