Excitation Systems

Raman Jain
AEN, KTPS, Kota

Excitation system plays an important role in the performance of Synchronous Machine as well as Power
System. This document gives a brief idea about the need , types of excitation system and some
important components of Excitation System.
 Excitation System:

One of the most important elements of electric power system is Synchronous Generator,
because it is the source of Electrical Energy. In Generator, Mechanical Energy (usually from a
turbine) is transformed into electrical energy. Energy transformation is possible only if
Generator Excitation exists. Excitation of Generator also defines Generator output values ,
voltage and reactive power. This means that Generator Excitation regulation is actually
regulation of Generator output energy and also impacts the stability of entire electric power
system.

Electric Generators work on the principle of Faraday’s Electromagnetic Induction. The essential
part of this principle is the magnetic field. The magnetic field is produced from a DC power
source from an Exciter that is part of the Generator system.

The basic function of an Excitation System is to provide a variable DC current to the

synchronous generator field winding. By varying the DC voltage, and thereby the field current,
the Generator Terminal Voltage and Reactive Power output can be regulated. Excitation control
is used to maintain the desired operating condition and to enhance power system stability.

The Rotor or the field coils in a Generator produce the Magnetic Flux that is essential to the
production of the electric power. The Rotor is a rotating Electromagnet that requires a DC
( Direct Current) electric power source to excite the magnetic field. This power comes from
an exciter.

SYNCHRONOUS GENERATOR EXCITATION SYSTEM

Synchronous Generator Excitation system is designed for feeding of turbo-generator Excitation

winding with automatically regulated DC in Generator Operation normal and Emergency
modes.

Excitation system provides:

 Startup and Generator Voltage build up.

 Generator operation in free-running mode and in power system from no-load operation
to rated load and with overloading accepted for turbo-generator.

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 Stable operation of turbo-generator in transit and emergency modes, upon light load
and over load condition and in under excitation modes allowed by Generator according
to the conditions of stability and heating.
 Forced excitation or de-excitation upon different fault conditions in energy system
causing decreasing or increasing of generator voltage.
 Field breaking of Generator Excitation winding upon normal generator stop by inversion
through thyristors, and in Generator emergency modes by Field breaking switch release.
 Automatic adjustment of turbo-generator excitation current or stator reactive current
component change.
 Generator stator current overload control by time dependent characteristic.
 Control and limitation of generator reactive power depending on active power value.

Types of Excitation System:

Static Exciter

 In modern Generators the Exciters are static. The DC power for the Electromagnet is
from the main Generator output itself. A number of high power thyristors, rectify the AC
current to produce a DC current which feeds to the rotor through slip rings. This
eliminates the operation and maintenance problems associated with having another
rotating machine. Static exciters offer a better control of the output than an
electromechanical control.

Brushless Exciter

 Another method is the Brushless system. In this system the armature of the exciter is on
the Rotor shaft itself. The DC output of this armature, after rectification by solid-state
devices, goes to the rotor coils. Since the armature and rotor are on the same rotating
shaft, this eliminates the need for slip rings. Hence it reduces maintenance and
operational requirements and thus improving reliability.

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 Main parts of a Static Excitation System :

Static excitation system consists of mainly following parts-

a) Rectifier Transformer.
b) Thyristor Rectifier Banks.
c) Excitation start up and field discharge equipment.
d) Regulator and operation control circuit.

a) Rectifier Transformer:- The excitation power is taken from Generator output and fed to the
Excitation (rectifier) Transformer which steps down to the required voltage for SCR bridge
and then fed through the field breaker to Generator field. It is a dry type cast coils transformer
and is most suitable for Static Excitation System. It is provided with current transformer for
over current protection and temperature survellance devices for over temperature protection.
This transformer must supply rated excitation voltage/current continuously and is capable of
supplying, ceiling currents at the ceiling excitations for a short period of ten seconds.

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b) Thyristor Rectifier Banks:- The Thyristor rectifier Bank consists of a suitable number of
bridges connected in parallel. Each thyristor bridge comprises six thyristors, fuses and snubber
circuit for protection. Thyristors are designed such that their junction temperature rise is well
within its specified rating. By changing the firing angle of thyristors, variable output is
obtained. Each bridge is controlled by one final pulse stage and is cooled by a fan.

c) Excitation start up and field discharge equipment:- As residual magnetism of Generator is

not sufficient to start voltage built up. This type of system needs separate equipment for
Excitation start up (Field Flashing). The Field Flashing is done with station supply voltage/DC
voltage (battery). From the moment of closing the Field Breaker, Field Flashing Breaker also
closes and Generator voltage builds up to 30% of rated voltage and after wards pulses are
generated/ released to fire thyristor bridges. The Field Flashing Breaker will automatically
switch off as soon as the Generator voltage reaches to 70% of full voltage of Generator. The
field discharge resistor is normally of nonlinear for medium and large machines i.e.
voltage dependent resistor. A over voltage protection is employed to protect the field
winding of generator against over voltages. It operates on the insulation break over principle.

d) Regulator and operation control circuit:- This is the heart of the system. This regulates the
Generator voltage by controlling the firing pulses to the thyristors. A high control speed is
achieved by using an inertia free control and power electronic system. Any deviation in the
generator terminal voltage is sensed by an error detector and causes the voltage regulator to
advance or retard the firing angle of the thyristors thereby controlling the field excitation of the
alternator. The main components of Regulator are as follows:

i. Error Detector & Amplifier

The Generator terminal voltage is stepped down by a three phase PT (Potential

Transformer) and fed to the AVR. The AC input thus obtained is rectified, filtered and
compared against a highly stabilized reference value and the difference is amplified in different
stages of amplification. Three CTs (Current Transformers) sensing the output current of the
Generator, feed proportional current across variable resistors in the AVR.

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 ii. Grid - Control Unit

The output of the AVR is fed to a grid control unit. It gets its synchronous A.C
reference through a filter circuit and generates a double pulse spaced 60° el. apart whose
position depends on the output of the AVR, i.e. the pulse position varies continuously as a
function of the control voltage. Two relays are provided, by energinsing which, the pulses can
be either blocked completely or shifted to inverter mode of operation.

iii. Pulse - Amplifier

The pulse output of the "Grid control unit" is amplified further at an intermediate stage
amplification. This is also known as Pulse Intermediate Stage. The unit has a DC power supply,
which operates from a three phase 380V supply and delivers + 15V, -15V, +5V and a coarse
stabilized voltage VL. A built in relay is provided which can be used for blocking the 6 pulse
channels. In a two channel system (like Auto and Manual), the change over is effected by
energizing/de-energizing the relay.

iv. Pulse Final Stage

This unit receives input pulses from the pulse amplifier and transmits them through pulse
transformers to the gates of the thyristors. A built in power supply provides. The required DC
supply to the final pulse and amplifier. Each Thyristor bridge has its own final pulse stage.
Therefore, even if one Thyristor bridge fails with its final pulse stage, the remaining thyristor
bridges can continue to cater to full load requirement of the machine and thereby ensure (n-1)
operation, where n is the number of Thyristor bridges.

v. Manual Control Channel

A separate Manual control channel is provided where the DC control signal is taken from a
stabilized DC voltage through a motor operated potentiometer. The DC signal is fed to a
separate grid control unit whose output pulses after being amplified at an intermediate stage
can be fed to the final pulse stage. When one channel is working and generating the required
pulses, the other remains blocked. Therefore a changeover from "Auto" to "Manual" control or
vice-versa is effected by blocking or releasing the pulses of the corresponding intermediate
stage. A pulse supervision unit detects spurious pulses or loss of pulses at the pulse bus-bar
and transfer control from 'Automatic' channel to 'Manual' Channel.

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 vi. Follow-up-Unit

To ensure a smooth changeover from 'Auto' to 'Manual' control, it is necessary that the
position of the pulses on both channels should be identical. A pulse comparison unit detects
any difference in the position of the pulses and with the help of a follow up unit to eliminate
the difference. However, while transferring control from 'Manual' to 'Auto mode any difference
in the two control levels can be visually checked on a balance meter and adjusted to obtain
null before change over.

vii. Limit Controllers

When a Generator is running in parallel with the power network, it is essential to maintain it in
synchronisim without exceeding the rating of the machine and also without the protection
system tripping. The Automatic Voltage Regulator by itself cannot ensure this. It is necessary
to supplement the basic voltage regulator by limiters to limit over-excitation and under-
excitation. Limiters do not replace the protection system but only prevent the protection
system from tripping unnecessarily under extreme transient conditions. The AVR also has a
built-in frequency dependent circuit so that when the machine is running below the rated
frequency, the regulated voltage should be proportional to frequency.

These limiters are as under:

 Rotor Current Limiter

This avoids thermal overloading of the rotor winding and is provide to protect the Generator
Rotor against excessively long duration over loads. The ceiling excitation is limited to a
predetermined limit and is allowed to flow for a time which is dependent upon the rate of rise
of field current before being limited to the thermal limit value.

 Rotor angle limiter

It Generates a DC signal proportional to the load or Rotor Angle from the stator
current and voltage. The device takes over as soon as the set limit angle is exceeded. By
increasing the excitation and ignoring opposite control signals, the Generator is prevented from
falling out of step.

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  Stator Current limiter

This avoids thermal over loading of the stator windings. Stator current limiter is
provided to protect the Generator against longer duration of large stator currents.
For excessive inductive current it acts over the AVR, after a certain time lag and decreases the
excitation current to limit the inductive current to the limit value. But for excessive capacitive
current it acts on the AVR without time delay to increase the excitation and thereby reduce the
capacity loading. This is necessary as there is a risk for the machine fallout of step during the
under excited mode of operation.

The following are the protections provided for the static excitation equipments:-
1. Rectifier transformer over current instantaneous and delayed.
2. Rectifier transformer over temperature
3. Rotor Over-Voltage.
4. Fuse failure monitoring circuit for thyristors.
5. Loss of control.

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 Brushless Excitation System:

The system consists of following main components :

a) Three phase Pilot Exciter

b) Three Phase Main Exciter

c) Rotating Rectifier Wheels

d) Coolers

a) Three phase Pilot Exciter :

The pilot Exciter is Permanent Magnetic type Generator. The output of the PMG is 3-phase , 220
V , 400 Hz. The rotor of the PMG is connected on the same shaft of the Main Exciter &
Generator Rotor. Use of permanent magnet generator exciter has given the facility of making

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the system independent from any external supplies. This concept has been found very useful
during any ‘black start’ conditions.

b) Three Phase Main Exciter

This is a rotating three phase AC power producing machine. It has a number of poles based on
the frequency of which ac power is to be produced.

It is directly driven from the main generator rotor through a solid coupling. Its field coil is
mounted on the stator and the 3 phase AC winding is provided on the rotor.
The field poles are arranged in the stator frame. The field winding is arranged on magnetic
poles and damper windings are provided at the pole shoe with the help of bars in order to
reduce diode commutation reactance. Between the 2poles, a Quadrature axis coil is fitted for
measurement of the exciter current.

c) Rotating Rectifier Wheels

The silicon diodes are arranged on the Rectifier Wheels in a three phase configuration. These
two diode wheels are identical but differ only in the forward direction of the diodes. The
3-phase AC voltage at 150 Hz is induced in the rotor of the main exciter which is fed to the
rotating rectifier bridge. The induced 3-phase AC voltage is rectified in the rectifier bridge and
fed to the generator rotor winding through the DC leads arranged in certain bore of the shaft
via radial bolts. Electrical coupling between exciter-rotor and generator-rotor is made by a
special electrical contact system called the "Multi Contact" system. In this system there is no
need for brushes. Thus brushes and slip rings are eliminated in this system.

d) Coolers

The Exciter is air cooled.This is a closed loop system and the hot air is cooled in two coolers
arranged along the sides of the Exciter. The entire Exciter is housed in an enclosure through
which the cooling air circulates. The main exciter receives the cool air from the fan which
draws the cold air through the PMG. Air enters the main exciter from both ends and is passed
on to the ducts below through radial holes. The warm air passes over the coolers and returns
to the main enclousre.

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Regulator and operation of control circuits:
The Digital Automatic Voltage Regulator regulates the terminal voltage (and/or the flow of
reactive power during parallel operation with other machines or the grid) of the synchronous
machine (generator) by direct control of the Main Exciter field current using (static) Thyristor
Converter.
The Voltage Regulator is intended for the excitation control of generator equipped with
Alternator Exciter employing rotating non-controlled rectifiers. The excitation equipment of the
Generator and its interconnections with the voltage regulator is shown in the figure. The PMG
(Permanent Magnet Generator) normally provides supply to the thyristor sets.
Regulation part consists of two independent channels , Auto and Manual, (or both Auto) for
controlling Generator terminal voltage. Each Regulation channel has independent sensing unit,
power supply unit, Regulator with limiters and PSS, gate control unit and pulse intermediate
stage.
Excitation of the generator is started by closing the field circuit breaker Q2 and by switching ON
Excitation, which leads to releasing of pulses to Thyristor Bridge for the channel in operation.
The redundancies provided in the system assure good operating reliability (availability) of the
excitation equipment.
In case of failure of operating channel automatic transfer of excitation control to standby
channel is ensured.
Automatic follow up of both channels ( in older systems only the Manual Channel follows the
Auto Channel) ensures that the standby channel always generates the same control variable as
the active channel under steady-state operation. This ensures smooth switchover from Auto to
Manual or vice versa in which ever mode (Auto / Manual) the stand by channel is.
Manual Mode of Operation:

The independent MANUAL channel has been built as a simple field current regulator without
additional limiters. Its main function is to maintain the excitation of the generator even if the
AUTOMATIC mode / channel becomes non-operational. The MANUAL channel / mode also
performs valuable service for purposes of testing, commissioning, and preventive maintenance.
In a Manual channel, measurements, regulator, generation of firing pulses, and power supply
are physically separate from those on the AUTOMATIC channel

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Summary of main functions of AVR :

Reactive droop / drop Decreases / increases the excitation proportional to the

compensation Generator reactive current.
Soft start Enables gradual build up of Generator terminal voltage to
preset value in both channels depending on the set time.
V / Hz Limiter Reduces excitation with a delay whenever set V/Hz ratio
has been exceed to prevent saturation effect in Generator
or Generator Transformer.
Maximum Field Current Reduces excitation with a delay whenever set maximum
Limiter. excitation (exciter field / Gen rotor) current limit has been
exceeded.
Inductive Stator Current Reduces excitation with a delay whenever set maximum
Limiter Generator Stator current limit has been exceeded in the
lagging zone of the machine capability.
Capacitive Stator Current Increases excitation whenever set max. Generator stator
Limiter current limit has been exceeded in the leading Zone of the
machine capability.
Load Angle Limiter Whenever the load angle increases beyond the set value,
the limiter increases the excitation to reduce the load
angle.
Power System Stabilizer Influences the voltage regulator to dampen low frequency
(PSS) active power oscillations.

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 Capability Curve:

The Capability Curve of a Synchronous Generator defines a boundary within which the
machine can operate safely. It is also known as Operating Charts or Capability Charts. The
permissible region of operation is restricted to the following points given below.

 The MVA loading should not exceed the generator rating. This limit is determined by the
armature of the stator heating by the armature current.
 The MW loading should not exceed the rating of the prime mover.
 The field current should not be allowed to exceed a specified value determined by the
heating of the field.
 For steady state or stable operation, the load angle δ must be less than 90 degrees. The
theoretical stability limit of the stable condition occurs when δ = 90⁰.

The capability curve is based upon the phasor diagram of the synchronous machine.

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SOME DEFINITIONS

Discharge Circuit
This circuit is comprised of devices that allow the insertion of a discharge resistance
in the field winding terminals of the generator during a de-excitation sequence, in a
coordinated form with the opening of the field switch. This circuit must consider the
use of a varistor as an element of protection against overvoltage.

Field Flashing Circuit

The circuit that allow the initialization of the excitation of the generator through the
external supply sources.

Power Stage
The equipment that supplies field current for the synchronous machine (generator)
excitation, comprised of an excitation transformer, rectifying bridge, and power
buses, or AC and DC.

On Line Generator
The operative condition of the generator when it is connected to a power system
and is delivering active power and/or reactive to the network .

No load condition
Operative condition of the generator when it is at nominal speed and voltage in
terminals, and is not connected to the electric power system.

Field Switch
Allows connecting and disconnecting the output of the excitation system to the field
winding of the generator .

Alarms and Signaling

The devices that contain signal information and indication of the operative state of
the excitation system .

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Protection
The equipment which protects the excitation system devices when abnormal
conditions, failures and/or incorrect operation are present .

Voltage Regulator
An automatic control system that maintains the voltage in the armature terminals at
a value defined by a reference element .

Excitation System
The equipment that contains control and power elements which provide the required
field current to maintain the voltage at the generator terminals under the voltage
regulation or field current regulation operation . Additionally it contains the
protection, monitoring, logging and sequence control functions.

Ceiling Voltages
The absolute maximum values of the DC positive or negative that the excitation
system can supply at its terminals when the generator is rotating at nominal vacuum
speed conditions.

Power Outlet
AC terminal connection for supply of auxiliary test equipment and maintenance

Automatic Channel
Control loop associated with the terminal voltage regulation of the generator.

Exciter ceiling Voltage

It is the maximum voltage that may be attained by an exciter under specific

conditions.

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