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Reverse Power Protection of An Alternator

INTRODUCTION
Today’s complex power scenario demands uninterrupted supply for

consumer. Therefore generator is the ultimate source of today’s life and its function

is of heart of power system. Hence it needs the maximum protection from the

occurring faults.

The generator used is a synchronous machine which can either run as

generator or motor depending upon the form of input energy. These generator are

synchronized with the bus-bar that is the grid.

These are number of faults which may cause heavy damage to

generator and simultaneously to the economical situation. The faults are described in

the table. Some Abnormal condition and protection system.

Sr. Abnormal
Effects Protection
No. Condition
1. Thermal over Over heating of stator Thermocouples of
loading continuous winding and insulation resistor thermometer
overloading failure failure. embedded in stator slots.
of coolant.
2. External faults fed Unbalanced loading stresses Negative phase sequence
by generator on winding and shaft. protection for large
Excessive heating for machine overload
prolonged short circuit. protection for small
generator.
3. Stator faults phase winding burnt out, welding Biased differential
to phase, phase to of core lamination protection sensitive earth
earth inter turn fault protection, inter turn

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Reverse Power Protection of An Alternator

fault protection.
4. Rotor Earth fault Single fault does not Rotor earth fault
harmful, second fault causes protection
unbalanced magnetic forces
causing damage to shaft,
bearing etc.
5. Loss of field Generator runs as induction Loss of field or
tripping of field generator field failure production
circuit breaker driving excitation current
from bus-bar speed increases
slightly.
6. Motoring of Effect depend upon type of Reverse power protection
generator that is it prime motor and the power by directional power
turns as such drawn from the bus-bar relays direct the reversal
motor. during motoring. of power.
7. Over voltage Insulation failure Lightening arrestor

connected near

connected near

generator terminal.
8. Over fluxing Heating of core Over fluxing protection

by volts/

hertz relay.
9. Under frequency failure of blades of Steam Frequency relays.

turbines.

For this range of phase angle power factor is negative that is Cosφ is

negative. P=VIcosφ.

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Reverse Power Protection of An Alternator

Eventually power becomes negative which is termed as reverse

power.

CONDITION FOR REVERSE POWER

Following are the possible circumstances in which reverse power

condition may arise.

i) When number of units are operating in parallel and failure of one unit may result in

feeding power to the suffered unit from healthy units.

ii) When one of the unit from all connected parallel units is overloaded and its

consequence would be reduced speed. Due to reduction of speed, frequency

decreases and ultimately emf generated goes on decreasing and finally a critical

stage is reached where is machine (alternator) is driven as motor.

iii) When load is suddenly thrown off, terminal voltage of bus-bar increases instantly.

If this condition is not detected properly again alternator will run as synchronous

motor.

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Reverse Power Protection of An Alternator

WHAT IS REVERSE POWER ?


When the input to the turbine is stopped the generator continuous to

rotate as synchronous motor taking power from the bus-bar. During the motoring

action of the generator the power flows from the bus-bars to the machine and this

condition is called as REVERSE POWER.

GRAPHICAL REPRESENTATION

i) Normal Condition :- During normal condition angle between load current and

terminal voltage lies between 00 to 900.

For a typical inductive load the voltage current waveform is shown

below.

V I

φ 0< φ < 90°

For this range of phase angle power factor (cosφ) is positive and

therefore (P=VI cosφ) power is of forward in nature.

ii) Reverse power condition :- During abnormal condition the angle of

commencement of two quantities exceeds 900.

The waveform for this condition is shown below.

V I

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Reverse Power Protection of An Alternator

900 < φ < 2700

iii) Operating times and various characters.

As the fault level increases rapidly fault clearing becomes a must.

The static relays do not have moving parts in their measuring circuits, hence relay

timer of low values can be achieved ( 1 cycle, 1 ½ cycle ) such low relay times are

impossible with conventional electro mechanical relay system which compromise

measuring relay plus several auxiliary relays.

Variety of characteristics can be obtained with static relays, therefore

selectivity, stability and adequateness can be achieved. Measurement of several

quantities such as negative phase sequence component, frequency, harmonics,

impedance etc. can be performed by static measuring unit.

iv) Representing times and overshoots

By using special circuits, the resting times and overshoot time can be

reduced, thereby the selectivity can be improved.

v) Remove Backup and Monitoring

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Reverse Power Protection of An Alternator

Static relays restricted by power line carrier can be used for remote

back up and network monitoring.

In centrally monitored systems, the backup protection is monitored by

the digital computer. The switching is carried out in such sequence that the stability

is improved.

vi) Static Relays can “think”

Complex protection scheme employ logic circuits (Logic means the

process of reasoning, induction or deduction). Suppose several conditions are

imposed on a protective system such that for certain conditions, the relay should

operate and for some other conditions, the relay should remain stable in such cases,

logic gates can be operated.

EFFECTS OF REVERSE POWER

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Reverse Power Protection of An Alternator

During reverse power condition alternator runs as synchronous motor

and the turbine acts as a load. Motoring protection is mainly for the benefit of the

prime mover and load coming on the generator bus-bar while motoring reerse power

protection measures the power flow from bus-bars to the generator running as a

motor. Normally the power taken in most cases is low of the order of 2% to 10% of

noted power, power factor and current depends on excitation level.

A single element directional power rely, sensing the direction of

power flow in any one direction, phase is sufficient. The setting depend on the type

of prime mover.

Let up see effects of motoring on different types of turbine.

1) STEAM TURBINE

Back pressure steam turbines sets should be protected by sensitive reverse power

protection. The blades of steam turbine gets overheated quickly as the steam gets

trapped, if rotated in opposite direction due to windage. In steam turbine the steam

acts like coolant of the turbine blades and maintain them at constant pressure and

temperature. If the steam flows stops the blades get overheated due to windage. In

condensing type steam turbine the heating of blades is slower hence reverse power

protection may not be necessary.

For large turbo generator with back pressure type, non condensing

steam turbines, sensitive reverse power protection with sensitivity of the order 0.5%

rated power is preferred. The relay should have directional stability for the entire

relay operating zone.

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Reverse Power Protection of An Alternator

2) RECIPROCATING PUMP :

Motoring is harmful to the engine, hence the reverse power protection

is sensitive and engine must be disconnected from generator shaft during motoring.

3) HYDRAULIC TURBINE :

The water is generally fitted with mechanical devices which detects

the low water flow because such a flow causes cavitation. However reverse power

protection may be provided to operate for motoring power less than 3% of rated

power.

4) GAS TURBINE :

The gas turbine driven generator should not be permitted to operate as

a motor because the gas turbine offers a load of 10 to 50% of full load during

motoring. The Factor to be considered are as follows.

1) Capability of prime mover to run as load.

2) Load current drawn while motoring.

The reverse power protection is generally set for 10% of rated power

in reverse condition.

Motoring of synchronous machine does not change the direction of

rotation of rotor.

STATIC RELAYS

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Reverse Power Protection of An Alternator

Electromagnetic relays have almost considered place to static relays

because of the latter’s number of advantages.

Static relays (Solid State Relay) is an electrical relay in which the

response is developed by electronic/magnetic/optical or other components without

mechanical motion of component.

1) ADVANTAGE OF STATIC RELAYS

The static relays compared to the corresponding electromagnetic relay

have many advantages.

i) Low Power Consumption

Static Relays provide less burden on current transformers and

potential transformers as compared to electromagnetic relays. In other words the

power consumption is much lower than conventional one reduced consumption has

the following merits.

Current transformers and potential transformers of less KVA rating.

Accuracy of current transformer and potential transformer is

increased.

Air gapped current transformer can be used.

Problem arising out of current transformer saturation are avoided

overall reduction in cost of current transformer and potential transformer.

ii) No Moving Contact

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Reverse Power Protection of An Alternator

Solid state devices do not have moving contacts. Therefore there are

no problems of contact bounce, arcing, contact erosion etc. in the static relay circuit.

iii) Operating times and various characters

As the fault level increases rapidly fault clearing becomes a must.

The static relays do not have moving parts in their measuring circuits, hence relay

timer of low values can be achieved ( 1 cycle, 1 ½ cycle ) such lo relay times are

impossible with conventional electro mechanical relay system which compromise

measuring relay plus several auxiliary relays.

Variety of characteristics can be obtained with static relays, therefore

selectivity, stability and adequateness can be achieved. Measurement of several

quantities such as negative phase sequence component, frequency, harmonics,

impedance etc. can be performed by static measuring unit.

iv) Representing times and overshoots

By using special circuits, the resting times and overshoot time can be

reduced, thereby the selectivity can be improved.

v) Remote Backup and Monitoring

Static relays restricted by power line carrier can be used for remote

back up and network monitoring.

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Reverse Power Protection of An Alternator

In centrally monitored systems, the backup protection is monitored by

the digital computer. The switching is carried out in such sequence that the stability

is improved.

vi) Static Relays can “think”

Complex protection scheme employ logic circuits (Logic means the

process of reasoning, induction or deduction). Suppose several conditions are

imposed on a protective system such that for certain conditions, the relay should

operate and for some other conditions, the relay should remain stable in such cases,

logic gates can be operated.

vii) Effects of Vibration and shocks

Most of the component in static relays, including the auxiliary relay in

the output stages are relatively indifferent to vibrations and shocks. The risk of

unwanted tripping is, therefore less with static relays as compared to the

electromechanical relays. This aspects makes the static relays. Unequally suitable

for earth quakes prone areas, ships, vehicles, locomotive.

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Reverse Power Protection of An Alternator

LAMINATION OF STATIC RELAY

i) Auxiliary Voltage Requirement

This disadvantage is not of any importance now as auxiliary voltage

can be obtained from station battery supply and conveniently changed to suit local

requirement.

ii) Voltage Transient

The static relays are sensitive to voltage spikes or voltage transients.

Such transients are caused by operation of breaker and isolator in the primary circuits

of current transformer and potential transformer, severe over voltage are also caused

by breaking of control circuit relay contact etc. Such voltage spikes of small

duration can damage the semiconductor components and can also cause null-

operation of relays.

Special measures are taken in static relays to overcome this difficulty.

These include, use of filter circuit in relays, screening the cable connected to relays.

iii) Temperature Dependence of Static Relays

The characteristics of semiconductors are influenced by ambient

temperature for example the amplification factor of a transistor, the forward voltage

drop of diode etc. change with temperature variation.

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Reverse Power Protection of An Alternator

Accurate measurements of relays should not be affected by

temperature variation. Relay should be accurate over wide range of temperature.

This difficulty is overcome by the following measures.

Individual component in circuit are used in such a way that change in

characteristics of components does not effect of the characteristics of complete relay.

Temperature compensation is provided by means of thermistor circuit,

digital measuring techniques etc. Thus modern static relays are designed to suit wide

limits of temperature.

iv) Price

The price of static relays is higher than the equivalent electro

mechanical types. The prices of semi-conductor components have been reduced

during past years and a further reduction is expected.

v) In electro mechanical relays the pick up of relay are rest of relays does not effect

the relay characteristics since the operation is based on the comparison between

operating torques.

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Reverse Power Protection of An Alternator

DESIGN AND APPLICATION OF

COMPONENTS
DESIGN OF TRANSFORMER

Therefore three transformer in the circuit, two of them have three

winding on each core having primary consisting of two winding current coil and

pressure coil and that of secondary consisting of only one winding.

Another remaining one transformer is for dual supply which is a

simple potential transformer.

RATTING OF TRANSFORMER

Primary Secondary

Special transformer P.c.230 v.c.c.5A 8v 1A

Potential transformer 230 v 16-0-16 v 200 mA

Under the design aspects of the first two transformer (Special

transformer)

As it is not possible theoretically to design such a transformer by simple design. We

have to make it possible by trail and error method.

Step wise it is such that first, we have to design simple potential

transformer of 230 v/8 v and lamp. Then turns per volt are calculated. Secondly

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Reverse Power Protection of An Alternator

design a current transformer for 5 A/1 A. Turns per volt are calculated. Then taking

their average, the specification are calculated.

The design of small transformer that is (16-0-16)v, 200 mA) rated is

made.

DESIGN DATA

A) Data presentation of special transformer

Pressure coil - 230 v Current coil turns - 84

Current coil -5A Secondary winding turns - 84

Secondary coil -8v1A Pressure coil conductor – 35 swg

Turns per volt (TE) - 10.34 Current coil conductor – 22 swg

Cross section area of core - 1.2 sq. inch Lamination -15 Nms, NGO

Pressure coil turns - 2400 Bobin - 15 N, Nylon 2nd

Stack - 1.25 sq. inch

Identification of PC, CC, SW

Pressure coil - Blue colour sleeve

Current coil - Green colour sleeve

Secondary winding - Red colour sleeve

B) Data specification of small transformer rated

230 v/16-0-16 v and 200 mA

Primary winding - 230 v

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Reverse Power Protection of An Alternator

Secondary winding - 16-0-16 v

Turns per volt - 21.78

Primary turns - 5250

Secondary turns - 348-0-348

Primary winding conductor - 44 swg

Secondary winding conductor- 44 swg

Laminations - 12 Nms

Stack - 0.75 sq. inch

Identification of Primary Winding, Secondary Winding, Tap

Primary winding - Black

Secondary winding - Red

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Reverse Power Protection of An Alternator

DUAL POWER SUPPLY

DESIGN AND OPERATION OF DUAL POWER SUPPLY

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Data Specification

Step down transformer - 230 v /32 v

(16-0-16 v)

Rectifier Bridge - G I, Wo4 G, 0528

Capacitors - 1000 µf, 50 v

Monolithic Fixed Voltage Regulator 1) IC 7812

2) IC 7912

FUNCTION OF COMPONENT

Transformer –

For stepping down the voltage, we have decided to design center

tapped 16-0-16 volts secondary because we require ± 12 v

Bridge Rectifier –

It is used to convert input AC into proportionate DC ( not pure but

unidirectional one). Its output voltage is 32 v DC

Capacitors –

These are used filtering pulsated output voltage of bridge rectifier and

for voltage division.

Therefore voltage across each capacitor = 16 v

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Reverse Power Protection of An Alternator

Monolithic Voltage Regulators –

As our circuit needs + 12 v and – 12 v for operation of op-Amp, we

used.

IC 7812 for + 12 v supply

IC 7912 for – 12 v supply

For giving constant + 12 volt

Merits of IC Voltage Regulators

i) Facilities for building positive and negative regulates voltage

ii) Battle ripple rejection

The transformer step down the incoming 230 v Ac to the required 32

v. This step down Ac voltage will be rectified in bridge rectifier. The capacitor will

remove ripples from rectified output. This DC is now an input to the combination of

three terminal regulators.

IC 7812 will give regulated + 12 v. And IC 7912 will give regulated –

12 v with respect to common point that is ground point. The ground point is

achieved by tie the common points of 7812 and 7912 to the center tap of transformer

winding that is secondary winding.

OTHER COMPONENT AND THEIR FUNCTIONS

1) Capacitor Connected Across Relay Coil

Rating – 470 µf, 25 v

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Reverse Power Protection of An Alternator

It is connected across relay coil which filters the DC voltage and

completely removes chattering of relay contacts and suppress back emf induced in

relay coil.

2) Diode connected between IC 741’s pin 6 and transistor base

Rating IN 4007

It is used to back AC and to pass only DC voltage to transistors base.

3) Transistor

Rating CL 100 (N-P-N)

It is high gain current amplifier transistor. Its base has been given the

output of IC 741 through 3.3 K Ω resistance. It drives relay actuation provided to

comparator has given voltage signal.

4) Capacitor connected across output terminal of rectifier bridges 1 and 2 are for

filtering purpose.

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Reverse Power Protection of An Alternator

VOLTAGE COMPARATOR

VOLTAGE COMPARATOR ELEMENT

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IN STATIC RELAY
Voltage Comparator Element in Static Relay –

The strategic element used in out project is a voltage comparator

which gives actuating signal to relay under abnormal condition.

The function of comparator that is voltage comparator is to compare

the voltage at one of its input against the voltage at the other. Also to produce either

a high or low output voltage, depending on which input has higher level.

The comparator circuit for voltage comparator using on op-amp is as

shown in fig. By using such type of comparator we can get three types of output.

Vo = VOL for Vp < Vn

Vo = VOH for Vp < Vn

Vo = 0 for Vp < Vn

Where VOL and VOH denote low and high output levels. Thus if we

introduce the differential input voltage Vd = Vp – Vn the above equation can be

rewrite as

Vo = VOL for Vd < 0

Vo = VOH for Vd > 0

The input output characteristic for comparator is as shown in

following graph.

VO
VOH

Vd
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VOL

Thus Vp, Vn and Vd can assume all possible values while Vo is

restricted only two valve VOL and VOH

In comparator application Vd is usually in the range of mV to volts.

The voltage comparator may be inverting or non inverting type

depending upon the output from comparator that is if output voltage is high it is said

to be non inverting comparator and if it is low the comparator is said to be inverting

comparator.

RELAY AND CONTACTOR


RELAY AND CONTACTOR

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We have used a simple attracted armature type relay for tripping

circuit under abnormal condition.

Relay is a device by means of which an electric circuit is controlled

by change in other circuit.

The Relay has an energizing coil when the fault occurs input to relay

is sufficient, the coil energized and it pulls off the plate which opens the contacts and

hence the contactors are opened and protective machine is disconnected from the

supply. Attracted armature relay responds to both ac as well as dc actuating

quantities. These are essentially very fast relays.

Relay used in circuit has two set of contacts, one is Normally close

(NC) whereas other is normally open (NO)

Rating ( 12 V, 200 Ω )

We have provided an indication facility for tripping under abnormal

condition. A small buzzer will not give sound when abnormal condition is reached.

CONTACTOR

Although in our simulated model we haven’t used contactor it comes

into picture for breaking the circuit when abnormal condition is reached.

A contactor is a mechanical switching device having one position of

rest (corresponding to the position of main contacts either open or closed) operated

otherwise than by hand, capable of making, carrying and breaking overload

conditions Electromagnetic contactors are popular among all types of conductor.

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Reverse Power Protection of An Alternator

We have used contactor with 4 No. contacts and 1 NC contact.

Conductor has main contact as well as auxiliary contact the main contacts are used

for switching on and off the power circuit whereas auxiliary contacts are used in the

control circuit. The contactor coil is to be energized from a source of supply.

The difference in electromagnetic contactor and a relay is that a

contactor has three main contacts and a few auxiliary contacts whereas relay contact

has only auxiliary contacts.

WORKING

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Reverse Power Protection of An Alternator

WORKING OPERATION :

The main criterion principle of our mechanism is to make the

synchronous generator to dead state. When its prime mover faults that is when starts

running as the synchronous motor drawing power from bus-bar.

Now under these conditions we know that synchronous generator and

the bus-bar are synchronized in all aspects. All the parameter of the synchronous

generator as well as the bus-bar are in phase.

I the normal state the magnetic flux created by pressure coil and

current coil of transformer one are subtractive and that of transformer two are

additive so at the secondary side output voltage of transformer one will be less than

transformer two’s secondary. The output of both transformer is rectified by separate

bridges and their positive volt terminals are connected to comparator’s (Op-amp) pin

no.2 and 3 that is DC output of transformer one is connected to pin no.3 and that of

transformer two is connected to pin no.2 and as we have seen in normal condition

(that is alternator is supplying power to bus-bar) output of transformer two is higher

than transformer one which is connected to inverting terminal of IC 741. So at the

pin no 6 of IC 741, output voltage will be negative and as we are using transistor CL

100 (N-P-N) with output of IC 741 connected to its base. It will not conduct and coil

will not getting energized, so its Nc contacts will remain in that state only.

Suppose due to any reason Alternators terminal voltage is less than

that of bus-bar voltage, it will act as a load on bus-bar and on the verge of motoring

at that instant due to reversal of power, that is currents direction is negative with

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Reverse Power Protection of An Alternator

respect to voltage. Magnetic flux created by transformer one’s pressure and current

coil will be additive in nature and that of transformer two will be differentiative. In

this case positive terminal of rectifier bridge (Connected to secondary of transformer

one) will be at higher potential with respect to second bridge. So potential at pin no

three of IC 741 is high and that of pin no.2 is low, so output of Op-amp IC 741 of pin

no.6 will be positive and transistor CL 100 N-P-N will conduct because N-P-N

transistors base will get +ve potential and relay coil will get energized and will open

Nc contacts of relay. These are coupled to contacts of conductor. So contactor will

break the circuit of alternators. Thus it gets disconnected from bus-bar.

In our simulated model instead of using alternator we have utilized

basic property of single phase Ac supply. By reversing phase and neutrals of current

coil with respect to pressure coil. We obtained both normal as well as abnormal

condition and further operation takes place as stated above that is during abnormal

condition relay open its close contacts and buzzer will not gives sound.

During normal condition relay closes its contact and buzzer will gives

sound.

CONCLUSION

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Reverse Power Protection of An Alternator

Actually when the power is reversed, there is no harm to the generator

as it is synchronized machine, so when it receives the power from the grid, it starts

rotating as motor. The main and serve damage is to the turbine that is the prime

mover and generator bus-bar as load coming while motoring.

After connecting this protection circuit to generator unit we can avoid

waste of the in repair or replacement in turbine or prime mover and also economical

loss. It also avoids cascade tripping of generating units and ultimately maintaining

the system stability to higher extent.

REFERENCES
1) Switch Gear and Protection

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Reverse Power Protection of An Alternator

- S. S. Rao

2) Power System Protection

- T. S. M. Rao

3) Electrical Machine Design

- A. K. Sawhney

4) Integrated Ciecuit

- K. R. Botkar

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