Polyphase Systems

An ac generator designed to develop a single sinusoidal voltage for each rotation of the shaft (rotor) is referred to as a single-phase ac generator. If the number of coils on the rotor is increased in a specified manner, the result is a polyphase ac generator, which develops more than one ac phase voltage per rotation of the rotor. In this chapter, the three-phase system will be discussed in detail since it is the most frequently used for power transmission. In general, three-phase systems are preferred over single-phase systems for the transmission of power for many reasons, including the following:

• Thinner conductors can be used to transmit the same kVA at the same voltage, which reduces the amount of copper required (typically about 25% less) and in turn reduces construction and maintenance costs
• The lighter lines are easier to install, and the supporting structures can be less massive and farther apart.
• Three-phase equipment and motors have preferred running and starting characteristics compared to single-phase systems because of a more even flow of power to the transducer than can be delivered with a single-phase supply.
• In general, most larger motors are three phase because they are essentially self-starting and do not require a special design or additional starting circuitry

The frequency generated is determined by the number of poles on the rotor (the rotating part of the generator) and the speed with which the shaft is turned. Throughout the United States the line frequency is 60 Hz, whereas in Europe the chosen standard is 50 Hz. Both frequencies were chosen primarily because they can be generated by a relatively efficient and stable mechanical design that is sensitive to the size of the generating systems and the demand that must be met during peak periods. On aircraft and ships the demand levels permit the use of a 400-Hz line frequency. The three-phase system is used by almost all commercial electric generators. This does not mean that single-phase and two-phase generating systems are obsolete. Most small emergency generators, such as the gasoline type, are one-phase generating systems. The two-phase system is commonly used in servomechanisms, which are self-correcting control systems capable of detecting and adjusting their own operation. Servomechanisms are used in ships and aircraft to keep them on course automatically, or, in simpler devices such as a thermostatic circuit, to regulate heat output. In many cases, however, where single phase and two-phase inputs are required, they are supplied by one and two phases of a three-phase generating system rather than generated independently. The number of phase voltages that can be produced by a polyphase generator is not limited to three. Any number of phases can be obtained by spacing the windings for each phase at the proper angular position around the stator. Some electrical systems operate more efficiently if more than three phases are used. One such system involves the process of rectification, which is used to convert an alternating output to one having an average, or dc, value. The greater the number of phases, the smoother the dc output of the system.