Voltage Regulator Module

AC
Generator
voltage
adjustment
Knob

The voltage regulator module

constantly monitors the AC
bus voltage
to control the exciter of the
generator field. However, the
voltage regulator
module operates at low
voltage, therefore the main
bus voltage is stepped
down to a low (5 VAC)
potential prior to connection
to this module.
The output signal from the
voltage regulator module is a
pulse width
modulated (in real time)
signal, driving the generator
field exciter. Because
this modulated signal runs at
approximately 200 KHz, the
voltage regulator
module is more than 3000
times faster than the voltage it
controls.

The voltage regulator has one adjustment (voltage stability) that is made
in the field. This adjustment takes approximately 20-30 seconds.
Voltage regulator modules may be swapped without affecting other system
adjustment or programming functional settings.
The voltage regulator module has a single adjustment on the front to
allow adjustment of the generator output voltage.

Voltage Regulator Module

The primary purpose of the Voltage Regulator Module is to maintain constant A/C
voltage from the generator. Changes in A/C power demand and in KVAR demand, caused
by changes in system loads, produce changes in the generator output voltage. These
changes in generator output voltage are corrected automatically by adjustment of the
generator field excitation, which controls the voltage being produced by the generator.
The Voltage Regulator Module, working with its related PWM module accomplishes this
control function.
Another function of the Voltage Regulator Module is to maintain a balance between
currents delivered by each generator when two or more generators are operating in
parallel to supply power to the main A/C bus. This action is termed Current Sharing,
Load Sharing or Cross Current Compensation.
Generators operating in parallel are all connected to the main A/C bus so they all have the
same terminal voltages. However, they are not necessarily delivering equal currents, even
though they are developing equal power in KW. When the KW readings are the same
between engines (balanced loads) the KVAR readings may be unequal with some currents
larger than others. If one generator is carrying more than its share of the total current then
it will reach its current limit (Rated Safe Current) before the other generators, preventing
the delivery of full system generating capacity. In order to obtain maximum output from a
set of identical engines/generators, the generator currents must be equal, meaning that the
KW loading and KVAR outputs should be the same for all generators.
Equalization of KVAR is obtained through the Voltage Regulator Module. A generators
output of KVAR can be increased by a small increase in the excitation current to its field
winding. Another generator, which had been supplying too much KVAR, can have its
excitation reduced slightly, so that a KVAR balance is obtained. These adjustments of
excitation have some small effect on the main A/C bus voltage level but serve primarily
to equalize the KVAR loading between generators operating in parallel.
All Voltage Regulator Modules in the system are connected together by a paralleling
circuit, which has a DC voltage representing the average KVAR loading of the entire
system. Each Voltage Regulator Module compares the KVAR output of its generator to
the system average and automatically adjusts the delivery of field excitation current to its
generator to correct any imbalance. This signal is found on TB2 28 for + and 29 for -.
The generator A/C bus voltage is stepped down to 5 VAC on the MIP and is brought to
the electronics modules by the A/C Motherboard through TB2, terminals 9, 10 and 11.
KVAR demand is calculated in the Metering Module and is output through the A/C
Motherboard to the Voltage Regulator Module as a 0-5 volt DC signal. KVAR paralleling
with other Voltage Regulator Modules is accomplished through TB2-18 (Positive) and
TB2-19 (Negative, or common).

The Voltage Regulator Module requires three inputs:

Generator A/C Bus Voltage
Individual KVAR demand signal
Paralleling Connection for System KVAR Demand
Only one output is obtained from the Voltage Regulator Module. This is a switching
signal (VR Fire) that goes to the power module (the PWM Module) where it controls the
average excitation current to the generator field winding. This signal (VR Fire) exits the
A/C Motherboard at TB2-20 (Positive) and TB2-21 (Negative).
The Voltage Regulator Module is set up using the three-turn pot on its front panel set to
mid-scale. Then set the voltage stability pot (accessed through a hole in the rear of the
A/C Motherboard) also to mid-scale. Any oscillation of the A/C bus voltage can be
corrected using the voltage stability pot if PS3 is programmed correctly.
Programming header PS3 positions 1 to 4 programs the Voltage Regulator. (The
Governor Module uses positions 5 to 7 on PS3.) Positions 1 and 2 slow the system
response to prevent voltage oscillation. Positions 3 and 4 slow the system even more.
Consult IPS engineering before using positions 3 and 4. Most systems are set up using
PS3 programming position 3.