Electrical Machines II (EL23301): Unit II
Questions and Answers
1. Define the Short Circuit Ratio (SCR) of a synchronous machine. Derive
its expression and discuss its significance.
SCR is the ratio of the field current required to produce rated voltage on open circuit to the
field current required to produce rated armature current on short circuit.
Expression:
SCR = Field current for rated voltage (Open Circuit) / Field current for rated current (Short
Circuit)
Significance:
- High SCR means better voltage regulation and more stability, but larger machine size.
- Low SCR means poorer voltage regulation but smaller and cheaper machine.
2. Explain the procedure of performing Open Circuit Test (OCC) and Short
Circuit Test (SCC) on a synchronous generator with neat diagrams.
Open Circuit Test (OCC):
1. Run the generator at rated speed with no load.
2. Increase field current gradually and measure armature voltage.
3. Plot the open circuit characteristic (OCC) curve of voltage vs field current.
Short Circuit Test (SCC):
1. Short the armature terminals through ammeters.
2. Run the machine at rated speed.
3. Increase field current gradually and measure the armature current.
4. Plot the short circuit characteristic (SCC) curve of current vs field current.
(Refer to textbooks for neat diagrams as drawing is not included here.)
3. Describe the process of synchronizing an alternator with an infinite bus-
bar using Synchroscope method
1. Keep the main breaker of alternator open and connect synchronizing equipment.
2. Use a synchroscope to compare the frequency and phase of alternator voltage to the bus-
bar.
3. Adjust the alternator speed until the synchroscope pointer slows down.
4. When the pointer is vertical (12 o'clock), frequencies and phases match.
5. Close the breaker to connect the alternator safely.
4. Describe the process of synchronizing an alternator with an infinite bus-
bar using One dark lamp method
1. Connect a lamp between the phases of the alternator and bus-bar.
2. Observe the lamp brightness as frequency difference cause flickering.
3. When the lamp is dark at a specific instant, the phases are in opposition.
4. Adjust the alternator speed so the dark instant slows down.
5. Close the breaker when the timing of dark corresponds to phase match.
5. Describe the process of synchronizing an alternator with an infinite bus-
bar using Two bright and one dark lamp method
1. Connect three lamps: two lamps between phases 1-1 and 2-2, and one between 3-3.
2. Lamps flicker due to frequency difference.
3. When two lamps are bright and one is dark steadily, it shows phase and frequency match.
4. Adjust alternator speed to slow flicker.
5. Close the breaker at this condition for safe connection.
6. Explain the necessity and conditions for parallel operation of
alternators.
Necessity:
- To meet higher load demand beyond individual alternator capacity.
- For reliability; if one fails, others continue supply.
- To facilitate maintenance without power interruption.
Conditions for Parallel Operation:
1. Voltage magnitude of all alternators must be equal.
2. Frequency must be the same.
3. Phase sequence must be identical.
4. The phase difference (angle) should be zero or very small.
7. Explain the Zero Power Factor (ZPF) method for determining the
voltage regulation of an alternator.
- In ZPF method, voltage regulation is found by performing tests at zero power factor load
conditions.
- Tests help separate armature reaction and synchronous reactance effects.
- Load is adjusted to zero power factor lagging and leading, and corresponding voltages and
currents are measured.
- Voltage regulation is calculated using the test data to give a more accurate result than EMF
method.
8. Explain the EMF method for determining the voltage regulation of an
alternator.
- The EMF method uses synchronous impedance obtained from OCC and SCC tests.
- Calculate internal EMF (E) by vector addition of terminal voltage and voltage drops.
- Voltage regulation = (E - V)/V × 100%
- This method is simple but tends to overestimate regulation.
9. Explain the MMF method for determining the voltage regulation of an
alternator.
- MMF method considers armature reaction by substituting actual field current with
calculated values.
- It is more accurate than EMF method.
- It uses magnetomotive force (MMF) in calculations instead of just voltages.
- Helps account for the demagnetizing or magnetizing effects of armature reaction.
10. Compare EMF. MMF and ZPF method of voltage regulation.
| Method | Accuracy | Complexity | Notes |
|--------|----------|------------|-------|
| EMF | Least | Simple | Overestimates regulation. |
| MMF | Moderate | Moderate | More accurate, considers armature reaction. |
| ZPF | Highest | Complex | Most accurate, uses zero power factor tests. |
11. Explain the voltage regulation of an alternator and describe the
different types of indirect methods used for its determination.
- Voltage regulation is the change in terminal voltage when the load changes from full load
to no load at constant speed.
- Indirect methods include EMF, MMF, and ZPF methods.
- These methods use test data (OCC and SCC) to calculate regulation without direct load
application.
- Indirect methods are preferred for accuracy and convenience.
12. A 1200 KVA , 3300 volt 50 Hz star connected alternator has armature
resistance of 0.25 ohm per phase. A field current of 40 Amp produces a
short circuit current of 210 Amp and same field current produces an open
circuit emf of 1100 volt. Find the voltage regulation of alternator on full
load 0.8 lagging power factor.
Given:
- S = 1200 kVA
- V_L = 3300 V (line voltage), so V_Phase = 3300 / \sqrt{3} = 1905 V
- f = 50 Hz
- R_a = 0.25 \Omega
- I_sc = 210 A (short circuit current)
- E_oc = 1100 V (open circuit emf)
- Field current = 40 A
- Power factor = 0.8 lagging
Calculations:
1. Find synchronous reactance Xs:
X_s = (E_oc / I_sc) = 1100 / 210 = 5.24 \Omega
2. Find full load current Ifl:
S = \sqrt{3} V_L I_fl => I_fl = S / (\sqrt{3} V_L) = 1200000 / (1.732 * 3300) = 210 A
3. Calculate voltage drop components:
I_fl per phase = 210 A
V_drop = I_fl (R_a cos \phi + X_s sin \phi)
cos \phi = 0.8, sin \phi = \sqrt{1 - 0.8^2} = 0.6
V_drop = 210 (0.25 * 0.8 + 5.24 * 0.6) = 210 (0.2 + 3.144) = 210 * 3.344 = 701.1 V
4. Calculate E_FL:
E_FL = V_Phase + V_drop = 1905 + 701.1 = 2606.1 V
5. Voltage Regulation % = [(E_FL - V_Phase) / V_Phase] * 100 = [(2606.1 - 1905) / 1905] *
100 = 36.8%
Answer: The voltage regulation is approximately 36.8% on full load at 0.8 lagging power
factor.
