Scribd
Upload
230 views6 pages

EE 340L - Experiment 6: Synchronous Generator - Operation With The Grid

This document provides instructions for connecting a synchronous generator to an AC power grid and controlling its output power. It describes: 1) Ensuring the generator and grid meet synchronization conditions of matching frequency, voltage, and phase before connecting. 2) Connecting the generator to a dynamometer prime mover and adjusting its field current to match the grid voltage frequency and phase. 3) Closing the synchronizing contactor to connect the generator once voltages are matched. 4) Controlling the generator's active and reactive power output by varying prime mover speed and field current after synchronization.

Uploaded by

Muhammad Saad Abdullah
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
230 views6 pages

EE 340L - Experiment 6: Synchronous Generator - Operation With The Grid

This document provides instructions for connecting a synchronous generator to an AC power grid and controlling its output power. It describes: 1) Ensuring the generator and grid meet synchronization conditions of matching frequency, voltage, and phase before connecting. 2) Connecting the generator to a dynamometer prime mover and adjusting its field current to match the grid voltage frequency and phase. 3) Closing the synchronizing contactor to connect the generator once voltages are matched. 4) Controlling the generator's active and reactive power output by varying prime mover speed and field current after synchronization.

Uploaded by

Muhammad Saad Abdullah
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 6

EE 340L – Experiment 6: Synchronous Generator -

Operation with the Grid


The synchronous machine (see Fig. 1) is mechanically coupled to the Four-Quadrant
Dynamometer/Power Supply (see Fig. 2) using a timing belt. This second machine is
used as a prime mover to provide mechanical power to the first electric generator.
Figure 3 shows the synchronizing module that will assist with the synchronization
process.

Fig. 1: Synchronous Machine


1. Stator winding terminals:
2. Thermistor Output.
3. Exciter input terminals:
4. Exciter switch.
5. Exciter knob:
Fig. 2: Four-Quadrant Dynamometer/Power Supply

1. Power Input:
2. Main power switch:
3. Power Supply terminals
4. Operating Mode switch:
5. Function push-button:
6. Start/Stop push-button:
7. Command knob:
8. Liquid crystal display (LCD):
9. Command Input:
10. Shaft Encoder Outputs:
11. Analog Outputs
12. Thermistor Input:
13. USB port connector:
Figure 3: Synchronizing Module.
1. Input Power Terminals (to energize coil of the 3-phase Contactor)
2. Syn. Switch (to energize or de-energize coil of contactor A)
3. Remote control (another alternative to energize or de-energize coil of contactor)
4. Contact terminals (of the two power sources to be synchronized)
5. Lamps switch (toggle switch must be set to I (on) for the indicator lamps to be operational).
6. Synchronizing lamps (indicate the relative level of the voltage across the three corresponding
contact terminals. These are connected in parallel with the circuit breaker contacts).

1) Synchronizing the Generator with the Grid.


Before synchronizing a three-phase synchronous generator to an ac power network, it is
important to ensure that the following synchronization conditions are met:
 The phase sequence of the synchronous generator must be the same as that of the
ac power network.
 The synchronous generator output frequency must be equal to the ac power network
frequency.
 The synchronous generator voltage must be equal to the ac power network voltage
 The synchronous generator voltage must be in phase with the ac power network
voltage.
Connecting a synchronous generator to the ac power network when the above
synchronization conditions are not met produces severe electrical and mechanical
stress on the generator and can cause serious damage to it.

Procedure:
a) Connect the equipment as shown in Figure 4 below. This circuit represents a
synchronous generator connected to an ac power network through a circuit
breaker (three-phase contactor).
b) Make sure that the main power switch on the Four-Quadrant Dynamometer/
Power Supply is set to the O (off) position, then connect its Power Input to an ac
power outlet. Connect the Power Input of the Data Acquisition and Control
Interface to a 24 V ac power supply. Turn the 24 V ac power supply on.
c) On the Synchronizing Module/Three-Phase Contactor, make sure that the Lamps
switch is set to the (I) position. This ensures that the synchronizing lamps on the
module are operational. Also make sure that the Sync. switch is set to the open
(O) position. This ensures that the synchronous generator is not connected to the
ac power network.
d) Turn on the Four-Quadrant Dynamometer/Power Supply, select dynamometer
operation, then under Function select CW rotation, start the prime mover, then
increase the speed parameter of the prime mover until it reaches 1790 rpm.
e) Turn On the 3-phase Power Supply slowly increase the DC voltage across the
generator field winding until the phase voltage of the generator (E2) is nearly
equal to that of the power supply (E1).
f) On the Synchronizing Module/Three-Phase Contactor, observe the synchronizing
lamps: If they are all flashing simultaneously in synchronism, then we have the
correct phase sequence. If not, this indicates that two of the 3 phases are
crossed. In this latter case, shut off the power supply, cross two of the phase of
the power supply, and start over.
g) In LVDAC-EMS, open the Oscilloscope, then make the appropriate settings in
order to observe the waveforms of the ac power network voltage ( E1) and the
synchronous generator voltage (E2). Select the ac power network voltage (input
E1) as the trigger source of the Oscilloscope. Take a snapshot and describe
briefly what you observed (home assignment).
h) In the Four-Quadrant Dynamometer/Power Supply window, increase the Speed
parameter of the prime mover slowly while watching the flashing rate of the
lamps until the generator speed reaches 1800 rpm. Then adjust the generator
field current until E1 ≈ E2. Make further necessary adjustments till the lamps
become all dark. Observe the waveforms of these voltages on the Oscilloscope,
and when these two voltages are equal in amplitude and in phase (that is when
the lamps go 100% dark) take a snapshot, then it is time to set the Sync. switch
on the Synchronizing Module/Three-Phase Contactor to the closed (I) position to
synchronize the generator to the network. Then note the active and reactive
power supplied by phase 1 of the generator.
P1 = …….. W
Q1 = ……. VAR
Fig. 4: Generator-power system synchronization.

2) Generator operation after synchronization to the ac power network


Once synchronized with the power network, the generator terminal voltage E2 is locked
to the grid voltage E1. Hence, changing the field current won’t affect the voltage, but
instead, it affects the reactive power supplied by the generator. In addition, the
generator frequency is locked to the grid frequency of 60 Hz. Hence, its rotor speed is
locked to 1800 rpm, i.e., attempting to change the prime mover speed is not possible,
instead, it affects the real power supplied by the generator.
a) Real power control
In the Four-Quadrant Dynamometer/Power Supply window, attempt to increase the
Speed parameter of the prime mover slowly in small increments and note what happens
to the generator real power, reactive power, and frequency. For each real power value
below, record the frequency and reactive power.
Gen. per-phase Gen. per-phase Gen. frequency (Hz)
real power (W) Reactive Power
(VAR)
20

30

40

50

60

70
b) Reactive power control
Adjust the Speed parameter of the prime mover backwards so that the generator active
power is as close as possible to 0 W. Then on the Synchronous Motor/Generator, vary
the setting of the Exciter knob in slow increments, and record the observed reactive
power, real power, and voltage phase voltage E2. Fill in the table below.

Gen. per-phase Gen. per-phase Phase voltage (V)


real power (W) Reactive Power (VAR)

-30

-20

-10

10

20

30

Once finished, set the Sync. switch on the Synchronizing Module/Three-Phase


Contactor to the open (0) position to disconnect the generator from the power network,
stop the prime mover, then turn off the 3-phase power supply. Close the LVDAC-EMS.
Disconnect all leads and return them to their storage location.

You might also like