Let us consider two alternators, which are running exactly inphase (relative to the external circuit) but which

have slightly
unequal voltages, as shown.
If E1 is greater than E2, then their resultant is Er = (E1 E2) and
is in phase with E1.
This Er or ESY set up a local synchronizing current I SY which is
almost 90o behind ESY and hence behind E1 also.
This lagging current produces demagnetizing effect on the first
machine, hence E1 is reduced
The other machine runs as a synchronous motor, taking almost
90o leading current. Hence, its field is strengthened due to
magnetizing effect of armature reaction. This tends to increase
E2. These two effects act together and hence lessen the
inequalities between the two voltages and tend to establish
stable conditions.

 The amount of load taken up by an alternator running, in

parallel with other machines is determined by its driving
torque (i.e. by the power input to its prime mover .
Any alternation in its excitation merely changes its KVA
output, but not its KW output.
Effect of change in excitation
Suppose the initial operating conditions of the two parallel
alternators are identical i.e. each alternator supplies one
half of the active load (kW) and one half of the reactive
load (kVAR), the operating power factors thus being equal
to the load p.f.
Both active and reactive power are divided equally thereby
giving apparent power triangles for the two machines as
shown.

 As shown in figure above each alternator supplies a load

current I so that total output current is 2I.
Now, let excitation of alternator No. 1 be increased, so that
E1 becomes greater than E2.
The difference between the two e.m.fs. Sets up a circulating
current IC= ISY = (E1-E2)/2ZS which is confined to the local
path through the armatures and round the bus-bars.
This current is superimposed on the original current
distribution.
IC is vectorially added to the load current of alternator No.1
and subtracted from that of No. 2
The two machines no deliver load currents I 1 and I2 at
respective power factors of
&

 These changes in load currents lead to changes

in power factors, such that
is reduced,
whereas
is increased.
However, effect on the kW loading of the two
alternator is negligible, but kVAR1 supplied by
alternator No. 1 is increased, whereas kVAR 2
supplied by alternator No.2 is correspondingly
decreased as shown by the kVA TRIANGLES

EFFECT OF CHANGE IN STEAM SUPPLY

If the excitations of the two alternators are kept same but
steam supply to alternator No. 1 is increased i.e. power
input to its prime mover is increased.
Since the speeds of the two machines are tied together by
their synchronous bond, machine No.1 cannot overrun
machine No.2.
Alternatively it utilizes its increased power input for
carrying more load than No.2.
This can be made possible only when rotor No.1 advances
its angular position with respect to No.2 as shown in
figure below

 Where E1 is shown advanced ahead of E 2 by an angle

Resultant voltage Er is produced which, acting on the
local circuit, sets up a current I SY which lags by
almost 90o behind Er but is almost in phase with E 1.
Hence power per phase of No.1 is increased by an
amount = E1 ISY whereas that of No.2 is decreased by
the same amount.
Since ISY has no appreciable reactive component, the
increase in steam supply does not disturb the division
of reactive powers, but increases the active power
output of alternator No.1 and decreases that of No.2
Load division when steam supply to alternator No.1
is increased, is shown in fig.

SUMS
Two identical 3- phase alternators work in parallel
and supply a total load of 1,500 kW at 11 kV at a
power factor of 0.867 lagging. Each machine
supplies half the total power. The synchronous
reactance of each is 50 ohms per phase and the
resistance is 4 ohms per phase. The field excitation
of the first machine is so adjusted that its armature
current is 50 A lagging. Determine the armature
current of the second alternator and the generated
voltage of the first machine.

Given data:
1. kW = 1500
2. kV= 11
3.
= 0.867 (lagging)
4. XS= 50 Ohms per phase
5. Ra = 4 Ohms per phase
6. Ia1 = 50 A when the field excitation of machine
1 is changed.
To Find:
7. Ia2
8. E of first machine

SOLUTION:
Step 1:
IL = (1500 1000)/(
= 0.4983

11000 0.867) = 90.80 A

Step 2:
Wattful or active component of the current = I L
= 90.80 0.867
= 78.723A
Wattless or reactive component of the current = I L
= 90.80 0.4983
= 45.245A

 Each alternator supplies half of each of

the above two component when
conditions are identical

Step :3
Current supplied by each machine = 90.80/2 = 45.4
A
Suppose the steam supply of first machine is not
changd, the working component of both machines
would remain the same at 78.72 /2 = 39.36 A.
But the wattless components would be redivided
due to change in excitation.
The armature current of the first machine is
changed from 45.4 to 50 A.
The Wattless component of the first machine =

Step :4
Wattless component of the 2nd machine =
45.245- 30.83 = 14.415 A

Step:5 Armature current of the second machine =

Step :6 Terminal voltage = 11000/

Step:7
= 39.36/50 = 0.787
= 0.616
Step:8

= 6350.852 V