Open Circuit Saturation Curve of an Alternator
Raeven de Quiroz #1, Karl Joseph C. Villaria#2
Department of EECE, MapuaInsitute of Technology
Muralla St., Intramuros, Manila, Philippines
1
raevendequiroz@yahoo.com
2
villarinakarl@yahoo.com
Abstract an alternator is a device that transforms
mechanical energy to electrical energy in the form of alternating
current(ac). The Goal of this experiment is to observe the
behaviours of an AC Synchronous Generator and obtain the
open circuit saturation curve. The behaviour construction and
behaviour of an Alternator is explained throughout the
experiment. After the experiment, the relationships or behaviour
observed for an alternator is that the induced voltage is directly
proportional to both the phase terminal voltage and the field
current.
Keywords Alternator, mechanical energy, terminal voltage, field
current
I. INTRODUCTION
A Synchronous generator, AC generator or Alternators are
the principal sources of electrical power throughout the world,
and range in size from a fraction of a KVA to 1500MVA.
These are the most common sources of electrical power in the
world. Most alternators are driven externally by mechanical
powers such as Steam Turbine Generators and Diesel-
Powered Generators.
Diagram 1. AC Synchronous Generator
Synchronous generators are usually functioned together,
developing a large power system providing electrical energy
to the masses or customers. The Prime Mover is the source of
the mechanical power of a synchronous generator.
The Steam to the turbine affects the power angle of a
synchronous machine. Even a partial amount of steam to the
turbine causes in the decreases in the synchronous motor
power angle. At a time wherein the turbine can carry the entire
pump load, the synchronous motor will operate at no load and
its power angle will be zero. A Synchronous generator can be
categorized as rotating-armature or rotating field type.
Rotating-armature type is when the armature winding is on the
rotor and the field system is on the stator. Rotating-field type
is the armature winding is on the stator and the field system is
on the rotor. The Alternator is comparable to a DC Generator
due to both being able to produce terminal voltages. In a
synchronous machines, the armature has an AC winding
where the output voltage flows while the field windings which
can be the rotor is connected to a DC supply for excitation.
The objective of this experiment is to observe the
behaviours of an AC Synchronous Generator and obtain the
open circuit saturation curve.
II. METHODOLOGY
The Goal of this experiment is to observe the behaviours
of an AC Synchronous Generator and obtain the open circuit
saturation curve.
The Equipments used in performing the experiment are
shown below with the respective initial settings: FH2 MkIV
Test Bed at Speed Range 1800 rev/min, Armature Rheostat to
infinity, Field Rheostat to zero, and DC Supply to 110V.
FH100 Slip Ring Machine: Test Machine, FH50 DC
Compound Machine, A2 DC Ammeter - 500-mA Range, V2
DC Voltmeter - 150-V Range, V3 AC Voltmeter - 250-V
Range, R1 Resistive Load - 2000-ohm Rheostat set to infinity.
Figure 1. Wiring Diagram of the Stator Circuit
of the Alternator
 Figure 2. Wiring Diagram of the Rotor Circuit
of the Alternator

Figure 3. Actual Connection

The alternator was start from rest with an initial Ef of zero.

For a reading of the Induced voltage, there will be a field
current reading, and the three phase voltages. The value of the
induced voltage is controlled by the resistance, R1, through
the rheostat. Decreasing the rheostat resistance increases the
induced voltage. For every increasing value of the induced
voltage, the field current and phase voltages are recorded. In
part 2, the procedure is just the same but decreasing.