Synchronous and DC Machines Laboratory

Date:
Experiment No:10

Aim: Synchronization of 3-phase alternators with common bus bars by (i) Three dark
lamp method (ii) Two bright one dark lamp method and (iii) Synchroscope method

Apparatus:
Name of Equipment/Apparatus Nos.
Motor-Alternator Set 1/2
Three phase auto transformer 1/2
Three Phase MCB 3
Digital Multi meter 3
Load Bank 1
Synchronizing Panel 1
Frequency meter 3
Incandescent Lamps 6
Connecting wires

Technical Specification of machine:

3 – Phase Alternator
kVA/KW Frame No.
Voltage (L-L) Armature Current (Ia)

Field Voltage Field Current (If)

Frequency Insulation Class.

Speed Type
D.C. Shunt Motor
kW Frame No
Voltage Armature Current (Ia)
Field Voltage Field Current (If)
Type of Field Winding Insulation Class.

Speed Type

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 Synchronous and DC Machines Laboratory

Theoretical Background
Need of parallel operation:
The parallel operation of alternator is needed for following reasons:
1. Several alternators can supply a bigger load demand exceeding the load capacity of single
generator.
2. During period of light load, one or more alternators of large rating may be shut down and
those low rating alternators remaining in operation, work on full load increase efficiency.
3. When one machine is taken out during scheduled shutdown for its maintenance or
emergency shutdown in case of faults in generator or grid, remaining unit maintains the
continuous power supply without interruption to the grid hence increasing the reliability of
grid for the end users of the power.
4. It becomes important to take into consideration the optimal and economy while delivering
power to grid, by both the utility companies as well as customer’s point of view. Parallel
operations help in the same.
5. For increasing future demand of load more machines can be added without disturbing
original installation.
6. Operation cost and cost of energy generated are reduced.
Thus parallel operation of alternators ensures greater security of supply and enable
overall economic generation.
An incoming alternator cannot be directly connected to the grid without matching the condition
for synchronization described below.
Synchronization is the process of interconnecting alternator and the grid while ensuring the
necessary condition for synchronization.

Conditions for synchronization of three phase synchronous machine

Following four conditions should be met to synchronize three phase synchronous machine with
infinite bus bar. In the discussion, the synchronous machine to be synchronized is identified as
incoming machine.
1. The phase sequence of incoming machine should be same as infinite bus bar. (Phase
sequence meter or three dark/bright lamp methods is used to determine phase
sequence). If the phase sequence is not same, then interchange any two phases of either
incoming machine or infinite bus to make them similar.
2. The rms value of terminal voltage (L-L) of incoming machine should be same as
infinite bus bar. To measure terminal voltage (L-L), place the voltmeter across any two
phases of incoming machine. Similarly, place another voltmeter across any two phases
of infinite bus bar. Increase or decrease the excitation of alternator to match the rms
value of terminal voltage.
3. Frequency of incoming machine should be same as infinite bus bar. Increase or
decrease the speed to prime mover to match the frequency of alternator.
4. Phase Displacement (Phase Angle) of incoming machine and infinite bus must be zero
at the instant of switching. The phase displacement is measure by synchroscope or
synchronizing lamp methods.

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 Synchronous and DC Machines Laboratory

Methods for synchronization of three phase synchronous machine

The following methods are used for synchronization of the alternator with the grid.
1. Synchronizing Lamps
a. Three Bright Lamp Method
b. Three Dark Lamp Method
c. One Dark & Two Bright Lamp Method
2. Synchroscope
Three Bright Lamp Method
In this method, lamps are connected across the phases that is R1 is connected to Y2, Y1 is
connected to B2 and B1 is connected to R2. If all the lamps get bright and dark together, then
the phase sequence are same. The correct instant of closing the synchronizing switch in the
middle of the bright period.

Three Dark Lamp Method

In this method, lamps are connected in the phases as shown in Figure 1 that is R1 is connected
to R2, Y1 is connected to Y2 and B1 is connected to B2. If all the lamps get bright and dark
together, then the phase sequence are same. The correct instant of closing the synchronizing
switch in the middle of the dark period.

One Dark and Two Bright Lamp Method

In this method, one set of lamps are connected in the phases and remaining two set of lamps
out of phase as shown in Figure 2 that is R1 is connected to R2, Y1 is connected to B2 and B1
is connected to Y2. If R1-R2 gets darks and remaining sets get bright together, then the phase
sequence are same. The correct instant of closing the synchronizing switch in the instant when
R1-R2 gets complete dark and Y1-B2 and B1-Y2 gets full bright.

Circuit Diagram – Attach a separate sheet

Figure 1: Circuit Diagram for Synchronization of Three Phase Synchronous Machine

with Infinite Bus using Three Dark Lamps Method

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 Synchronous and DC Machines Laboratory

Figure 1: Circuit Diagram for Synchronization of Three Phase Synchronous Machine

with Infinite Bus using One Dark-Two Bright Lamps Method

Procedure:
Procedure of synchronization with three dark lamps method (Figure 1)
1. Connect the circuit as per the circuit diagram shown in Fig. 1.
2. Initially, make sure the Synchronizing switch is open.
3. Adjust L-L voltage for infinite bus bar to 10 volts using auto transformer and check its
phase sequence. Say the phase sequence of infinite bus bar voltage is clockwise.
4. Also check the frequency of infinite bus bar. It is expected to near 50 Hz.
5. Now increase L-L voltage of infinite bus bar to rated 415 volts using auto transformer and
read it through the voltmeter connected at infinite bus bar end.
6. Adjust the DC supply voltage of DC motor to run it at its rated speed. This DC motor acts
as prime mover for the incoming synchronous generator.
7. Now gradually increase the field voltage of synchronous generator and note the rise in its
terminal L-L voltage.
8. Check the phase sequence of the generated terminal voltage of synchronous generator. If it
is not same as infinite bus bar, then reduce the field voltage to zero, ensure zero voltage
across generator terminal and then only interchange any two phases to adjust the same
phase sequence of both machines.
9. Now raise the field voltage to get rated terminal voltage of 415 volts of incoming
synchronous generator.
10. Adjust the frequency of incoming synchronous generator by adjusting the speed of DC
motor and bring its frequency near to 50 Hz.
11. If the voltage and frequency of incoming generator and infinite bus are not same, then
instantaneous voltage across all three lamps will be present and all three lamps will go
bright. The brightness of the lamp will depend on non-zero value of instantaneous potential

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 Synchronous and DC Machines Laboratory

difference across the lamps. Higher the value of instantaneous potential difference across
the lamps, the lamps will glow brighter.
12. In case of non-zero instantaneous potential difference across the lamps, the operator has to
control (i) terminal voltage of incoming synchronous generator by controlling its field
excitation (ii) frequency of incoming synchronous generator by controlling its rotor speed
by adjusting the speed of DC motor.
13. Once instantaneous potential difference across the lamps become zero after these
adjustments and when all three lamps go top dark, the operator can synchronize the
incoming synchronous generator to infinite bus by closing the synchronizing switch as
shown in Fig. 1.

Procedure of synchronization with one dark-two bright lamps method (Figure 2)

1. Connect the circuit as per the circuit diagram shown in Fig. 2 and follow the steps of three
dark lamp methods up to step 9.
2. When the voltage and frequency of incoming generator and infinite bus become same, the
instantaneous voltage across the lamp L1 (connected between R1 (R phase of infinite bus)
and R2 (R phase of incoming machine) will be zero. Hence, this lamp will go dark.
3. The lamp L2 and L3 are connected across alternate phases (Y2-B1) and (B2-Y1), there will
always be instantaneous potential difference, hence these two lamps will go bright when
the conditions of synchronization met.
4. At this instant, the operator can close the synchronizing switch as shown in Fig. 2.
5. If the conditions of synchronization don’t fulfill, then one lamp L1 and two lamps (L2 and
L3) will continue to glow in dark-bright sequence. Higher the mismatch in frequency and
voltage magnitude, the intensity of flickering will be very high.
6. If the voltage and frequency of incoming generator and infinite bus are not same, then
instantaneous voltage across all three lamps will be present and all three lamps will go
bright. The brightness of the lamp will depend on non-zero value of instantaneous potential
difference across the lamps. Higher the value of instantaneous potential difference across
the lamps, the lamps will glow brighter.
7. In case of non-zero instantaneous potential difference across the lamps, the operator has to
control (i) terminal voltage of incoming synchronous generator by controlling its field
excitation (ii) frequency of incoming synchronous generator by controlling its rotor speed
by adjusting the speed of DC motor.
8. Once instantaneous potential difference across the lamps become zero after these
adjustments, observe that one lamp should remain top dark and other two lamps should
remain top bright for relatively longer duration. At that point, the operator can synchronize
the incoming synchronous generator to infinite bus by closing the synchronizing switch as
shown in Fig. 2.

Procedure of synchronization using synchronizing panel

1. Connect circuit as shown in circuit diagram for performing the synchronization of an
alternator with the grid.
2. Initially, make sure the synchronizing switch is open.

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 Synchronous and DC Machines Laboratory

3. Connect the source selector switch at source 1 to connect input from source 1 to alternator.
4. Check the alternator excitation unit “OFF”.
5. Apply rated voltage to field winding of the D.C. shunt motor which acts as a prime mover
to rotate it at synchronous speed of the alternator.
6. Connect voltage selector switch (VSS Switch) to R-Y phase to measure the generated
voltage.
7. Switch ON the D.C. supply to the field winding and increase the excitation voltage till the
generated voltage is equal to the rated value.
8. With the help of phase sequence indicator provided in the synchronizing panel, check
whether clockwise or anticlockwise rotation is indicated. Phase sequence indicator shows
clockwise or anticlockwise rotation when the Phase sequence indicator switch is kept
pressed. Note that this switch is not for continuous use.
9. With the help of frequency meter provided in the synchronizing panel, check whether the
frequency of the generated voltage is 50Hz. If the frequency is not equal to 50Hz, adjust
the field excitation till the frequency of the generated voltage is 50Hz.
10. Now, switch the source selector switch from source 1 to source 2 to make the connection
with the grid. The meters/indicators on panel will now correspond to the grid quantities.
11. Gradually increase the output of the 3-phase autotransformer till the rated value.
12. Check the frequency and phase sequence of the grid with the help of frequency meter and
phase sequence indicator provided in the synchronizing panel.
13. Ensure that the voltage, phase sequence and frequency of the alternator matched with that
of the grid. Once this is ensured, close the synchronizing switch provided on the
synchronizing panel.
14. Connect the lamp method switch from off to all dark lamp.
15. Adjust the excitation voltage of alternator, till all lamps become dark.
16. Also with the help of synchroscope provided in the synchronizing panel, determine whether
the alternator is synchronized with the grid or not. This can be determined by turning the
Synchroscope switch for a short time. Note that this switch is not for continuous use.
17. Lastly, with the lamp method switch select two bright and one dark lamp method. If two
lamps are ON (glowing brightly) and one lamp is dark then the synchronization is achieved.

Conclusion:

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