AC Generators
Subject Name: Electrical Fundamentals
INDEX
Sr. No. Topics
A Introduction about AC Generators
B Rotation of loop in a magnetic field and waveform produced
C Operation and construction of revolving armature & revolving
field type AC generators
D Single phase , two phase and three phase alternators
E Three phase star & delta connection
F Permanent magnet generators
Construction
• Most of Alternator prefer rotating field type of construction.
• Winding terminology is slightly different than in case of
d.c.generator
• Stationary winding Stator Armature
• Rotating winding Rotor Field
1. STATOR
2. ROTOR
Salient pole Type
Smooth Cylindrical Type.
Construction wise, an alternator generally consists of field poles placed on the rotating
fixture of the machine i.e. rotor as shown in the figure belove.
Once the rotor or the field poles are made to rotate in the presence of armature
conductors housed on the stator, an alternating 3 φ voltage represented by aa’ bb’ cc’ is
induced in the armature conductors thus resulting in the generation of 3φ electrical
power.
There are mainly two types of rotor used in construction of alternator,
1. Salient pole type.
2. Cylindrical rotor type.
Salient Pole Type
The salient pole type of rotor is generally used for slow speed
machines having large diameters and relatively small axial
lengths
The salient features of pole field structure has the following special feature-
They have a large horizontal diameter compared to a shorter axial length.
The pole shoes covers only about 2/3rd of pole pitch.
Poles are laminated to reduce eddy current loss.
The salient pole type motor is generally used for low speed operations of
around 100 to 400 rpm, and they are used in power stations with hydraulic
turbines or diesel engines.
Cylindrical Rotor Type
The cylindrical rotor is generally used for very high
speed operation and are employed in steam turbine
driven alternators like turbo generators.
The cylindrical rotor type machine has uniform
length in all directions, giving a cylindrical shape to the
rotor thus providing uniform flux cutting in all
directions. The rotor in this case consists of a smooth
solid steel cylinder, having a number of slots along its
outer periphery for hosing the field coils.
Difference between Salient and Cylindrical Type Rotor
Salient Pole Type Smooth Cylindrical Type
Pole are projecting out from the surface Unslotted portion of the cylinder acts as
poles hence poles are non uniforms
Air-gap is non uniform Air gap is uniform due to smooth
cylindrical periphery
Diameter is high and axial length is small Small diameter and large axial length is
feature.
Mechanically weak Mechanically robust
Preferred for low speed alternators For high speed alternator
Prime mover used are water turbine IC Prime movers used are steam turbines,
engines electric motor
For same size, the rating is smaller than For same size, rating is higher than salient
cylindrical type pole type.
Separate damper winding is provided Separate damper winding is not necessary.
Working Principle of Alternator
(E.M.F.)
+Øm
Π 2Π
1 2 3 4 TIME
1/4f
1/2f
1/3f
-Øm
T=1/f
Frequency of Induced e.m.f.
PN
f= Hz (Cycleper Sec.)
120
P = No. of Poles
N = Speed of the rotor in r.p.m.
F = Frequency of the induced e.m.f.
Synchronous Speed (Ns) 120 × f
Ns =
P
No. of 2 4 8 12 24
Pole
Ns 3000 1500 750 500 250
Minimum no. of pole for an alternator can be two hence maximum
value of synchronous speed possible.
Synchronization of Alternators
Necessary Condition for Synchronization
1. The terminal Voltage of the incoming machine must be same as that
of bus bar Voltage.
2. The frequency must be same as that of the incoming machine as well
as that of the bus bar. The necessitates that speed must be properly
adjusted.
PN
f= Hz (Cycleper Sec.)
120
3. With respect to external load, the phase of alternator voltage must be
identical with that of the bus bar voltage.
Alternator Phase sequence for the two voltages must be same
Above condition can be satisfied by using a Voltmeter, Synchronizing
lamps or. Synchroscope.
Parallel operation of Alternators
E1
E1 E2
External Circuit
E2
Load Circuit
Connecting a 3 Phase Generator to
the Network
Permanent magnet type
generator
• In a permanent magnet generator, the
magnetic field of the rotor is produced by
permanent magnets. Other types of
generator use electromagnets to produce
a magnetic field in a rotor winding. The
direct current in the rotor field winding is
fed through a slip-ring assembly or
provided by a brushless exciter on the
same shaft.
Permanent Generator
