Free Expert Guides on Power Systems, Circuit Design & Electrical Troubleshooting

Definition of Solar Power PlantsSolar power plants generate electricity using solar energy, classified into photovoltaic (PV) and concentrated solar power (CSP) plants.Photovoltaic Power PlantsConvert sunlight directly into electricity using solar cells and include components like solar modules, inverters, and batteries.A photovoltaic power plant is a large-scale PV system that is connected to the grid and designed to produce bulk electrical power from solar radiation. A photovoltaic power plant

What is a Diesel Power Plant?Diesel Power Plant DefinitionA diesel power plant is defined as a power plant that uses a diesel engine as the prime mover to drive an alternator and generate electricity. A diesel engine is an internal combustion engine that converts the chemical energy of diesel fuel into mechanical energy. The mechanical energy is then used to rotate the shaft of an alternator, which converts it into electrical energy.A diesel power plant includes various systems and components wo

What is Electric Power Generation ?Power Generation DefinitionThe power system has three main parts: generation, transmission, and distribution. This article focuses on power generation, where one form of energy is converted into electrical energy. Electrical energy is produced from various natural sources.Energy sources are classified into renewable and non-renewable types. Currently, most electrical energy is generated from non-renewable sources like coal, oil, and natural gas.However, non-ren

What is Motor Generator Set?Motor Generator Set DefinitionA motor generator (M-G) set is defined as a device consisting of a motor and a generator mechanically coupled through a common shaft. It’s used to convert electrical power from one form to another, such as converting voltage, phase, or frequency. Motor generator sets also convert voltage, phase, and frequency of power. They help isolate electrical loads from the supply line. Here is a picture of an M-G set.Here a motor and a generator are

Induction Generator DefinitionAn induction generator (also known as an asynchronous generator) is defined as an induction machine used to generate electricity.Operating PrincipleInduction generators work when the slip is negative, achieved by increasing the prime mover speed beyond synchronous speed.Magnetizing Current RequirementThey require external sources for magnetizing current and reactive power, often provided by supply mains or other generators.Self-Excited GeneratorsThis type, also know

DC Generator DefinitionA DC generator is a device that converts mechanical energy into direct current electricity for various applications.Application of Separately Excited DC Generators These type of DC generators are generally more expensive than self-excited DC generators, because they need a separate excitation source. This restricts their applications. They are used where self-excited generators do not perform well. Because of their ability of giving wide range of voltage output, they are g

Shunt Wound DC Generator DefinitionIn shunt wound DC generators, the field windings are connected in parallel with the armature conductors. In these types of generators the armature current (Ia) splits into two parts: the shunt field current (Ish) flows through the shunt field winding, and the load current (IL) flows through the external load.Three most important characteristic of shunt wound DC generators are discussed below:Magnetic CharacteristicThe magnetic characteristic curve shows the rel

Frog Leg Winding DefinitionA frog leg winding is a combination of a multiplex wave and a simplex lap winding in the same slots. It retains the advantages of both lap windings and wave windings without their inherent disadvantages.Lap and wave windings each have an equal number of parallel paths, which are connected to the same commutator.The frog-leg winding has as many parallel paths as duplex lap windings because the simplex lap winding portion supplies ‘P’ number of parallel paths and the mul

DC Generator Types Permanent Magnet DC Generators – Field coils excited by permanent magnets Separately Excited DC Generators – Field coils excited by some external source Self Excited DC Generators – Field coils excited by the generator itselfSelf Excited GeneratorA self-excited DC generator uses its own output to power its field coils, which can be arranged as series, shunt, or compound wound.The three types of self-excited DC generators are: Series Wound Generators Shunt Wound Generators Comp

Series Generator DefinitionA series wound DC generator is defined as a generator where the field windings, armature windings, and external load circuit are connected in series, causing the same current to flow through each part.In these types of generators the field windings, armature windings and external load circuit all are connected in series as shown in figure below.Therefore, the same current flows through armature winding, field winding and the load.Let, I = Ia = Isc = ILHere, Ia = armatu