EXPERIMENT NO: 5 DATE:

ALTERNATORS
TITLE: PARALLEL OPERATION OF

AIM:
To perform parallel operation of alternators and study the synchronizing technique.

APPARATUS:
(0.goe
Lamps, Synchroscope, Switches, Ammeters (0-ZA and 0-10A), Voltmeters
Rheostats (3000, 1.7A), Connecting Wires elG

THEORY:
In parallel operation, several alternators are connected to a common bus; this enablee
us to adjust the machines for operating at optimum eTICiency and greater reliability A
load increases bevond the generated capacity of the onnected units; additional
generators are paralleled to carry the load. Similarly, as the load demand falls off. one or
more of the machines are generally taken off the line to allow the units to operate at a
higher efficiency. Most synchronous machines will operate in parallel with other
synchronous machines and the process of connecting one machine in parallel with
another machine or with an infinite bus-bar system is known is synchronizing, A
stationary alternator must not be connected to a live buS-bar because the induced e.m.f
is zero at standstill and a short-circuit will result.
paralleling the
Aset of three synchronizing lamps can be used to check the condition for
incoming machine with other machines.
BRIGHT-LAMP METHOD:
bright
In this method, the lamps are connected across the phases. If all the lamps get
instant of closing
and dark together, then the phase sequences are same. The correct
point in the
the synchronizing switch is in the middle of the bright period. The brightest
confusing the
cycle is easier to distinguish then the middle of a dark period and avoids
latter with alamp filament failure.
DARK-LAMP METHOD:
corresponding phases while the two
In this method, on lamp is connected between
two phases. The prime mover of the
others are cross connected between the other
up to near its rated speed.
incoming machine is started and the alternator is brought
until the incoming machine induced
The incoming machine excitation is mow adjusted
correct moment to close the switch is
voltages are equal to bus-bar voltages. The
connected lamp is dark and cross connected
obtained at the instant when the straight
sequence is incorrect no such instant will occur as
lamps are equally bright. If the phase be
be straight connected and all the lamps will
the crosS-connected lamps will, in effect, reversed
direction of rotation of machine should be
dark simultaneously. In this case the
by interchanging two lines of the machine.
SYNCHRONISING BY SYNCHROSCOPE: between
of the pointer of a synchroscope indicates the phase difference
The position differ, the
incoming machine and the infinite bus. When the freguencies
the voltages of Page15
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Department of Electrical & Electronics,
 pointer rotates in one direction or the other. The direction of motion of pointer shows
whether the incoming machines is running too fast or too slow i.e. whether the
freguency of the incoming machine is higher or lower than that of infinite bus. When
the indicator moves very slowly and passes through the zero-phase point, the circuit
breaker is closed and the incoming alternator is connected to the bus. It is to be noted
that a synchroscope checks the relationship only on one phase. It gives no information
about phase sequence.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS:
ALTERNATOR 1: ALTERNATOR 2:
DC motor:
KW- 8.7 KW-3.5 Output- 5KVA
RPM- 1500 RPM- 1500
RPM- 1500
Volts- 220 Volts- 220 power factor- 1.0
Amps- 16 Amps- 6.95
Amps- 19.7
Frequency: 50Hz

CIRCUIT DIAGRAM:
R R

3-ph, 440V,

L2

Ll
L!
Dark Lao Method
Bright Lamp Method
(2Bridght &1 Dark) (AH Dark)

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Department of Electrical& ElectroniCs, GEC-GOA
 220V DC SUPPLY ’*
300 OHIMS,1.7A

2A

10A
STARTER
A N

TO
500V
SYNCHRONISING
PANEL

300 OHMS,1.7ASy M B
220V
DC supply

SYNCHRONISING
PANEL

A2
A1

B2
B1

A3
TO LOAD

terminals
A1, B1 and C1: Alternator 1
terminals
A2, B2 and C2: Alternator 2

PROCEDURE:
1. Connect the circuit as per the circuit diagram. help of
Check the phase sequence of running and incoming alternator with the
2.
phase sequence indicator.
incoming alternator so that e.m.f is equal to
3. Adjust the field excitation of the
running alternator. Check with the help of the voltmeter. tne
of lamps is bright. Check the voltage of
4. Adjust the speed so that the pair
running and incoming alternator. running alternator
5. Iftwo Voltages are same, connect incoming alternator across
using switch 'S'. Incoming machine is now synchronized.

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Department of Electrical & Electronics,GEC-GOA
 OBSERVATION TABLE: I(A) l(A) =1(A)+12(A)
I,(A)

CONCLUSION: synchronization, volage and frequency of the incoming

at the time of and also tha
is seen that
equal to running alternator voltage and frequency
machine should be with runningalternator
should be in phase
voltage of incoming alternator

Review Questions: connecting the alternators in

parallel.
1. Explain the need of alternators in parallel
State the conditions of connecting the
2.

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Department of Electrical & Electronics, GEC-GOA