If 'no', how can their outputs be combined?
2006-07-12 10:21:55 · 6 answers · asked by Tom H 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Engineering
All power in the U.S. is generated at a frequency of exactly (or as close as technically possible) 60 Hertz (or cycles per second). This frequency is determined by the speed of the generator's engine. In the case of an engine that is run by fuel, the amount of fuel is controlled by a unit called the govenor, which works like the accellerator of your car, you push down on the gas pedal, more fuel in the engine, more rpms, more speed. The govenor watches the speed of the engine with an RPM meter called a tachometer and keeps it at just the right rpm. When two or more generators are working together, there is a device called a syncronizer which monitors the frequency of the generator to be added with respect to the generators already in operation. By adjusting the unit to be added to match all the others, it can then be safely added to the power grid.
Of course there are other types of power generation systems than just oil or coal fuel driven. Nuclear, wind, water turbine powerplants also contibute to the system. In most of those cases, the power is created at what ever form the plant is capable of, then converted into the 60Hz AC power that will be added into the grid by large electronically controlled power converters called SCR (silicon control recitifier) banks.
2006-07-12 12:17:13 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 7⤊ 0⤋
All electrical generators supplying power to the same grid must operate in phase. Any machine added to the grid is operated unloaded at the correct phase before being paralled (connected). As the new machine's steam turbine is supplied with more steam it helps pick up the load. Each machine has a chacteristic droop which means it will speed up if the load drops or slow down if the load increases. Therefore, when total load increases, all machines tend to slow down but their governors detect the slowdown and restore the speed. The grid does not produce perfect 60 Hz (cycle per second) power and the grid management need to make adjustments during the day to be sure clocks will not be too fast or too slow. Very small adjustments are required. Hope that helps a little.
2006-07-12 15:04:31 · answer #2 · answered by Kes 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They are all in sync. They are networked to gether and kept in sync. All the generators have control system which can adjust the phase. The generatore which started first will become the master and all other generators will sync with that master.
2006-07-12 10:45:35 · answer #3 · answered by Knowsitall 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
all us generators are not synchronized. electricity is supplied by many companies. each companyis responsible for different zones. however, the generators in each zone are synchronized by comparing voltage,frequency and phase angle of at least one line. if they weren't synched, then one generator would drive another generator,thereby making it a motor.
2006-07-12 15:00:32 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
in laymans terms ,power is passed through a special switch to syncronise it and bring sine waves together for each phase
2006-07-12 10:30:03 · answer #5 · answered by Q 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They would have to be or one generator would become the load for the other generator!
2006-07-12 10:25:07 · answer #6 · answered by Retarded Dave 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋