GENERATOR

Objectives
• Describe the function of the generator and support
system
• State the principles of electrical power generation
• Identify major system components and their functions
• Describe construction features of a generator
• State the basic operating principles of a voltage
regulator
• Describe the different methods of reactive load
sharing and the fundamentals of cross-current
compensation
• State the requirements for synchronizing to a live bus
• Describe the automatic synch process
• State the manual synch process
• State how KW load is shared >
AC Generator Purpose

ROTATIONAL ENERGY
FROM ENGINE

ELECTRICAL ENERGY
13.8 KV
5.2 MW
272 amps
 Basic Function

• Generator
– Converts mechanical energy to electrical
energy
• Support System
– Regulate the voltage produced
– Control reactive load sharing when in
parallel operation
– Synchronize the generator with other units
>
 Induction of Voltage in a Conductor
Moving in a Magnetic Field

IN 1831 MICHAEL FARADAY DISCOVERED THE PRINCIPLE OF

ELECTROMAGNETIC INDUCTION
A CONDUCTOR MOVING THROUGH A MAGNETIC FIELD WILL
PRODUCE AN EMF (OR VOLTAGE)
Induction of Voltage in a Conductor
Moving in a Magnetic Field

THREE ELEMENTS ARE REQUIRED:

1. MAGNETIC FIELD
2. CONDUCTOR
3. RELATIVE MOTION
Induction of Voltage in a Conductor
Moving in a Magnetic Field

THE LEVEL OF VOLTAGE DEPENDS ON

1. STRENGTH OF MAGNETIC FIELD E = BLV
2. LENGTH OF CONDUCTOR
3. VELOCITY OF RELATIVE MOTION
 Illustrating the Left Hand Rule

THE DIRECTION OF CURRENT FLOW

CAN BE FOUND BY USING THE LEFT
HAND RULE
 Basic AC Generator Action

MAXIMUM VOLTAGE OBTAINED WITH THE CONDUCTORS

PERPENDICULAR TO THE MAGNETIC FIELD
CURRENT FLOW REVERSES AS THE DIRECTION OF THE
MAGNETIC FIELD CHANGES
3 Phase Sine Wave

• By arranging our
magnetic fields and
conductors a certain
way, we can produce
multiple voltage sine
waves
• 3-Phase
• This gives more
power for little extra
cost >
 Generator
Components

• The magnetic field will be rotating

• Current will be induced in the stationary windings
• We need to apply DC voltage to the rotating field to
produce the magnetic field
• This is a function of the Exciter
 Generator
Components

• The exciter will produce AC – it will be rectified to DC

through the Diodes
• We need to produce a magnetic field for the Exciter
• We supply DC voltage from the Voltage Regulator
• The PMG supplies power for the Voltage Regulator
(permanent magnet = no need to be “excited”)
 AC Generator with Rotor Removed

• In an AC Generator we
produce a magnetic field
in the rotor
• The rotation induces
voltage in the stator
windings, which are
connected to the output
leads
• The part of the generator
in which the voltage is
induced is known as the
ARMATURE
• This makes construction
much easier >
Generator Construction

• We can control the

output voltage of the
generator by varying
the strength of the
magnetic field
• Typical generator:
• Conductor
– Stator windings
• Magnetic Field
– Rotor windings >
Generator Construction

• Exciter produces AC
voltage
• This is rectified
(converted to DC)
by a series of
rotating diodes on
the shaft
• The DC voltage is
applied to the main
rotor windings to
produce the
magnetic field >
Generator Construction

• Exciter is a
miniature version of
the main generator,
except:
• Magnetic field is
produced in the
stator
• Voltage produced in
the rotor >
Generator Construction

• What produces the

DC voltage to excite
the Exciter?
• The AVR (now the
CGCM) outputs DC
voltage to the
Exciter stator
windings
• The final component
is the PMG
• This provides power
for the AVR >
Voltage Regulation Summary

• By varying the DC
voltage output to the
Exciter stator windings
we:
1. Vary the AC output
from the Exciter rotor
windings
2. Vary the rectified DC
through the diodes
3. Vary the strength of the
main rotor magnetic
field
4. Vary the output voltage
of the generator >
 Simplified AC Generator
Schematic Diagram
VOLTAGE
REGULATOR
PROVIDES DC
TO EXCITER
FIELD

PMG PROVIDES
AC TO POWER AC PRODUCED IN
VOLTAGE STATOR WINDINGS
REGULATOR OR ARMATURE

AC CONVERTED TO DC PRODUCES
AC PRODUCED
DC BY ROTATING ROTATING FIELD
BY EXCITER
DIODES
 Simplified AC Generator
Schematic Diagram

6 GENERATOR LEADS
(2 ENDS OF 3 LEADS)

3 OUTPUT LEADS

3 LEADS CONNECTED AT THE

CENTER OF THE STAR OR Y

NEUTRAL WIRE
TYPES OF ENCLOSURE
 Open Drip-Proof Generator
Drip-Proof

NOT SUITABLE FOR OPEN ENVIRONMENT

Totally Enclosed Air to Air
Cooling (TEAAC) Generator
 PD74731 Generator

DRIVE END

EXCITER AND PMG

 PD74731 Generator

GENERATOR
LEADS

INSTRUMENTATION
GENERATOR CONTROL
 Older Packages
• Generator control is required in the following
areas:
– Voltage Regulation
– Reactive Load Sharing
– KW Loadsharing
– Synchromizing
• In the past these functions were carried out
by a series of devices
– Automatic Voltage Regulator (AVR)
– Kvar/Power Factor Controller
– Line Synchronizing Module (LSM)
• All of these functions have now been
combined in the Combination Generator
Control Module (CGCM) >
CGCM
• The Generator is controlled
by a Combination
Generator Control Module
• Micro-processor based
• Provides generator control
and protection
• Programmable settings
• Communicates with
Controller using ControlNet
• Replaces
– Voltage Regulator
– KVAR/PF Controller
– LSM (load sharing and
synchronizing)
– Certain generator protection
devices
• Optional redundancy >
 CGCM Connections

INPUTS OUTPUTS
• Bus Voltage • Generator Exciter Field
• Generator Voltage • Load Sharing
• Bus Current • Relay Outputs (Fault)
• Generator Current • ControlNet Data
• Cross-Current Sensing – Module Status
– Voltage
• 24Vdc Power
– Current
• AC from PMG (for
– True Power
excitation)
– Apparent Power
– Frequencies >
 CGCM Available Protection Functions

Various protective functions are available as required

• Loss of excitation • Reverse VAR

current • Overfrequency
• Overexcitation voltage • Underfrequency
• Generator overvoltage • Phase rotation error
• Generator • Generator overcurrent
Undervoltage • Field current limit >
• Loss of sensing
• Loss of PMG
CGCM Configuration Options
CGCM Voltage Configuration
CGCM Transformers Configuration
VOLTAGE REGULATION
 VOLTAGE
SENSED BY
AVR/CGCM
Simplified
Generator
MANUAL
Schematic SETPOINT

DC OUTPUT
PMG POWER TO EXCITER
FOR
AVR/CGCM

AC GENERATED
IN MAIN STATOR AVR OUTPUT
ADJUSTED

RECTIFIED DC AC OUTPUT
FROM DIODES FROM EXCITER
TO MAIN FIELD
LOAD SHARING
 Isochronous Operation

SINGLE UNIT OPERATION

FULL LOAD MUST BE CARRIED
VOLTAGE REGULATOR MAINTAINS FULL VOLTAGE
 Load Sharing

• Load sharing refers to the operation of

two or more generators on a common
bus
• Load sharing is divided in two areas:
• Real or KW loadsharing
– Controlled by the fuel system
• Reactive loadsharing
– Controlled by the voltage regulation system
>
 What is Reactive Load?

• Current in a conductor will induce a magnetic

field around the conductor
• Changes to current, as in any AC circuit, will
result in changes to the magnetic field
• This in turn tends to oppose the current flow,
and is termed INDUCTIVE REACTANCE
• This causes a voltage drop and current flow
• REACTIVE POWER (VAR) is basically power
consumed internally by the generator without
performing any useful work
• TRUE POWER (KW) is power dissipated by
the load >
 What is Reactive Load?

• The amount of “wasted” reactive current

needs to be shared between units operating
in parallel, otherwise one unit will carry more
current and tend to heat up excessively (due
to current flow between the units)
• Power factor is the ratio of the true power to
the reactive power >
 Voltage Droop

• IN SINGLE UNIT OPERATION VOLTAGE DROOP CAN BE USED -

TERMINAL VOLTAGE WILL DROOP AS SHOWN ABOVE
• WHEN OPERATING UNITS IN PARALLEL –
1. VOLTAGE DROOP SWITCH PLACED IN DROOP POSITION
2. ALL UNITS SET TO SAME VALUE OF DROOP
3. VOLTAGE DOES NOT DROOP - UNITS WILL SHARE REACTIVE
LOAD EQUALLY
 Cross Current Compensation Circuit

UNIT CCCT’S CROSS-CONNECTED IN A LOOP AS SHOWN

VOLTAGE DROOP SWITCH STILL PLACED IN DROOP POSITION
IF CURRENTS ARE BALANCED NO CORRECTION IS MADE BY THE AVR
OR CGCM TO THE EXCITATION CURRENT
 Kvar/PF Controller
Kvar/PF

• A Kvar/PF controller is
required when the
generator is operating
in parallel with the utility
bus
• The controller will
output a correction to
the exciter field in the
same manner as shown
previously to maintain
the set PF or Kvars
• This function is now
carried out by the
CGCM >
SYNCHRONIZING
 Synchronizing

• Synchronizing of a generator to a live bus

requires that the following elements match
closely between the oncoming generator
and the bus:
1. Voltage
2. Frequency
3. Phase Relationships
• Failure to carry this out will result in very
large mechanical forces being exerted,
causing major equipment damage >
 Synchronizing

• Voltage can be matched by simply increasing the

exciter field current, either automatically or manually
– +/- 1% allowable band
• Frequency can be matched by increasing the speed
of the oncoming generator – normally it will be set
slightly faster than the bus to avoid a reverse power
situation
– +/- 0.1Hz allowable band
• Phase relationships are also matched by adjusting
the generator speed until each phase peaks at the
same time as compared to the bus – this is monitored
using a synch scope / lights for manual synch
– +/- 10 degrees allowable band >
CGCM Synch Configuration
 AutoSynch

• The auto-synchronizing of the generator

is initiated from the display
• The CGCM monitors the generator and
bus voltages, frequencies and phase
angles and initiates the closure of the
circuit breaker when the parameters are
within tolerance
• As an extra precaution a Synch Check
Relay also monitors and provides a
permissive >
KW Load Sharing
 KW Load Sharing

• KW load sharing is achieved by

adjusting the fuel flow to the engine
• Two modes are available
1. Isochronous
2. Droop >
 Speed Isoch

• Isochronous mode would be selected when

the generator is operating in island mode
• It is also used when all generators in parallel
have the same governor systems
• Load sharing lines between each CGCM will
form a corrective loop similar to the CCCT
loop
• Imbalances in the loop will automatically
correct the system
• The generators would not have to be identical
in respect of rating – if all the machines are
set for an equal load share gain they will
share load proportionally >
 Speed Droop

• When operating the generator in parallel with

the utility the speed switch should be set to
Droop
• The actual speed of the unit will not change,
as the frequency is set by the utility
• The unit will be manually adjusted to the
required load and will remain in this condition
>
Generator Operation Options
 Load Sharing in
VOLTAGE – DROOP
Island Mode
REACTIVE LOAD SHARED USING CCCT
SPEED – ISOCH
LOAD SHARING LINES CONNECTED

LOAD

LOAD

Load
Share
LOAD

GENERATOR GENERATOR
#1 #2
Indicates Energy Flow Path
 Grid Mode
VOLTAGE – DROOP
KVAR/PF CONTROL USING CGCM TO ADJUST
SPEED – 1 - DROOP (BASE LOADING)
2 - ISOCH (IMPORT/EXPORT/KW CONTROL)

LOAD
Export
Import
UTILITY
kW kW
Process LOAD

Plant

LOAD

GENERATOR GENERATOR
#1 #2
Indicates Energy Flow Path
 Grid Mode – Control Options

• Bus Voltage and Frequency are set by the Grid

• Operator determines power output and power
factor of the generator set using kvar/PF control
functions of CGCM
• If Generator is run in Speed Isoch without an
output power control scheme the generator will
either offload and trip on reverse power or it will T5
top

Control Available
1. kW (Speed Isoch)
2. Import/Export (Speed Isoch)
3. Process (Speed Isoch)
4. Base Loading (Speed Droop)
 KW Control

The kW output of the generator is controlled

to a preset value
Usage:
−To limit the heat output of the turbine
−To limit the fuel usage
−To limit emissions
LOAD
Export
Import
UTILITY

kW kW LOAD
Process

Plant

LOAD

GENERATOR GENERATOR
#1 #2

Feedback Measurement Point

Indicates Energy Flow Path
 Import or Export Control

IMPORT CONTROL
The kW output of the generator is regulated to maintain a minimum of
imported power
Usage:
-To prevent the export of power during periods when the customer
load is less than the turbine capacity or to ensure a limited amount of kW is
imported when there is a lot of demand.
EXPORT CONTROL
The kW output of the generator is regulated to maintain a maximum of
exported power.
Usage: Export LOAD

-To sell power to utility companies. Import

UTILITY

kW kW LOAD
Process

Plant

LOAD

GENERATOR GENERATOR
#1 #2
Feedback Measurement Point
 QUESTIONS?

Complete Student Activity