In known systems, field current for the main generator portion is developed at a beginning of operation in a starting mode by providing

AC power at a controlled frequency and voltage to a set of exciter field windings. AC power is developed in armature windings of the exciter by transformer action and such power is rectified by a rotating rectifier and provided to the field winding of the main generator portion. In order to prevent saturation of the exciter armature windings, it is necessary to provide the AC power to the exciter field windings at a certain voltsper-hertz ratio. In addition, in order to operate the generator as a motor at unity power factor, it is necessary to provide a certain voltage to the exciter field windings for a given armature current. In the case of a brushless generator which is designed to produce 400 hz., 115 volt power, it is necessary to provide 90 volts to the exciter field windings during operation in the starting mode. This voltage, in turn, must be provided at 1200 hz. to prevent saturation of the exciter armature windings. Since starting is usually accomplished using 400 hz., 115 volt AC power supplied by a ground cart or other external AC source, it has been found necessary to use an auxiliary inverter to convert such power into the required 1200 hz., 90 volt power for starting. In some applications, the use of an auxiliary inverter may be considered undesirable.

Electric generators work on the principle of Faradays electromagnetic induction. The essential part of this principle is the magnetic field. The magnetic filed is produced from a DC power source from an Exciter that is part of the generator system. Read on ... The main requirement for electricity generation as per the basic principle is a magnetic field. The generator while producing electricity also has to produce this at a constant voltage for the electrical system to work properly. Controlling the magnetic field controls the voltage output of the generator. How does one produce and control this magnetic field in a large generator? The rotor or the field coils in a generator produce the magnetic flux that is essential to the production of the electric power. The rotor is a rotating electromagnet that requires a DC ( Direct Current) electric power source to excite the magnetic field. This power comes from an exciter. In earlier days, the exciter was a small DC generator coupled to the same shaft as the rotor. Therefore, when the rotor rotates this exciter produces the power for the electromagnet. Control of the exciter output is done by varying the field current of the exciter. This output from the exiter then controls the magnetic field of the rotor to produce a constant voltage output by the generator. This DC current feeds to the rotor through slip rings. In modern generators the exciters are static. The DC power for the electromagnet is from the main generator output itself. A number of high power thyristors rectify the AC current to produce a DC current which feeds to the rotor through slip rings. This eliminates the operation and maintenance problems

DC Exciter

Static Exciter

Brushless Exciter

associated with having another rotating machine. Static exciters offer a better control of the output than an electromechanical control. During start up, when there is no output from the generator, a large battery bank provides the necessary power for excitation. Another method is the brushless system. In this system the armature of the exciter is on the rotor shaft itself. The DC output of this armature, after rectification by solid-state devices, goes to the rotor coils. Since the armature and rotor are on the same rotating shaft, this eliminates the need for slip rings. Hence it reduces maintenance and operational requirements and thus improving reliability

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