Calculations of reactances in synchronous generators

The finite element (FE) method is nowadays the most popular tool for the analysis of magnetic field distributions in electric machinery. Such a distribution alone is usually not sufficient for real life applications ‐ the values of equivalent parameters for particular devices are often the main point of interest. In synchronous machines the knowledge of reactances’ values, both for steady and transient conditions, enables the calculations of most of exploitation relationships. The application of FE technique substantially helps to overcome the well known difficulties concerning the representation of geometry details, magnetic saturation and eddy current reaction, if it appears. Simultaneously, the presented way of analysis is linked with commonly used measurement methods of synchronous generators. The example calculations were done for the 150kW synchronous generator having non‐integer number of slots per pole and phase.