The curves which Heep is knowing the exact behavior and performance of the turbine under different working conditions are called as or are known as characteristic curves.

These curves are plotted from the results of the tests performed on the turbine under different working conditions.

Some important parameters :

1] Speed (N)

2] Head (H}

3] Discharge [Q]

4] Power {P}

5] Overall efficiency [no]

6] Gate opening.

In these (N, Q, H) are independent parameters.

Out of the three independent parameters (N, H, Q) one of the parameter is kept constant (Say 'H') and the variation of the other four parameters with respect to any one of the remaining two independent variables (say N and Q) are platted and various curves are obtained.

Some important characteristics curves of a turbine :

1] Main characteristic curves.

2] Operating characteristics curves.

3] Muschel curves.