Paralleling Operations / Synchronizations:-

Theory, Practices and Improvements.

Presented at Electrical Systems 2005 “KNOW-HOW” on Emerging Technologies & “Best

Practices” in Electrical field held on 10th & 11th June 2005 at CII – Godrej GBC, Hyderabad

Topics
• What is Synchronizing
• Types of Switching Operation
• Types of Synchronizing
• Concept of Slip frequency and Advance angle
• Load pick-up and Governor droop Characteristics
• Synchronizing methods
• Generator Synchronizing
• General criteria for Generator Synchronisation
• Manual Synchronizing
• Components used for Synchronisation
• Automatic Synchronizing
• Choice of Synchronization
( cont..)

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 Topics (cont…
(cont…)

• Sources of Errors in Synchronisation System

• Pre-commissioning Checks for Synchronisation System
• Mechanism of Wrong Synchronisation System
• Possible out of Synchronisation
• Effect of faulty Synchronisation on Generator System
• Shortfall in the Conventional Synchronising Scheme
• Improvement Suggested in the Synchronisation System

THEME of Presentation

• Sources of Errors in Synchronisation System

• Mechanism of Wrong Synchronisation
• Effect of Wrong Synchronisation on Generator
• Pre-commissioning Checks
• Drawback in the Present Synchronisation System
• Improvements suggested in the Synchronisation System

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 What is Synchronising ?
Overall operation of ensuring that the two power systems to
be interconnected THROUGH a Circuit Breaker.

To achieve the same the following shall be satisfied on either

side of the circuit breaker

• Voltage Magnitudes are same

• Voltages are in Phase
• Frequencies are equal

Phasor Relationship between Incoming and Running Supplies

a) Phasor relationship at some instant prior to Synchronising

b) Phasor relationship at the instant before switch contacts close

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 Types of Synchronisation

1. System synchronising:
When two different parts of a system are connected together
(i.e. both Voltage Magnitude, Phase and Frequency cannot
be controlled like generator circuits)
For example Closing of a Bus coupler CB fed by two
Transformer feeders, the voltage magnitude can only be
varied through Tap changing mechanism

2. Generator synchronizing
Generator is connected to a Grid. The voltage magnitude,
Phase and frequency of the generator supply can be varied.

Synchronising methods
1) Manual synchronising
It is performed by the operator using following synchronizing
devices. This is generally used for both Generator
synchronisation and System synchronisation
• Synchroscope
• Check Synchronising Relay
• DV, DF Meters, Guard Relay

2) Automatic synchronising
It is performed through “Automatic Synchronising Relay”.
This provides closed loop control for adjusting Speed & Voltage
of the Generator during synchronization. This is used for
Generator synchronisation

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Slip Frequency:
Difference between the incoming voltage and the running voltage
frequency is called Slip frequency. It is the measure of the rate
rate of
change of phase
Say (for 50Hz System)

fs = fi – fr fs = 50.01 – 50.06 (fs / 50) X 100 = % fs

= 0.05Hz (0.05/50) X 100 = 0.1%

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Time period of Slip cycle:

Ts = ( 1 / 0.05 ) = 20 sec per Slip cycle

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Rate of change of Phase:

0.05 x 360 = 18º
18º per second
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Frequency Error / Slip Frequency

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 Advance angle:
The angle in advance of the phase coincidence at the instant when
when the
switch closing impulse is generated

Aa = fs X 360 º X tc
Where, tc = Closing time of CB (0.15 sec)

Say, Aa = 0.10 X 360º X 0.15

5.40º electrical
= 5.40º

Relationship between advance angle and Switch closing time:

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6° 6°

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Load Pick-Up
% Slip Frequency ( fs )
pick-up ( lp )=
% load pick- X 100
% Speed droop ( nd )
Where, %fs = slip frequency
X 100
system frequency
No load Speed – Full load Speed
% Speed droop = X 100
No load Speed
% ( lp ) X % (nd) System frequency
Slip frequency = X
100 100

= [ (1 x 4) / 100] X (50 / 100)

= 0.02Hz

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 Criteria for Generator Synchronising
Generator synchronising is of two methods:
1) Super synchronously synchronising, with the incoming
frequency higher than the running frequency
2) Sub synchronously synchronising, with the incoming
frequency lower than the running frequency

Generator Type Synchronising Method Reason

Steam turbine generator Super synchronously Prevent motoring
(Prime mover damage)

Diesel generator Super synchronously Prevent motoring

(Reverse power relay
tripping)

Permissible Synchronising Criteria for Generators

Operations Gas Turbine Diesel Generator Steam Turbine

Generator Generator
Frequency range 40-
40-51 Hz 47-
47-51 Hz 47-
47-51 Hz

Voltage Range 80-

80-115% (nominal) 85-115% (nominal) 85-
85- 85-115% (nominal)

Voltage error 4% (nominal) 4% (nominal) 4% (nominal)

setting
0.2% above 0.2% above 0.2% above
Maximum slip synchronous ( For synchronous synchronous
setting manual synchronous)

8° (elec)
Phase error 8° (elec) 8° (elec)

Load pick up 1 – 5% Full Load

1-5% Full load 1-5% Full load

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 Manual Synchronising for Generator
Synchronisation
To synchronize generator to a Grid the following steps shall be
adopted.
1. Voltage difference is brought within prescribed limits by
adjusting the excitation

2. Slip frequency and Phase difference are brought within the

prescribed limits by adjusting the Speed governor

3. CB closing is done at the correct Phase Advance Angle.

4. Check synchronising relay separately measures the voltage,

phase and slip frequency, inhibiting the breaker-closing signal
unless supply differences are within the preset limits.

Manual Synchronising for System

Synchronisation
To synchronize two Grid feeders (I.e. Non-Generator feeders)
The following steps to be adopted
1. Operator has to wait until the Voltage magnitude and Frequency
are almost becoming same.

2. The Phase difference is continuously varying as the function of

Slip frequency

3. Switch closing is done at the instant of the correct Phase

advance angle
Check synchronising relay separately measures the voltage,
phase and slip frequency, inhibiting the breaker-closing signal
unless supply differences are within the preset limits.

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 Automatic Synchronising for Generator
Synchronisation
• Automatic synchronising relays monitor the voltages and the
frequencies of the incoming and the running supplies.

• It gives out signal, which are used to control the incoming

voltage and the incoming frequency through a closed loop
system
• The Governor Characteristic , Slip frequency and CB closing
time characteristic are taken for generation of closing pulse.

• A pulse signal is sent out to energise the interposing relay, at

correct Phase Advance Angle which inturn closes the breaker

Sources of Errors in Synchronisation System

• Voltage Transformer Ratio & Phase error

• Burdens
The total burden connected to the secondary of winding shall be
within 25% to 100% of rated burden

• Lead Resistance
The Cable Lead interconnecting VT and Synchronising panel
should not make any significant voltage drop.

• Usage of Interposing Potential Transformer

• Workman error in connecting Instruments

Inadvertent Error such as connecting wrong terminals of
Instruments to the PT supply. (Say PT Polarity Reversal)
( Cont…)

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 Mechanism of Wrong Synchronisation in
Generator System
• To Synchronize a Generator with GRID,a load pick-up of 1% -
5% shall be considered.
• This results into a Slip frequency (i.e. fs = 0)

In.Sup Run.Sup Initial Phase Final Phase Shift @

Polarity Polarity Shift @ fs = 0 Phase coincidence
R&Y R&Y 0 360º
R&Y Y&R 180º 180º
R&Y R&B 60º 300º
R&Y B&R 120º 240º

Possible out of Synchronisation

Phase – Neutral method:
180°
180° : Due to interchange of R & N at PT secondary
Wiring
120°
120° : Due to interchange of Y & N at PT secondary
Wiring

180°
180° : Due to interchange of R & Y at PT secondary
Phase – Phase method: Wiring
60°
60° : When R&Y & R&B of I/C & Running circuits
are compared at synchroscope / synchronising
relay
120°
120° : When R&Y & Y&B of I/C & Running circuits
are compared at synchroscope / synchronising
relay
150°
150° : When R&Y & B&R of I/C & Running circuits
are compared at synchroscope / synchronising
relay

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 Effect of Faulty Synchronising on
Generators
The effect of the disturbance on an turbine generator
1. Stator end windings, being the weakest part of the stator,
may distort and would damage the end insulation
2. Torsional oscillations stress the shaft system and in particular
the shaft couplings
3. The No.of force reversals is more important in determining the
failure of alternator windings
4. Even Protective Relay (50) picking-up instantaneously (20
msec) and Tripping the CB (40 msec) cannot protect the
Generator from the effect of Faulty Synchronisation as first two
cycle is sufficient enough to cause the damage.
5. Differential Protective Relays will sense only after Fault is
established by the Generator after damaging the winding.

Pre-Commissioning Checks for Synchronism System

Thorough Phasing out operation to be carried out using

following

1. Check for the correct connections of the wires to the

terminal blocks and Synchronising instruments

2. Check the Phase sequence using Phase sequence indicator

3. Measure Voltage across Terminal ( Rr – Ri, Yr – Yi, Br – Bi )

4. Check the Synchroscope by interchange of running /

incoming polarity

5. Check the Synchronising Relay

6. Measure and Capture the Wave forms through SCOPE

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Short fall in the Conventional Synchronising
Scheme
1. Basically Unsecured due to highly person dependent.

2. Susceptable for Intentional & Unintentional changes.

3. Path between VT and Synchronising panel gets multiple

entry to provide tap of to Remote Synchronising panel.

4. Multiple access possible at any time, if not, specifically

on the Synchronising panel ( for example DG power
panel may be under Maintenance)

5. Synchronising Instruments like Synchroscope, Check

Synchronising relay are tapped off from Common
Synchronising Circuits.
( Cont…)

Short fall in the Conventional

Synchronising Scheme (Cont…
(Cont…)

6. Synchronising circuits are not Duplicated in terms of

Instruments and connection by Cables.

7. Terminal blocks in VT circuits are of Mono color.

8. Ferrules are too small to be visible enough in a full fledged

panel wiring system

9. No SEALING arrangement for Terminal blocks and

Synchronising instruments.

10. Inadvertent Changes in the commissioned system, if any

gets unnoticed by Random checks.

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 Conventional Scheme

Improvement Suggested
• TBs associated with VT signal for Synchronising circuits at
all locations / Tapping points shall be COLORED type and
it shall be SEALABLE.
• Terminals of Synchronising Instruments at the Respective
panels shall be of SEALABLE type.
• Connection from VT to Synchronising circuit shall be by
cable as DIRECT as possible.
• Connection from VT to Synchronising circuit shall be by
cable as DUPLICATED (i.e.redundancy).
• Auxiliary Synchronising panel with 3# incandescent lamps
and Voltage balance Relay
• Lamps are configured in Bright / Dark Lamp methods.

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Improvement Suggested

THANK YOU

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