7.

Synchronous Machines

Prof Suleiman Sharkh

Some figures were obtained from google images and McPherson 1981.
 Electricity transmission system

From https://anjungsainssmkss.wordpress.com/2011/07/19/electrical-power-transmission-and-distribution-system/

2
 Steam turbine alternator

From google images

Block diagram of electric generators
driven by heat engines
Single-Phase Synchronous Alternating
Current (AC) Generator
coil
flux 

N Field DC
dN  excitation
E coil
dt
S
 Operation of a Single-Phase AC
Generator
coil
flux 
coil
flux 
coil 
flux 
coil
flux 
coil
flux 


S

E
N


N
S

 N

S
S


qt 0 qt p4 qt p qt p qt 3p
0 m 0 m

   m sin q
  m sin t
q
dN
E
dt p p 3p p
� = 2��,
  m N cos t � = rev/s Number of pole pairs = p = 1
 EMF induced in a coil liked by
sinusoidal flux
• Assume the flux is sinusoidal:
� � = �� cos ��
• Using Faraday’s law the emf in a coil
��� � �
�� � =− = �� �� �sin �� = ��sin ��
��
�� = 2�� sin ��
• The rms value of the emf
�� �� � �� 2���� ��
�� = = =
2 2 ��2
�� = 4.44�� ��� =
2
 Relationship between frequency and
rpm
• For slowly rotating
primemovers such as
hydro-turbines, a high
number of poles is usually
use.
• For every revolution there
will be p electrical cycles.
� = p × rev/s
• Hence,
60�
rpm = Number of pole pairs = p = 3
p
 Three-Phase AC Generator
EA EB EC
A1

C2 B2
N 120o 240o �t


S C1 E A  Em sin( 2pft )
B1 2p
E B  Em sin( 2pft  ) f  50 Hz
3
4p
A2 EC  Em sin( 2pft  )
3
 Example – Synchronous Generator
EMF Calculation
Problem Solution
The rotor of a turbo-generator • Use synch speed formula to
has an approximate diameter calculate frequency
of 0.7 m, and a length of 7 m. 60�
The peak gap flux density is rpm =
p
about 0.8 T. Show that a 2-pole
rpm 3000
generator running at 3000 rpm, �=p× =1×
produce a sinusoidal voltage 60 60
with a frequency of 50 Hz. = 50 Hz.
Calculate the phase peak
voltage, assuming 2 turns per
phase coil.
 Example: Synchronous Generator EMF
Calculation - Continued
Solution continued From McPherson 1981
• From Slide 8:
��
�� = = 4.44�� ���
2
For a machine with �2-poles (one pole pair)
2
�� = � �� cos � ���
�
−
2
�� = ����
With number of turns � = 2
�� = 4.44 × 7 × 0.7 × 0.8 × 50 × 2
= 1740 V
��
• See if you can get the answer from
� = ����
For a machine with p
– Note that � = 2��
pole pairs
�� ��
�� =
p
Relationship Between Sinusoidal and
Complex Functions

r 

t

Complex function Real function

re j(t  )  r sin(t   )

jq
Euler' s Formula : e  cos q  j sin q
 Phasor diagram of the 3-phase EMFs

Three-phase EMFs �� + �� + �� = �

��

��

��

Similarly, �� + �� + �� = 0
Three-Phase AC Generator Winding
Connection

Star connection Delta connection

 Transmission Tower
• Approx. 50 m tall. Insulation is
about 4 m long.
• Two parallel circuits of three-
phase conductors.
• Each conductor is made of 4
sub-conductors to improve
cooling and reduce corona.
• Conductors are transposed
every tower to equalise the
reactance.
• No neutral conductor (current
sum to zero).
• Lightening conductor at the
top of the tower.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transmission_tower
 Equivalent circuit
• EMF generated due to
rotation of magnet
(rotational emf)
• The resistance
represents the heat
losses in the winding.
• The inductance
represents the flux due
to the current, known From McPherson 1981
as armature reaction
flux.
Synchronous Machines

CONSTRUCTION
Turbo Generator Construction
Assembly of a turbo-alternator
Winding the rotor of a turbogenerator
Non-salient pole cylindrical rotor
Salient Pole Rotor
Stator laminations
Stator windings
Stator Coils
Roebel Bars
Transposition or twisting to reduce
circulating currents between
subconductors
 Review paper on
Turbogenerator Trends
Small Machine Construction
 Windings Arrangement
• The coil span is
approximately equal to
one pole pitch
• Usually double layer
winding.

From McPherson 1981

 One phase winding: 4 pole, short
pitched, 2 slots per pole per phase (2
coils per phase group)

From McPherson 1981

Three-phase winding diagram

From McPherson 1981

Three phase Winding pattern

C- C- A+ A- A- B+B+C-
C+ C-
B+ A+ C+ A+
B- A+
B+ B- B- B-
A+ B-
A- B- A+ C+
C- C+
A- C+ C- B+ A-
C+ B+ A-

2-poles 4-poles
 Short pitching a coil180 o

r
• Reducing or eliminating
asynchronous
harmonics.
• Ease of winding S N S
 Skewed Winding
• Also reduces
r=180o
asynchronous harmonics
• Reduces cogging torque
Pole pitch

a
S N S