Generation of Polyphase Voltage
Generation of Polyphase Voltage
A
90o
Comparing these equations (below) with respect to their wave diagrams, (Fig. 4), it should be
understood that the order of the phases , or the phase sequence is ABC for the three phase systems and
AB for the two system.
ea = Em sin α ea = Em sin α
eb = Em sin (α-120o) eb = Em sin (α-90 o)
ec = Em sin (α-240 o)
The phase sequences can be readily be changed by reversing the direction of rotation of the field
winding (rotor) in figs 3 and 4 under this condition they would be ACB for three phase and BA for two
phase. Once the phasor sequence of the generator is established, the order in which the lne wires are
connected to the load will determine how the load will behave. A three phase induction motor, for
example will rotate in one direction and if two wires are interchanged the motor will reverse its direction
of rotation. When the loads are stationary and unbalanced, consisting of various combinations of R, L and
C, two completely different sets of calculated values will be obtained for the two phase sequences.
Although the effective voltages developed in the different phases of an ac generator (alternator)
are numerically equal, their phasor positions are determined by the manner in which the windings are
arranged in the machine. Phasor directions are properly specified only when the symbols indicate how
the winding circuits must be traced to yield the correct phase displacement. Thus in the figure below,
the voltage of phase A is ahead of the voltage in phase B by 120 elec deg when phase A is traced from a
to A and phase B is traced from b to B; similarly the voltage of phase C lags behind the voltage of phase B
by 120 elec deg when phase C is traced from c to C and phase B is traced from b to B. It is therefore logical
to represent phasor quantities by a double subscript notation indicating how the circuit is being traced.
Fig. 8. WINDING AND PHASOR DIAGRAMS WITH THE DOUBLE SUBSCRIPT NOTATION
When three phase windings are interconnected, it is frequently necessary to trace a winding in an
opposite direction to determine the resultant voltage. Under such conditions the phasors are merely
reversed and the opposite subscript notations are applied to the quantities.