Performance characteristics and optimum utilization of a cage machine as capacitance excited induction generator

The performance characteristics of a cage induction machine operating as a self-excited induction generator (SEIG) in stand-alone mode are presented. A static capacitor bank is considered to self-excite the machine and to maintain its terminal voltage constant. The lagging reactive power requirement of self-excited induction generator is obtained for different load values. The effect of speed on the excitation requirement of the cage machine has also been studied. An algorithm is developed to achieve these characteristics using the Newton-Raphson method and a steady-state equivalent circuit of the machine. The developed analytical technique is extended to evaluate the number of steps of switching capacitors for loading the machine up to its full load rating while maintaining the terminal voltage within desired limits. The selection of an optimum terminal voltage corresponding to the maximum output of the machine for its optimum utilization is also made using single-variable optimization.<>