Protection Module

Generator Protection- General

Generators are the most expensive parts of our power system and as such reliable protection is
required to minimise the damage and repair time to the generator as a result of any of the following
the internal and external faults

In addition to sensing these internal fault conditions the protection or supervisory system must also
detect the various external faults or abnormal conditions which might also eventually lead to major
faults

Generator internal faults

• Phase to phase faults on the stator winding
• Phase to ground faults on the stator winding
• Inter-turn faults on the stator winding
• Earth fault on the rotor/field winding

External faults & abnormal conditions

• Phase Imbalance
• Pole slip
• Under/over frequency
• Field Loss
• Over-excitation
• Reverse power
• Non - synchronised connection of generator

Protection schemes are applicable to medium to large size generators

1. Generator Differential (87) :

Normally the main protection as it detects internal faults phase to phase stator faults of the
generator. High fault current: fast fault clearance required normally wired to activate generator fire
protection as well. Zone extends to cover the ACB
2. Stator Earth fault 51N
Detects earth fault by measuring the current in the neutral resistor Normally covers 95% of the
winding. 100% coverage can also be incorporated
3. Neutral displacement
Uses the open delta method of earth fault sensing applicable to generators earthed via a distribution
Tx, or the monitor the winding of a source wired in delta
4. Directional earth fault-
Applicable to generator dirrectly connected to a b/bar to discriminate between internal & external
faults
5. Over current –
Normally a backup protection with an instantaneous trip function set @ .4x nominal current can be
voltage controlled to distinguish between overload and fault conditions

Protection Notes Page 1 of 8

6. Reverse power
Detects the loss of a prime mover time delayed to allow for temporary reverse power, which may
occur on synchronising
7. Negative phase sequence-
Detects sustained phase imbalance which cause s overheating of the rotor due to double frequency
eddy currents
8. Field Loss –
If the Excitation is lost the generator draws excessive reactive current from the system can be
detected by low rotor current or by Using under impedance relays which use the stator current and
volts
9. Under/Overvoltage
Condition caused by over speeding are AVR failing to control the volts
10. Underfrequency
Detects overloading of the generator
11. Overfrequency –
Backs up the governor speed control if over speeding occurs normally set lower that the mechanical
overspeed setting
12. Voltage balance –
Compares the outputs of 2 separate VT’s to prevent incorrect tripping due to VT fuse failure
13. Over excitation
To prevent core saturation during shut down/run up mainly protect a directly connected Gen TX,
the ratio of V/Hz to be within limits
14. Pole slip( out of step)-
Detect a situation where there will be pole slip using impedance measuring methods
15. Rotor Earth faults –
Rotors are normally floating relative to earth. One fault will not result in damage. a second fault
might short out one or more pole severe rotor mechanical imbalance

Generator Protection @ KSPS

The 18 kV protection scheme has been replaced by new integrated numeric protection scheme
The new scheme comprises of two integrated generator protection relays (Alstom LGPG111and an
ABB- REG 316*4) configured as main 1 and main 2. The relays duplicating all the protection
functions except for generator differential protection which only exists on the LGPG11
The tripping philosophy is as outlined in the diagram and the setting as left on gen1 are given on
the attached spreadsheet
Note that the Event Log on the REG 316*4 can be read from the LCD display on the Relay
The LGPG111 requires a PC to access the event log

Transformer Protection

16. Differential – Zone covers the ACB and the HV cable

17. Needs interposing C.T’s to compensate for transformer ratio and Phase shift
18. Bucholz :
• Alarm when gas is accumulate in the Bucholz relay
• Trip when there is a violent surge due to an internal fault or there is sever loss of oil
19. Overcurrent need restraint against inrush currents which can be as high as 10time nominal
20. Earth fault can be directional
21. Temperature- Winding temperature oil temperature and cooling system failure
90 deg c –alarm 105 deg c =trip

Protection Notes Page 2 of 8

Feeder protection
Differential
Distance/Impedance for long feeders and
Overcurrent
Earth fault
Requires inter-tripping for feeder with supply on both end

Exercises

GENERATOR PROTECTION.
1. Explain simply using line diagrams how the Gen differential (Merz-price), Overcurrent,
Overvoltage, earth fault and overspeed protection is applied.
2. Explain briefly what each protects the generator against.
3. Show in outline the co2 system as applied to any one generator. Give diagram of gas flow
storage bottles to application nozzles.
4. Describe in detail the protection applicable to the generator transformers at ksps
5. What action would you take when there is a transformer high winding temp alarm
6. Describe in detail the protection schemes applicable to each of the circuits on the 11 kV system
7. What protection is applicable to the emergency diesel generator

Protection Notes Page 3 of 8

Protection Notes Page 4 of 8
 GTx over
Directional
current
E/F

GTX
diff

Neutral
Overvoltage
Displaceme
Underfrequency
nt
Overfrequency
Overfluxing
Voltage
Balance

VC Overcurrent
Underimpedance
Field failure
Pole slip
Differential Switch onto standstill
(Main ~ Negative phase seq
Reverse power
protection)
Overfluxing (1)
Overfluxing (2)

Over
current

Earth
Fault

Basic Generator and Generator Transformer protection

(Other Protections and Trip philosophy shown in fig 2 below)

Protection Notes Page 5 of 8

Static Exciter
Field failure, Exciter power supply fail,
Overfluxing, 1G0 1T0 2G0
DCVT Fuse Fail,
Excitation build up fail Governor
Excitation Tx Over current 86E Field Sequencer
Excitation Overvoltage Switch BA coil
Excitation Overload
Excitation Tx Temp
2x Converter Airflow Failure
Gen 1
2x Converter Line Fuse Fail Unit Tx. 1 Sequencer Gen 2
2x Converter Cooling Fin Temp Shutdown
Buchholz Shut down fail Shutdown
timer
(Fail to open C/B
Complete Shut
ABB-REG-316 Alstom-LGPG111 ABB-REG-316 Alstom-LGPG111 down sequence)
Overcurrent Gen. Diff. Overcurrent Gen. Diff.
Earth fault Earth fault Earth fault Earth fault
Overvoltage Overvoltage Overvoltage Underfrequency Governor
VC Overcurrent (2 VC Overcurrent (2 Underfrequency Overspeed
Underfrequency Underfrequency Overfrequency Grid freq.-fault
Overfrequency (1) Overfrequency (2) Gen freq. fault
Overfrequency (2) Field failure Underimpedance GVact loop
Underimpedance Negative phase seq Overfluxing (2) Power, Main V/V
Field failure Reverse power and GV Transducers
Pole slip (Turbine Panel)-General fault
Switch onto Emergency Stop
standstill *Bearing Thermal Trip
190 (Currently disconnected)
Negative phase seq
Reverse power Overspeed Switches x2
Overfluxing (1) Governor oil pressure low
Overfluxing (2) with Gv Lock Out

330kV
intertrip Tx118kV
Trip relay trip relay

Restricted Earth fault Winding Temp.

Overcurrent Buchholz Kariba South Power Station Unit Tripping Logic
Trans Diff protection Oil flow Last revised 12/02/2002
Protection Notes Cooling
Page 6 ofwater
8 failure
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Protection Notes Page 8 of 8