Synchronizing means to connect an alternator in parallel with the another alternator or busbar already supplying the load.
- In power houses there are a number of alternators connected to the busbar in place of a single big alternator. There are the following requirements and advantages:
- The alternators can be run in parallel according to the requirement of the load.
- Each alternator will run at full load so the efficiency is good.
- The alternator can be overhauled periodically, so life is more.
- In case of fault, faulty alternator can be removed and the load can be transferred on the other alternator. Thus supply will continue.
- The load on the synchronized alternators will be divided automatically.
What are the different conditions to be fulfilled for synchronizing the alternators?
There are the following conditions to be fulfilled before synchronizing the alternators:
- The frequency of the e.m.f. induced by the incoming machine must be equal to the busbar frequency or the frequency of already supplying alternator.
- The voltage of the incoming machine should be equal to the busbar / already supplying alternator voltage.
- The phase of the incoming machine voltage must be the same to that of the phase of the busbar/machine already supplying the voltage.
The frequency of the induced voltage can be checked by means of the frequency-meter. The voltage can be checked by means of the voltmeter. The voltage can be adjusted by adjusting the field regulator of the incoming machine. The frequency can be regulated by regulating the speed of the prime mover. The synchroscope is used for checking the phase sequence etc. and this single instrument can be suitably used for frequency and phase sequence test for synchronizing the alternators.