Steady-state analysis of a three-phase self-excited reluctance generator

The author presents a general method for analyzing the steady-state performance of a three-phase, self-excited reluctance generator which supplies an isolated R-L load. The two-axis theory is employed to account for the saliency effect. In the analysis, magnetic saturation is assumed to be confined to the direct-axis and is accounted for by a variable direct-axis magnetizing reactance. It is shown that for a given load impedance and excitation capacitance, the direct-axis magnetizing reactance that satisfies the circuit conditions can be determined by solving a simple quadratic equation. Based on the same equation, the maximum permissible value of capacitive reactance to secure self-excitation can also be directly computed. The experimental results in general verify the validity of the circuit model and the theoretical analysis