8

THREE PHASE SYNCHRONOUS GENERATORS

8.1 Introduction
Three phase synchronous generator or alternator are the primary three phase power generator
in the world. It operates on the same fundamental principles of electromagnetic induction as
DC generators.

8.2 Construction
The alternator consists of an armature winding and a magnetic field. But there is one
important difference between the two. In DC generator, the armature rotates and the field
system is stationary but the arrangement in alternator is just the reverse of it. In alternators,
armature winding mounted on a stationary element called stator and field windings on a
rotating element called rotor.
8.2.1 Stator
The stator consists of a cast iron frame, which supports the armature core, having slots on its
inner periphery for housing the three phase armature winding. Stator windings are normally
connected in star and its neutral is grounded. A stator and its windings are shown in Fig.8.1

Fig.8.1 Stator and its windings

Advantages of Stationary Armature:
The output current can be taken directly from the fixed terminals of the stator or the
armature windings to the load circuit, without pass it through brush contacts.
It is easier to insulate stationary armature winding for high AC voltages.

 The sliding contacts (slip-rings) are transferred to the low-voltage low-power DC

field circuit which can therefore be easily insulated.
The armature windings can be more easily braced to prevent any deformation, which
could produced by mechanical stresses setup as a result of short-circuit current and
the high centrifugal forces brought into play.
Compared to DC machines of the same power rating, the size of alternators are less
due to the lesser size of stator.
8.2.2 Rotor
The rotor is like flywheel having alternate North and South poles fixed to its outer rim. In
other words, rotor consists of DC windings. Rotor winding is energised by DC power supply
through slip-rings. This DC power supply is from a DC shunt or the compound generator
mounted on the shaft of the generator. There are two types of rotors, viz; salient pole
(projecting pole) type and cylindrical (Non-salient pole) type.
8.2.2.1 Salient Pole Type
In this type, projecting type poles are mounted on a rotating shaft as shown in Fig.8.2. Salient
pole rotors are used in medium and low speed alternators only. Each pole is wound with a
separate winding but they are connected in series such that adjacent poles have opposite
polarities. The poles and pole shoes are laminated to minimize heating due to eddy currents.
Main disadvantages of this type of rotor are poor mechanical strength, noise, and high
windage loss.

Fig.8.2 Salient pole

type rotor

8.2.2.2 Cylindrical
(Non-salient pole)
Type
This type of rotors
are used in high
speed alternators. A
typical cylindrical
type rotor is shown in
Fig.8.3. The rotor
consists of a smooth
solid forged steel cylinder, having a number of slots milled out at intervals along the outer
periphery and parallel to the shaft for accommodating field coils. The two ends of the field
windings are connected to the slip-rings mounted on the shaft. Passing a DC current through
brushes, slip-rings to the field windings causes alternate North and South pole magnetic fields
to be set up in the rotor.

Fig. 8.3 Cylindrical type rotor

Advantages of this type of rotor are better mechanical strength, sinusoidally distributed flux
and better output waveform as compared to salient pole type rotor.
8.4 EMF equation of a synchronous Generator
Consider a synchronous generator with P poles. Let the flux per pole be Wb and rotor
speed be N rpm. Let the number of turns of stator winding per phase be T.
In one complete revolution, the total flux cut by the rotor = P Wb.
1
60
Time taken for one revolution = N minute = N seconds
P
Hence average EMF induced in one conductor, e = 60 / N Volts -------------- (8-2)
N .P.
= 60 Volts

-------------- (8-3)
From equation (8-1), NP = 120 f
Substitute the value of NP in Eqn. (8-3);
e = 2f
--------------------------- (8-4)
Where f is the frequency for T turns(1 turn = 2 conductors)
Average EMF = (2f ) (2T) Volts
Average EMF= 4f T Volts
------------------------------ (8-5)
We know that,
Vrms
V
Form factor, Kf = ang = 1.11 for a sine wave.

Therefore RMS value = Form factor x Average value

= 1.11 x 4f T Volts
VRMS = 4.44 f T Volts
This derivation assumes that all the turns are concentrated. In practice they are distributed
over the entire periphery of the armature and hence the EMFs in all the turns cannot be
simply added. To compensate for this fact the voltage is multiplied by the distribution factor,
kd. Similarly, the windings are generally short pitched. When full pitches (ie the two
conductors of a turn are similarly placed with respect to the north and the next south poles),
the EMFs in the conductors can be added. But when short pitched, the EMFs have to be
added phasorially and for this, we multiply the voltage by the pitch factor Kp.
Hence VRMS = 4.44 f T Kp. Kd Volts
EMF with a distribute d winding
Where Kd = EMF with a concentrated winding
EMF with a short pitch coil
Kp = EMF with a full pitch coil