Dictionary of Electrical Engineering

Commonly used terms in the Electrical industry.

three-lamp synchronizing
a method used to connect a three-phase power system in parallel to another one. In order to connect two systems, they must have the same voltage magnitude, frequency, and phase-shift. To determine that is the case, an open switch is connected between the phases of the two systems and a lamp is connected across the open switch pole in each phase.

If the criteria previously listed are met, the lamps will all be dark. If there is a difference in voltage, the lamps will glow. If there is a difference in frequency, the lamps will alternately glow and go dark in unison. Finally, if the two sides have different phase rotations, the lamps will blink sequentially as only one phase can be aligned at a time. In order to synchronize the two systems, it is necessary to close the contactor when the phase-shift is minimum, which means that the three lights are dark.