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Circulating Currents in Parralleled Generator Systems PDF
Circulating Currents in Parralleled Generator Systems PDF
When two or more generator sets are operated Observed line current (as indicated by panel
in parallel, a current may circulate between ammeters) in a parallel generator set system
the generators. This current will exist is a summation of two or three currents:
when the internal voltage generated by each
generator is slightly different, but the 1. Load current -- that current which
terminal or bus voltage is the same. In the is supplied to the load. It may
most elementary form, current will flow out be in phase with the voltage (unity
the line leads of one generator, through the power factor) or somewhat out of
paralleling bus and into the second generator. phase with the voltage (power factor
It does not flow into the load. This current, less than unity).
called “circulating current,” is in addition
to the normal line current supplied to the 2. Harmonic current -- usually third
connected load. When more than two generators harmonic current which flows
are in parallel, current could flow out of through the entire system when “Y”
any generator and into one or more of the connected paralleled generators
other generators. Circulating currents can have their neutral leads connected,
take many paths into and out of the several either directly or through an
generators. earth or ground connection.
We are concerned with these “wattless amperes” 3. Circulating current -- that current
only when they interfere with normal generator which flows between generators
set operation or when the normal on-line for reasons explained below.
kVA capacity of the generators must be
reduced because of excessive line currents. Each of the above currents contribute heat
With no-load (zero kilowatts) on a generator to the generator coils, the amount being
in a parallel system, Caterpillar generators equal to the square of the sum total current
can readily tolerate a circulating current times the resistance of the coils. Thus, if
equal to 20%-25% of the line ampere rating the current doubles, the heat loss increases
shown on the generator name plate. At load by a factor of four. Coil heating reflects
conditions (100% kW load), Caterpillar in possible overheating and lowered efficiency.
generators will tolerate a circulating In very large generators, this is an important
current of up to 10% of the rated line consideration. Significance of efficiency
amperes. decreases with smaller generators. However,
coil heat is always a factor, as it must be
Since circulating currents pass through the removed by ventilation or radiation to keep
generator coils, these currents heat the coil temperatures to an acceptable maximum.
coils the same as does the load current.
Further, since circulating currents are The load alone determines the load current.
superimposed on the load current passing Reactors or switches can be placed in neutral
through the circuit breaker, circulating leads to reduce or eliminate third harmonic
currents can cause a breaker to trip as the currents. Proper generator voltage adjustment
breaker could “see” an actual ampere overload. can bring operating circulating currents to
More complex control systems include “reverse a minimum.
current” relays which sense counter flow
currents. Currents in excess of the relay Circulating currents perform an important
setting will actuate the circuit breaker function: they account for misadjustment of
trip mechanism. the generator voltage control system as well
as slight variations in the control systems.
The kilowatt (or horsepower) load on parallel downward for lowered generated voltage, or
alternators is entirely a function of the upward for increased generated voltage.
driving source. Thus, to increase the load Within limits, the complete regulator keeps
demand on one generator set in a parallel individual generated voltages nearly equal
system, the governor speed setting of that and amperes balanced.
generator set must be increased.
In any alternator power system -- single or
Changing the voltage setting on one generator multiple -- the system voltage level is
does not change the kilowatt load division established by the level of generator excita-
between generators. This fact is often tion. When the system is supplying a purely
confusing, as observation of line ammeters resistive load (unity power factor), generator
after a voltage level adjustment will indicate excitation is normally expected to come from
a current increase, leading to the belief the individual generator exciters (static or
that one generator has picked up “load.” It rotary). If one generator exciter in a
has not. Instead, currents circulating parallel system is somewhat deficient, the
between generators have changed. The panel additional excitation will be supplied by
ammeters indicate this change. circulating currents from other generators
on the bus.
Paralleled alternators must operate at the
same terminal voltage since they are physically When the system is supplying induction
connected through the paralleling bus. If motors, a higher exciting or magnetizing
internally generated voltages are not exactly current is needed to provide the magnetic
equal, one alternator will automatically forces in the motors. This motor excitation
supply an exciting or magnetizing current to subtracts from the total generator excitation,
the other alternator to raise its internally driving the generated voltage downward. All
generated voltage. At the same time, the of the voltage regulators in the system
second alternator will supply a current to sense this decrease and individually raise
the first, which will lower the generated the excitation level and the generated
voltage of this unit. The net result of voltage of their respective generators.
circulating or “cross” current is equal
generated voltages. If the voltage regulator action and resultant
generator performance are precisely uniform,
This action is inherent and automatic. The each generator would supply its exact pro-
amount of circulating current flow is entirely portion of additional magnetizing current.
a function of the internal voltage generated In practice this does not occur. Very small
by each of the several alternators in the differences result in relatively large
parallel system. differences of current supplied. The voltage
droop system senses these currents (in
The amount and type of connected load also amount and in phase or power factor) and
affects internally generated voltage. causes the voltage regulator to react in the
Induction motors, for example, will tend to correct direction, raising or lowering the
lower the generated voltage because the individual excitation level. The result is
motors require magnetizing current in addition controlled division of total line current.
to power producing current. The generator
which is trying to produce the higher generated Droop systems will function correctly only
voltage will supply a proportionately greater if the current sensing transformers of the
share of the magnetizing current not only to several generators are all in the same phase
the motors but to other generators on the or line lead. (T-2 in Caterpillar SRCR
bus. Generators, T-8 in SR 4 Generators.)
When generators are run in parallel, a Droop systems are proportionate. This means
current sensing system must be added to each that droop system reaction is proportionate
voltage regulator. The current sensing to the ampere load on an individual generator
system samples the generator line current not set. Example: the total kW load on the
only in quantity but also in its phase system is 150 kW at 0.8 P.F. One generator
(angular) relation to the voltage. The is supplying 50 kW, and the other 100 kW.
current sensing or droop system produces a The total kVA (187.5) should be proportioned
voltage that adds to, or subtracts from, the with 62.5 kVA on the 50 kW unit, and 125 kVA
voltage sensed by the voltage regulating on the 100 kW unit. Indicated individual
system. (This accounts for the name often line amperes would also be proportionate,
used: Voltage Droop System.) The resultant with one third of the total current coming
regulating voltage level (plus or minus from the 50 kW unit and two thirds of the
droop voltage) causes the regulator to load current coming from the 100 kW unit.
adjust the alternator exciting current
-3-
Operating conditions as just described are generator set running slightly fast, as
not always possible over the entire load shown by synchronizing light brilliance at
range of the generators. Electrical and 6 to 10 times per minute prior to closing
mechanical variations in generators cause the circuit breaker. This will assure that
a small difference in ampere or kVA division. the incoming generator supplies power (kW)
Neither is exactly proportionate to kW load to the load at the time of breaker closure.
division. The difference shows up in the Load is then added to the incoming generator
panel ammeter indications: the sum of set by increasing the setting of its governor
individual generator line currents exceeds control, or decreasing the setting of the
the load current. on-line generator set governor controls.