Power System Protection Engineers

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Imran Ali
Protection Engineer @ Chashma Power Plant

Single generator feeding an induction motor.

Can a generator of 50kVA, 0.8 pf support 55HP motor? Consider ideally full load current
of motor is equal to the current generator can supply at rated voltage. As starting of the
motor takes almost 7 times of its rated current, how will generator manage this? Is it safe
to operate generator beyond its operating curve? If yes how long and if not then how to
manage problem like this? In addition to your valueable comments any suggested
document will also help.Show less

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Jim Phipps Small generators are typically limited by the field exciter capabilities during motor
starts. Essentially, the exciters can't supply sufficient current to the field winding to produce enough
voltage at the generator output terminals to supply the reactive component of the inrush current to the
motor being started.

If the motor is driving a large load that requires high starting and accelerating torque, the voltage
drop during the start may cause the motor acceleration to stall resulting in an overload trip. Per-unit
starting torque is proportional to the square of the per-unit starting voltage. For example, a starting
 voltage at the motor terminals of 0.8 per-unit will result in only 0.64 per-unit starting torque.

Solutions can include (1) purchase/specify a generator with additional field current boosting
capabilities; (2) purchase a larger standard generator that has sufficient field capacity; (3) install a
soft-start or reduced voltage starter at the motor. Show less
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Rodney Hughes 55 HP = 41 kW so from a motor running perspective all is fine on a 50 kVA
generator.
But as pointed out the motor starting current - especially on full load is several times rated current
and probably for 10 s or more depending on the type of motor and starting mechanism.
So if the generator is not rated to carry that amount of current for that starting time you will possibly
blow up the generator or cause some other serious problem depending on the generator as Jim refers.
So you then need to consider different motor starting mechanisms, star-delta starters, no load and
SOFT starter and VFD Show less
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V K Shailesh Kumar Chetty I would only say to do some homework 

LinkedIn is becoming dangerous as new / fresh minds rather doing homework they simply post query
:(
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 Imran Ali V K Shailesh Kumar Chetty I think this is an inappropriate comment . I do my home
work very well.
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Steve Evans Look up "Close Before Excitation" ... a process where the generator and motor will
accelerate together.

Basic process: 
Start gen. Accel to about 30% speed/Hz.
Close CB(s), connecting gen to motor.
Apply field. 
Accel to rated.

I have heard of 1::1 ratio between the motor size and generator size running this way. This depends,
of course, on the type of motor load. Can the load handle speeds less than rated or start un-loaded?
(like fan or some pumps or some compressors)

Most controller manufacturers offer this: DEIF, Comap, Woodward, DeepSea. 

But must have ONLY gen and motor on same bus...other loads like process control computers or aux
devices need to be on separate bus. 

Email me for more info or read more about it in EGSA's Guide to On-Site Power, chapter 44. Show
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SEKHAR BHATTACHARYA You have to verify the starting current and time -vs-hot n cold
curve of motor along with generator avr/governor capability -if there is a reduced voltage starting eg
Y/Delta/Auto transformer starter or VFD -soft starter the pro ...Show more
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