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Reliability considerations in
simple paralleling applications
■ White Paper
By Rich Scroggins, Technical Specialist, Sales Application Engineering
the intent of adding paralleled generators in the unnecessary complexity into the system.
future as demand increases rather than installing
a single larger generator that is oversized for the
load. This will need to be balanced against the
future investment required to add generators and
switchgear and other required facility modifications.
SIMPLE LOAD ADD SCHEME WITH TWO LEVELS
Transfer
Inhibit
Paralleling Paralleling
Breaker Breaker
Auxiliary Auxiliary Non-Emergency ATS
Contact Contact
Load add and load shed A load shed scheme is required so that when
Load add and load shed schemes are used to make generators are overloaded the non-critical loads can
sure that there is always sufficient capacity to serve be taken off line so that there will be sufficient capacity
the most critical loads. Two levels of load add (one to serve the critical loads. Most paralleling generator
level for emergency loads and one level for all other set controls have a load shed or load dump output
loads) and one level for load shed (emergency loads which can be connected to the load shed input of the
are never shed) is sufficient for most simple, isolated transfer switches that serve the non-emergency loads
bus paralleling applications. This can be implemented (Figure 2). This will take the non-emergency loads off
without the use of a master control. A master control line in the event that the generator sets are overloaded.
may be required for additional levels of load add/shed. Note that to properly shed load transfer switches must
Although a master control can present a single point of be three position switches with center-off positions.
failure the system can be designed so that failure of the
master will not impact the most critical loads. Isochronous vs. droop load sharing
Most load sharing systems today are isochronous,
A load add scheme is required in a paralleling system meaning that the voltage and frequency are held constant
when a single generator is not large enough to carry all however there are still controls being produced that use
of the loads in the system. A simple load add scheme droop load sharing, which allow voltage and frequency
with two levels can be implemented using the inhibit to vary with load. Droop load sharing controls were once
function of the non-emergency load transfer switches popular because they allowed generator sets to parallel
and the aux contacts of the genset paralleling breakers with each other without communicating with each other.
(Figure 1). Emergency load transfer switches should Due to the variation of frequency and voltage with a
not be inhibited and should close to the bus as soon droop paralleling system the quality of power provided
as it is live. Non-emergency transfer switches can be to the load typically is not very good and may not be
inhibited until all of the generator sets come on line. suitable for some electrical equipment. Isochronous
load sharing is the appropriate technology to use.
Load
Shed
Load Load
03 | Power Topic #5590
Dump Dump
Contact Contact Non-Emergency ATS
Figure 2: Most paralleling generator set controls have a load shed or load dump output which can be connected to the load shed input of the transfer
switches that serve the non-emergency loads.
Random access paralleling vs. exciter paralleling Contactors that are not listed to a standard for
Random access paralleling refers to a system in which paralleling equipment may not be suitable for a
the first generator at rated speed and voltage closes to paralleling application as they may not have been
the dead bus and then all the other generators actively evaluated for safety when subjected to the higher
synchronize and close to the bus. Random access levels of fault currents present in a system with
paralleling is the most reliable paralleling method and paralleled sources.
is most commonly used in critical applications. A
less expensive paralleling method known as exciter Contactors that are components in UL 1008 listed
paralleling is used in some paralleling applications. transfer switches may not be suitable as a power
In an exciter paralleling system all of the generators transfer device in a paralleling application. UL 1008
start with their paralleling breakers closed and their recognizes and lists the entire switch mechanism,
excitation circuits de-energized. When the generators not the individual contactor. The individual contactor
start they are connected to the bus but produce no has not been type-tested according to the UL
voltage. When all generators reach starter disconnect requirements and does not carry the UL listing
speed their excitation circuits are energized and the separate from the transfer switch mechanism. In
generator bus voltage ramps up with the generators addition, UL 1008 lists switches that transfer loads
forcing each other into sync. Because exciter paralleling between sources but does not test or recognize
systems will not work until all generators either reach devices that parallel between two live sources.
disconnect speed or are locked out they are not used Because of these two factors it is not appropriate to
in critical applications. Random access paralleling with apply the UL 1008 standard to contactors that are
active synchronization should always be used when used to parallel between two live sources.
paralleling gensets in critical applications.
appropriately for the paralleling application. UL 891 unit specifically for the purpose of coordination.
and UL 1558 specify circuit breakers listed to UL 489 When the generator control includes integral, UL
(in the case of UL 891) or UL 1066 (in the case of UL listed overcurrent protection, coordination between
1558) for overcurrent protection and the breakers the genset and the paralleling breaker is simplified
are typically used for power transfer as well as for because the overcurrent trip curve is optimized to
protection. Draw out breakers are specified in critical allow the maximum permissible time delay while still
applications such as hospitals and data centers, protecting the alternator.
allowing operators to isolate faults and facilitate
inspection and testing of breakers and easily replace
breakers if necessary.
Separation of circuits The contractor and consulting engineer must have
The National Electrical Code requires that Emergency, a clear definition of what is included in the scope of
Legally Required and Optional loads are separated supply for each part of the system. Dividing scope
from each other. With paralleled generator sets of supply won’t be limited to equipment but will also
that means that the Emergency, Legally Required include assignment of responsibility for meeting code
and Optional loads must be fed from the generator requirements like selective coordination and separation
paralleling bus by separate breakers in separate of circuits, system testing and start up and ongoing
compartments or sections in the switchgear line up. maintenance and service. Having the same entity
responsible for supply, commissioning and maintenance
Isolation of generators from the paralleling bus helps promote an efficient maintenance program.
To enable maximum reliability and safety there must
be means to individually disconnect each generator
from the paralleling bus located at the paralleling
Service and Support
switchboard. Without this disconnecting means,
One of the first questions that should be asked when
typically an incoming breaker, a fault on one generator
choosing a supplier of a paralleling system is how will
can make all generators inoperable and all generators
the system be supported in the future? Paralleling
will have to be locked out to do maintenance work
systems include engines, alternators, controls,
on any generator in compliance with NFPA 70E Lock
switchgear and transfer switches and properly
out tag out requirements (Figure 3). Without this
supporting all of this equipment requires a diverse
disconnecting means much of the value of having a
skill set. Some suppliers only have experience with
redundant generator will be lost.
one component in a system and will need to involve
DISTRIBUTION PANEL – NO INCOMING BREAKER other companies to troubleshoot problems that arise.
Working with a supplier that has a proven track record
of designing, installing and maintaining complete
paralleling systems is the best way to ensure reliable
G operation over the life of the system. Questions to ask
include
Scalability Conclusions
Paralleling systems are frequently expanded after The decision on whether to provide backup power
they are put into service to accommodate increasing with a single generator set or with redundant paralleled
power demands. The ability to add a generator set generator sets will be based on reliability and cost. The
and the associated switchgear in the future should key question is does the redundancy coupled with the
always be considered. The system should have the added complexity of a paralleling system increase the
flexibility to allow generator sets from a different system reliability enough to justify the additional cost?
manufacturer to be added in the future. Being locked When a decision has been made to parallel generator
in to a certain manufacturer limits flexibility for future sets there are several considerations that need to be
expansions. Additional question to ask concerning addressed to maximize the reliability of the system.
expansion include:
■ Thecontrol system should be designed with critical
■ Are the generators properly isolated so that functions distributed to the individual generator
new generators can be added without taking controls to minimize single points of failure
the facility off line?
■ Thecontrols should have fault tolerance provisions
■ What is involved in modifying the control for such as load shed and manual operating modes.
expansion?
■ The installation must meet code requirements for
■ Ifa different manufacturer’s generators are used coordination, separation of circuits and ten second
for the expansion what will be required for the service to emergency loads and must allow proper
generators to parallel properly? isolation of the generator sets.
■ Does the manufacturer have experience ■ Thesystem must be supported by an organization
implementing field expansions, including with a proven track record for servicing complete
expansions that include generators from other paralleling systems.
manufacturers.
■ How can the system be modified to support For additional information about onsite power systems
utility paralleling if that is required in the future? or other energy solutions, visit power.cummins.com.
power.cummins.com