AC Machinery Laboratory Experiment No.

1
EEC631L Three Phase Alternator

EXPERIMENT NO. 1

Three Phase Alternator

Open- and Short-Circuit Characteristics

OBJECTIVES
1. To obtain the no load saturation curve of the alternator
2. 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
generator 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 voltage output, will also increase in direct proportion to the field current. However,
with progressive increase 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 an 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 safe
values if the short-circuit is maintained.

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AC Machinery Laboratory Experiment No.1
EEC631L Three Phase Alternator

APPARATUS REQUIRED
1 unit Equipment 8110: Mobile Workstation
1 unit Equipment 8241: Synchronous Motor/Generator Module
1 unit Equipment 8221: Squirrel Cage Induction Motor Module
1 unit Equipment 8621: Synchronizing Switch Module
1 unit Equipment 8821: Power Supply Module (120/208 V 3-phase, 0120 Vdc)
1 unit Equipment 8426: AC Voltmeter Metering Module (250 / 250 / 250 V)
1 unit Equipment 8425: AC Ammeter Metering Module (2.5 / 25 A)
1 unit Equipment 8412: DC Ammeter Metering Module (0.5 / 2.5 A)
20 pcs 8941: Connecting Wires
1 unit 8942: Connection Belt
1 unit Electronic Multi-tester

CHECKING ACTIVITIES
CAUTION!

High voltages are present in this experiment!

DO NOT make any connections with the power on!

Make sure that the

1. main switch of the Power Supply module is in the zero (0) position;
2. its variable supply knob is set to MINIMUM; and
3. the set is UNPLUG.

Electronic Multi-tester

1. Check battery level by turning the device on

2. Check calibration for voltage AC reading by observing a zero reading. If not, inform the
instructor
3. Put the selector switch and instrument mode for continuity test function. Link together the
probes to check for a beep sound

8941: Connecting Wires

1. Check each wire for continuity using the continuity test function of the electronic multi-tester
2. Check for visible sign of insulation tear or damage

Equipment 8241: Synchronous Motor/Generator Module

1. Check the fiber glass protection panel for any break or damage
2. Open the fiber glass protection panel and check smooth rotation of roller bearing assembly
mounted at the side of the module
3. Visually check the visible part of the stator and rotor copper windings for evidence of burn or
insulation breakdown. If there is, inform the instructor. If none, proceed.
4. Check for smooth rotation of the rotor
5. Check for a good connection of the wires coming from inside the machine and into the
connector leads mounted on the fiber glass protection panel
6. Close the fiber glass protection panel and perform continuity test for the three windings
(terminal pairs 1-4, 2-5, and 3-6) of the Synchronous Motor

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EEC631L Three Phase Alternator

7. Set rheostat knob to minimum setting. Close switch S1 and connect the multi-meter tester at
terminal pair 7-8. Set instrument to measure resistance. Rotate rheostat knob to increase
resistance. Observe multi-tester resistance reading if it increases. Open switch S1.

Equipment 8221: Four-Pole Squirrel-Cage Induction Motor

1. Check the fiber glass protection panel for any break or damage
2. Open the fiber glass protection panel and check smooth rotation of roller bearing assembly
mounted at the side of the module
3. Visually check the visible part of the stator copper windings for evidence of burn or insulation
breakdown. If there is, inform the instructor. If none, proceed.
4. Check for smooth rotation of the rotor
5. Check for a good connection of the wires coming from inside the motor and into the
connector leads mounted on the fiber glass protection panel
6. Using the electronic multi tester, perform a continuity test for each set of the stator windings
(terminal pairs 1-4, 2-5, and 3-6)

Equipment 8426: AC Voltmeter, Equipment 8425: AC Ammeter, and Equipment 8412: DC Ammeter

1. Check the front panel for any breaks or damage

2. Check the good connection of the wires inside the meter modules and into the connector
leads mounted on the panel
3. Set all meter needles to zero. Adjust plastic screw on the front panel below the meter view
screen for each meter instrument using a screw driver if necessary

Equipment 8821: Power Supply Module

1. Set the main switch to OFF (0 position) and the control knob to zero (full counter clockwise,
minimum)
2. Using an AC Voltmeter module, connect each meter to each terminal pairs 1-2, 2-3, and 3-1.
3. Set meter selector switch to 7-N.
4. Plug and turn on the Power Supply module. Observe uniformity of all three pilot lamps. If not,
inform the instructor.
5. Observe the voltmeters if the voltage across each pair terminals 1-2, 2-3, and 3-1 is 208 V AC
thereabouts. If not, inform the instructor.
6. Observe the built-in meter if it will indicate a value of 120V DC thereabouts. If not, inform the
instructor.
7. Turn the knob to minimum (full counter clockwise), turn off the Power Supply Module and
unplug the work station.

Equipment 8621: Synchronizing Switch Module

1. Check for a good connection of the wires inside the switch module and into the connector
leads mounted on the panel
2. Check the toggle switch for any loose part when you toggle the switch

8942: Connection Belt

1. Check for visible signs of wear and tear

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AC Machinery Laboratory Experiment No.1
EEC631L Three Phase Alternator

MODULES SET UP ACTIVITIES

1. Place the Squirrel Cage Induction Motor Module at the lower center slot (beside the Power
Supply Module) of the Mobile Workstation
2. Place the Synchronous Motor/Generator Module at the lower right slot of the Mobile Workstation
3. Place the AC Voltmeter Module on top of the Synchronous Motor/Generator Module
4. Place the DC Voltmeter/Ammeter Module on top of the Squirrel Cage Induction Motor Module
5. Place the AC Ammeter Module on top of the AC Voltmeter Module
6. Place the Synchronizing Switch Module on top of the DC Voltmeter/Ammeter Module

PROCEDURES
1. Using your Synchronous Motor/Generator, Four-Pole Squirrel-Cage Induction Motor,
Power Supply, AC Voltmeter and DC Voltmeter/Ammeter, connect the circuit shown in
Figure 1-1. 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 208 V 3-phase
output of the power supply, terminals 1, 2 and 3. The rotor of the alternator is connected
to the variable 0-120 Vdc output of the power supply, terminals 7 and N.

Figure 1.1

2. a. Couple the synchronous generator to the squirrel cage motor with the Connection Belt.

b. Set the synchronous generator field rheostat at its full counter clockwise position for zero
resistance. Make sure switch S1 is open (toggle switch in zero position)

c. Set the power supply voltage control knob at full counter clockwise position for zero DC
voltage.

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

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EEC631L Three Phase Alternator

b. With zero DC field excitation, measure E1, E2 and E3. Use the lowest ranges of the AC
voltmeters. Record the readings in Table 1.1.

c. Explain why there is an AC voltage generated in the absence of DC excitation. (3 points)

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4. a. Close switch S1 in the synchronous generator.

b. Gradually increase the DC excitation from 0 to 0.1 A DC.

c. Measure and record in Table 1.1 the three generated voltages E 1, E2, and E3.

d. Repeat (b) for each of the DC current listed in Table 1.1.

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

Field Current, Line Voltage, Line Voltage, Line Voltage, Average Line
I1 E1 E2 E3 Voltage, EAC
(Ampere DC) (Volts AC) (Volts AC) (Volts AC) (Volts AC)

0
0.1
0.2
0.3
0.4
0.5
0.6
0.7
0.8
0.9

Table 1.1 (10 points)

5. a. Calculate and record in Table 1.1 the average output voltage of the synchronous generator for
each of the listed DC field currents.

b. Plot your recorded average voltage values VS DC current values from Table 1.1. Draw a curve
through your plotted points. (5 points)

6. a. Turn on the power supply and adjust the DC excitation until E 1 = 208 V AC. Measure and
record below E2 and E3. (2 points)

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EEC631L Three Phase Alternator

E1 = 208 V AC, E2 = _______ V AC, E3 = _______ V AC

b. Turn off the power supply WITHOUT touching the voltage adjust control (Power Supply Module
control knob).

c. Reconnect the three AC voltmeters so that each will be connected for each phase of the stator
windings of the synchronous generator; i.e. terminal pairs 1-4, 2-5, and 3-6.

d. Turn on the power supply. Measure and record the generated voltages across each of the wye
connected stator windings. (3 points)

E1-4 = _______ V AC, E2-5 = _______ V AC, E3-6 = _______ V AC

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

f. Comment on the resulted difference of 6.a. and 6.d. (3 points)

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7. Using the Synchronizing Switch Module, connect the circuit shown in Fig. 1.2. Note that the
switch is wired to present a dead short across the synchronous generator windings when it is
closed.

Figure 1.2

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

b. Turn on the power supply and adjust the DC excitation until E 1 = 208 V AC. The motor should
be running and the three lamps on the synchronizing module should be illuminated.

c. Measure and record the DC exciting current I1. (1 point) I1 = ________ A DC

d. Apply a short-circuit to the synchronous generator by closing the synchronizing switch and note
the behaviour of the current I2.

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EEC631L Three Phase Alternator

e. To what approximate peak value did I2 increase? (1 point) I2 = ________ A AC

f. What is the final steady-state value of I2 and I1? (2 points)

I1 = _________ A DC I2 = _________ A AC

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

REVIEW QUESTIONS
1. From the plot of Table 1.1

a. Up to what voltage is the curve a reasonably straight line? (1 point) ________ V

b. Where would you say is the knee of the saturation curve? (1 point) ________ V

c. Explain why the voltage increases less rapidly as the DC current increases. (3 points)

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2. Explain why synchronous generators would be advantageous to connect its

stator windings wye with regards to voltage output. (2 points)

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3. An alternator is much less likely to burn out on a sustained short-circuit than

a separately excited DC shunt generator. Explain. (3 points)

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