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Training On Excitation Systems :

WELCOME TO ALL THE PARTICIPANTS

OF
NPTI NEYVELI

Faculty : Mr. M K Parthasarathy

Director – Technical
PEESQUARE FLUX CONTROLS
BANGALORE
Mob. 9845170535 9036843895
Email : parthamk@ymail.com
peesquarefluxcontrols@gmail.com

Day Morning Session

10am to 1:00pm
Topics Covered:
1st Hr. a)Brief Description of the
Excitation System- ES.
b)Types of Excitation
c)Main Components of ES
d)Operation of the AUTOMATIC
Channel
d) Manual Channel

2nd Hr. a)Pulse Section

b)Thyristor Convertors
c)Field Breaker Section
d)De-Excitation
e)Monitoring Circuits
f) Limiters
b)PSS

3rd Hr. a)Functional Tests at Standstill

SCC & OCC
e) Dry out – PI improvement
f) Dynamic Braking – need - Setup

Faculty : Mr. M K Parthasarathy | Peesquare Flux Controls , Bangalore .

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Functions of the Automatic voltage regulator AVR are :

 To magnetise the rotor poles

Rotating Armature & Rotating Field Type Constructions

 MEET EXCITATION POWER REQMTS UNDER ALL

NORMAL OPERATING CONDITIONS.

 to regulate the generator voltage .

 to regulate the effect of reactive and/or active

current on the voltage (droops)
 to limit Volt/Hz
 to limit max. field current
 to limit inductive stator current
 to limit capacitive stator current
 to limit the load angle
 to stabilize the power system
 PF/MVAR Regulation for Industrial Sets
 Dynamic Braking for Pelton Turbines

•ENABLE MAXIMUM UTILISATION OF MACHINE

CAPABILITY.

Faculty : Mr. M K Parthasarathy | Peesquare Flux Controls , Bangalore .

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TYPES OF EXCITATION SYSTEMS :

The various excitation systems that are in operation in India and abroad
are basically of 2 types viz. Indirect and Direct excitation.

Direct excitation system includes :

1. Static excitation system.

Indirect excitation systems include :

1. DC excitation system.
2. Brushless excitation system.

STATIC EXCITATION SYSTEM (SEE):

In this system, the AC power is tapped off from the generator terminals
and then stepped down and rectified by fully controlled thyristor bridges and then
fed to the generator field. The response ratio of the order of 3 to 5 can be
achieved. A high control speed is achieved by using an inertia free control
provided by power electronic system.

D.C EXCITATION SYSTEM :

It has a shaft driven DC exciter and voltage regulator. This DC exciter was
the un-challenged source of excitation for nearly fifty years till the rating of turbo-
generators reached around 110 MW (Ref. Fig.01). A response ratio of about 2
can be achieved. Response ratio is a measure of the speed of response of the
excitation system under transient condition. i.e., how fast a transition is made
from rated field voltage to its ceiling value.

BRUSHLESS EXCITATION SYSTEM :

In this system, diode rectifiers that rectify exciter output are mounted on
the generator shaft and their output is directly connected to the field of the
alternator thus eliminating brushes & slip rings. The stationary field system of the
main exciter is fed from PMG through a voltage regulator. The response ratio of
this system is more than 2.

CONCLUSION :
For hydro sets mostly Static Excitation Equipment are preferred as
these are slow speed machines connected with long transmission lines
necessitating fast excitation response as also meeting with stability
requirements of the machine.
For thermal, nuclear and industrial power plants both direct and indirect
excitation systems are used. Gas Turbines employ , Brushless Excitation .

Faculty : Mr. M K Parthasarathy | Peesquare Flux Controls , Bangalore .

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Static Excitation System :

BLOCK DIAGRAM

Components of S.E.E. :-

1. Regulation Cubicle

2. Field Flashing Cubicle

3. Field Breaker Cubicle

4. Thyristor Cubicle (also referred as Exciter)

5. Trunking Cubicle

6. Excitation Transformer Cubicle

7. Series Compounding Transformer Cubicle

(Optional)

Note : Excitation Power is derived from the Generator itself

through Excitation Transformer of Adequate Rating.

Faculty : Mr. M K Parthasarathy | Peesquare Flux Controls , Bangalore .

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Brushless Excitation System :

BLOCK DIAGRAM

Components of Brushless Excitation System :-

1. Regulation Cubicle

Comprising

Electronics
Exciter Field Breaker
Thyristor Stacks

2. Permanent Magnet Generator – PMG

3. AC Exciter. o/p to match Main Field requirements

4. Rotating Diodes (embedded )

Note : Excitation Power can be derived from any of the

following –
 PMG Mounted on the common Shaft
(High Frequency). Most Common
 Station AC Source through UAT (50HZ)
Normally Two sources are employed for redundancy.
 Excitation Transformer coupled to the
Generator ( 50 HZ). Calls for Supply C/O
scheme from Stn.Aux. sply to Gen Sply.

Faculty : Mr. M K Parthasarathy | Peesquare Flux Controls , Bangalore .

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COMPONENTS OF DVR REGULATION OF BHEL :

 AUTO CHANNEL

 MANUAL CHANNEL

 PLC

 MONITORING

 VOLTAGE AND CURRENT MEASUREMENT MODULE

UN 4660
 BINARY INPUT MODULE
UN4661
 BINARY OUTPUT MODULE
UN4662
 AC/DC CONVERTOR UN4664 STAND BY SUPPLY

 PULSE AMPLIFICATION MODULES

UN0809 IN BRUSHLESS
UN0096 for Intermediate stage & }
UN0097 for Final stage } IN SEE

 48v POWER SUPPLY MODULES FOR

a) Control Uc
b) Trip Ut
c) Pulse amplification Modules UN0809 in Brushless
d) Dedicated 48v power supply Module for Pulse
amplification of each Thyristor Bridge in SEE
Power Sply Module Types : KX9180 KX9170
UN0098
 Control Transformers & Synchronising supply Transformers
 LDC - Line drop Compensation Circuitry

Faculty : Mr. M K Parthasarathy | Peesquare Flux Controls , Bangalore .

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AUTO CHANNEL: Also known as AC Regulator

Mode of Operation : Closed Loop - employs PID filter

It takes the terminal voltage, VT, of the generator as a feedback

and compares it to the set value, Vref. The error is then fed to the
exciter that feeds proportional D.C. current to the generator field.
In the event of a dip or rise in the value of VT, it boosts or bucks
the field current.

Types of Regulation : Voltage Regulation

PF Regulation

MVAR Regulation

Feedbacks Required : Generator Voltage via PT

: Generator Current via CT

: Field Current via CT

: Synchronising Supply Tr.

( Measure of Anode Sply)

Modules Involved in Auto Channel : AA Rack

: Processor Module UN0660

: Interrupt Generation UN0661

: Binary I/O Module UN0662

: Gate Control Module UN0663

Faculty : Mr. M K Parthasarathy | Peesquare Flux Controls , Bangalore .

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: Power Supply Module UN0664

: Analog I/O Mdl. UN0610

: V&I measurement mdl. UN4660

: Synchronising Supply Tr.

MANUAL CHANNEL : Also known as DC Regulator

Mode of Operation : Open Loop

Types of Regulation : Field Current Regulation

Popularly known as the FCR mode .

Feedbacks Required : Field Current via CT

: Synchronising Supply Tr.

( Measure of Anode Sply)

Modules Involved in Manual Channel : AA Rack

: Gate Control Module UN0663

: Power Supply Module UN0664

: V&I measurement mdl. UN4660

: Synchronising Supply Tr.

Faculty : Mr. M K Parthasarathy | Peesquare Flux Controls , Bangalore .

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PLC : AB Rack

Modules Involved :
: Processor Module UN0660

: A-D Converter Module UN0611

: Binary I/O Modules UN0662

: Power Supply Module UN0664

MONITORING : AB Rack

a) CPU based :

Modules Involved in CPU Based Monitoring :

: Processor Module UN0660

: A-D Converter Module UN0611

: Binary I/O Module UN0662

: LED Indication Module UN0665

Monitoring Circuits / Modules are Powered by PLC Power

Supply Module UN0664 itself .

Some times , 2nos. of Power Supply Module UN0664 are

employed in AB Rack.

Faculty : Mr. M K Parthasarathy | Peesquare Flux Controls , Bangalore .

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b) Software Based :

No hardware Modules are employed .

Only LED Indication Module UN0665 is present

Monitoring Logics are stored in PLC processor .

All Present DAVRs of BHEL have software based

Monitoring for smaller ratings of m/cs .

SEE will have CPU based Monitoring .

POWER SUPPLY AUTO CHANNEL

GATE PULSE
AVR
CONT AMP

MAN GATE PULSE

CONTR CONT AMP

POWER SUPPLY MAN CHANNEL

G DUAL CHANNEL AVR

AUTOMATIC AND
MANUAL CHANNEL

Faculty : Mr. M K Parthasarathy | Peesquare Flux Controls , Bangalore .

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SUPPLY MAIN AUTO CHANNEL

AVR GATE PULSE

CONTR AMPLIF

GATE PULSE
AVR CONTR AMPLIF

SUPPLY STANDBY AUTO CHANNEL

G
TWIN CHANNEL AVR
TWO AUTO CHANNEL (MAIN AND STANDBY )

ANALOG ANALOG
INPU
INPUT INPUT
T
INTERFA
CONTROL CE ANALOG CONTROL
Ug,Ig,If OUTPUT

DIGITAL INTER- ANALOG FIRING

INPUT RUPT INPUT AND PULSES
OUTPUT GENER. OUTPUT CONTROL
MODULE MODULE MODULE

DATA IN
DATA OUT
ADDRESS

MICRO
2 CHNL.
TERML. CPU
FOLLOW UP

FUNCTIONAL BLOCK DIAGRAM OF VOLTAGE REGULATION

Faculty : Mr. M K Parthasarathy | Peesquare Flux Controls , Bangalore .

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 AVR Range

 Scan Time

 PID Concept

 Droop Characteristics & Setting

 AVR Faults classification

 Gen Protection Category – Class A,B,C

 3 sets of dedicated PT/CT for Power Houses.

 Dedicated PT/CT for dual Auto Channels.

 Electronic Earthing & Panel Earthing

Faculty : Mr. M K Parthasarathy | Peesquare Flux Controls , Bangalore .

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COMPONENTS OF Field Flashing (FF) Cubicle :

 AC Field Flash & DC Field Flash

 Field Flashing Breaker / Contactor “Q2”
 Blocking Diodes in case both AC & DC FF circuits exist.
 Timers , Protection Fuses etc.,
 In BHEL set up , OVP is also mounted in FF cubicle .

 AC Field Flash :

- Source : Stn.AC
- Field Flashing Transformer
- 3Ph / 1Ph
- i/p => Stn. AC o/p => Multi Tapping 15V to 70V
- BHEL employs 3Ph. Tr. Upto 5KVA rating .
ABB / GE / Chinese – employ 1Ph with very less KVA
rating .
- Diode Bridge

 DC Field Flash :

- Source : Stn.DC
- Series Resistor of sufficient wattage to drop Stn.DC
Voltage to desired levels.

 FF Process : 10 – 15 Secs.

 FF Disturbed : 20 Secs.

Faculty : Mr. M K Parthasarathy | Peesquare Flux Controls , Bangalore .

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COMPONENTS OF Field Breaker (FB) Cubicle :

 Field Breaker : Basically a DC Switch

• It facilitates connection / disconnection of field circuit

from Thyristor bridge ckt. and discharge of stored
magnetic energy in to field discharge resistor
• 2 Main NO Poles & 1 Aux NC pole . Sequence of opn.
• Linear / Non-linear discharge resistor FDR
• Over voltage Protector
• Rotor Temperature Monitoring (optional)
• Earth fault Monitoring(optional)
• Shunt for Total If DC measurement .
• Vf & If Meters

Makes :

Unelec Lenoir France ,

ABB
Siemens
MicroElettrica Scientifica ,marketed by L&T
Telemachanik
OB4 - Obsolete

 Closing Time & Tripping Time

 Role of FB in Analog System & Digital System

 Start Permissive Signals for closing FB

Faculty : Mr. M K Parthasarathy | Peesquare Flux Controls , Bangalore .

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COMPONENTS OF Thyristor ( Thy) Cubicle:

SEE :

 3 Ph FULLY CONTROLLED FULL WAVE BRIDGE,

6 THYRISTORS. The selection of the number of thyristor
bridges depends upon the field current requirement and the
redundancy level asked for the same by the user.
ARM FUSES - FUSES WITH MICRO SWITCHES
SNUBBER CIRCUIT dv/dt
LINE REACTORS di/dt
 FINAL PULSE STAGE MODULE FOR EACH
BRIDGE
 PULSE TRANSFORMERS
 COOLING FANS
 AIR FLOW MONITORING
 OFF LOAD ISOLATORS
 CONDUCTION MONITORING (OPTIONAL)
 PARALLEL BRIDGES (Common to both Channels )
 mv drop across Thy Fuses

Brushless AVR :

 One bridge is provided for each of the channels

(AUTO & MANUAL)
 The bridges are natural air cooled and fully
controlled with RC snubber ckt.
 Final pulse stage for each bridge
 Line or arm fuses (with monitoring)
 One of the bridges conduct depending on the
active channel
 Conduction monitoring(optional)
Faculty : Mr. M K Parthasarathy | Peesquare Flux Controls , Bangalore .
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 Static Checks on Thyristor

 Pulse Sequence :

 FIRING OF ONE POSITIVE ARM AND ONE

NEGATIVE ARM OF THYRISTOR BRIDGE
PROVIDE A CLOSED PATH DURING
STARTING .

 Configuration of Pulse Modules in SEE vs Brushless

Faculty : Mr. M K Parthasarathy | Peesquare Flux Controls , Bangalore .

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Excitation Transformer Cubicle :

• RESIN CAST COIL

• HIGH SHORT CIRCUIT STRENGTH

• HIGH OVERLOAD CAPACITY

• MOISTURE PROOF & NO PRE-DRYING

• HIGH IMPULSE STRENGTH

• PARTIAL DISCHARGE IS VERY LESS

• COMPACT INSTALLATION

• OVER CURRENT PROTECTION

Instantaneous And Delayed Stg-1 &2

• OVER TEMPERATURE PROTECTION .

Stg 1 & 2
Additional Cooiling for High rated Trs.

• Vector Group DY5 , DY11

• Provision of OVP on AC side also by some vendors

like Siemens

Faculty : Mr. M K Parthasarathy | Peesquare Flux Controls , Bangalore .

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Points to remember :

Note : a) In AVR , the Passive Channel always follows the

active Channel , contrary to conventional solid
state system , where in only Manual will follow
Auto.

b) Limiters are functional only in Auto Channel

c) AVR should be in Manual Channel for conducting

SCC,OCC and other Generator Protection Checks.

d) AVR should be in Auto Channel for Load Throw

off Tests.

e) m/c has to be Excited only after crossing 90% of

rated speed.

f) On occurrence of Trip Faults of any kind

whenever m/c is running on Load , Generator
Circuit Breaker has to be opened first before
opening the Field Breaker / Exciter Breaker.

g) Channel Balance to read Null always. This

ensures that AVR channels are healthy .

h) Bridge Currents in SEE should be balanced with

in limits. This ensures that all the Thyristor
Bridges are healthy and all Devices are
conducting .

i) AVR has to be in Voltage Regulation whenever

running on solo.

Faculty : Mr. M K Parthasarathy | Peesquare Flux Controls , Bangalore .

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LIMITERS :

- Power Triangle Concept

- Power Circle Concept

- Situations for Limiter Intervention . NL ,FL and @ any Load

- Types : Lag & Lead Limiters .

- Nature of Limiter action

1.1.1 Ug/f Limiter V/f Ltr.

At under frequency, the Ug/f Limiter reduces the generator voltage so as to prevent
saturation effects in the supply and measuring transformers. To adjust this limiter, the
max. permissible generator voltage at rated frequency is defined and set using
parameter F280. When any under-frequency occurs, the generator voltage is thus
reduced in proportion to that setting. An appropriate adjustment on parameter F28E is
used to achieve a delayed intervention of the Ug/f Limiter.

1.1.2 Field Current Minimum Limiter If Min Ltr

The Field Current Minimum Limiter maintains the field current at a preset minimum
level. Normally the minimum level is defined by the minimum current of the converter
(Holding current of thyristors). Parameter F410 defines the adjusted minimum value.
F758 is the enable flag for this limiter function.

1.1.3 Field Current Maximum Limiter If Max Ltr OEL

The Field Current Maximum Limiter is provided to protect the generator rotor from
over currents occurring in steady-state and transient operation. High field currents are
normally the result of a sharp drop in network voltage, or of an improper raising of the
voltage set-point by the operating staff. The field current is held steady at the value TH1,
i.e., at the maximum thermal value permissible for the excitation circuit and the rotor. In
order that the generator can support the power network with its transient overload
capacity during brief collapses in voltage, a temporary switch-over is made to the
transient over current limit MAX1 (a higher setting). When the generator or the converter
is operating at a reduced capacity. These limits TH1/MAX1 can be switched over to the
lower settings TH2/MAX2 by activating the corresponding binary signals. The switch-
over from the thermal limit TH1/2 to the transient over current limit MAX1/2 can be
configured in one of three ways:

Faculty : Mr. M K Parthasarathy | Peesquare Flux Controls , Bangalore .

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1.1.4 Inductive Stator Current Limiter Ig+ Ltr.

The Inductive Stator Current Limiter holds the stator current Ig within permissible
limits while the generator is in the “over-excited” operating range by reducing the field
current accordingly. The setting TH (thermal limit) provides the limit against stationary
over currents that might occur. To take advantage of the generator’s transient overload
capacity, a switch-over is made to the higher setting MAX. The principle of operation of
this switch-over to the value MAX, permissible only transiently, is identical to that
employed for the field current limiter .

1.1.5 Capacitive Stator Current Limiter Ig- Ltr

The Capacitive Stator Current Limiter holds the stator current Ig within permissible
limits while the generator is in the “under-excited” operating range by increasing the field
current as required. The positive behavior of this limiter (build-up of excitation) is due to
the way in which the synchronous generator behaves in the under-excited operating
range. In order to reduce the generator current Ig (less -Ix), the generator calls for an
increase in the field current (refer also below: “Power Chart”). To prevent fluctuations
when the reactive current Ix is low (as described above with regard to the Inductive
Stator Current Limiter), this limiter also possesses a function that can influence the Ig-
dependent control variable. This adjusted value for this function (F43C) is the same as
that for the inductive stator current limiter.

1.1.6 Load Angle Limiter Rotor Angle Ltr. UEL

The Load Angle Limiter prevents the synchronous machine from slipping out of
phase due to slippage of the rotor. The load angle , the difference in phase between the
rotor and the stator rotating field, results mainly from the driving torque (active power P)
acting on the generator and the level of rotor current (field current). If the driving torque
remains constant, an increase in the field current reduces the load angle .
The current load angle  at any moment is obtained from the generator current and
generator voltage based on a simplified model of the generator. Whenever this
calculated load angle  (F886) exceeds the preset limit angle (F4A0), the limiter
increases the field current until the load angle has dropped back to its permissible value.
The quadrature reactance Xq of the generator (F4A4) and the network reactance Xe
(F4A6) during normal operation must be adjusted on the regulator in order to obtain the
load angle . Addresses in ( ) refer to BHEL set up.
The graph below shows the Power Chart for a salient-pole machine with typical
limiter characteristics:

Faculty : Mr. M K Parthasarathy | Peesquare Flux Controls , Bangalore .

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Power Vs Delta Curve

X: Line Reactance
V: Bus Voltage Increased
E: Gen Voltage Excitation
P: Power

Power

Delta

Faculty : Mr. M K Parthasarathy | Peesquare Flux Controls , Bangalore .

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Limits On Capability Diagram

Synchronous generators are rated in terms of maximum MVA output that they can
carry continuously without over heating, at a specified voltage & power factor

Armature Current Limit ( arc BC)

P
Stator End Heating Limit (arc CD)

C B Turbine Limit (line BC)

Rotor Current Limit (arc AB)

D A
0.0
Q (Lead) Q (Lag)

The Capability Curve is provided by the manufacturer: represents the machine

thermal limits in a P-Q plane at nominal voltage.

 Phasor Diagram of Delta

 Finding Xe , the network or the Grid Reactance.

1.1.7 Power System Stabilizer

The purpose of a Power System Stabilizer is to use the generator excitation to damp
electromechanical oscillations between the network and the generator. Depending on
the design of the generator and the requirements imposed for network stability, its main
function will be either to damp the oscillations originating in the machine or those from
the network.
A synchronous generator working in a combined power network is, in principle, an
oscillating structure. In order to produce a torque, the magnetic field of the rotor and the
stator must form a given angle (referred to as the rotor displacement or load angle ).
The electrical torque ME increases as the angle  increases, just as with a torsion
spring. Because the ME of the generator and the mechanical driving torque MA from the
turbine are in equilibrium during steady-state operation, the angle  remains in a given
position. Whenever this state of equilibrium between MA and ME is disturbed, the load
angle slips of this rest position, and changes thereby the electrical torque ME. The
torque attempts to restore the load angle to a stationary position. Due to the mass inertia
of the turbine/generator rotor, however, this can only take place aperiodically. It does so
in the form of more or less effectively damped oscillations (again similar to the effect of
mass inertia on a torsion spring).
In order to damp the oscillations, there must be a damping torque produced
depending not on the electrical torque ME associated with the angle, but on the
difference in frequency (f) between the rotor and the stator rotating field, i.e., on the
slippage. This torque is produced, mainly by the so-called damper winding in the rotor,

Faculty : Mr. M K Parthasarathy | Peesquare Flux Controls , Bangalore .

 Page 23 of 23

but the dimensioning of this is subject to limits imposed by considerations of design and
economy. Some further action is therefore needed to increase the damping effect.
The following drastically simplified formula shows the parameters upon which the
amount of active power PE supplied by the generator depends:

PE = active power
.
I U I = field current
f g f
PE = --------- . sin  U = terminal voltage
g
Xd Xd=direct-axisreactance
 = load angle

It can be seen from the above relationship that the active power that the generator
transfers depends not only on the load angle , but also on the field current If. This
means that, a transient change can be made in the active power PE and with that in the
effective electrical torque ME by varying the field current.

Steady State Stability Limit ( SSSL)

Pe Eq0 Eq1 Eq0>Eq1>Eq2

Pm
Eq2

P
Pm: mechanical power provided
by the prime mover to the
generator

0.0 90 180
Power angle Delta in deg
(Power-angle curves for different generator excitation levels)
The system remains stable until delta angle=90 deg. Beyond the curve maximum
(delta >90deg) a load increase causes a decrease in the transfer power and the
system loses synchronism .The value of Pe for delta=90 represents the SSSL for
This ideal lossless system. This the maximum power that the electrical system
can transfer.

Faculty : Mr. M K Parthasarathy | Peesquare Flux Controls , Bangalore .