Lecture #6

Parallel Operation of DC Generators

In modern power system, power is usually supplied by many synchronous
generators connected in parallel which helps to maintain continuity of plant
operations.

Now a day's, isolated one large generator is outdated. When we connect

two generators in parallel, they have a tendency to remain in step.

By doing some changes in their armature current and by connecting generators

properly to the existing bus bar, this problem could be solved.
Connection of Parallel DC Generators

1. The generators in a power plant, connected by heavy thick copper bars,

called bus-bars which act as positive and negative terminals. To connect the
generators in parallel, Positive terminal of the generators are connected to the
positive terminal of the bus-bars and negative terminals of generators are
connected to negative terminal of the bus-bars, as shown in the figure.

2. To connect the 2 generators with the 1 existing working generators, first we

have to bring the speed of the prime mover of the 2nd generator to the rated
speed. At this point switch S4 is closed.
3. The circuit breaker V2 (voltmeter) connected across the open switch S2 is
closed to complete the circuit. The excitation of the generator 2 is increased with
the help of field rheostat till it generates voltage equal to the voltage of bus-bars.

4. The main switch S2 is then closed and the generator 2 is ready to be
paralleled with existing generator. But at this point of time generator 2 is not
taking any load as its induced e.m.f. is equal to bus-bar voltage. The present
condition is called floating, that means ready for supply but not
supplying current to the load.
5. In order to deliver current from generator 2, it is necessary that its induced
e.m.f. E should be greater than the bus-bars voltage V. By strengthening the field
current, the induced e.m.f. of generator 2 could be improved and the current
supply will get started. To maintain bus-bar voltage, the field of generator 1 is
weakened so that value remains constant.

Field current I given by

Where, Ra is resistance of armature winding.

Load Sharing of Parallel Connected DC Generators

The load gets shifted to another generator by adjusting induced e.m.f., but in
modern power plant, everything has been done by “synchroscope” which gives
instruction to governor of the prime mover. Let us suppose that two generator
having different load voltage. Then the load sharing between these generators will
be
Advantages of Parallel Operation of DC Generators

Cost Effectiveness:-

Electric power cost reduces when generator produce electricity according to

their capacity and easily manage demand and supply requirement. If there is
less requirement of power, one or more units can be taken on hold or startup
visa versa.

Smooth Supply of Power:-

In case of breakdown of generator, the supply of power will not get disrupted.
If something goes wrong in one generator, the continuity of power can be
continued by other healthy units.
Easy to Maintain:-

The routine maintenance of generator is required time to time. But for that
supply of power cannot be obstructed. In parallel generators the routine
checkup could be done one by one.

Easy to Increase Plant Capacity:-

The demand of electricity is increasing day by day. To meet the requirement

of power generation, additional new unit can run paralleled with the running
units.
Precautions During Parallel Connection

1. The specification of each generator is different from one another. When

they are synchronized together, their speed are locked into the overall speed of
the system.

2. The entire load of the system should be distributed in all the generators.

3. There should be a controller for keeping check on parameters of the

engine. This can be done with modern digital controllers which are available in
market.
4. Voltage regulation in the whole system plays an important role. In
case of voltage drop in one unit compare with other units, end up bearing
the whole voltage load of the system of parallel generators.

5. While connecting terminals to the bus-bars, extra precaution should

be made. If generator is connected with wrong polarity of the bar, it may
result to a short circuit.