Why Alternator Armature Winding always connected in STAR?

click on the image to enlarge

Alternator armature winding always connected in STAR, not in DELTA because of some important reasons. It is a very important question which frequently asked in Interviews that Why Alternator Armature Winding always connected in STAR, not in DELTA? Today we discuss all reasons with the explanation.

Reasons for using Star connected Armature winding in Alternator :

We know that in three phase system there are two types of connections, one is STAR connection and Another is DELTA connection. Both of them have their own advantages and disadvantages but in the case of alternator armature winding, we always prefer STAR connection than DELTA connection. Actually, if you have the basic knowledge of STAR connection and DELTA connection then you can easily understand it.

Let's know the Reasons,

Reason 1:

The reason which will come first in our mind that is Star connection provides Neutral Point. We know that in Delta connection there is no neutral point, but in the case of Star connection, there is a neutral point present.

The neutral point helps to neutral grounding system for the healthy purpose of the system. Generally, we ground the neutral for two reasons that are,

1.      The neutral grounding system helps to balance the flow of current in each phase.

2.      When a fault occurs the excessive fault current goes to the ground through the neutral grounding system. 

So as the STAR connection provides a neutral point we prefer STAR connection for the alternator armature winding.

A simple diagram of the connection between Alternator and Transformer  in an Electrical Power generating station is given below,

click on the image to enlarge

As you see in the above figure the neutral of the Alternator and Transformer are grounded. The Primary winding of the Transformer is STAR Connected and the Secondary winding of the Transformer is DELTA Connected. The output of the Transformer is connected to the Grid.

Read Also:

• Difference between Generator and Alternator Full explanation.
• Can DC Motor run on AC supply and Vice-Versa? Full Explanation.
• Shaded Pole Induction Motor Working and Application - Explained
• Applications and Advantages of all types of Motor- DC Motors, AC motors, Universal Motors

Reason 2:

We know that in Star connection,

                                                          or, 

and in Delta connection,

Suppose an alternator has an output rating  11KV which indicates the Line Voltage. 

So if the armature winding is connected in STAR then the voltage across the winding will be,

but if the armature winding is connected in DELTA then the voltage across the winding will be,

click on the image to enlarge

So from the above explanation, we can say if we connect the armature winding in Star then the voltage stress across the winding will be less, therefore less insulation arrangement required which reduce the cost.

This is the second important reason for use of Star connection.

Reason 3:

As the Star connection has neutral point and we ground the neutral so there is very less harmonic, but in case of delta connection as it has not a neutral point, the output voltage has triple Harmonics.

So in Star connection, we get pure sinusoidal voltage but in Delta connection, we do not get pure sinusoidal voltage.

Reason 4:

 For the same Line Voltage, the star connected armature winding required less number of turns than the delta connected winding. So the star connected winding reduces the cost. As less number of turns required so the weight also decreases.

Reason 5:

In the case of Star connection, when the alternator is not connected to any load the windings will open circuit so no circulating current will flow through the windings.

But in the case of Delta connection, the windings of the alternator always in the closed circuit even when the alternator is not connected to any load. So a circulating current always flows through the winding which causes heat.

These are the important reasons Why Alternator Armature Winding always connected in STAR.

  

Read Also:

• AC Motor VS DC Motor | Difference with Advantage and Disadvantage
• All types of Motor Starter: Applications and Advantages Explanation
• Speed Control of DC Shunt Motor - Easy Methods.
• Why Capacitor is used in Single phase Induction Motor?Full Explanation.
• What type of motor are used in Kid's Toy, How works toy motors
• How CPU fan works, BLDC motor

Thank you for visiting the website. keep visiting for more updates.