1

Study of Saturation Characteristic of Equivalent

Circuits for Cylindrical Synchronous Machine
Daisuke Hiramatsu*, Yoichi Uemura*, Kazuma Tsujikawa *, Masashi Kobayashi*,Hitoshi Hosaka*,
Mikio Kakiuchi*, Ken Nagakura*, Takashi Ueda*, Toru Otaka*, Ken Nagasaka**
Ra

Abstract--The authors have studied the saturation

characteristic of equivalent circuit of cylindrical synchronous
machine. Using the measured data, the authors have studied the
effect on the saturation characteristic of equivalent circuits by
the finite element method (FEM) and the electromagnetic
transients program (ATP-EMTP).
Index Termsturbine generator, flux saturation, operationalimpedance, EMTP, FEM

I. INTRODUCTION

wo-pole cylindrical type synchronous machines are

extensively used in power utilities and I.P.P. generator
(I.P.P. stands for Independent Power Producer). They are also
used as blower fed synchronous motor and compressor drive
high-speed motor. With the recent remarkable progress in
increasing the capacity per unit, we have manufactured 2 pole
synchronous generators in 900,000kVA to 1,200,000kVA
classes for both 50Hz and 60Hz all over the world.
As equivalent circuit models of synchronous machine have
an important role in characteristic study, therefore the
accuracy of circuit elements is desired.
The Park model shown in Fig. 1 is generally used as the
equivalent circuit model for evaluating synchronous machines
[1]. It is known that reactance in an equivalent circuit is
affected by magnetic saturation, however not many detail
reports have been presented about the effects of reactance on
transient phenomena.
Now, various materials are used for generator rotor wedges
to meet the increasing capacity of generators. Mechanical
strength and manufacturing must be carefully considered
about rotor wedges. Electrically, rotor wedges are located in
the flux passage, and are also considered as damper windings
in an equivalent circuit. It is therefore important to understand
the effect of materials on the electric characteristics and
efficiency.
Considering these factors, we got back to the original point
and studied the effect of magnetic saturation of generators and
wedge materials on electric characteristics. This paper reports
the analyses results of the following issues using the finite
element method (FEM) and the transient analysis programs
(EMTP-ATP) on large-capacity generator models.
*D.Hiramatsu,Y.Uemura,K.Tsujikawa,M.Kobayashi,M.Kakiuchi,K.Nagakura,
T.Ueda,H.Hosaka, and T.Otaka are with Toshiba Corporation
2-4 Suehiro-cho, Tsurumi-ku, Yokohama 230-0045 Japan.
** K. Nagasaka is with Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology,
2-24-16 Nakamachi Koganei Tokyo 184-8588 Japan.

978-1-4244-6551-4/10/$26.00 2010 IEEE

Ra

xl
xfd
xad

Rfd

xl

xkd

xkq
xaq

Rkd

d axis

Rkq
axis

Fig.1. Park model

(1) Rotor wedge materials affect the air-gap permeance of

rotor slots, or magnetic circuits. We therefore studied about
the saturation characteristics and harmonic components
included in flux waveforms.
(2) Rotor wedges function as an element of damper winding
circuit in transients such as sudden short circuit, ground
fault and asynchronizing. Reference [2] reports that, for a
large-capacity cylindrical type synchronous generator,
reactance comprising rotor core, wedges, etc. possesses
saturation characteristics because of its solid structure. We
analyzed the reactance-frequency characteristic which is
affected by magnetic saturation and different wedge
materials. We also studied the effect of reactance saturation
on line-to-line sudden short circuit. The results are as
follows.
II. ANALYTICAL MODEL
The rotor structure of a large capacity synchronous machine
is shown in Fig. 2. As seen from the figure, the rotor has a
solid core, and electric current flows on the shaft surfaces and
wedges in transient state. The model system comprising a
synchronous generator is connected to an infinite bus as
shown in Fig. 2, and line impedance is nearly zero (10-6 ) in
the analysis.
In this paper, two models cylindrical type generators
(500,000 and 800,000kVA-class) were used.
The effect of wedge materials was studied on the 800,000
kVA-class model generator by assuming five cases mentioned
below. (Each pole of the rotor of the model machines consists
of eight coils. Wedges correspond to the coils, are referred to
as #1, #2, #8 from the pole center.)
Model 1: All rotor wedges are made of magnetic steel (Fe).
Model 2: Same as Model 1 except that wedges #7 and 8
between poles are made of aluminum (Al) alloys.
Model 3: Rotor wedge #1 at the pole center is made of
magnetic steel and all others made of aluminum
(Al) alloys. The model generators used in the
analysis are of this type.
Model 4:All rotor wedges are made of aluminum (Al)
alloys.

2
Fig. 4. No load saturation characteristics
TABLE.1. FIELD CURRENT AT RATED VOLTAGE(PU)

Model 5: All rotor wedges are made of nonmagnetic steel.

Wedge

Field
Winding

External Impedance

Wedge Material Field Current(pu)

All Fe
1.000
#1-#6Fe #7,8Al
0.991
#1Fe #2-#8Al
0.903
All Al , All SUS
0.918

: Field current of Model 1 is assumed to be 1 (PU).

Infinite Bus

Rotor Shaft

Mechanical Input

Fig. 2. Generator Model (Rotor Construction and Analytical Model)

(*) The structure of Model 1 where all wedges are made of

magnetic steel is not realistic applicable for a largecapacity generator as a model machines. However this is
a feasibility study for different wedge materials, we used
this structure as a base for comparison.
III. EFFECT OF WEDGE MATERIALS ON FLUX DISTRIBUTION
A. Effect of Wedge Materials on No-load Saturation
Characteristics
Fig.3 shows the flux distribution of Models 1 and 4 of
different wedge materials. Fig. 4 indicates the result of FEM
analysis of no-load saturation characteristics. Table 1
summarizes the field current at the rated voltage.

The following findings were obtained:

- Comparing Model 1 (all magnetic steel wedges) and Model
4 (all aluminum alloy wedges), leakage flux on the rotor
side of Model 1 is greater than that of Model 4. Hence the
field current required for generating the same voltage is
larger than Model 1.
- Model 2 is identical to Model 1 except that nonmagnetic
(aluminum alloy) wedges between poles in order to
decrease leakage flux experienced by Model 1. The
expected effect is not so large according to the analysis.
- Model 3 is identical to Model 4 (all nonmagnetic aluminum
alloy wedges) except that #1 wedge is a magnetic steel
wedge in order to offset the narrow flux passage at the
center of the pole. The expected effect is not so large
according to the analysis.
- The present model generator is a large-capacity machine
with more than 100mm long gaps. The effect of partial
variation of wedge materials on flux characteristics may not
so prominent.
B. Effect of Wedge Materials on Harmonic Flux
When using aluminum alloys or nonmagnetic steels (or
materials other than magnetic steels) for rotor wedges,
harmonic flux occurs due to change in air-gap permeance in
the rotor slots. To evaluate this phenomenon, we conducted
harmonic analysis of the flux that makes up phase voltage at
the rated voltage. The result is shown in Fig. 5 and Table 2.
When using nonmagnetic materials such as aluminum
alloys instead of magnetic steels, we expected to have
influences on that harmonic flux due to change in air-gap
permeance. Actually, however, no significant effect was
observed on a large-capacity machine with a wide gap like our
model machine.
From the above study of flux distribution, we can conclude
that for a large-capacity generator like the present model
machine, it is desirable to adopt aluminum alloys as materials
for rotor wedges, because the field current is reduced the high
efficiency is attained.

(a) Model 1 All Fe

(b) Model 4 All Al

Fig.3. Flux distribution
1.4

1.2

1.0

1.2

0.8

Flux Amplitude(pu)

Terminal Voltage (pu)

Model 1
Model 2
Model 3
Model 4,5

0.6

0.4

0.6
0.4
0.2

Model 2:#1-#6Fe#7#8Al

0.0
1

Model 4,5:All Al All SUS

0.5
1.0
Field Current (pu)

5
Harmonic

Fig.5. Harmonic analysis of flux at rated voltage (Model 4 All Al)

0.0
0.0

0.8

Model 1:ALL-Fe

Model 3 :#1Fe#2-#8Al

0.2

1.0

1.5

3
quadrature reactance(pu

TABLE.2. HARMONIC ANALYSIS OF FLUX AT RATED VOLTAGE (PU)

3th
5th
7th
Model 1 All Fe
0.0734 0.0235 0.0212
Model 2 #1-#6Fe #7,8Al 0.0646 0.0282 0.0241
Model 3 #1Fe #2-#8Al
0.0631 0.0470 0.0299
Model 4 All Al
0.0834 0.0188 0.0218

IV. EFFECT OF WEDGE MATERIALS AND MAGNETIC

SATURATION ON REACTANCE
A. Frequency Characteristics of Impedance and Wedge
Materials
Operational impedance comprising reactance components
and resistance components of the equivalent circuit, (Fig. 1.)
viewed from the terminal side, is extensively used for
overview the characteristics of a generator [3]. The authors
have already reported about frequency characteristics of
impedance, and methods to measure and analyze the
operational impedance of equivalent circuits including
discussion on the accuracy of estimation. [4][5]
We can determine the frequency characteristics of
impedance by the finite element method using the principle
described below. Assume Pel is loss in a mesh-split element
and Wel the average of magnetic energy in the element, which
are added for all elements to obtain complex power P. From
the relation between this P and P = 1 Z S 2 , we can obtain
2

equation (1) for impedance Zs.

Reactance(pu)

2.0
Xd

1.5

Xq

1.0
0.5
0.0
0.001

0.01

0.1

10

100

1000

Frequency(Hz)

(a) Model 1 All Fe

Reactance(pu)

2.0
Xd

1.5

Xq

1.0
0.5
0.0
0.001

0.01

0.1

10

100

1000

Frequency(Hz)

direct axis reactance(pu)

(b) Model 4 All Al

Fig.6. Frequency characteristic of reactance
2.0
Model1:All Fe
1.5

Model3:#1Fe #2-#8Al

1.0

Model4:All-Al
Model5:All SUS

0.5
0.0
0.001

0.01

0.1

10

100

1000

Frequency(Hz)

Fig.7. Frequency characteristic of direct axis reactance

2.0
Model1:All Fe
1.5

Model3:#1Fe #2-#8Al

1.0

Model4:All-Al
Model5:All SUS

0.5
0.0
0.001

0.01

0.1

10

100

1000

Frequency(Hz)

Fig.8. Frequency characteristic of q-axis reactance

ZS =

el

(P

el

+ 2 jW el )

(1)

Figs.6 through 8 show the frequency characteristics of

impedance obtained for various wedges.
The following findings were obtained:
- From Fig.6, for all magnetic steel wedges like Model 1, the
direct axis components and quadrature axis components of
the operational impedance are nearly coincide with each
other. That is, the difference between direct axis and
quadrature axis (saliency) of a cylindrical machine is almost
negligible.
On the contrary, for all aluminum alloy wedges like
Model 4, there is a difference between direct axis
components and quadrature axis components. Also a
difference between direct axis and quadrature axis
(saliency) shows up although this is the same cylindrical
synchronous machine. The difference, however, almost
disappears in the high frequency region.
- From Figs.7 and 8, reactance is large when using magnetic
steels with a large leakage flux like Model 1.
B. Effect of Magnetic Saturation on Transients
In general two methods are used to evaluate the effect of
magnetic saturation and reactance saturation of generators.
(1)Use saturated reactance values
(2)Use unsaturated reactance values and considered
saturated characteristics into calculation tools to vary the
reactance for each calculation step
The second method is used for studying system stability in the
AC frequency region where the number of calculation steps
increases and each calculation step is generally in the order of
several [m-sec]. In analyses, transient DC components are
considered. On the other hand, calculation steps are generally
in the order of several tens [-sec], making it difficult to set
convergence conditions for solutions. This is the reason why
saturation has not been discussed in the DC transient analyses
typically represented by EMTP. We therefore compared the
following analytical models:
Case 2-1: Saturated values are adopted in reactance
Case 2-2: Unsaturated values are adopted in reactance and
the magnetic saturation characteristics are added
Case 2-3: EMTP saturation model (unsaturated values are
adopted in reactance and the magnetic saturation
characteristics are added after piecewise linear
approximation)
For analyses involving transient DC components, it is
relatively difficult to consider magnetic saturation in the
analytical program for the solution convergence.

4
12.0

Armature Current (pu)

Case2-2

Case2-1

Case2-3

8.0

4.0

0.0
0.1

0.2

0.3

0.4

0.5

0.6

-4.0
Time (sec)

Fig.9. Armature current at line-to-line sudden short circuit

Field Current (pu)

6.0

4.0

2.0

Case2-2

Case2-1

Case2-3

0.0
0.1

0.2

0.3

0.4

0.5

0.6

Time (sec)

Fig.10. Field Current at line-to-line sudden short circuit

Armature Voltage (pu)

2.0

0.0
0.1

0.2

0.3

0.4

0.5

0.6

-2.0

Case2-2

Case2-1

Case2-3

-4.0
Time (sec)

Fig.11. Open-Phase Voltage at line-to-line sudden short circuit

Magnetic saturation is therefore not generally taken into

consideration.
The Authors have developed a model that considers
saturation characteristics of a transformer that is assumed to
be outside a synchronous machine, and incorporated it into
EMTP to build a new analytical model (Case 2-2).
Line-to-line sudden short circuit was analyzed as an
example of transients using the 500,000kVA-class generator
model. The result is shown in Figs. 9 through 11. There is no
practical difference if we use reactance saturation values in the
conventional models. This means that in the case of line-toline sudden short circuit , it would be preferable to consider
saturation characteristics but there is no practical difference if
we analyze using reactance saturated values.

gap permeance and flux passages and generate harmonic

flux but no significant difference is observed so far as
large-capacity machines are concerned. Rather, the
advantage is to reduce field current and attain high
efficiency.
- Change in wedge materials affects the reactance-frequency
characteristics and makes differences in reactance between
direct and quadrature axes (saliency). The effect of using
different materials is low if aluminum alloys and
nonmagnetic steels are selected.
-To clarify reactance fluctuation caused by magnetic
saturation, we studied about the transient characteristics in
three cases.
(1)Saturated
value
is
adopted
for
reactance
(2)Unsaturated value is adopted for reactance and
magnetic saturation characteristics are added,
(3)Use the saturation model (an unsaturated value is
for reactance and magnetic saturation is added
after piecewise linear approximation).
The different characteristics observed at line-to-line sudden
short circuit, showed no significant difference. We can
conclude that there is no practical problem if we use
reactance saturation values in the conventional models.
Based on the above findings, use of wedges made of
aluminum alloys and nonmagnetic steels (SUS), which
increases with the development of larger-capacity generators,
is a favorable trend from the viewpoint of flux distribution
and separate harmonic loss to improve higher efficiency.
Proper materials should be selected regarding mechanical
structure.
The authors are studying the effect of saturationconsidering equivalent circuit models for other transients and
enhancement of saturation estimation accuracy. We will report
about our new finding when it is obtained.
VI. REFERENCES
[1]
[2]

[3]
[4]

V. CONCLUSION
Now unit capacity of 2-pole turbine generators is steadily
increasing in recent years until 1,200,000kVA-class units are
developed. In line with this trend, authors are in need of
equivalent circuit models of a higher accuracy for studying
transients and stability.
It is important to understand the effect of rotor wedge
materials on electrical characteristics, in addition to the
mechanical strength and manufacturing of wedge materials.
We studied the effect of magnetic saturation of generators and
wedge materials on electrical characteristics from a new
viewpoint. The following findings are obtained:
-Use of aluminum alloys and nonmagnetic materials such as
SUS instead of conventional magnetic steels may affect air-

[5]

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Large Turbine Generator on Operation IEEJ Trans.PE,Vol
129,No.1.p.93 (Jan. 2009)(in Japanese)
IEEE Standard Procedures for Obtaining Synchronous Machine
Parameters by Standstill Frequency Response Testing,IEEE Std 1151995 (1995)
K. Ito, T. Tokumasu, Y. Ishikawa:Analysis on Slot Impedance by Finite
Element Method,1st Symposium on Finite Element Method, Technical
Meeting on Simulation (Dec.1979) (in Japanese)
Mikio Kakiuchi,Susumu Nagano,Toru Otaka, Tadashi Tokumasu
Masafumi Fujita ,Ken Nagakura,Jun Shiina, Daisuke Hiramatsu:
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