Journal of Theoretical and Applied Information Technology

15th November 2012. Vol. 45 No.1

2005 - 2012 JATIT & LLS. All rights reserved.

ISSN: 1992-8645 www.jatit.org E-ISSN: 1817-3195

EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN OF CAPACITANCE REQUIRED

FOR SELF-EXCITED INDUCTION GENERATOR
1
V. SANKARDOSS 2 S. P. SABBERWAL 3 K. RAJAMBAL
1
Assistant Professor, School of Electrical Engineering, VIT University, Vellore, India.
2
Professor, School of Electrical Engineering, VIT University, Vellore, India.
3
Professor, Electrical and Electronics Engineering Department, Pondicherry Engineering College,
Puducherry, India.
1 2 3
E-mail: [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]

ABSTRACT

This paper presents the no-load practical synchronous speed characteristics of a laboratory model induction
machine of 120 W capacity. Critical, minimum and maximum capacitance required for excitation are
calculated from the no load curve for voltage buildup, rated voltage and current respectively; at various
super synchronous speeds. A realistic model of the machine is presented on Matlab/Simulink. Theoretical
and practical results are compared for model validation.
Keywords: Excitation Capacitance, Magnetization Curve, Synchronous Speed Test, Self-Excited Induction
Generator, Wind Energy

1. INTRODUCTION commutators in DC machines contributes to low

reliability and high maintenance costs.
Electrical energy is vital in every aspect of our
The second kind of electric generators are
day-to-day life. Keen interest is taken in all possible
synchronous generators, suitable for constant speed
sources of energy from which it can be generated.
systems. Requirement of DC field current and
Our industrialized economic system depends
reduced wind energy capture of constant speed
heavily on fossil energy sources such as oil, gas,
systems are its disadvantages as compared to
hydro, coal and nuclear. We will exhaust these
variable speed systems.
valuable assets in a matter of few tens of years in
case of oil and few hundred years for coal. Another choice for the electric generator is a
Unfortunately, both coal and nuclear energy present permanent magnet synchronous generator. But
serious environmental hazards. PMSGs suffer from uncontrollable magnetic field
decaying over a period of time. Their generated
In recent times, there has been a considerable
voltage tends to fall steeply with load and is not
upsurge in exploring new ways to supply energy
suitable for isolated operation.
from renewable energy sources. Wind energy is one
of the most important and promising sources of The other alternative is induction machines of
renewable energy all over the world. It is non- wound and squirrel cage rotor type. Wound rotor
polluting and economically viable and has very machine can produce high starting torque and is the
large potential. An upper limit for the utilization of preferred choice in grid-connected wind generation
earths wind power supply is estimated to be schemes. Squirrel cage rotor construction is popular
1.31013 kW. It is predicted that nearly 10% of the because of its ruggedness, low maintenance
world energy needs could be met by the wind requirements, reliability, low cost, simplicity of
energy by the year 2020 [1]. construction and good transient performance. This
is widely used in stand-alone wind power
The wind turbine converts mechanical power into
generation schemes [2].
electrical power. This can be accomplished by an
electrical generator which can be a DC machine, a Connection of induction generators to large
synchronous machine, or an induction machine. DC power systems to supply electric power can also be
machine was used widely until 1980s, in smaller achieved when the rotor speed of an induction
power installation below 100 kW, because of its generator is greater than the synchronous speed of
extremely easy speed control. The presence of the air-gap revolving field. When an induction

1
 Journal of Theoretical and Applied Information Technology
15th November 2012. Vol. 45 No.1
2005 - 2012 JATIT & LLS. All rights reserved.

ISSN: 1992-8645 www.jatit.org E-ISSN: 1817-3195

machine is driven by a prime mover, the residual The rms magnetizing branch voltage is given by
magnetism in the rotor produces a small voltage
that causes a capacitive current to flow. The E1 = X m I n1 (1)
resulting current provides feedback and further
increases the voltage. It is eventually limited by the Vn1 / 3 (2)
I n1 =
magnetic saturation in the rotor. Variable Z n1
capacitance is required for self-excited induction Z n1 = R 1 + j(X 1 + X m ) (3)
generator [3-5]. These machines are available in the
ranges of fractional horse power to multi-megawatt Z n1 = R1 + ( X 1 + X m )
2 2 2
capacity. (4)
The steady-state performance of a self-excited The magnetizing reactance is given by
induction generator has been modelled; one is the
Xm = ( Z n1 R1 ) X 1
2 2
per-phase equivalent circuit model using loop (5)
impedance method [6, 7] and nodal admittance
method [8, 9]. The second d-q axis equivalent E1 = ( Z n1 R1 ) X 1 I n1
2 2

circuit model is based on different reference frames (6)

and generalized machine theory [10-12]. The per
phase equivalent circuit model is obtained from a Fig. 2 shows circuit details of synchronous speed
steady state condition and can not be used for test. The performance details are presented in Fig.3.
transient condition. The capacitance required to generate voltage is
calculated from the slope of the curves.
This paper clearly demonstrates the calculation of
the critical, minimum and maximum value of
capacitance required for self-excitation of induction
generator using synchronous speed test. The
dynamic performance of the self-excited induction
generator is analyzed with and without load
conditions. Experimental results of voltage built-up
process obtained from a practical 120 W induction
machine are also presented for validation.
2. DESIGN OF EXCITATION CAPACITANCE
2.1. Synchronous Speed Test
The no load saturation curve of the machine is Fig. 2: Circuit Diagram For Synchronous Speed Test
obtained at normal rated frequency. The voltage
source is applied to the stator of the induction
machine while its rotor is driven by the dc motor at
a constant speed corresponding to the synchronous
speed of the machine.
It is customarily assumed that the magnetizing
current is the difference between stator current and
rotor current referred to the stator. In the present
case the slip is very small (practically zero) which
implies that the magnetizing branch current is
essentially equal to no load current. The no load test
single phase equivalent circuit as shown in Fig. 1.
R X1 X2

In1
Fig. 3: No Load Characteristics Of Induction Machine
Vn1/ E1 Xm R2
3

Fig. 1: No Load Test Single Phase Equivalent Circuit

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 Journal of Theoretical and Applied Information Technology
15th November 2012. Vol. 45 No.1
2005 - 2012 JATIT & LLS. All rights reserved.

ISSN: 1992-8645 www.jatit.org E-ISSN: 1817-3195

2.2. Determination Of Excitation Capacitance 3. MODELING OF SELF-EXCITED INDUCTION
2.2.1 Critical capacitance (Ccri) GENERATOR
X cc is determined by the slope of the linear The dynamics of a self-excited induction
region. generator are detailed in many papers [13, 14] and
can be expressed by the following
V 20
X CC = = = 1052.63 electromechanical equations derived in the
I 0.019 (7) synchronously rotating q-d reference frame.
1
Xcc = piqs = K1rs iqs (e + K 2 Lmr )ids + K 2 rr iqr K1 Lmr idr
2fC cri (10)
1 1 pids = ( e + K 2 Lm r )iqs k1 rs ids + K 1 Lm r iqr + K 2 rr idr K 1Vds
C cri = = (11)
2fX CC 2 * * 50 *1052.63
piqr = k 2 rs iqs + K 2 Lsr ids [(rr + K 2 Lm rr ) / Lr ]iqr + ( K1 Lsr e )idr
(12)
C cri = 3.02 10 6
pidr = k2rsids K 2 Lsriqs ( K1Lsr e )iqr [(rr + K 2 Lm rr ) / Lr ]idr + K 2Vds
C cri 3F
(13)
p r = ( B / J ) r + (3P Lm / 8 J )(iqs idr ids idr ) + ( P / 2 J )Tm
2

The critical capacitance is the slope-1 of the (14)

linear region of no load curve. If the capacitance is pVds = (idc / C ) (15)
chosen below the critical capacitance 3 F, the
voltage will never buildup and excitation fails where,
initially.
K1 = Lr /( Ls Lr L2m ) , K 2 = Lm /( Ls Lr L2m )
2.2.2 Minimum capacitance (C min )
The above equations are derived assuming that
It is defined as ratio of rated voltage to the initial orientation of the q-d synchronously
corresponding magnetizing current. rotating frame is such that d-axis is lagging q-axis
Vrated 240 and aligned with the stator terminal voltage phasor
Xc min = = = 705.88 (i.e. v qs = 0).
I 0.34 (8)
Magnetizing inductance is the main factor for
1 1
C min = = voltage buildup and stabilization of generated
2fX c min 2 * * 50 * 669.45
voltage for the unloaded and load conditions of the
Cmin = 4.5 10 6 induction generator. In self-excited induction
generators, the magnitude of the generated air-gap
Cmin 5F voltage in the steady state equation is given by
It is minimum capacitance required to generate Vg = e Lm im
the rated voltage. If we choose below this value, the (16)
rated voltage will not be generated. where,
2.2.3 Maximum capacitance (C max )
( iqs + iqr ) + (ids + idr )
2 2
e = iqc /(CVds ) im =
It is defined as ratio of voltage generated at rated ,
current to the current itself. The magnetizing inductance L m is not constant
V 270 but a function of the magnetizing current i m is given
Xc max = = = 540
I rated 0.5 (9) as

C max =
1
=
1 Lm = f (i ) m
(17)
2fX c max 2 * * 50 * 540
The relationship between L m and i m is obtained
C max = 5.89 10 6
by using synchronous speed test and described by a
Cmax 6 F set of linear piecewise approximate equation as
overleaf [13].
The maximum value of capacitance used should
not exceed 6 F. If the capacitance exceeds the
maximum value, the current flow will be more than
the rated value. This may lead to heating of stator
core.

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 Journal of Theoretical and Applied Information Technology
15th November 2012. Vol. 45 No.1
2005 - 2012 JATIT & LLS. All rights reserved.

ISSN: 1992-8645 www.jatit.org E-ISSN: 1817-3195

L m = 0.0898 - 0.0107|i m |, |i m | 2 (18) Fig. 5. The dc motor is made to run at speed higher
than synchronous. Then grid supply is suddenly
= 0.0747 0.0027|i m |, 2 |i m | 16
disconnected. The voltage across the stator remains
= 0.0472 0.0010|i m |, 16 |i m | 28 same due to self-excitation created by the
capacitors.
= 0.0189 |i m | 28
The electromagnetic braking torque T e developed
by the induction generator is expressed as
T e = -1.5 (P/2) L m (i qs i dr - i ds i qr ) (19)
The a, b, c variables are obtained from the d, q
variables through the inverse of the Park transform
defined below:
Va cos( ) sin( ) 1 Vq
V = cos( 2 / 3) sin( 2 / 3) 1 V Fig. 5: Circuit Diagram For Self-Excitation Using
b d C max
Vc cos( + 2 / 3) sin( + 2 / 3) 1 V0
(20)
(ii) Practical kVAr calculation
Note that these transformations apply equally
V ph I Ph
well to currents and flux linkages. kVAr =
1000
Fig. 4 displays the simulink model of the self-
kVAr =
3 * 235 * 0.413 (22)
excited induction generator represented by equation 1000
(10) - (20). Matlab/Simulink is employed to study KVAr = 0.168
the dynamic performance of the machine.
The calculated kVAr is nearly 10% more than the
practical value.

5. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Fig. 6 exhibits the d-axis stator voltage with
respect to time.

Time (s)
Fig. 4: Simulink Model Of Self-Excited Induction
Generator Fig. 6: D-Axis Stator Voltage
(i) Theoretical kVAr calculation Fig. 7 presents the self-excitation process
1 initiated at t = 0s without any load at the stator
XC = = 530.51 terminals. It is observed that voltage buildup
2 * 50 * 6 10 6
240 reaches the first steady-state value at t = 6s.
I ph = = 0.452 A
530.51
V ph I Ph
kVAr =
1000

kVAr =
3 * 240 * 0.452 (21)
1000
kVAr = 0.187

4. SELF-EXCITATION EXPERIMENT Time (s)

The induction machine is coupled with dc motor Fig. 7: Dynamic Response Of The Induction Generator
drive. The capacitance of 6 F is connected in star During Voltage Build-Up Process (No Load
and grid supply is given to the stator terminals, Condition).

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 Journal of Theoretical and Applied Information Technology
15th November 2012. Vol. 45 No.1
2005 - 2012 JATIT & LLS. All rights reserved.

ISSN: 1992-8645 www.jatit.org E-ISSN: 1817-3195

Fig. 8 demonstrates the variation in generated At t = 45s, Fig. 9, the capacitance is suddenly
voltage for step changes in the load for a generator removed, the resistive load causes machine voltage
speed of 1300 rpm with 6 F capacitor connected to reach zero level abruptly.
across the stator terminals.
As the load on the generator increases, the stator
voltage decreases with an increase in the stator
current and required torque. The loads and the
corresponding duration are tabulated below.
Duration Resistance
in seconds in k
9 - 13 1.1 Time (s)

13 - 17 0.9 Fig. 9: Stator Voltage Disturbance When C Is

Removed.
32 - 35 0.2
Dynamic response of voltage variations with time
The generator fails to self-excite for a load for a load of 1.1 k between 12s and 14s is
resistance of 0.2 k. At t = 17s, a 1.1 k load depicted in Fig.10. It can be observed the machine
resistor is applied. The generated voltage rises to a voltage reaches its steady state value immediately
value higher than the no load voltage. The current after 14s.
and toque decrease.
At t = 23s, a load resistor is suddenly removed.
The generated voltage quickly reaches its new
steady-state value. Similar voltage fluctuations will
occur when the load is suddenly switched off. At
t = 27s, the capacitance is increased to 8 F to
compensate for the voltage drop. The voltage rises
to its no load value resulting in increase of current Time (s)
and torque. Fig. 10: Stator Voltage Disturbance When Pulse
Changed.
6. COMPARISON BETWEEN
ANALYTICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL
RESULTS
The values of X m , P m , V s , on no load and I L , V L ,
P L on load are computed and plotted, Figs. 11 - 16.
The corresponding experimental ones are shown for
comparison.
1400
experimental
1200
Magnetizing reactance ()

simulation
1000

800

600

400

200

0
0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6
Phase current (A)

Fig. 11: X m Vs I ph Characteristics Of Induction

Machine
Time (s)

Fig. 8: Stator Voltage, Stator Current And Torque As

A Function Of Time

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 Journal of Theoretical and Applied Information Technology
15th November 2012. Vol. 45 No.1
2005 - 2012 JATIT & LLS. All rights reserved.

ISSN: 1992-8645 www.jatit.org E-ISSN: 1817-3195

160
of 6 F, point B; the corresponding load voltage
experimental
140
and power vs load current are shown in Figs. 15 and
simulation
Magnetizing power (W)

120 16 respectively.
100
80 600
60
500 experimental
40
simulation

Load voltage (V)

20
400

0 300
0 50 100 150 200 250 300
Phase voltage (V) 200

100
Fig. 12: P m Vs V s Characteristics Of Induction
0
Machine 0 0.05 0.1 0.15 0.2 0.25
Load current (A)
During no load condition the speed of the dc
motor is reduced in steps until the voltage across
the capacitance drops suddenly to zero, Fig. 13. Fig. 15: V L Vs I L For R L = 1.1 K, C max = 6 f.
This is called excitation failure stage.
60

600 50
Load power (W) experimental
500 experimental 40 simulation
Stator voltage (V)

simulation
400
30

300
20
200
10
100
0
0 0 0.05 0.1 0.15 0.2 0.25
0 500 1000 A 1500 2000 Load current (A)
Speed (rpm)
Fig. 16: P L Vs I L For R L = 1.1 K, C max = 6 f.
Fig. 13: Excitation Failure Without Load By Varying 7. CONCLUSION
Speed
The calculation of the critical, minimum and
It is concluded that the excitation fails for a speed maximum excitation capacitance from no load
of 1160 rpm for a capacitance of 6 F, point A. characteristics of the induction generator is
A three phase resistive load is connected across presented.
the star connected capacitor bank. Again, the speed The modelling of self-excited induction generator
of the drive is gradually decreased to obtain zero is done and corresponding equations are given. The
voltage point, Fig. 14. This is termed excitation self-excited induction generator is modelled in
failure stage at full load. synchronously rotating reference frame and it is
transformed to abc frame by PARKS
400
experimental transformation. The dynamic response of self-
350 simulation
excited induction generator is simulated under
300
Stator voltage (V)

varying loads and capacitances.

250
200 The voltage buildup process of the self-excited
150 induction generator under varying generator speeds
100 is investigated for a resistive load through simulated
50
B and experimental results which are in close
0
1740 1760 1780 1800 1820 1840 1860 1880
agreement.
Speed (rpm) REFRENCES:
Fig. 14: Excitation Failure With Load By Varying Speed
[1] The Global Wind Energy Council, GWEC
The excitation failure occurs at 1760 rpm for Latest News (2011, April). China, USA,
resistive load of 1.1 k and maximum capacitance Germany, Spain and India lead world wind

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 Journal of Theoretical and Applied Information Technology
15th November 2012. Vol. 45 No.1
2005 - 2012 JATIT & LLS. All rights reserved.

ISSN: 1992-8645 www.jatit.org E-ISSN: 1817-3195

power market in 2011 [Online]. Available: conditions, IEEE Trans. on Energy
http://www.gwec.net conversion, vol.14, no.1, March 1999.
[2] J.B. Patton and D. Curtice, Analysis of utility
protection problems associated with small wind
turbine interconnections, IEEE Trans., PAS-
101, (10), pp.3957-3966, 1982.
[3] S.S. Murthy, B.P. Singh, C. Nagamani and
K.V Sathyanarayana, Studies on the use of
conventional induction motors as self excited
induction generators, IEEE Trans. Energy
Conversion, Vol. 3, no.4, pp. 842-848, 1988.
[4] E.D. Basset and F.M. Potter, Capacitive
excitation of induction generators, Trans.
Amer. Inst. Electr. Eng., 54, pp. 540-545,
1935.
[5] G.L.Johnson, Wind Energy Systems,
Prentice Hall Inc., Englewood Cliffs, New
Jercy, 1985.
[6] S.S. Murthy, O.P. Malik and A.K. Tandon,
Analysis of self-excited induction generator,
Proc. Inst. Elect. Eng. C., vol.129, no.6, pp.
260-265, Nov. 1982.
[7] N.H.Malik and A.H.Al-Bahrani, Influence of
the terminal capacitor on the performance
characteristics of a self excited induction
generator, Proc. IEE, vol. 137, no.2, 1990, pp.
168-173.
[8] L.Quazene, and G. McPherson, Jr., Analysis
of the isolated induction generator, IEEE
Trans. PAS, vol. 102, no.8, pp. 2793-2798,
1983.
[9] J.M.Elder, J.T.Boys and J.L.Woodward, Self-
excited induction machine as a small low cost
generator, Proc. IEE, Part C, Vol. 131, no.2,
1984, pp. 33-41.
[10] T.F.Chan, Capacitance requirements of self-
excited induction generators, IEEE Trans.
Energy Conversion, vol. 8, no. 2, pp. 304-311,
1993.
[11] C.Grantham, D.Sutanto, and B.Mismail,
Steady-state and transient analysis of self-
excited induction generators, Proc. IEE, Part
B, Vol. 136, no.2, 1989, pp. 61-68.
[12] Paul C. Krause, Analysis of electric
machinery, McGraw-Hill, New York, 1986,
P.172.
[13] K.Natarajan, A. Sharaf, S. Sivakumar and S.
Nagathan, Modelling and control design for
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self excited induction generator, IEEE Trans.
EC, Vol.2, no.3, pp.506-512, Sept.1987.
[14] Li Wang and Jian-Yi Su, Dynamic
performance of an isolated self excited
induction generator under various loading

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 Journal of Theoretical and Applied Information Technology
15th November 2012. Vol. 45 No.1
2005 - 2012 JATIT & LLS. All rights reserved.

ISSN: 1992-8645 www.jatit.org E-ISSN: 1817-3195

NOMENCLATURE: APPENDEX
C = Self-excitation capacitance Parameters of induction machine (Squirrel Cage
E1 = No load magnetizing voltage rotor):
i ds , i qs = Peak stator d and q axes currents Rating : 120 W, 240 V, 0.5 A, 1300 rpm, 4 pole
i dr , i qr = Peak rotor d and q axes currents Constants : r s = 36.658 , r r = 36.753
i dc , i qc = Peak d and q axes capacitor currents L s = 0.134 H, L r = 0.134 H
im = Peak magnetizing current Bharat Bijlee Ltd.
I n1 = No load current
J, B = Net inertia & friction of rotating parts of
the m/c
Lm = Magnetizing inductance
L s , L r = Stator and rotor inductances
P = Number of poles
Pm = Magnetizing power
p = Differential operator d/dt
rs, rr = Stator and rotor resistance
Tm = Mechanical toque (Nm)
Te = Electromagnetic torque (Nm)
v ds , v qs = Peak stator d and q axes voltages
vg = Peak magnitude of the air gap voltage
v n1 = Phase supply voltage
v L , i L = Load voltage and load current
r = Shaft speed (rad/sec)
e = Electrical frequency (rad/sec)
xm = Magnetizing reactance
x CC = Critical capacitive reactance
x cmin, x cmax = Minimum and maximum
capacitive reactances
z n1 = No load impedance