SPECIFICATION OF

EXCITATION SYSTEM
GENERATOR CAPABILITY
• Generator converts mechanical energy to
electrical energy
• Excitation System provides DIRECT
CURRENT to the synchronous machine Field
Winding.
GENERATOR CAPABILITY
• Generator supplies both active and reactive
power

• When connected to grid it either supplies or

absorb reactive power

• When supplying reactive power it is lagging

(Inductive)

• When absorbing reactive power it is leading

(capacitive)
EXCITATION SYSTEM

a) Excitation System
b) Brushless System (BLE)

c) Static System (SEE)

d) Standards

e) Trends
EXCITATION SYSTEM

a) Excitation System
b) Brushless System (BLE)

c) Static System (SEE)

d) Standards

e) Trends
EXCITATION SYSTEM

Excitation System performs CONTROL and

PROTECTIVE functions essential to the
satisfactory performance of Power System
 CONTROL :
 Control of Voltage and Q flow
 Enhancement of System Stability

 PROTECTION:
 Ensure Capability Limits of Machine are not
exceeded.
 Other Equipment are within safe operation.
 DYNAMIC CHARACTERISTIVCS of Modern
EXC SYSTEMS
 HIGH Initial Response
 (Voltage Response Time is the time in seconds for
EXC SYS to attain 95% of Diff between Vc and Vr).
VRT of 0.1 sec or less qualifies as High and therefore
fast acting.
 EXC SYS Ceiling Voltage
 Maximum direct voltage that EXC SYS is able to
supply from its terminals under specified conditions.
 EXC SYS Ceiling Voltage
 Maximum direct voltage that EXC SYS is able to
supply from its terminals under specified conditions.

 EXC SYS Ceiling Current

 Maximum current that EXC SYS is able to supply from
its terminals under specified conditions.
Ceiling Voltage & Response Ratio

b
oa=ed= rated
voltage

Eb=ceiling voltage
a
d
oe- 0.5 secs.

o e
Generator and its excitation
system rating
• Generator and its excitation system shall have a
capability at least matching the declared maximum
continuous rated output of the associated turbine at

• all power factors between 0.85 lagging and 0.95

leading

• with +3% to -5% frequency variation

• terminal voltage variation of +/- 5%

• combined voltage & frequency variation of 5%.

Generator and its excitation
system rating
• Also the generator and its excitation system shall be
capable of continuous stable operation at the peak
output of the associated steam turbine under VWO &
HP heater out condition, etc. as available for the
secondary cooling water temperature of 39 deg. C

• at all power factors between 0.85 lagging and 0.95

leading

• with +3% to -5% frequency variation

• terminal voltage variation of +/- 5%

• combined voltage & frequency variation of 5%.

SPECIFICATION REQUIREMENT OF EXC.
SYSTEM
 The excitation system shall be designed in such a
way that due to any fault in AVR firing circuit
pulse transformer, rectifying elements in any
channel etc, excitation system shall be available
in full capacity. all rectifying elements shall
have over voltage and short circuit protection.

 Field forcing capability- each excitation system

channel shall be capable of supplying without
damage to any of the components, the field forcing
voltage and current for a period of 10 secs
without exceeding the limits of temperature for
rectifier junction .
SPECIFICATION REQUIREMENT OF EXC.
SYSTEM

 Redundancy
 2x100% auto channels including AVRs, power
converters & controls
 each channel capable of being selected as manual

 Interface with ATRS and EHG system

 Excitation system response time - 0.5
 Excitation system response ratio- > 2
 Excitation system ceiling voltage- >1.5 times rated load
excitation voltage
Term Used-Ceiling Voltage
 It is the max. voltage that can be impressed on the
field under specified conditions.
 Ceiling voltage ultimately determines how fast the
field current can be changed.
 For normal disturbances, ceiling condition prevails
for a 10 seconds max. to either increase or
decrease the excitation until the system returns to
steady state operating state.
EXCITATION AND VOLTAGE
REGULATION
OCC
V Armature
current
Terminal
voltage SCC Ia

If(fl)
If(nl)
Field current
VOLTAGE REGULATOR

 Automatic voltage regulator shall constantly compare a ref voltage

signal with the generator terminal voltage feedback signal and
shall amplify the error signal which in turn will control the firing
circuit of the thyristor bridges. Depending on the firing angle, field
voltage in turn field current and machine voltage shall be
regulated.
 Automatic Voltage Regulator (AVR)

 Excitation Control Functions:

 Stator Current limiter
 Rotor Current Limiter
 Load Angle Limiter
 Over-fluxing Limiter / Controller
 Field Forcing
 Power System Stabilizer

All limiting mechanisms have an effect only in

generator-voltage control mode (automatic
mode).
EXCITATION SYSTEM

a) Excitation System incl AVR

b) Brushless System (BLE)

c) Static System (SEE)

d) Standards

e) Trends
BRUSHLESS TYPE EXCITATION
SYSTEM
Advantages of Brushless excitation system

 Elimination of slip rings and brushes helps in handling high excitation

currents
 No field flashing circuit for initial voltage build up
 Rating of power components are smaller, hence the panel requirement
is less
 Independent supply of Excitation power from a shaft driven generator
and therefore no impact on excitation in case of line short circuits.
 No power links to generator
 No space requirement for excitation transformer as the same is
obtained through PMG.
Brushless excitation system- concerns

 Additional Rotating Exciter and Pilot Exciter.

 Response is slower
 TG deck is longer
 Large number of power components on shaft eg. Diodes, snubbers,
flexibles etc.
 Failure will lead to longer down time.
 Longer shaft system, number of bearings.
 Diode monitoring only. Replacement needs shutdown.
EXCITATION SYSTEM

a) Excitation System incl AVR

b) Brushless System (BLE)

c) Static System (SEE)

d) Standards

e) Trends
STATIC EXCITATION SYSTEM
FEATURES OF STATIC EXCITATION
SYSTEM

 THE EXCITATION SYSTEM SHALL CONSIST OF

-RECTIFIER TRANSFORMER
-INDOOR TYPE, 3 PH. TRANSFORMER WITH CLASS F
INSULATION CONNECTED TO THE GEN. TERMINAL
THROUGH ISOLATED PHASE BUSDUCT.
-THYRISTOR CONVERTOR CUBICLE ALONG WITH FIRING
CONTROL, 3 PHASE, FULL WAVE BRIDGE TYPE
-THE CONVERTER SHALL HAVE REDUNDANCY FEATURE.
THYRISTOR BRIDGE (SEE)

 N+2 redundancy
 N is the number of bridges can meet the
rated field current
 N+1 can meet the ceiling voltage
THYRISTOR BRIDGE (SEE)

 3 phase fully controlled, 6 thyristors, arm

fuses and snubber circuit
 cooling fans
 final pulse stage module for each bridge
 pulse transformers
FIELD CIRCUIT BREAKER - FEATURES
- -THE FCB SHALL BE OF DC , MULTIPOLE AIR BREAK TYPE
- SUITABLE FOR OPERATION FROM LOCAL PANEL AS WELL AS
FROM UCB
- FCB SHALL BE DESIGNED TO CARRY CURRENTS FOR
CONTINUOUS AS WELL AS SHORT TIME DUTY OF THE EXCITATION
SYSTEM
-DICHARGE CONTACTS SHALL BE RATED TO DISCHARGE THE FIELD
ENERGY CORRESPONDING TO THE HIGHEST FIELD CURRENT
WHICH MAY COME DURING ITS ENTIRE OPERATING RANGE.
FEATURES OF STATIC EXCITATION SYSTEM

-MAIN FIELD FLASHING DEVICE

-INITIAL FIELD FLASHING IS FROM STATION’S 415V
SUPPLY.
-SUITABLE RECTIFIER AND FILTERS REQUIRED FOR
CONVERTING AC TO DC.
-GATE FIRING CIRCUIT
-SHALL PROVIDE A LINEAR RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN
THE CONTROL VOLTAGE AND THE RECTIFIER OUTPUT.
Advantages of Static Excitation system

 Elimination of all rotating parts -reducing losses-reducing

operating cost, Easy maintenance
 Better redundancy arrangement. No limitation on the degree of
redundancy of rectifier.
 High reliability & availability
 Improved performance during transients and load throw-offs.
 Due to higher field forcing and absence of rotating exciter - fast
excitation response
Advantages of Static Excitation system

 Direct measurement of field current and voltage provides

better means of monitoring and control of field winding
 Faster field discharge capability prevents excessive damage
to m/c in case of internal fault.
 Repair work can be started when the m/c is in running
condition.
 Simplified bearing configuration
 Less balance problem on shaft
 Shorter TG shaft-shorter TG foundation and thus reduced
civil structure
 Dual Channel System

Type AFT With Redundant Twin Converters

(cold standby, 100% redundancity, automatic change over)

UG AVR
IG

IF FCR

UG AVR
IG

IF FCR

AVR = Autom. Voltage Reg.

FCR = Field Current Reg.
VOLTAGE REGULATOR

-POWER SYSTEM STABILISER

.ELECTRO-MECHANICAL OSCILLATIONS
. FOLLOW UP CONTROL
. SMOOTH CHANGEOVER FROM WORKING TO STANDBY.

-AUTOMATIC CHANGE OVER FROM AUTO-1 TO AUTO-2 AND

VICE VERSA AT THE TIME OF
. LOSS OF TERMINAL VOLTAGE FEED BACK
. LOSS OF AUTOMATIC CHANNEL REF. SIGNAL
. MANUAL INTERVENATION.
EXCITATION SYSTEM

a) Excitation System incl AVR

b) Brushless System (BLE)

c) Static System (SEE)

d) Standards

e) Trends
 IEC-60034-1, IEC-60034-3

 IEEE 421.1 to .5 Exc Systems

 #IEEE 421.4 covers guidelines for

preparation of Excitation System
Specifications.
 IEEE C37.90.1 Surge Withstand Capability
(SWC) Tests
 Oscillatory
 Fast Transient

 Power System Stability and Control: P

Kundur
EXCITATION SYSTEM

a) Excitation System incl AVR

b) Brushless System (BLE)

c) Static System (SEE)

d) Standards

e) Trends
 500 MW sets: mostly BLE
 660 MW sets: Sipat has BLE. All other
manufacturers provide SEE as their standard
offer
 660/ 800 MW BHEL sets are BLE systems
except Barh2
 All other leading manufacturers provide SEE
as their standard offer
 The Field Circuit Breaker (FCB) of BLE is of
lower rating (typ 150 A). Field discharge is by
inversion and FCB secondary contacts.
 Field Circuit Breaker (FCB) of SEE is of high
rating (typ 6300 A).
 Some manufacturers provide FCB on the ac
side. Field discharge is by inversion and
overvoltage protection by thyristors triggering
onto discharge resistor.