Electrical Machine-II.

(EEE-243)

Synchronous generator.

Nipu Kumar Das.

Lecturer, Dept. of EEE.
CUET.
1st December, 2008.
Lecture-1
Lecture Outline.

1. Operation principle of synchronous

generator.
2. Physical construction
3. Cooling system.
Synchronous Generators

 Are the primary source of all electrical

energy
 Large ac power networks rely almost
exclusively on synchronous generators.
 Commonly used to convert the mechanical
power output of steam turbines, gas turbines,
engines, hydro turbines into electrical power
for the grid
Synchronous Generators

 Can be extremely large – power ratings up

to 1500MW!!!

 Are known as synchronous machines

because they operate at synchronous speed
(speed of rotor always matches supply
frequency)
Synchronous Generator
Cross-section of a large turbo generator.
Major components of a round rotor two-pole
generator
Operation Principle

The rotor of the generator is

driven by a prime-mover

A field winding (rotating or

stationary) carries a DC
current to produce a
constant magnetic field.
Operation Principle

An AC voltage is induced in the 3-phase armature winding (stationary or

rotating) to produce electrical power.

The electrical frequency of the 3-phase output depends upon the

mechanical speed and the number of poles
Similarities between alternator & two-winding transformer.

 Here primary is rotating

mechanically and supplied
with a direct voltage instead
of an alternating voltage.
 the application of an
alternating voltage at H & X
will cause an alternating
voltage in the armature
winding if R is stationery.
 exciting current would be
higher. Due to air gaps
between A & R.
Similarities between alternator & two-winding transformer.

 If now R is mounted on a shaft and the leads H &

X connected to slip ring on the shaft , the rotor
winding could be supplied with direct current.
 Flux is produced in rotor element.
 If the rotor rotated while the direct current is
following through its winding, it would cause a
change of flux.
Similarities between alternator & two-winding transformer.

 If the rotor structure is such that the distributions of flux is

sinusoidal then for constant speed the voltage E can be made
sinusoidal.
 the armature of this device is similar to the secondary of a
transformer.
Types of Synchronous Generators

 Stationary field

 Revolving field
Stationary Field Synchronous Generator

 Poles on the stator (field winding) are supplied with DC to

create a stationary magnetic field.
 Armature winding on rotor consists of a 3-phase winding
whose terminals connect to 3 slip-rings on the shaft.
 Brushes connect the armature to the external 3-phase load
 This arrangement works for low power machines (<5kVA).
For higher powers (& voltages), issues with brushes and
insulation of rotor windings.
 Therefore use revolving field…
Advantages of stationery Armature

The out current can be led directly from fixed

terminals on the stator to the load circuit with
out having pass it through brush-contact.
It is easier to insulate stationery armature
winding for high a.c. voltages which may
have high values as 30Kv or more.
Advantages of stationery Armature

The sliding contact are transferred to the low-

voltage, low power dc field circuit which can
easily insulated.
The armature windings can be more easily
braced to prevent any deformation .
Revolving Field Synchronous Generator

 Most common – also known as alternator

 Stationary armature with 3-phase winding on
stator
 3-phases directly connected to load
Rotating magnetic field created by DC field
winding on
rotor, powered by slip-rings / brushes
Producing the DC field

 For both stationary and revolving fields, DC

supply is normally produced by DC generator
mounted on same shaft as rotor.
Permanent magnets can also produce DC
field – used increasingly in smaller machines
as magnets get cheaper.
Basic parts of a synchronous
generator:

 1. Stator - 3-phase winding in which the ac emf

is generated ( i.e. stationery armature)
 2. Rotor - dc excited winding

 The manner in which the active parts of a

synchronous machine are cooled determines its
overall physical size and structure
Two-pole salient pole generator concept.
Synchronous Generator: Stator

 From an electrical standpoint, the stator of a

synchronous generator is identical to that of a 3-
phase induction motor (cylindrical laminated core
containing slots carrying a 3-phase winding).
 The nominal line voltage of a synchronous
generator depends upon its kVA rating – the greater
the power, the higher the voltage
 The nominal line voltage seldom exceeds 25kV,
since the increased slot insulation takes up valuable
space at the expense of copper conductors
Synchronous Generator: Stator (fig-1)
Stator of a large salient pole hydro generator; inset shows
the insulated conductors and spacers.
Details of a generator stator.
Synchronous Generator: Rotor

 Salient-pole rotors

 Cylindrical rotors
Salient-Pole Synchronous Generator

1. Most hydraulic turbines have to turn at low speeds

(between 50 and 300 r/min)
2. A large number of poles are required on the rotor
d-axis

N Non-uniform
air-gap
D  10 m

q-axis S S

Turbine
N
Hydro (water)

Hydro generator
Salient-Pole Synchronous Generator

Stator
Large hydro generator rotor with view of the vertical poles.
Rotor of a four-pole salient pole
generator.
Salient-Pole Synchronous Generator
Placement of rotor in the stator of the synchronous
generator.
2. Cylindrical-Rotor Synchronous Generator/ Non-Salient

Turbine D1m

L  10 m
Steam d-axis
Stator winding

 High speed N
Uniform air-gap
 3600 r/min  2-pole
Stator
 1800 r/min  4-pole
q-axis Rotor winding
 Direct-conductor cooling (using
hydrogen or water as coolant) Rotor

 Rating up to 2000 MVA

S

Turbo generator
Rotor block of a large generator.
Generator rotor with conductors placed in
the slots.
Large generator rotor completely
assembled.
Cylindrical rotors
Cylindrical-Rotor Synchronous Generator

Stator

Cylindrical rotor
Cutaway view of a high speed
synchronous generator.
THANKS TO ALL