Harmonics in Synchronous Machines:
Now we will learn about Harmonics in Synchronous machines.We know that in synchronous machines or alternators, the voltage and currents are induced.These voltage and currents are sinusoidal waveforms.But practically this doesn’t happens and sinusoidal waveforms are not produced when such alternators are loaded.Due to the loading condition, the generated waveform deviates from the ideal waveform.Such a non-sinusoidal waveform is called complex wave.
By Fourier transform, this complex waveform can be shown to be built of a series of sinusoidal waves whose frequencies are integral multiples of the frequency of fundamental wave.These sinusoidal components or harmonic functions are called harmonics of the complex wave.
The fundamental wave is defined as that component which is having same frequency as that of complex wave.The component which is having double the frequency of that of fundamental wave called second harmonic. While the component which is having the frequency three times that of fundamental is called third harmonic and so on.The complex waveform contains both the even as well as odd harmonics. Consider a complex wave which is represented by,
e = E1m sin (ωt +Φ1) + E2m sin (ωt +Φ2) +E3m sin (ωt +Φ3)+……..+Enm sin (ωt +Φn)
where E1m sin (ωt +Φ1) is the fundamental component of maximum value E1m having an angle Φ1 from the instant of zero of the complex wave. Similarly, Enm sin (ωt +Φn) represents nth harmonic of maximum value Enm and having phase angle Φn with respect to complex wave.
Out of the even and odd harmonics, a complex wave containing fundamental component and even harmonics only are always unsymmetrical about x-axis whereas a complex wave containing fundamental component and odd harmonics only is always symmetrical about the x-axis.In case of alternators, the voltage generated is mostly symmetrical as the field system and coils are all symmetrical.So the generated voltage or current will not have any even harmonics in most of the cases.
The complex waveform of voltage can be analysed experimentally by using the phenomenon of resonance.If voltage waveform containing harmonic content is applied to the circuit containing resistance, inductance and capacitance, then the circuit will resonate at one of the harmonic frequencies.
The voltage drop across the resistance can be analyzed by using an oscillograph. The values of inductance and capacitance can be changed so that resonance can be obtained at fundamental, third harmonic, fifth harmonic etc.The voltage on the oscillograph indicates the presence of particular harmonics.
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Slot Harmonics in Synchronous Machines:
The voltage generated in armature windings is derived assuming that the surface of the armature to be smooth.However in practice armature is not smooth but is made slotted.Due to this slotting, certain harmonic EMFs of undesirable order are produced.
The reluctance at any point in the air gap depends on whether there is a slot or teeth in the magnetic path.Since in case of alternators armature is moving, the teeth and slots alternately occupy positions at this point.This will vary the reluctance.The ripples will be formed due to the variation of reluctance from point to Field point in the air gap which is shown in the below figure.These ripples will not move with respect to Armature conductors but glide on the distribution of flux.
These ripples due to slotting of the armature are always due to ripple opposite to slots and teeth which are causing them. Thus the harmonics which are generated in the EMF due to slotting is called slot harmonics. It can be seen that the main source of harmonics is the non-sinusoidal field form which can be made sinusoidal and the harmonics can be eliminated.
The air gap offers maximum reluctance to the flux path.This air gap if made to vary sinusoidally around the machine, the field form would also be sinusoidal. Even the air gap is made to vary sinusoidally, the field form cannot be sinusoidal due to saturation in iron parts which is unavoidable. But there should not be the high degree of saturation so that approximately sinusoidal waveform will be obtained.
Thus, in general, it can be seen that ideal sinusoidal field form is very difficult to obtain whether the machine is salient pole type or cylindrical rotor construction.Now here we will learn how to minimise or eliminate harmonic components in synchronous machines.
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Harmonics Minimization from induced voltages:
To eliminate or minimize the harmonics from the voltage waveform, the windings must be properly designed.The different ways to eliminate the harmonics from generated voltage are,
1) Distribution of armature windings :
Instead of having concentrated type of windings, they should be distributed in different slots. The distribution factor for harmonics is comparatively less than that of the fundamental and hence magnitude of harmonic e.m.f. is small.
2) Chording :
The e.m.f. generated in the winding is proportional to cos (x /2) where a is angle of chording and x is order of harmonic.If proper value of angle of chording is selected then harmonic e..m.f.s can be reduced significantly.
3) Fractional slot windings:
The output voltage waveform will be free of harmonics by facilitating the use of fractional slot windings as the distribution factor will be smaller compared to that with the fundamental.
4) Skewing:
Skewing the pole face will help in eliminating the slot harmonics.
5) Large length of air gap:
The reluctance will be increased by increasing the air gap and slot harmonics can be reduced.
Conclusion:
You have learnt Harmonics in Synchronous Machines(Alternators) and also Slot Harmonics.You can download this article as pdf, ppt.
Comment below for any Queries.
how skewing armature and rotor slots helps in eliminating harmonics?
Thank you for your comment and for asking about how skewing the armature and rotor slots can help to eliminate harmonics in a motor. Skewing the armature and rotor slots refers to the process of offsetting the slots in the armature and rotor of a motor from their normal position. By skewing the slots, the harmonics that are typically present in the electromagnetic field of the motor can be reduced or eliminated. This is because skewing the slots changes the shape of the electromagnetic field, which in turn changes the frequency of the harmonics. Skewing the slots is a common technique that is used to improve the performance of motors and reduce the level of noise and vibration that they produce. I hope this helps to answer your question! If you have any further questions or comments, please don’t hesitate to ask.