Alternator synchronization
- Alternator synchronization
The process of connecting an AC generator (alternator) to other AC generators is known as synchronization and is crucial for the generation of AC electrical power.
Operation Modes of Alternator
An alternator is an AC generator used mostly at power stations. The alternator is technically known as a synchronous generator. There are two modes of its operation:
#"Stand-alone operation": The alternator is operated isolated or connected to a DC supply via a rectifier. There is no need for synchronization in a stand-alone operation. An isolated example is a diesel engine-driven alternator used as a standby generator. An automotive alternator is used to recharge the battery with the aid of a three-phase diode rectifier.
#"Parallel operation": The alternator is connected with other alternators. This mode of operation takes place at power stations where many generators run in parallel. The generators are connected together via transformers and busbars and so a power network or grid is formed. The power grid is like a water pool and the generators are like pipes that supply the pool with water. The water is analogous to energy. The power grid is sometimes referred to as a "power pool". The grid is also referred to as "infinite busbar" as far as synchronization is concerned. However, the infinite bus implies fixed voltage, frequency, phase sequence and phase angle. The grid is composed of different voltages and frequencies. Hence, it is technically said that an alternator is synchronized with the infinite bus.
Conditions
There are five conditions that must be met before the synchronization process takes place. The alternator must have equal "line voltage", "frequency", "phase sequence" , "phase angle" and "waveform" to that of the infinite bus.
In the past, synchronization was performed manually using three-lamp method. Nowadays, the process is automatically operated and controlled with the aid of "synch" relays and micro-electronic systems.
Animation of Synchronization Process
* [http://msdaif.googlepages.com/Synchronization.swf Flash Animation on Alternator Synchronization] .
Wikimedia Foundation.
2010.
Look at other dictionaries:
Synchronization — Synchrony redirects here. For linguistic synchrony, see Synchronic analysis. For the X Files episode, see Synchrony (The X Files). For similarly named concepts, see Synchronicity (disambiguation). Not to be confused with data… … Wikipedia
Synchronization (alternating current) — Synchronization is an important concept in relation to alternating current.Electricity generationElectricity generation requires the connection of large numbers of alternators in parallel and additional alternators must be switched in when demand … Wikipedia
Phase synchronization — is the process by which two or more cyclic signals tend to oscillate with a repeating sequence of relative phase angles.Phase synchronisation is usually applied to two waveforms of the same frequency with identical phase angles with each cycle.… … Wikipedia
List of electrical engineering topics (alphabetical) — This page aims to list, alphabetically, all articles related to the specific discipline of electrical and electronics engineering. For a thematic list, please see List of electrical engineering topics. For the broad field of engineering, see List … Wikipedia
Diesel generator — A Cummins diesel generator of 500kVA in a tourist resort in Egypt … Wikipedia
Tachometer — A tachometer is an instrument that measures the rotation speed of a shaft or disk, as in a motor or other machine. The device usually displays the revolutions per minute (RPM) on a calibrated analog dial, but digital displays are increasingly… … Wikipedia
History of electromagnetism — The history of electromagnetism, that is the human understanding and recorded use of electromagnetic forces, dates back over two thousand years ago, see Timeline of electromagnetism. The ancients must have been acquainted with the effects of… … Wikipedia
Fuel injection — Fuel rail connected to the injectors that are mounted just above the intake manifold on a four cylinder engine. Fuel injection … Wikipedia
MAN AG — Infobox Company company name = MAN AG company company type = Public company: AG (ISIN|DE0005937007, FWB|EDF1) foundation = 1897 founder = Rudolf Diesel location = flagicon|GER Munich, Germany locations = manufacturing facilities in the Ruhr area … Wikipedia
Wardenclyffe Tower — (1901 ndash; 1917) also known as the Tesla Tower, was an early wireless telecommunications aerial tower designed by Nikola Tesla and intended for commercial trans Atlantic wireless telephony, broadcasting, and to demonstrate the transmission of… … Wikipedia
