Formerly, three light bulbs were connected between the generator terminals and the system terminals. As the generator speed changes, the lights will rise and fall in intensity at a rate proportional to the difference between generator frequency and system frequency. When the
voltage at the generator is opposite to the system voltage (either ahead or behind in phase), the lamps will be bright. When the voltage at the generator matches the system voltage, the lights will be dark. At that instant, the circuit breaker connecting the generator to the system may be closed and the generator will then stay in synchronism with the system.