The present paper presents an automatic approach for the determination of the parameters of laminated salient-pole synchronous machines, based on 2D finite element method (FEM). Calculations using FEM are performed in rotation (sudden three-phase short-circuit) and at standstill, for different positions of the rotor and for different frequencies. A comparison between results obtained by both methods is presented. of different algorithms. A further step would be to take into account saturation effects, and to determine the subtransient direct-axis reactance of the synchronous machine for applied voltages at the terminals of the machine before the short-circuit U ≥ Un, tests which are not possible in a conventional test platform. The extension of the study to massive rotors is also considered. A special