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Synchronizing generator

The physical method

Having discussed the principles of synchronizing the generator to the grid, we will look briefly at the physical method of accomplishing it. In theory, there are at least two simple measurements or indications, which can be used for synchronizing a generator to a grid.

Old generator synchroscope used for matching the speed and phase angle of a generator before connecting it to the power grid
Old generator synchroscope used for matching the speed and phase angle of a generator before connecting it to the power grid (photo credit: Alex Luyckx via Flickr)

When two voltages satisfy the conditions of being equal in magnitude, have the same frequency and an angle of zero between them, then around the voltage loop they add to be zero at each and every instant of time on the sine waves.

Consequently, voltmeters connected across each of the synchronizing breaker contacts will both read zero. Lights placed in the same position will also be totally out when all the synchronizing conditions are satisfied.

In practice, we need information which the voltmeters and light will not give us in order to synchronize a generator to the grid. During the actual physical process of synchronizing, we want to know whether the generator or the grid is fast and by how much.

The instrument, which will provide this information, is the synchroscope. Figure 1 shows the connection of a synchroscope between the generator being synchronized and the grid.

Synchroscope checking Angle and Frequency
Figure 1 – Synchroscope checking Angle and Frequency

We will still need to use two voltmeters to check that the generator and the grid voltage are the same (noting that these two voltmeters are not the ones referred to above, since those ones were placed across the synchronizing breaker contacts).

The position of the synchroscope pointer indicates the difference in angle between the generator voltage and the grid voltage. When there is a zero angle between the two voltages, the synchroscope pointer is in the vertical or 12 o’clock, position.

Old generator synchroscope
Old generator synchroscope (photo credit: Andreas Metz via Flickr)

The speed of rotation of the pointer indicates the difference in frequency of the two voltages. The pointer will rotate in the Slow or counterclockwise, direction when the generator frequency is below the grid frequency. The pointer will rotate in the Fast or clockwise, direction when the generator frequency is greater than the grid frequency.

It should be pointed out that the synchroscope will only rotate for small differences in the frequency of up to 2 Hz. With larger frequency differences, the synchroscope is designed to not rotate.

The last two paragraphsindicate that when:

  1. The pointer is vertical or at 12 o’clock,
  2. The pointer is steady, not rotating; then the two voltages are in phase and the frequencies of the generator and grid are equal.

In practice, the synchronizing breakers are closed when the generator is just slightly fast and at about the 5 minutes to 12 position moving toward 12 o’clock. This allows a little bit of time for closing the synchronizing breakers and it assures that the generator will not act as a motor once the synchronizing breaker is closed.

It is important to check the correct operation of the synchroscope before each synchronizing is attempted.

To do this, the generator is operated at less than synchronous speed and the synchroscope must rotate in a slow direction. Similarly when the generator is operated at a speed greater than synchronous, the synchroscope must rotate in the Fast direction.


Diesel generators synchronizing with mains (VIDEO)

Diesel generators synchronizing with mains on ‘peak lopping mode‘ and on ‘no-break transfer mode‘.

Generator synchronization (VIDEO)

A Cat trying to sync to the utility 11kv network.

Synchronization VEM generator (VIDEO)


Reference // Science and Reactor Fundamentals – Electrical CNSC Technical Training Group

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Edvard Csanyi

Electrical engineer, programmer and founder of EEP. Highly specialized for design of LV/MV switchgears and LV high power busbar trunking (<6300A) in power substations, commercial buildings and industry facilities. Professional in AutoCAD programming.

12 Comments


  1. Abderrahmane
    May 12, 2017

    once we close gen CB to the grid, how does the gen start producing current , while they are running on the same speed


  2. Abderrahmane
    May 12, 2017

    at the moment of connecting a generator to the grid, how dose it start producing current
    while Fgen=Fgrid Vgen=Vgrid


    • Munyaradzi Zimbowa
      Jul 08, 2022

      The gen produces current after the rotor (field) windings have been excited with DC current. Assuming speed of prime mover = constant, then the active power determined by torque control (some governor system). Reactive power is produced by magnetic field control, in other words, by DC excitation current in the rotor of the gen. The intelligent systems control the reactive power using some AVR type of system. Depending on the power factor u require, the AVR makes the current to lag or lead the voltage.


  3. PANEL LISTRIK
    Apr 21, 2017

    Interesting articles and remind me when synchronizing low-voltage electrical panels using manual synchronization at palm oil mill in Synchronization VEM generator (VIDEO).


  4. noman
    Oct 16, 2015

    Everything explained above tells what should be done when paralleing generator to grid but my question is what parameters of generator are changed to match voltage,phase sequence and specially frequency.. Syncscope will tell frequency is different but how to remove that difference?


    • Arpon karmaker
      Feb 19, 2016

      what is most important small gennerator with capacitor connaction ?


    • TROY
      Mar 21, 2018

      Similar question to this:

      I can see that you may be adjusting the frequency output on your generator via some dial – but how do you ensure the frequency is in phase?


  5. gaurav vishnoi
    Oct 02, 2015

    sir we have 80 MW captive power plant. we have GTCB and SENDING breaker (export to grid) in series. and between this we have one tapping to our sister companies. when there is any problem in sending breaker than our plant doesn’t came on home load. our plant was tripped on overfluxing and than it will giving tripped command to turbine and our plant was blackout.
    for example if our generation is 70 MW and our sister companies load is 40 MW and we export to grid is 25 MW . due to grid fault if our sending bay breaker open than around 45 MW load available. but within 4 sec our plant tripped on overluxing.
    sir can you please give possible reason for that.


    • Amit Maurya
      Oct 03, 2015

      Chek CT winding and ratio


  6. Kimberly King
    Oct 02, 2015

    The Diesel generators synchronizing with mains video needs better close-ups of what is occurring in the readout displays; captions were appreciated, tho. The second video Generator synchronization was better, but once cannot distinguish what the parameters are on the face plate. Altho wobbly, the Synchronization VEM generator was the best demonstration of synchronization.


    • Edvard
      Oct 02, 2015

      I agree Kimberly! I couldn’t find better videos, so choice was these three. I’ll try to digg better videos.


      • Aman nautiyal
        Oct 19, 2015

        I learn a lot frm these articles…thanks eep…keep doing ur get wrk

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