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Sizing Gen-Sets For Large Motor Starting
Sizing Gen-Sets For Large Motor Starting
What's involved. When starting motors, large voltage and frequency dips may occur
if the generator set isn't sized properly. Other loads connected to the generator output
may be more sensitive to voltage and frequency dips than the motor or motor starter,
and this may cause problems. For example, a rate of change greater than 1 Hz/sec in
generator frequency may cause some static UPS units to malfunction.
If the load on the generator set is a single large motor, particularly one requiring high
starting torque, a number of problems can occur. They include: sustained low-voltage
operation that can cause overheating; extended load acceleration times; opening of
circuit breakers or motor protective devices; engine-generator protection shutdowns;
and more.
Your gen-set's ability to start large motors without excessive voltage and frequency dip
is a function of the complete system. This includes:
You must consider all these factors for proper gen-set sizing. Here's a simple rule for
estimating the size of an engine-generator set for motor starting: 1kW of generator set
rating per each 3/4 to 1 hp of motor nameplate.
Let's look more closely at a motor start. Induction motors have typical starting
characteristics. The curve of motor current versus speed shows that during starting,
the motor draws approximately six times its full load current; this current remains
high until the motor reaches about 80% of speed. This high inrush current causes a dip
in generator voltage. The electric power initially required by the motor (with the motor
at standstill) is about 150% of rated power. The power required by the motor peaks at
about 300% of rated power and 80% of speed with full voltage applied. But, the
generator set supplies less than 300% power because starting voltage is lower than full
voltage during acceleration, and because the generator set's rotating inertia transfers
energy to the motor.
The motor must develop greater torque than required by the load. The motor's torque
curve at full voltage is above the load's torque curve. The difference between the torque
developed by motor and the torque required by the load determines the rate of
acceleration. Since torque is proportional to voltage, any reduction in voltage means a
proportional reduction in torque.
A properly sized generator set will support the high starting kVA requirements of the
motor, and maintain sufficient output voltage for the motor, so it can develop adequate
torque to accelerate the load to rated speed.
All standby gen-sets use synchronous generators with exciters. Many are available with
permanent magnet generator (PMG) excitation systems. The PMG provides excitation
power independent of the generator terminal voltage. As such, it can maintain full
excitation:even during transient loading, such as motor starting. Full excitation power
results in a less extensive voltage dip and improved recovery times.
Using reduced-voltage starting. Though a voltage dip often causes various
problems, a controlled reduction in voltage at motor terminals can be beneficial, but
only when reduction in motor torque is acceptable. Reducing motor starting kVA can
reduce the required size of the gen-set, reduce the voltage dip, and provide a softer
start for the motor loads. When sizing gen-sets, you must first determine the
acceptable level of motor torque required during starting, or the loads will accelerate
slowly, or even fail to reach full speed:ultimately causing motor damage.
Using solid-state starters. Solid-state starters can adjust the starting torque,
acceleration ramp time, and current limit for controlled acceleration of a motor when it
starts. For the purpose of sizing a gen-set, the current limit adjustment reduces the
inrush current and may be used to reduce the starting kW and kVA requirement on the
generator. The range of available current limit settings is typically from 150% to 600%
of full-load current. A 600% current limit setting on the solid-state starter results in a
gen-set sizing that's the same as an across-the-line starting. A 300% current limit
setting reduces starting kVA by 50%.
Use of the current limit setting also reduces motor torque available to the load. From a
gen-set sizing perspective, an extended acceleration ramp time and low current limit
setting (if appropriate for the motor and the mechanical load) would result in the least
voltage and frequency excursions.
One downside to using solid-state motor starters is their integral SCRs (siliconcontrolled rectifiers) will cause voltage distortion. To compensate, you'll have to
oversize the generator. The recommendation: two times the running kW load, except
where you're using an automatic bypass. If the solid-state starter does have an
automatic bypass, the SCRs are only in the circuit during starting. Once the motor is
running, the bypass contactor closes and shunts the SCRs. In this case, you can ignore
the voltage distortion during starting, and you don't have to add generator capacity.
VFDs require larger generators. All versions of variable frequency drives (VFDs)
are current limiting and reduce starting kW and kVA. The current drawn by these
drives is nonlinear (having harmonics), which causes a distorted voltage drop across
the reactance of the generator. Since VFDs are nonlinear, you must include an
Nameplate hp,
You can use the following equation to calculate RkW and RkVA for motors: RkW =
[(Nameplate hp) x (0.746kW/hp)] / Efficiency (eq. 1)
RkVA = RkW / Running motor PF (eq. 2)
To calculate starting kilovolt-amperes (SkVA) and starting kilowatts (SkW) for motors,
use these equations:
SkVA = (Nameplate hp) x (Locked rotor kVA/hp) (eq. 3)
SkW = (SkVA) x (Starting motor PF) (eq. 4)
Step 2: Total the RkW, RkVA, SkW, and SkVA numbers for all the loads.
Step 3: Select the gen-set by comparing the RkW, RkVA, SkW, and SkVA to the ratings
on the manufacturer's specification sheets (after appropriate derating for ambient
temperature and altitude).
Example One calculation. Determine gen-set size for three loads started acrossthe-line in a single step. Here's pertinent information:
Two 200 hp motors, Code G, 92% running efficiency, 0.25 starting PF, 0.91 running PF.
Total 100kVA of fluorescent lighting, starting PF of 0.95, and running PF of 0.95 (Note:
We're using the terms starting and running PF for the lighting load here for clarification when
adding the motor loads. Actually, the ballast for the lighting load has a constant PF of 0.95.)
starting kVA by the square of the voltage (0.65)squared, or 0.42 times the starting
kVA.
Step 1: Calculations
200 HP motor:
RkW = (200 hp x 0.746 kW/hp) / 0.92 = 162.2kW
RkVA = 162.2kW / 0.91 PF = 178.2kVA
SkVA = 200 hp x 5.9 kVA/hp = 1180 x (0.65)squared = 495kVA
SkW = 495kVA x 0.25 PF = 124kW
Florescent Lighting:
RkW = 100kVA x 0.95 PF = 95kW
RkVA = 100kVA
SkVA = 100kVA
SkW = 100kVA x 0.95 PF = 95kW
Step 2: Totals
Load.......... | RkW.. | RkVA | SkW | SkVA
200hp Motor | 162.2 | 178.2. | 124. | 495
200hp Motor | 162.2 | 178.2. | 124. | 495
Lighting...... | 95..... | 100... | 95... | 100
Totals (kVA) | 420... | 457... | 343. | 1090
Step 3: Selection. Using one manufacturer's published data, you would select a 450kW
gen-set to supply the required starting kVA. The running kilowatt load of 420kW is
93% of the gen-set's standby rating. So, if you want a margin for future load additions,
you would select a 500kW gen-set running at 84% of rated standby power.
After the initial voltage dip, it's important the generator restore voltage to a minimum
of 90%-rated value while supplying the motor starting kVA. At least 90% recovery
voltage is necessary for the motor to develop adequate torque to accelerate its load to
rated speed.
A motor starting a high starting torque load, such as a loaded compressor, requires
higher recovery voltage than one starting an unloaded compressor. As the motor comes
up to speed, the voltage will rise, as the starting kVA input decreases. Once the motor
is up to speed, the voltage should return to rated value, if the gen-set is sized properly.
Crushers
Centrifugal pumps
Motor-generator elevators
Note: Pumps starting into high head pressure and large diameter fans or fans starting
into high restriction areas should be classified as high inertia loads.