Generator Protection

1
CONTENT
 introduction to generator protection.

❖ Generator Protection Requirements.
❖ ANSI/IEEE device identification
❖ Generator grounding
❖ Stator Earth Fault Protection.
❖ Stator phase Fault Protection.
❖ Rotor earth fault protection .
❖ Abnormal operating conditions protection.
❖ Generator backup protection .
❖ Typical generator protection scheme.
2
INTRODUCTION TO GENERATOR PROTECTION
 Basics of Synchronous Generator:
Generator Step-up
Transformer
Generator
Field CT VT
Gen.
Excitation
AVR
Transformer
Static
Exciter
3
.
4
Salient Pole Rotor Cylindrical Rotor
. .
5
▪ Contrary to popular belief, generators do

experience shorts and abnormal electrical
conditions
▪ Proper protection can mitigate damage to the
machine in many cases
▪ Generator Protection Areas:
▪ Short Circuits in the generator itself
▪ Abnormal electrical conditions may be
caused by the generator or the system
6
Generator faults and abnormal operating conditions:
▪ Internal Faults ▪ Abnormal Operating

▪ Stator Phase Conditions
▪ Stator and Field Ground ▪ Overvoltage
▪ Overexcitation
▪ System Back Up for Faults ▪ Load Unbalance
▪ Phase and Ground ▪ Loss of Field
▪ Loss of Synchronism
▪ Frequency
▪ Loss of prime mover
▪ Inadvertent Energizing
▪ Loss of voltage
transformer protection
(blown fuse)
▪ Open trip circuit
7
Internal and External Short Circuits
.
System
Ground
Stator
Ground
Exciter
The
"Wild"
G Power
System
Stator
Phase
System 8
Phase
Abnormal Operating Conditions
Overexcitation
Over Open
Power Loss of Field
Loss of Field Circuits
Overexcitation
Overexcitation
Exciter
The
"Wild"
G Power
System
Abnormal
Inadvertent Frequency
Abnormal Energizing,
Frequency Pole Flashover
Loss of
Reverse Breaker Synchronism
9
Power Failure
■ The extent and types of protection specification will

be depend on the following factors :
 Type of prime mover and generator
construction.
 MW and voltage rating.
 Mode of operation.
 Method of connection to the power system.
 Method of grounding.
10
■ Type of prime mover
 Steam turbines
 Gas turbines
 Hydro
 Diesel
■ Generator construction
 Cylindrical rotor
 Salient pole
■ Mode of operation
 Base load
 Peak lopping
 Stand by
■ Ratings
 Power – from 200kVA to 1000MVA
11
 Voltage-from 440V to 24 kV
 Connection to The Power System:
Direct : ■
Via Transformer : ■
12
Typical Generator Installation:
Y Generator Y Generator
Transformer Station Transformer
Transformer
Earthing
Transformer
Unit/Station Unit
~ Transformer ~ Transformer
Y Y
R
R
13
GENERATOR PROTECTION REQUIREMENTS
■ To detect fault on the generator

■ To protect generator from the effects of
abnormal power system operating conditions
■ To isolate generator from system
■ Action required depends upon the nature of the

fault
■ Usual to segregate function into :-
■ Urgent
■ Non Urgent
14
■ Alarm
ANSI/IEEE DEVICE IDENTIFICATION
. No.
2 Time-delay relay
DESCRIPTION
21 Distance relay
24 Overexcitation / Volts per Hertz
25 Synchronism-check relay
27 Undervoltage relay
27TN Third-Harmonic Undervoltage relay
30 Annunciator device
32 Reverse power relay
37 Undercurrent or underpower relay
40 Field excitation relay
46 Negative sequence overcurrent relay
47 Negative sequence overvoltage relay
49 Thermal relay
50 Instantaneous AC overcurrent relay
50DT Split Phase Differential
50/27 Inadvertent Energizing
50BF Breaker Failure
51 AC Inverse Time Overcurrent relay
52 Circuit breaker
15
59 Overvoltage relay
59D Third-Harmonic Voltage Differential Ratio
ANSI/IEEE DEVICE IDENTIFICATION
No. DESCRIPTION
. 60 Voltage balance or loss of potential relay
63 Pressure device
64F Field Ground relay
64B Brush Lift-Off Detection
100% Stator Ground Protection by Low
64S Frequency Injection
67 AC directional overcurrent relay
68 Power Swing Blocking
69 Permissive relay
74 Alarm relay
76 DC overcurrent relay
78 Out-of-step relay
79 AC reclosing relay
81 Frequency relay
81R Rate of Change Frequency relay
83 Transfer device
85 Carrier or pilot-wire relay
86 Lock out relay
87 Differential relay
94 Auxiliary tripping relay 16
Allocated Protection Functions For Generators:
87 Differential
32 Reverse power
59 Over-voltage
81O/U Frequency
V/f Over-excitation24
Turbine
49S Stator Over-load
51V Voltage/over-current
64S Earth fault stator

46 Unbalanced Inter-turn
40 Loss of excitation 27/50 Dead Machine
78 Pole slipping
64R Earth fault rotor
49R Rotor overload
Rotor Stator 17
GENERATOR GROUNDING
OBJECTIVES OF GENERATOR GROUNDING:
 Minimize damage for internal ground fault.

Limit mechanical stress in the generator for external
ground faults
 Limitation Temporary over voltages and Transient
overvoltage on generator insulation system.
 To provide a mean for detecting ground fault within the
machine.
 Coordination the protection of Generator with
requirements of other equipment connected at Generator
voltage level.
18
GENERATOR GROUNDING
Generator Grounding Method:
A. Solidly Ground (Effectively Grounded).

B. High Resistance Grounding.
C. Low Resistance Grounding.
D. Grounding Transformer Grounding.
19
GENERATOR GROUNDING
Solidly Ground Neutral( effecively ground):
This method is not recommend for following reasons:
 Risk of mechanical damage from line to ground

fault.
 Abnormal third harmonic current flow
 Generator is normally designed to withstand stress
associated with three- phase fault at the machine
terminals. Because of low zero-sequence
impedance in generators, a solid phase-to-ground
fault at the machine terminals will produce higher
winding currents than those from a three-phase
fault.
20
GENERATOR GROUNDING
Solidly Ground Neutral( effecively ground):

 Advantage:
 Low transient voltage, better measuring conditions for

the protection.
 Disadvantage:
 Great damages to generators, Leakage zero-
sequence currents.
 Application at low voltage generators
21
GENERATOR GROUNDING
High Resistance Grounding:
 Two Methods of Neutral High-Resistance Grounding:
 Resistor Directly connected to Neutral

✓ this method is not recommend as high resistance
and low current make the resistor more fragile
and prone to mechanical damage.
 Distribution transformer and resistor combination

✓ A single-phase distribution transformer is used for
neutral grounding and the resistor is connected to
secondary. This combination permits the
application of a robust and higher current-rated
resistor. 22
GENERATOR GROUNDING
High Resistance Grounding:
 Resistor Directly connected to Neutral :
 The neutral current is limited to 5-10A.
The main advantages :

➢ Minimum damagefrom internal ground faults.
➢ Transient
overvoltage is limited
Load
 The Criteria of High-Resistance grounding Resistor < 10 A
Rn  Xcg or
Xcg
 1.0
Rn
23
Rn is the effective neutral resistance
Xcg is the capacitive reactance of the three phases
GENERATOR GROUNDING
High- Resistance Grounding:
Resistor Directly connected to Neutral :
Disadvantage :
-High Transient Overvoltage
- for intermittent ground faults (2.5- 3 ) Voltage Phase-
ground.
Standard Application
24
GENERATOR GROUNDING
High- Resistance Grounding :
 Distribution transformer and resistor combination:
Advantage:
▪ Low- Ohmic value Load Resistor.
▪ Primary current 3 – 15 A.
▪ Rugged construction.
▪ More details, to be added and Example to

25
calculate R.
GENERATOR GROUNDING
 Low-Resistance Grounding:
This method permits coordination with other equipment connected to the
system and is generally used where:
 Generator is connected directly to the plant load bus
with outgoing feeders
➢ Two or more generators bused at voltage are connected to
the system through one step-up transformer.
 The resistor rating is usually from 100A to 1.5 time generator full- load
current with a short time rating of 10 s.
Load
Resistor < 200 - 400 A
26
GENERATOR GROUNDING
Low-Resistance Grounding:
Advantage: Lower transient overvoltage, 95-98%

protective range of Generator protection.
Disadvantage: High resistor cost Great damage to

generators at longer fault duration.
27
STATOR EARTH FAULT PROTECTION
Directly Connected Generators :
51N
Earthed Generator : Earth fault relay must be time delayed for

co-ordination with other earth fault protection on the power system.
Unearthed Generators :
Other generators connected in parallel
will generally be unearthed.
50N 51N
Protection is restricted to faults on the generator, grading with power

system earth fault protection is not required. A high impedance instantaneous
relay can be used (Balanced Earth Fault protection). 28
11.5kV; 75,000KVA
xV
For operation
xV
ΙF  Ι S(PRIMARY)  ΙF
250/1A IS R
xV

R
x.6600
R 33   x.200
33
1
Ι S(SECONDARY)  x.200 x  0.8x
250
 For protection of 90% of winding; x = 1-0.9 = 0.1 29
Relay setting = 0.8 x 0.1 = 0.08A = 8% of 1A

Generators connected via step-up transformer (resistance earthed) :
51N 50N
Instantaneous protection (50N) :
System earth faults are not seen by generator earth fault protection 
instantaneous relay may be used.
Set to 10% of resistor rating (avoids operation due to transient surges

passed through generator transformer interwinding capacitance).
30
Advantage : Fast
Time delayed protection (51N) :
Time delay prevents operation on transient surges.
A more sensitive current setting may be used.
Set to 5% of resistor rating.
Advantage : Sensitive
On large machines considered worthwhile to use both

instantaneous and time delayed.
31
RESTRICTED EARTH FAULT PROTECTION:
RSTAB
64
Protects approx. 90 - 95% of generator winding. 32

Neutral overvoltage protection :

For generator with high resistance earthing via distribution transformer
Effective
Distribution High
Transformer
R 59 Neutral overvoltage relay
33
100% Stator Earth Fault Protection :
Standard relays only cover 95% of winding.
Probability of fault occurring in end 5% is low.
On large machines 100% stator earth fault protection

may be required.
Two methods :
* Low Frequency Injection

* Third Harmonic Voltage Measurement 34
100% STATOR EARTH FAULT - LOW FREQUENCY INJECTION
For Large Machines Only
Injection Frequency 12.5 - 20Hz

Injection
Transformer
Provides protection during run up
51 Alternative
Injection High cost due to injection equipment.
Points
35
100% STATOR EARTH FAULT - 3RD HARMONIC VOLTAGE
Earthin
g 59
Trans-
former U/V
Low Cost - Can be integrated into

multifunction relay
59
O/V Under voltage measurement at neutral
Overvoltage measurement at terminals
No protection during run up - need to be on load.
-3rd harmonic voltage maybe limited due to
design of machine
36
STATOR PHASE FAULT PROTECTION
Over current Protection:
For small generators this may be the only protection applied.
With solid earthling it will provide some protection aganist
earth faults.
For a single generator, CTs must be connected to neutral end
of stator winding.
37
51
Over current Protection :
For parallel generators, CTs can be located on line side.
51
38
Differential Protection(87G):
87G used to protect for:
•3 phase line to line
•1 phase line to line
•multi-phase line to ground
•May not be able to detect a 1 phase to ground fault on
high impedance grounded generators
•Restraint or Percentage Differential Trip Characteristic
•Used to improve sensitivity for detecting small levels of
fault current
•Also maintains security against inadvertent tripping due
to through faults
39
PERCENTAGE DIFFERENTIAL PROTECTION - BIASED
BIAS BIAS
OPERATE
40
Biased Differential Scheme

PERCENTAGE DIFFERENTIAL PROTECTION - BIASED
Slope characteristics
41
ROTOR EARTH FAULT PROTECTION
Rotor Earth Fault Protection( 64R):
 Field circuit is and isolated DC system
o Insulation failure at a single point
 No fault current, therefore no danger
 Increase chance of second fault occurring
o Insulation failure at second point

 Short out part of field winding
 Heating (burning of conductor)
 Flux distortion causing vibration of rotor
o Desirable to detect presence of first earth fault and give and

alarm
42
Rotor earth fault method of detection:
Potentiometer Method
Field
Winding
Required sensitivity approximate 5% excitation voltage

No auxiliary supply required
“Blind spot” require manual operated push button to vary tapping 43
point
AC Injection Method:
Field
Exciter
Winding
~ AC. auxiliary
supply
 R
 Brushless Machines
 No access to rotor circuit
 Require special slip ring for measurement
44
 If slip rings not present, must use tele-metering technique
ABNORMAL OPERATING CONDITION PROTECTION
Reverse Power Protection (32):
➢ Prevents generator from motoring on loss of prime mover
➢ From a system standpoint, motoring is defined as the flow of real power
into the generator acting as a motor.
➢ With current in the field winding, the generator will remain in synchronism
with the system and act as a synchronous motor.
➢ If the field breaker is opened, the generator will act as an induction motor.
➢ A power relay set to look into the machine is therefore used on most units.
➢ The sensitivity and setting of the relay is dependent upon the type of prime
mover involved.
Prime mover failure can
- cause overheating of low pressure blades in steam turbine
-create fire hazards due to unburnt fuel in diesel generator set

- cause mechanical damage to gas turbine.
45
REVERSE POWER PROTECTION(32):
Prime Mover Motoring Power Protection
(% of rated) Setting
Diesel Engine 5-25
Gas Turbine 10-15

(split shaft)
>50%
(single shaft) 50%
Hydro 0.2-2 of motoring
(blades out of water)
>2 cavitation power
(blades in water)
Steam Turbine 0.5-6
46
Negative Sequence Over current Protection(46):
CAUSE:
Negative sequence currents could result from :
 Unbalanced load
 Asymmetrical faults
 Open phase conditions

DAMAGES:
-Negative sequence current induces double
frequency current in rotor winding.
-overheats the iron surface, retaining rings, slot Wedges
47
Settings summary of negative sequence(46) per IEEE C3 7.102
PERMISSIBLE l2
. TYPE OF GENERATOR PERCENT OF STATOR RATING
Salient Pole
With connected amortisseur windings 10
With non-connected amortisseur windings 5
Cylindrical Rotor
Indirectly cooled 10
Directly cooled to 960 MVA 8
961 to 1200 MVA 6
1200 to 1500 MVA 5
These values also express the negative-phase –sequence current capability

at reduced generator KVA capabilities.
The short time (unbalanced fault) negative sequence capability of a
generator is also defined in ANSI C50.13.
48
Negative Sequence withstand level:
Type of Generator Permissible (l2)2t = K
Salient pole generator 40
Synchronous condenser 30
Cylindrical rotor generators
Indirectly cooled 30
Directly cooled (0-800 MVA) 10
Directly cooled (801-1600 MVA) see curve below
(VALUES TAKEN
FROM ANSI C50.13-1989)
49
Loss-of-field protection(40 Q , Z):

Causes of field failure
Field open circuit
Field short circuit
Accidental tripping of field breaker
Regulator control failure
Loss of main exciter 50

• Loss-of-field protection (40 Q , Z):
Loss of effects :
Generator eventually runs as induction generator with complete loss of excitation.
Machine runs above synchronous speed, i.e. negative slip.
- Excessive current can flow in rotor winding and cause overheating.
- Stator thermal overload relay 49 cannot detect this condition.
Rotor thermal overload can occur even due to partial reduction of field
- due to operator error or regulator malfunction
Minimum Excitation Limiter is backup to relay
Loss of field can cause voltage reduction and
oscillation - adverse effect on sensitive load.
If unit is large compared to external source system, system instability can
result.
There are two method to detect loss of field :
Reverse reactive power (40 Q )
Impedance method (40Z) 51
52
Per unit impedance Impedance characteristics
. .
53
Thermal overload protection(49):

 High load current Heats stator and rotor and it will lead
to Insulation Failure.
 Governor Setting
Should prevent serious overload automatically.
 Generator may lose speed if required load not be met by other
sources.
 High reactive power flow can give high stator current not
effected by governor setting.
 Overload can be detected by :
 Direct Temperature Measuring Devices
 Resistance temperature detectors (RTD), thermocouples, etc,
embedded in winding
 Provide alarm and/or trip via auxiliary relays 54
Thermal overload protection:

■ Over current Protection
 Set just above maximum load current
 Intended for short circuit protection
■ Thermal Replica Relays
 Current operated, May have ambient temperature compensation
55
Over Under & Frequency Conditions(81/O/U):
■ Over Frequency(81O):
 Result from generator over speed caused by sudden loss of
load
 In isolated generators may be due to failure of speed
governing system
 Over speed protection may be provide by mechanical
means.
 Desirable to have over frequency relay with more sensitive
setting
 Over Frequency Setting (typical setting ):
Alarm : 51 Hz 30 Sec
Trip : 53 Hz 10 Sec
56
Under & Over Frequency Conditions:

Under Frequency(81U):
 Result from loss of synchronous speed due to excessive overload
 In isolated generators may be due to failure of speed governing system
 Under frequency condition gives rise to :-
 Over fluxing of stator core at normal voltage
 Plant drives operating at low speed can affect generator output
 Mechanical resonant condition in turbine
 Desirable to supply and under frequency relay

 Protection may be arranged to initiate load shedding as a first step
 Under Frequency Setting (typical setting ):
 Alarm : 49 Hz 20 sec
 Trip : 48 Hz or less 0.5 Sec
57
Under & Over Voltage Conditions (27/59):
■ Protection
 Under & Over voltage protection usually provided as part of
excitation system
 For most application an additional high set over voltage relay is
sufficient
Time delayed under and over voltage protection may be
provided
■ Over Voltage (59):
 Results from generator over speed caused by sudden loss of load
 May be due to failure of voltage regulator
 An over voltage condition
 Causes overfluxing at nominal frequency
 Endangers integrity of insulation
■ Under Voltage (27)

 No danger to generator, may cause stalling of motors 58
 Prolonged under voltage indicates abnormal conditions
Over excitation protection(24 ):
Over excitation can occur due to:
– higher than rated voltage
– lower than rated frequency at rated or less than
rated voltage
– unit off line and voltage regulator out of service or defective
Over excitation condition produces thermal stress to the generator.
• IEEE C50.13 specifies that generator should withstand
105% of rated voltage at full load.
• With unit off line and voltage control regulator at reduced
frequency (without over excitation limiter), over excitation can
occur.
59
Inadvertent Energizing (dead machine)Protection(50/27):
Inadvertent energizing is closing of the generator breaker while machine is not
running
WHY INADVERTENT ENERGIZING OCCURS
 Operating errors
 Breaker head flashover
 Control circuit malfunctions
 Combination of above
 Effects of inadvertent energizing:
❖ Generator behaves as an induction motor
❖ Rotating flux induced into the generator rotor
❖ Resulting rotor current is forced into negative sequence path in rotor body
❖ Machine impedance during initial energizing is equivalent to its negative sequence impedance
❖ Rapid rotor heating occurs
60
DEDICATED PROTECTION SCHEMES TO DETECT INADVERTENT ENERGIZING
❖ Frequency supervised over current scheme
❖ Voltage supervised over current scheme
❖ Directional over current scheme
❖ Impedance relays scheme
❖ Auxiliary contact enabled over current scheme
61
GENERATOR BACKUP PROTECTION
 Common practice to provide protection for faults outside of the

generator zone of protection
 Voltage supervised time - over current (51V) or distance
relaying (21) may be used
 Distance relay set to include generator step up transformer
and reach beyond, into the system
 Time delays must be coordinated with those of the system
protection to assure that system protection will operate before
back up
CTs on neutral side of generator will also provide backup protection
for the generator
62
Combined voltage over current protection (51V):

 Voltage Restrained
 Operating characteristic is continuously varied depending
on measured voltage
 Preferred option when generator is connected via step up
transformer
 Voltage controlled
 Relay switches between fault characteristic and load
characteristic depending on measured voltage

 Preferred solution when generator is directly connected
63
Voltage combined over current scheme:
64
Voltage combined over current characteristic:
100% Enable
Percent Set Value for Pickup
Pickup Inhibit/Enable
25% Inhibit
25% Percent Nominal Volts 100% Percent Nominal Volts 80% 100%
a.) Voltage-Restrained Overcurrent b.) Voltage-Contolled Overcurrent 65
Backup impedance(Distance )Protection(21):

➢ Distance relaying with mho characteristics is commonly used for
system phase-fault backup.
➢ If there is a delta grounded-wye step-up transformer between the
generator and the system, special care must be taken in selecting
the distance relay and in applying the proper current and voltage so
that these relays see correct impedances for system faults.
Phase distance backup protection may be prone to tripping on stable
swings and load encroachment.
Z1 can be set to reach 80% of impedance of GSU for 87G
back-up.
Z2 can be set to reach 120% of GSU for station bus backup, or
to overreach remote bus for system fault back up protection.
Load encroachment blinder provides security against high
loads with long reach settings.
66
Backup impedance(21) relay characteristics:
iX
67
TYPICAL GENERATOR PROTECTION SCHEME
small up to 1MW
. 68
Medium up to 12.5MW
69
70
Large up to 50 MW
Lager than 50 MW
71
Large machine
72

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1

 introduction to generator protection.

 Basics of Synchronous Generator:

Salient Pole Rotor Cylindrical Rotor

▪ Contrary to popular belief, generators do

Generator faults and abnormal operating conditions:

▪ Internal Faults ▪ Abnormal Operating

Internal and External Short Circuits

Abnormal Operating Conditions

■ The extent and types of protection specification will

Typical Generator Installation:

■ To detect fault on the generator

■ Action required depends upon the nature of the

64S Earth fault stator

 Minimize damage for internal ground fault.

A. Solidly Ground (Effectively Grounded).

 Risk of mechanical damage from line to ground

Solidly Ground Neutral( effecively ground):

 Low transient voltage, better measuring conditions for

 Application at low voltage generators

 Resistor Directly connected to Neutral

 Distribution transformer and resistor combination

 The neutral current is limited to 5-10A.

The main advantages :

Resistor Directly connected to Neutral :

▪ More details, to be added and Example to

Advantage: Lower transient overvoltage, 95-98%

Disadvantage: High resistor cost Great damage to

Earthed Generator : Earth fault relay must be time delayed for

Protection is restricted to faults on the generator, grading with power

 For protection of 90% of winding; x = 1-0.9 = 0.1 29

Relay setting = 0.8 x 0.1 = 0.08A = 8% of 1A

Instantaneous protection (50N) :

Set to 10% of resistor rating (avoids operation due to transient surges

Time delayed protection (51N) :

Time delay prevents operation on transient surges.

A more sensitive current setting may be used.

Set to 5% of resistor rating.

On large machines considered worthwhile to use both

Protects approx. 90 - 95% of generator winding. 32

Neutral overvoltage protection :

Standard relays only cover 95% of winding.

Probability of fault occurring in end 5% is low.

On large machines 100% stator earth fault protection

* Low Frequency Injection

For Large Machines Only

Injection Frequency 12.5 - 20Hz

Low Cost - Can be integrated into

Biased Differential Scheme

 Increase chance of second fault occurring

o Insulation failure at second point

 Heating (burning of conductor)

 Flux distortion causing vibration of rotor

o Desirable to detect presence of first earth fault and give and

Required sensitivity approximate 5% excitation voltage

-create fire hazards due to unburnt fuel in diesel generator set

Diesel Engine 5-25

Gas Turbine 10-15

 Open phase conditions

. TYPE OF GENERATOR PERCENT OF STATOR RATING

These values also express the negative-phase –sequence current capability

Loss-of-field protection(40 Q , Z):

Field open circuit

Field short circuit