The Automatic Voltage Regulator

A generator’s excitation system is designed to maintain dynamic and transient stability in the power
supply system. The former is nothing but the ability to take care of small load changes while the
latter is the ability to maintain synchronous operation in the event of system faults.
On an unregulated alternator, the voltage may fall by as much as 30% in the event of a sudden
increase in load, especially when heavy-duty equipment like compressors and cargo-handling
systems are started and stopped.
The AVR must be adequately tuned to ensure stability under various operating conditions. Voltage
should not fall below 85% or rise above 120% i.e., -15% to +20% of the rated voltage when such a
load with a power factor from zero to 0.4 is connected to or disconnected from the switchboard. The
recovery time is to be within 1.5 seconds.
Voltage must be restored to within 3% of the rated voltage within 1.5 seconds. For emergency
generators, the voltage with a tolerance of 4% in 5 seconds is allowed (some classification societies
may permit the permanent variation to remain within +6% and -10%). The transient effect when a
load is suddenly connected causes a voltage dip. This dip may be made less if the generator is
designed to have a lower reactance during transient conditions.
Too low a reactance with a smaller voltage dip may involve high short-circuit currents in excess of
capabilities of the available protective devices.
Methods normally applied will maintain voltages within + 2½ % with many attaining + 1½ %. If
alternators and their excitation systems undergo steady short-circuit conditions they should be
capable of maintaining a current of at least three times its rated value for 2 seconds unless
requirements are made for a shorter duration. The safety of the installations must always be
ensured.
The initial sharp dip in voltage followed by a slower fall to a minimum voltage is mainly the result of
the magnitude and power factor of the load and reactance characteristics of the alternator.
Recovery to normal voltage is dependent on the alternator, its excitation system, automatic voltage
regulator and the prime mover’s governor. Both frequency and voltage are affected by changes of
the electrical load on the generator. The governor basically ensures that the frequency is
maintained, but in doing so, it also sustains a major part of the voltage output, in other words, the
active power or kW output. However to keep the voltage constant within tolerable limits, the AVR is
required. Thus they both play a vital role while paralleling.
Voltage
Static Brushless Carbon Pile (Obsolete)
Steady state 0.2 Sec 0.6 Sec 1.8 Sec
0 Time
-10
-20

 The older carbon pile regulator was slow as compared with the present AVRs
 The brushless machine achieves good recovery by the process of field-forcing i.e. excitation
boosting thereby ensuring a quick build-up of voltage.
 Static excitation systems make good use of the load current from the alternator to supply that
component of excitation current which is needed to maintain the voltage as the load
increases. This component of excitation is a ‘function’, therefore, of the load. Field current is
thus forced to adjust rapidly as the load changes. Voltage disturbances accompanying the
application or removal of load are greatly reduced.

Precautionary Measures with AVRs

 Generator excitation components viz. transformers, AVR components, rotating diodes, etc,
must be kept free of dirt, oil and dampness. Special contact grease is usually applied
between the rotating diode connections to prevent electrolytic action occurring between
dissimilar metals. Check such contacts for tightness but do not disturb them unnecessarily.
 Remember to disconnect / short out any electronic circuit components which may be
damaged by a 500V insulation test. Consult the wiring diagrams and manufacturer’s
instruction before testing.