Marine Engineering Study Materials

Parallel Operation Procedure for

Marine Diesel Generators in
Ships
Firoz 8 years ago

Share Tweet Pin Mail SMS

In order to put a generator onto a live bus bar or in
other words, for the parallel operation generators in
ships, the following conditions must be fulfilled.

1. The incoming generator voltage is almost equal to

the bus bar voltage.
2. The incoming generator frequency is equal to or
slightly higher than the bus bar frequency.
3. With the conditions 1 and 2 met, the incoming
generator circuit breaker must be closed at the
exact instant when the generator voltage is in phase
in opposition to the bus bar voltage (synchronism)

The following describes, as an example, how to put

D/G 2 onto the main switch board (MSB) bus already
served by D/G 1. Follow the procedure for proper
placing of an incoming generator to the bus bar and
to load shift a generator which is already powering up
bus bar.

Engine Start and Voltage

Establishment

Start D/G 2 engine and let D/G 2 voltage establish to

the rated value.

Comparison of Voltage and

Frequencies

Compare D/G 2 voltage and frequency with the bus

voltage and frequency (D/G 1 voltage and frequency
as measured on the bus). Read the bus voltage and
frequency on the bus voltmeter and frequency meter,
which are assumed to be at the rated values. To
read D/G 2 voltage and frequency, set “VOLT & FREQ
METER” switch on the synchro panel to D/G 2.
Automatic voltage regulator will bring the D/G 2
voltage to its rated value. So no need to adjust
voltages. At this step, the generator frequency is
acceptable if it is sufficiently close to the bus
frequency.

Synchronism

On confirmation that the frequency difference is

small (1 Hz or less), position “SYNCHROSCOPE”
switch to D/G 2 and observe the movement of the
synchroscope pointer as well as the brilliance change
of the synchro lamps.

Synchroscope pointer is rotating in “FAST”

direction (clockwise)

The generator frequency (D/G 2 ‘s) is higher than the

bus frequency (D/G 1 ‘s). The sequence of the synchro
lamp brilliance change is also in clockwise direction.

Synchroscope pointer is rotating in “SLOW”

direction (anticlockwise)

The incoming generator frequency is lower than the

bus frequency. The sequence of the synchro lamp
brilliance change is also in anticlockwise direction.

Synchroscope pointer is stopping

The generator and bus frequency are the same. The

position of the synchroscope pointer (assumed to be
stationary) indicates the relative phase angle. In this
case, there is no synchro lamp brilliance change.

Synchroscope pointer is at 12 o’ clock position

Whether the synchroscope pointer is moving slowly

or stationary this condition indicates that the
generator and bus voltages are in phase
(synchronism). At that moment, the two outside
synchro lamps will be on at the same brightness while
the middle top one will be at completely dark.

Closing the Generator ACB at

Synchronism

Observing the synchroscope or synchrolamps, operate

“GOVERNOR MOTOR” switch for D/G 2 to RAISE or
LOWER and bring D/G 2 frequency about 0.3 Hz
higher than the bus frequency (in this case,
synchroscope pointer will rotate in “FAST” direction
and complete one rotation in 3 or 4 seconds). Operate
ACB control switch for D/G 2 to CLOSE a little prior
to synchronism, anticipating a timing that D/G 2 ACB
be closed at the exact instant of synchronism.

Load Division

On closure of D/G 2 ACB, operate “GOVERNOR

MOTOR” switch for D/G 2 to RAISE so that D/G 2
takes on KW load and let each generator share the
load in proportion to their capacity ratio. Also
operate “GOVERNOR MOTOR” switch for D/G 1 if
necessary to maintain the bus frequency at 60 Hz.
Then position “SYNCHROSCOPE” switch to OFF.

Load Shift

To remove one of the generators running in parallel,

first transfer load on that generator to other
generator(s). When the KW output of this generator is
reduced to almost zero, remove the generator from
the bus by opening its ACB. For example, to
remove D/G 1 running in parallel with D/G 2as
mentioned above, operate “GOVERNOR MOTOR”
switch for D/G 1 to lower; load on D/G 1 transfers
to D/G 2. Also operate GOVERNOR MOTOR” switch
for D/G 2 if necessary to maintain the bus frequency
at 60 Hz. When D/G 1 output is reduced to about 5%
of its rated output, operate “ACB CONTROL” switch
for D/G 1 to open from the bus.

Cautions

1. Pay attention to the variation in bus frequency

during the load division or shift control, and be
sure to maintain it at 60 Hz.
2. Pay attention to the loading condition of the
generator(s) remaining on the bus during the load
shift control, and do not overload it for them.
3. If the output of a generator is reduced below 0 KW
during the load shift control, the induction type
reverse power relay (RP setting: 10% of the rated
output, time setting: 10 sec) will operate and trip
the generator ACB.

Related Posts

May 25, 2014 Diesel Generator

Control Procedure on Installation in Ships

May 25, 2014 Starting and

Stopping of Diesel Engine Generator Sets in Ships

October 5, 2015 Capacity Control

or Regulation for Refrigeration Compressor on

Ships

May 2, 2014 MEO Class 4 Oral

and Written Questions 3

April 30, 2014 Remote Water

Level Indicator for Boilers

May 2, 2014 Fuel Oil Viscosity

Controller Working Principle

December 10, 2015 Action on

Scavenge Fire on Ships – Marine Engineering

April 29, 2014 Navigation

Checklist in Coastal Waters and Traffic Separation

Scheme (TSS)

October 27, 2015 Framo

Hydraulic Cargo Pumping System on Ships

May 1, 2014 Precautions in

Storage and Handling of Acetylene Cylinders

Categories: Marine Electrical Technology

Tags: bus bar, diesel generator in ships, diesel generator

taking on load, generator load shift, meaning of
synchroscope pointer movement, parallel operation of
generators, parallelling, synchronism, synchronizing two
generators, take load on generator

Leave a Comment

Marine Engineering Study Materials

Back to top

Exit mobile version