Optimum Settings for

Generator Field Failure

Protection

Niwat Sriklam
Import-Export VA from a Machine
jX

Import WATTs Export WATTs

Export VARLag Export VARLag

-R R

Import WATTs Export WATTs

Export VARlead Export VARlead

jX Exporting VarLag = Importing VarLead

Exporting VarLead = Importing VarLag

A synchronous generator will be operating in te + jX, + R region

Field is Lost or Reduce
A synchronous generator will be operating in to + jX,
+R region. When the field is lost or reduce, the
impedance characteristic of the generator will move
from this and will eventually end up in the –jX region
where the generator will be running as a synchronous
or induction generator, and importing the lagging
VAR’s necessary for its operation from the system
Field is Lost or Reduce
„ Run super synchronously as Induction Generator
„ Draw reactive current from PS. For rotor excitation
„ May be run several minutes without requiring to be trip
„ Reactive power demand of the machine during the failure may
several depress the power system voltage to an unacceptable
level
„ High reactive current of up to 2 p.u. may draw from supply
„ Rapid automatic disconnection is then required to protect the
stator winding from excessive current and to protect the rotor
from conversed by induce slip frequency current
Pole Slipping (Out of Step)
ES

XM XT Zs
EG

Total System Impedance

∑Z = |XM+XT+ZS | /Ө

EG = the machine internal e.m.f

XM = Generator reactance
XT = Generator transformer reactance
ZS = System impedance
ES = Infinite bus
 Effective Reactance, Xm
∑Z = |XM+XT+ZS | /Ө jX

ES Can be less than or greater than EG

R

100% Slip (Stand Still)

Xm = Xd”
Xm = Xd’ 50% Slip

Xm = 2Xd’ 0.33% Slip

Xm = Xd 0% Slip (Synchronous speed)

Xm is effective reactance and test have shown

that it will depend on the rate of slip
Impedance viewed from the generator terminals
 Loci of Pole Slips
„ Consider the first case of |Es| < 1.0 or |EG| > 1.0 or |Es| < |EG|
|EG| |ES|
EG

ө-Ø ө 180-θ

Ø I ES
δ

0
δ = Load angle of system voltage ES
“behind” generator voltage.
180˚-θ+Ø+ 0EGES = 180˚ I = Load current flowing due to EG-ES
acting through ∑Z
-θ+Ø+ 0EGES = 0˚ Vector I will be at angle Ө to the volt
drop in ∑Z
0EGES =θ-Ø During a pole slip, the vector ES Will describe a circle about 0.
 Converted to Impedance Plane
jX

∑Z -ES/I

δ
EG/I

Ө
Ø
-R R
δ-Ø

ES/I

-jX

It is not a simple process to obtain the locus of the vector EG/I directly from voltage diagram
 Admittance Diagram
jB

A
-G G
Ө Ø
Y
E

1/∑Z
δ
O

I/EG = Admittance of system as views

from behind the generator
= Y/Ө
-jB
I/I ∑Z = 1/ ∑Z
= Admittance of system between
the generator voltage and the
infinite busbar
Comparing the Voltage and
Admittance Diagram
Comparing the voltage and admittance diagram, its can be seen
that triangles OEGES and OAE are similar
OE = 1 . / EG
ES ∑Z
OE = Es . EG A
EG x ∑Z Ө Ø
ө-Ø ө Y
E

Ø I ES
1/∑Z
δ
δ
O

O
Voltage Diagram Admittance Diagram
 G’
jX

O’
S

T’
δ E’ Impedance

F’

90-Ө
-R A Ø R
-G Ө Ø G
90-Ө Y
E
Admittance
G

1/∑Z Admittance plan

δ Showing inversion
O into
impedance plan
EG >1.0
-jB F ES
ES/EG <1.0 or EG/Es >1.0
Therefore as the machine pole slips, provided the rate of slip
remains constant and the air gap flux is maintained constant by
the AVR, EG remains constant and E will describe a circle about
0 of radius OE
The impedance locus is obtained by inverting the admittance
locus
AF = AO + OF = 1 . + ES . 1 . = 1 . 1+ ES at angle -Ө
∑Z EG ∑Z ∑Z EG

AF’ = 1/AF = ∑Z/ {1 + ES/EG} at angle Ө ………….(1)

AG = AO-OG = 1 . - ES . 1 . = 1 . 1- ES at angle -Ө
∑Z EG ∑Z ∑Z EG
ES/EG <1.0 or EG/Es >1.0
AG’ = 1/AG = ∑Z/ {1 - ES/EG} at angle Ө

Diameter of impedance circle = AG’-AF’

= ∑Z 1/{1- ES/EG} - 1/{1+ ES/EG}

= ∑Z (2ES/EG) / {(1+ES/EG)(1- ES/EG)}

Radius = ∑Z (ES/EG) / {(1+ES/EG)(1- ES/EG)} ...(2)

Note the O’ is the center of the impedance circle and is not the
inversion of point O on the admittance diagram
ES/EG <1.0 or EG/Es >1.0
Also
AO = 1/ ∑Z

AS = ∑Z = Xm + XT + ZS

AT = Xm + XT
And
T’S = ZS
 Admittance Plane
Showing inversion into
impedance plane

ES/EG < 1.0 or EG/Es >1.0

 G’
jX

O’
S

T’
δ E’ Impedance

F’

90-Ө
-R A Ø R
-G Ө Ø G
90-Ө Y
E
Admittance
G

1/∑Z Admittance plan

δ Showing inversion
O into
impedance plan
EG >1.0
-jB F ES
Admittance Plane
Showing Inversion into
Impedance Plane

ES = EG
ES = EG
Substituting Es =EG in Equations (1) and (2)
(1)
Offset = ∑Z / 2
(2)

Radius = ∞
Locus is a straight line which bisects the vector ∑Z at 90°
 jX
ES = EG
S’
T’
Impedance

F’

90-Ө
δ E’
-R A R
-G E G
90-Ө
Admittance
1/∑Z

δ Admittance plan
O Showing inversion
into
impedance plan
EG = ES
F
-jB
 Admittance Plane
Showing Inversion Into
Impedance Plane

ES/EG > 1.0 or EG/Es <1.0

 ES/EG > 1.0 or EG/Es <1.0
AF = AO + OF = 1 . 1+ Es
∑Z EG
AF’ = ∑Z /{1+ Es/EG}

AG = OG-AO = 1 {Es/EG-1}
∑Z
AG’ = ∑Z /{ Es/EG-1} …offset
Diameter = AF’+AG’
Radius = {AF’+AG’}/2
= ∑Z (ES/EG) / {(1+ES/EG)(ES/EG-1 )}……
 jX
ES > EG
S’
T’
Impedance

F’

90-Ө E

-R R
-G A G
90-Ө δ
E’ Admittance
O’ 1/∑Z
δ
Admittance plan
O Showing inversion
into
impedance plan
EG > ES
G’

-jB F
Summarized
Therefore in general we can say that :
offset = ∑Z /{1+ Es/EG}……………………..…(1)

Radius = ∑Z (ES/EG) / {(1+ES/EG)(1-ES/EG}……(2)

which can be Negative when ES/EG) >1 or EG/ES < 1

 Radius and Offset of Imp. Circles

EG/ES 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8 0.9 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5

ES/EG 2.0 1.67 1.43 1.25 1.11 1.0 0.91 0.83 0.77 0.72 0.67

Radius
Coefficient -0.67 -0.93 -1.36 -2.28 -4.83 ∞ 5.35 2.68 1.88 1.5 1.22
‘r’
Offset
Coefficient 0.33 0.375 0.41 0.445 0.475 0.5 0.525 0.547 0.565 0.582 0.6
‘c’

WHERE Radius = r. ∑Z
Offset = c. ∑Z
 EG/ES
O’

jX
Zs S’
T’ EG/ES >1.0
X
-R New axis T F’ R
Relaying
point ∑Z =(Xm+XT+ZS) /Ө
F’
Xm
ES=EG
Old axis Ө
A

O’

EG/ES <1.0 Impedance Loci for

EG/ES > 1.0
EG/ES = 1.0
EG/ES < 1.0

G’

-jx
Impedance Locus of the pole
Slipping Generator System
Relay Diameter Setting

Niwat Sriklam
Metropolitan Electricity Authority
General Theory
Relay
Location
Xd
I
EG

E V

„ Where
„ E = Voltage behind synchronous reactance on the machine
„ V = Terminal voltage of machine i.e. voltage measured by relay
„ Xd = Synchronous reactance of the machine
„ I = Load current
 Vector Diagram
Where
E
IXd δ = rotor angle
Ө= P.f. angle
V
E = V+IXd
E/I = V/I+Xd
δ Ø
I
Relay will measure and impedance = V/I = -Xd +E/I
Representative on impedance plan
jX E/I jX
V/I δ
Xd -R R

Xd E/I
δ
-R Ø V/I R
-jX -jX
Vector Diagram
„ If the alternator is permitted to supply loads of up to 1 p.u.
power with a rotor angle of up to ‘δ’ degree, then the relay
characteristic should not conflict with the impedance represent
by the intersection of machine impedance loci for (i) constant ‘δ’
and 1 p.u. power
„ (i) constant ‘δ’ locus or pull-out locus
„ If ‘δ’ is constant then the impedance locus is arc of the circle
passing through the points 0 and –Xd on the impedance plane
on which the chord subtends a constant angle of ‘δ’
„ when ‘δ’ =90°; the chord will be the diameter of circle
„ when ‘δ’ =120°; the chord will be on diameter of circle
„ 2Xd/√3 = 1.155Xd i.e a radius of 0.578Xd
 It is sometimes more simple to use the admittance plane for
calculation purposes. Inverting the circular impedance locus will
result in a straight line
Admittance Locus
jB jX
C’ Angle COB = (180-δ)/2 = 90-δ/2
OC = OF/sin(δ/2) = Xd/2 Sin(δ/2)
B’ δ
OC’= 2 Sin(δ/2)/Xd
1/Xd COR = δ/2 , C’OB = 90- δ/2
-R OB’C’ = δ R
-G 0 δ/2 G
E/I
Xd/2
In order to define the
straight line we require
two points
δ
Let OB = Xd;
Xd F C
then OB’=1/Xd
Let C be the point where
OC=CB then CF is at 90° to
OB and OF = FB= Xd/2
B
Impedance Locus
-jB -jX
1. p.u. Power Locus
For constant power output from the alternator
VI cos Ø = C
I cos Ø = C/V2 where V = 1 p.u. voltage
Z = V2/C cos Ø C = 1 p.u power

Therefore the impedance locus is a circle of diameter V2/C

jX jB Y= C/V2 Cosec Ø
Z

-R V2/C R -G G

-jX -jB
 If we plot the 1 p.u. power line and the pull-out line on the
impedance or admittance axis, then the point at which they cut
represents the impedance or admittance presented to the relay
under the limiting condition of the impedance plan
jX

1 p.u. Power Locus

-R R
0

OF represents the
F Impedance present to the
relay under the limiting
condition.
Therefore the relay
must be set with an impedance
less than OF to prevent
Operation under this conditions
Locus of Constant Rotor Angle
-jX
On the Admittance Plane
jB Locus of Constant Rotor angle
F’

δ 1 p.u. power locus

-G G

-jB

OF’ represents the admittance presentd to the relay under the limiting
conditions. Therefore the relay must be set with an admittance greater than
OF’ to prevent operation.
 If the relay characteristic is considered to be offset, the relay
impedance characteristic must pass through F to allow
satisfactory operation of machine.

1 p.u. Power Locus

-R R
O
J
Relay Characteristic
F

Locus of Constant Rotor Angle

H

Let the relay characteristic offset

be OJ on the impedance plane

-jX
The points J, F and H on the impedance plane are J’, F’ and H’
on the admittance plane and the inverse of the impedance
characteristic is another offset mho characteristic passing
through point J’, F’ and H’ and having its centre on the +jB axis
jB
J’

Locus of Constant Rotor angle

F’

H’

δ 1 p.u. power locus

-G G
-jB
Locus of Limiting operating
Conditions Of synchronous Machine
Loss of Excitation Protection Char.
Basic Interconnected System
Example Setting

Niwat Sriklam
Example
For the generator, details of which are given below, plot the
required characteristics of the YCGF field failure relay to detect
field failure and to allow operation of the generator with a rotor
angle of (a) 90° and (b) 120° both with rated power output. Use
a relay offset 0.75Xd’
System data is as follows : 11.5kV, 3Ø, 50 Hz
Output : 6075 KVA, 0.8 p.f.
Direct axis synchronous reactance : 147 %
Direct axis transient reactance : 30%
Direct axis sub-transient reactance : 21%
Short circuit ratio : 0.763
Current transformer ratio : 400/5 A
Voltage transformer ratio : 12000/120V
Relay Characteristic
The characteristic of the YCGF relay is adjusted a follows :
Diameter of circle characteristic = K1 x K5
Offset of circle characteristic = K3 + K4
The settings of 5 A rated relay are :
K5 = coarse plug setting of 6.95, 9.65, 13.4, 18.6, 25.9 36 and 50 ohms
K1 = fine adjustment potentiometer with setting range of 0.75, to 1.0
calibrated in steps of 0.05
K3 = plug settings of 0, 0.5 and 1.0 ohms
K4 = plug settings of 0.5, 2.0 and 3.0 ohms
K2 = trimmer potentiometer adjustable from 0 to 4.0 ohms calibrated in
0.5 ohm steps. K2 must be set to the same value as K3 + K4
Solution
100 % primary impedance = 11.52/6.075 = 21.77 Ω
Conversion factor from primary impedance to secondary impedance is :
Secondary Imp. = Primary Imp. x (400/5) / (120/12000)
= 0.8 Primary Imp.
Synchronous reactance in secondary ohms (Xd)
= 1.47 x 0.8 x 21.75 = 25.6 Ω
Transient reactance in secondary ohms (Xd’)
= 0.30 x 0.8 x 21.75 = 5.22 Ω
On the impedance plane :
Diameter of 1 p.u. power locus = V2/C = 11.52/(6.075 x 0.8)
= 27.21 Pri. Ω
= 0.8x27.21 = 21.77 Sec. Ω
Solution
Diameter of Pull out line for(δ = 90°) = Xd = 25.6 Ω
Diameter of Pull out line for(δ = 120°) = 1.155Xd= 29.6 Ω
Offset of YCGF characteristic = 0.75 Xd’
= 0.75 x 5.22
= 3.92 Ω
Using an offset setting of 4 Ω
The impedance diagrams use a scale of 1cm represents 2Ω
Solution
( i ) With 90° Maximum rotor angle
In this case the impedance locus of constant rotor angle is a
circle of diameter Xd passing through the origin and the point B
where OB = Xd = 25.6 Ω
The relay impedance characteristic is determined by
constructing a circle passing through (i) the required offset point J
and (ii) the point F of intersection of the 1 p.u. power locus and the
constant rotor angle locus and having its centre on the –jX axis. The
equivalent admittance locus can also be obtained.
The resulting impedance characteristics is show below from
which it can be seen that the relay will restrict generator operation to
rotor angles of less than 90° within the shade part of the
characteristic
 With 90° Maximum rotor angle
-R -jX R

90°Constant
Rotor angle

J
1 p.u.
power locus

Relay
Characteristic

B
 With 90° Maximum rotor angle
jX

-R 0 R
90°Constant
Rotor angle 1 p.u.
J power locus

Relay
Characteristic
B

1 cm rep 2.0 Ω
H OB = Xd = 25.6 Ω
-jX OJ = relay offet = 4.0 Ω
JH = relay diameter = 30.6 Ω
1.95Xd
Solution
( ii ) With 90° Maximum rotor angle
The alternative improved solution would be to set the relay
characteristic base on a diameter of JB – see the inner circle in
which case the diameter setting required is 21.6 Ω (0.844Xd).
This relay setting will allow generator operation up to and above
a rotor angle of 90°
 With 120° Maximum rotor angle
-R -jX R

Relay F
Characteristic

H 1 cm rep 2.0 Ω
OB = Xd = 25.6 Ω
OJ = relay offet = 4.0 Ω
JH = relay diameter = 14.6 Ω
B 0.57Xd
Conclusions
The required diameter settings of the relay impedance
characteristics for the two conditions consider are as follows :

Maximum Rotor Angle Diameter Setting

90 0.844Xd
120 0.57 Xd
Conclusions
In the absence of rigorous investigations similar to those
performed here, it is our common practice to set the relay
diameter to Xd for operation up to 90° rotor angle and to 0.5Xd
for operation up to 120° rotor angle.
In the particular case a setting of Xd will allow operation of
the generator up to slightly above 90° rotor angle at rated power
since the point at which this relay characteristic (offset by 4.0 Ω)
cuts the 1 p.u. power locus is within the 90° constant rotor locus.
If a setting of Xd/2 is used then this will allow operation with
rotor angles up to at least 120° since the relay characteristic
with a diameter of Xd/2 will cut 1 p.u. locus within the 120°
constant rotor angle locus.
Conclusions
The circle diameter is given by K1x K5
For a setting of Xd = 25.6 Ω; K5 = 25.9 and K1 = 1.0
For a setting of Xd/2 = 12.8 Ω; K5 = 13.4 and K1 = 0.95

The circle offset is given by K3+K4

Setting required = 4.0 Ω
K3 = 1.0 and K4 = 3.0
K2 must be set to the same value as K3+K4
K2 = 4.0 Ω