Experiment 4 5

The Three-Phase Alternator

OBJECTIVE

• To obtain the no-load saturation curve of the alternator.

• To obtain the short-circuit characteristics of the alternator.

DISCUSSION

The terms alternating current generator, synchronous generator, synchronous

alternator, and alternator are commonly used interchangeably in engineering
literature. Because synchronous generators are so much more commonly used than
induction generators, the term alternator, as often used, and as used here, applies
only to synchronous generators.

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 upon the speed, the DC field
excitation and the power factor of the load.

As the DC field excitation of an alternator is increased, its speed being held constant,
the magnetic flux, and hence, the output voltage, will also increase in direct
proportion to the current. However, with progressive increases 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 save values if the short-circuit is maintained.

EQUIPMENT REQUIRED

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), and
Timing Belt (8942).

10-1
The Three-Phase Alternator

PROCEDURE

CAUTION!

High voltages are present in this Experiment! Do not make any

connections with the power on! The power should be turned off
after completing each individual measurement!

G 1. Using your Three-Phase Synchronous Motor/Generator, Four-Pole

Squirrel-Cage Induction Motor, Power Supply, AC Voltmeter and DC
Voltmeter/Ammeter, connect the circuit shown in Figure 10-1. The squirrel-
cage motor will be used to drive the synchronous motor/generator as an
alternator. Its speed will be assumed constant during this Experiment. Note
that the squirrel-cage motor is connected to the fixed 415 V, 3-phase output
of the power supply, terminals 1, 2 and 3. The rotor of the alternator is
connected to the variable 0-240 V output of the power supply, terminals 7
and N.

Figure 10-1.

G 2. a. Couple the squirrel-cage motor to the alternator with the timing belt.

b. Set the alternator field rheostat at its full cw position (for zero
resistance). Open switch S.

c. Set the power supply voltage control at its full ccw position (for zero DC
voltage).

G 3. a. Turn on the power supply. The motor should be running.

10-2
The Three-Phase Alternator

b. With zero DC excitation measure and record E 1, E 2, and E 3 (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 DC

excitation.

G 4. a. Close the rotor excitation toggle switch S of the alternator.

b. Gradually increase the DC excitation from zero to 0.05 A dc.

c. Measure and record in Table 10-1 the three generated voltages E1, E2
and E3.

d. Repeat (b) for each of the DC current listed in Table 10-1.

e. Return the voltage to zero and turn off the power supply.

I1 E1 E2 E3 Eac
(amps) (volts) (volts) (volts) (avg.)

0.05

0.10

0.15

0.20

0.25

0.30

0.35

0.40

0.50

Table 10-1.

G 5. Calculate and record in Table 10-1 the average output voltage of the
alternator for each of the listed DC currents.

G 6. a. Turn on the power supply and adjust the DC excitation until

E1 = 415 V ac. Measure and record E2 and E3.

E1 = 415 V ac, E2 = V ac, E3 = V ac

10-3
The Three-Phase Alternator

b. Turn off the power supply without touching the voltage adjust 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.

E1 to 4 = V ac, E2 to 5 = V ac

E3 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?

G Yes G No

G 7. Using your Synchronizing Module, connect the circuit shown in Figure 10-2.
Note that the switch is wired to present a dead short across the alternator
windings when it is closed.

0-500
Vac

Figure 10-2.

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

b. Turn on the power supply and adjust the DC excitation until E1 =

415 V ac. The motor should be running and the three lamps on the
synchronizing module should be illuminated.

10-4
The Three-Phase Alternator

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.

e. To what approximate peak value did I2 increase?

I2 = A ac

f. What is the final steady-state value of I 2 and I 1?

I1 = A dc, I2 = A ac

g. Return the voltage to zero and turn off the power supply.

REVIEW QUESTIONS

1. a) Plot your recorded average voltage values vs DC current values from

Table 10-1 on the graph of Figure 10-3.

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) Where would you say is the knee of the saturation curve?

E= V ac

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

10-5
The Three-Phase Alternator

Figure 10-3.

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.

10-6