Influence of the terminal capacitor on the performance characteristics of a self excited induction generator

Abstract

The influence of the excitation capacitor on the steady state performance characteristics of an isolated self-excited induction generator feeding a balanced load is examined. It is shown that the terminal capacitor must have its value within a certain range to sustain self-excitation. If the value of the excitation capacitor is outside this range, self-excitation will not be possible. Moreover, if the load impedance is below a certain value, self-excitation will not be achievded irrespective of the value of the excitation capacitor. In the capacitance range where self-excitation is possible, it's value strongly influences the induction generator performance characteristics. The value of capacitance can be selected so that the terminal voltage is constant, regardless of the generator output power. It is further shown that under such condition, the value of capacitance is influenced by the load as well as by the load power factor. The generator performance is however independent of the load power factor and is only affected by the magnitude of the load impedance.