Design and implementation of a computer-based automatic voltage regulator for a synchronous machine

This research deals with the modeling and terminal voltage control of synchronous generators. Two modeling approaches have been pursued: black box and analytical. A controller was designed for each modeling approach. The performance of these controllers was compared using simulation as well as hardware testing using a 5KVA synchronous generator.;The black box approach was relatively simple and requires only few step response signals. However, the analytical modeling approach was more detailed and complex. It uses a third order state space model whose parameters need to be estimated using rigorous standardized measurements procedures and tests.;Furthermore, two approaches were used for sensory feedback. The first used only a single phase root mean square (RMS) voltage as feedback while the second includes the RMS voltages of all phases. The advantage of the latter over the former is discussed in this thesis.;The compensated system is tested under different load conditions and the performance of both controllers is compared. It is shown in this work that a higher order model of the system provides a better base for controller design especially for rapid and significant changes in the load.;During load unbalance and for the same controller, it is shown in this work that including the three phase RMS voltages provides better performance when compared to using just a single phase RMS voltage.