Effect of Change in Input or Mechanical Torque

For any alternator its driving torque can be changed by controlling the gate opening in case of hydrogenerators or by controlling the throttle opening in case of turbogenerators. Again we will consider two cases that are alternator with and without load respectively.

1.1 Alternator on No Load

       Suppose that two alternators are running in parallel without any load in them. The excitations for two alternators are adjusted in such a way that the induced e.m.f.s. are equal in magnitude. The resultant voltage in the local circuit will be zero. With respect to external circuit the two e.m.f.s are in phase whereas in local circuit they are in opposition.

       Now the driving torque of alternator 1 is increased. This increment in torque will try to accelerate the alternator 1 and its induced e.m.f. E₁ will lead e.m.f. E₂. This will give rise to resultant voltage E_r. This voltage Ē = Ē₁ - Ē₂ circulates current I_SY in local circuit which is given by

       This current lags behind E_r by angle of approximately 90^o if the resistance of the armatures of the two alternators are neglected. This is represented in following phasor diagram shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 1

       This circulating current I_SY is almost in phase with E₁ and in phase opposition with E₂. Now here the synchronizing power will come into play. The alternator 1 produces a power E₁ I_SY cosΦ₁  which is positive as Φ₁ < 90^o while alternator 2 generates a power E₂ I_SY cosΦ₂ which is negative as Φ₂ > 90^o. Alternately we can say that alternator 1 experience a generating action which will try to retard it and alternator 2 receives the power produced by alternator 1. Hence it will experience a motoring action which will tend to accelerate it. Thus there will be automatic synchronizing action will retard the faster machine and accelerate the slower machine and synchronism is maintained.

       It can be seen that the autosynchronizing action is on account of Z₁ and Z₂ considered mainly reactive. If Z₁ and Z₂ are purely resistive then I_SY will be in phase of E_r. Then power for both the machines is positive and both will experience generating action. So there would not be synchronizing power will tend to accelerate the slower machine.

Note : Thus reactance mainly causes auto synchronization but it is bad for voltage regulation.

1.2 Alternator on Load

       Again we will consider two alternators which are loaded and running in parallel. The sharing of load between these alternators is governed by speed-load characteristics of their prime mover. In the Fig. 2 the two alternators are shown driven by prime movers 1 and 2.

Fig. 2

       In Fig. 3 the lines 1 and 2 represent the speed load characteristics of prime movers 1 and 2. For clarity and simplicity the slopes are exaggerated.

Fig. 3

       Horizontal line ab represents total load of 2P with load on each alternator as P. The frequency of bus bar is f.

       Now if by governer setting, the torque of prime mover 1 is increased, its speed will be increased which will shift its speed-load curve upwards. This is shown by dotted line 1'. Then original operating points a and b are now shifted to c and d. This will give new operating conditions which will increase load on alternator 1 from P to P₁ and decrease load on alternator 2 from P to  P₂ with P₁ + P₂ = 2P. From the Fig.3 it can be seen that frequency has increased from f to f'. Now, if it is desired to maintain the frequency constant then the input to prime mover 2 must be reduced which will shift its speed-load curve download shown by dotted line 2' The operating points c and d now shift to new points x and y. The horizontal line xy indicates that the load on alternator 1 is further increased from P₁ and P'₁ and that on alternator 2 is reduced from P₂ to P'₂ such that the relation P'₁ + P'₂ = 2P is maintained. Thus the load sharing between the alternators and the frequency can be controlled by changing the mechanical torque input to the alternators. By controlling the gate opening of water turbines or the throttle opening of steam turbines, the speed-load characteristics of prime movers can be shifted up and down.

1.3 Phasor Diagram

       To consider what happens internally in the two alternators, let us consider the phasor diagram.

Fig. 4

       The two alternators are running in parallel with their excitations constant. The armature currents I₁ and I₂ are also equal so that total load current is 2I₁ or 2I₂. The terminal voltage V is constant. Each alternator is sharing a load equal to 

       Now when mechanical torque of alternator 1 is increased, its output will also increase. But E₁, V and X_s are constant. So to increase power angle must be increased from δ to δ₁ so new E₁ will be ahead of previous position. The alternator 1 shares greater load than P. Therefore for constant load of 2P the load on alternator 2 must be less than P. This will make new E₂ to fall back from its previous position. Due to the different positions of E₁ and E₂, resulting voltage AB appears in the local circuit which will send a circulating current I_SY lagging behind the voltage by 90^o. This current I_SY must be added to I₁ and subtracted from I₂.

       The alternator 1 carries increased current I'₁ and alternator 2 carries decreased current I'₂ but total load current remains same  (Ī = Ī'₁ + Ī'₂). The power factor of alternator 1 is improved from cosΦ to cosΦ₁ whereas it is reduced from cosΦ to cosΦ₂ for alternator 2. But the load power factor remains unaffected.

       Thus increase in mechanical torque in case of alternator will increase armature current and improve the power factor. The alternator will share increased load whose driving torque is increased whereas the other alternator which is in parallel is relieved from the load whereas the reactive power distribution remains unaffected.

       To consider the effect of change in input on corresponding power triangles of the two alternators we will assume that the two alternators are turbo alternators whose prime mover are supplied with steam.

       Now the excitations for the two alternators are kept constant where steam supply i.e. power input to prime mover of alternator 1 is increased. The two alternators are running in synchronism. So machine 1 cannot overrun machine 2. The increased power input for alternator 1 makes it possible for carrying more load. This will make rotor fort machine 1 advancing its angular position by an angle δ.

       The resultant e.m.f. E_r is produced in the local circuit which will setup a circulating current I_SY which lags E_r by 90^o and almost in phase with E₁. The power per phase fort alternator 1 is increased by an amount E₁I_SY whereas it is decreased by same amount for alternator 2. This current I_SY has no appreaciable reactive component and it will not disturb the reactive power distribution but active power output of alternator 1 will increase and that of 2 will decrease. This is shown in Fig. 4.

Note : The change in input to the prime mover will change the distribution of load between the alternators.