The inherent dynamical relationship between the under-excitation limiter (U
EL) and the power system stabilizer (PSS) control loops in synchronous gene
rators is studied using the frequency response technique, While the stabili
zers are effective in introducing electromechanical damping torque componen
ts into the generators, it is shown that the limiters should be designed to
effect a much slower response characteristics as their main function is to
prevent excessive stator end-core heating. The analysis also shows that a
reduction in the values of the slope of the boundary curves, which prescrib
e the operating region of the limiters, is accompanied by a decrease in the
damping level of the closed-loop excitation control systems, A method whic
h decouples the design procedure of the UEL from that of the PSS is then pr
oposed.