Numerical approach of the ‘partial magnetic characteristics’ method, used to find the voltage regulation in the design algorithm of a synchronous generator

This article, part of a research aimed to develop a computational program in Matlab used to design a synchronous traction generator, proposes a numerical approach of an analytical method, named [1] “method of partial magnetic characteristics”. The idea of this paper was to respond to the current demands of the design of the electrical machines: those which are required to develop numerical models and to apply the numerical calculation in all areas, in order to increase efficiency and reduce the time of implementing of the new projects. The original contribution of this paper is to build up the computational program in Matlab. For this, we begin with a brief overview of the theoretical problem: the definition of the ‘voltage regulation’ at the terminals and its importance in practice, a comparative analysis between the experimental methods used to calculate it (EMF method or synchronous impedance method, MMF method or ampere turn method, ZPF method or Potier triangle method and ASA method) and a brief overview of the chosen method. The second part is reserved for the presentation of the computational program in Matlab which implemented the theoretical method. In the third part, as an experimental section, was exemplified how we can apply this algorithm to design a synchronous generator used in diesel electrical traction. Because the generators must met the requirements set by several standardizing organizations such as International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA), and International Organization for Standardization (ISO), the study included, also, an overview on some of this [6], [7].