Scribd
Upload
7 views2 pages

Synchronous Condenser - 083053

Uploaded by

Sibomana Athanase
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
7 views2 pages

Synchronous Condenser - 083053

Uploaded by

Sibomana Athanase
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 2

Synchronous Condenser

An over-excited synchronous motor running on no load is known as a Synchronous condenser.


The over-excited synchronous motor takes the leading current and behaves like a capacitor.
When it is connected across supply draws leading current partially or fully compensates for the
lagging reactive components of the load current and thereby improves the power factor.

Fig: Synchronous Condenser

The 3-phase load draws a current 𝐼𝑙 from the supply which lags voltage by an angle of 𝜙. Now
The above figure shows how a synchronous condenser is connected to improve the power factor.

the synchronous condenser takes a current of 𝐼𝑚, which leads to voltage V by an angle of 𝜙𝑚.
The resultant current I can be obtained by the vector sum of Il𝐼𝑙 and 𝐼𝑚, which lags voltage by
an angle of 𝜙. It is clear that the angle 𝜙 is less than 𝜙𝑙. so that 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜙 is greater than 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜙𝑙.
In this way, the power factor can be improved to unity even. Synchronous condensers are usually
used where a large quantity of corrective KVAR is to be required.

Advantages:
 By varying the field excitation of the synchronous condenser, the power factor can be
improved to a finer value.
 The synchronous condenser can withstand overloads for a short duration.

Disadvantages:
 The cost is higher than static capacitors of the same size (above 500 kVA)
 The maintenance and operation cost is high.
 Considerable losses in rotating parts of the synchronous condenser.
 Lower efficiency compared to the static capacitor (nearly 97 %)
 Produces noise during operation.
 Synchronous condenser is not self-starting, hence, it requires auxiliary equipment for
starting.
 There is a chance to fall synchronous condenser is out of synchronism which leads to
interruption of supply

1. Phase Advancer
Phase Advancers are mainly used to improve the power factor of the induction motor. The
induction motor actually draws an exciting current that lags the voltage by 90 degrees. This
exciting current leads to a fall in the power factor of the induction motor. This power factor can
be improved by phase advancer, which is simply an AC exciter.
The phase advancer supplies exciting ampere turns to the rotor circuit at slip frequency. The
phase advancer is mounted on the same shaft as the main motor. By supplying more ampere-
turns from the phase advancer the induction motor can be made to operate at a leading power
factor like an over-excited synchronous motor.

Advantages:
 The lagging KVAR drawn by the induction motor can be considerably reduced by
supplying leading ampere-turns at slip frequency.
 The phase advancer is conveniently employed where the use of synchronous condense is
not suitable
Disadvantages:
 They are not economical for motors below 150 kW

You might also like