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Induction Generator Working Theory

1) Induction generators, also called asynchronous generators, operate when the rotor rotates faster than the synchronous speed, inducing a current in the opposite direction that generates a magnetic field pushing against the stator field. 2) Without an external source, a capacitor bank can be connected to supply reactive power for magnetization, with a small voltage initially generated by residual magnetism allowing current in the capacitors. 3) Induction generators are well-suited for applications like wind turbines due to producing useful power over a range of rotor speeds without requiring maintenance-intensive components like commutators.

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664 views

Induction Generator Working Theory

1) Induction generators, also called asynchronous generators, operate when the rotor rotates faster than the synchronous speed, inducing a current in the opposite direction that generates a magnetic field pushing against the stator field. 2) Without an external source, a capacitor bank can be connected to supply reactive power for magnetization, with a small voltage initially generated by residual magnetism allowing current in the capacitors. 3) Induction generators are well-suited for applications like wind turbines due to producing useful power over a range of rotor speeds without requiring maintenance-intensive components like commutators.

Uploaded by

kalpanadevi
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Induction Generator Working Theory

Just like a DC Machine, a same induction machine can be used as an induction motor as
well as an induction generator, without any internal modifications. Induction generators
are also called as asynchronous generators.
Before starting to explain how an induction (asynchronous) generator works, I assume
that you know the working principle of an induction motor. In an induction motor, the rotor
rotates because of slip (i.e. relative velocity between the rotating magnetic field and the
rotor). Rotor tries to catch up the synchronously rotating field of the stator but never
succeeds. If rotor catches up the synchronous speed, the relative velocity will be zero, and
hence rotor will experience no torque.
But what if the rotor is rotating at a speed more than synchronous speed?

How Induction Generators Work?

Consider, an AC supply is connected to the stator terminals of an induction machine.


Rotating magnetic field produced in the stator pulls the rotor to run behind it (the
machine is acting as a motor).
Now, if the rotor is accelerated to the synchronous speed by means of a prime
mover, the slip will be zero and hence the net torque will be zero. The rotor current will
become zero when the rotor is running at synchronous speed.
If the rotor is made to rotate at a speed more than the synchronous speed, the slip
becomes negative. A rotor current is generated in the opposite direction, due to the
rotor conductors cutting stator magnetic field.
This generated rotor current produces a rotating magnetic field in the rotor which
pushes (forces in opposite way) onto the stator field. This causes a stator voltage
which pushes current flowing out of the stator winding against the applied voltage.
Thus, the machine is now working as an induction generator (asynchronous
generator).

Induction generator is not a self-excited machine. Therefore, when running as a generator,

the machine takes reactive power from the AC power line and supplies active power back
into the line. Reactive power is needed for producing rotating magnetic field. The active
power supplied back in the line is proportional to slip above the synchronous speed.

Self-Excited Induction Generator


It is clear that, an induction machine needs reactive power for excitation, regardless
whether it is operating as a generator or a motor. When an induction generator is connected
to a grid, it takes reactive power from the grid. But what if we want to use an induction
generator to supply a load without using an external source (e.g. grid)?
A capacitor bank can be connected across the stator terminals to supply reactive power to
the machine as well as to the load. When the rotor is rotated at an enough speed, a small
voltage is generated across the stator terminals due to residual magnetism. Due to this
small generated voltage, capacitor current is produced which provides further reactive
power for magnetization.

Applications of induction generators: Induction generators produce useful power even at


varying
rotor
speeds.
Hence,
they
are
suitable
in
wind
turbines.
Advantages: Induction or asynchronous generators are more rugged and require no
commutator and brush arrangement (as it is needed in case of synchronous generators).
One of the major disadvantage of induction generators is that they take quite large
amount of reactive power.

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