Analysis of the Effect of Capacitors on the Voltage Generated by a 3-Phase Induction Generator

Abstract

Induction motors can be operated as induction generators when additional capacitors are added to the stator terminals. Capacitors connected to induction generators can generate voltage and can provide reactive power. The advantage of induction generators can be used in small-scale plants such as micro-hydro power plants. However, the weakness of induction generators are weak voltage regulation and dependence on capacitors to generate voltage. This study conducted a test to see how the effect of capacitor capacity on the voltage generated by a induction generator when serving multiple incandescent lamp loads. The capacitor used is connected with a wye connection because the Wye connection can generate a higher voltage than the Delta connection circuit. This research has been successfully carried out with variations in capacitor values, namely 45 F, 60 F, and 75 F and variations in lamp load values, namely 5W, 15W, 25W, 40W and 60W. Based on the results of the study, the induction generators uses a 45 F capacitor with a load of 5 W, the terminal voltage for line to line is 374 V. However, when using a 75 F capacitor with a 60W load, the terminal voltage for line to line is 239 V. The terminals voltage of the induction generators can also be kept at a constant 380 V by providing varying capacitor values even though it serves varying loads.