Control Systems

and
Protections
What Makes Up a Controls System?
• Engine/prime mover control systems
– Speed control/governor
– Load (kW) control (paralleled systems)
– Protection systems (low oil pressure, high temperatures…)
• Generator control systems
– Output voltage control
– Load (VAR) control
– Protection systems (excessive current, over voltage…)
• Distribution control/protection systems (300% S.C.)???
Engine-Generator Control Systems

Sample engine control Sample generator

systems control systems
Control System Functions
• Control the production and distribution of power
• Improve safety of the generating system
• Protect the generator
• Protect loads connected to the generator system
Generator Control Systems
• Voltage regulation/VAR control
– Stand-alone operation (island mode)
– Paralleled applications (similar sized units)
– Co-gen applications (connected to grid)
• Monitoring and control
• Basic generator protection
– Recommended minimum protection
– Recommended additional protection
Generator Control Systems (cont.)
Advanced
Basic Differential
OV/UV Ground fault
OF/UF Stator temp
Protection Bearing temp
OC/OL
Reactive power
Reverse power
Neg. sequence

Gen To load

Field

Digital/analog
Monitoring Revenue grade
& control Communication
networks

Voltage Regulator
Excitation VAR/PF control
Current limiting
Diode protection
Typical Interconnection Drawing
Example: Synchronous Generator
Generator Excitation Control
• Basic excitation systems
– Voltage regulators (field excitation/voltage regulation)
– Redundant regulator systems
– Analog vs. digital
• Parallel operation
– More to consider
Voltage Regulators
• Simple manual field excitation devices
Simple PS

Analog AVR

Automatic voltage regulators

Digital AVR
Redundant Voltage Regulators
Analog and Digital Comparison
• Analog voltage regulators
– Typically lower cost
– Mature designs
– Many OEM and customers are familiar with technology
– Average sensing regulation (typically not RMS)
– Limited versatility
– Becoming more difficult to obtain and maintain……
Analog and Digital Comparison (cont.)
• Digital voltage regulators
– Typically higher cost for basic functionality
– Digital designs now becoming more widely used
– RMS sensing regulation standard
– Highly versatile
– Many additional features enabled by digital technology (data
monitoring, protective relaying, generator protection built
in…)
Voltage Regulator and Load CB
Parallel Operation Control
• Stand alone operation (island mode)
– No paralleling controls required
• Paralleled Applications (similar-sized units)
• Micro-Grid
• Can be run in droop or cross current compensation mode

• Co-gen applications (connected to grid)

– Large utility grid
– Must run in droop mode or in VAR / PF mode
Stand Alone Operation (Island Mode)

Paralleling controls are not required

Paralleled Applications (Micro Grid)
• For operating in
parallel with
similar sized
units (non utility
or larger gen)
• “Cross current”
paralleling
controls typical
Voltage Regulator with CCCT
Cross-Current Compensation
Balanced kVAR Loading
Co-Gen Applications
• For operating in
parallel with utility or
large generator set
or turbine generator
• “Droop mode”
paralleling controls
needed
• VAR and Current
limiting needed
Reactive Load (VAR/PF) Control
• For operating in parallel with utility
• Don’t use pure VAR control on single, isolated generator.
– Voltage control issues arise.
– Must be disabled when generator is not paralleled.
– Use voltage control mode (Standard mode)
VAR/PF Control
Current Limiting (300%)
Monitoring and Control
• Quality sensing devices
– Current transformers (CTs)
– Potential transformers (PTs)
• Data logging
• Remote control
• Revenue billing
Sensing CTs and PTs
• Sensing current transformers (CTs)
– Size from miniature PCB to “bar type”
• Sensing potential transformers (PTs)
– Miniature to medium voltage
Current Transformers

Donut type

Bar type

Donut type with

lead support
Current Transformer Installation
CT Clamping Circuit (ATEX)
Potential Transformer Installation
Monitoring and Control
Advanced Monitoring and Control

Network enabled systems

becoming the norm
Generator Protection
• Recommended minimum protection
– Under-frequency (as a control: not true protection)
– Over-voltage
– Phase over-current
 ANSI Device Numbers
List of ANSI/IEEE Device Numbers and Acronyms
1 – Master Element 33 – Position Switch 65 – Governor
2 – Time Delay Starting or Closing Relay 34 – Master Sequence Device 66 – Notching or Jogging Device
3 – Checking or Interlocking Relay 35 – Brush‐Operating or Slip‐Ring Short‐Circuiting Device 67 – AC Directional Overcurrent Relay
4 – Master Contactor 36 – Polarity or Polarizing Voltage Devices 68 – Blocking or "Out‐of‐Step" Relay
5 – Stopping Device 37 – Undercurrent or Under Power Relay 69 – Permissive Control Device
6 – Starting Circuit Breaker 38 – Bearing Protective Device 70 – Rheostat
7 – Rate of Change Relay 39 – Mechanical Condition Monitor 71 – Liquid Level Switch
8 – Control Power Disconnecting Device 40 – Field (over/under excitation) Relay 72 – DC Circuit Breaker
9 – Reversing Device 41 – Field Circuit Breaker 73 – Load‐Resistor Contactor
10 – Unit Sequence Switch 42 – Running Circuit Breaker 74 – Alarm Relay
11 – Multi‐function Device 43 – Manual Transfer or Selector Device 75 – Position Changing Mechanism
12 – Overspeed Device 44 – Unit Sequence Starting Relay 76 – DC Overcurrent Relay
13 – Synchronous‐speed Device 45 – Abnormal Atmospheric Condition Monitor 77 – Telemetering Device
14 – Underspeed Device 46 – Reverse‐phase or Phase‐Balance Current Relay 78 – Phase‐Angle Measuring Relay
15 – Speed – or Frequency, Matching Device 47 – Phase‐Sequence or Phase‐Balance Voltage Relay 79 – AC Reclosing Relay
16 – Data Communications Device 48 – Incomplete Sequence Relay 80 – Flow Switch
17 – Shunting or Discharge Switch 49 – Machine or Transformer, Thermal Relay 81 – Frequency Relay
18 – Accelerating or Decelerating Device 50 – Instantaneous Over Current Relay 82 – DC Reclosing Relay
19 – Starting to Running Transition Contactor 51 – AC Inverse Time Over Current Relay 83 – Automatic Selective Control or Transfer Relay
20 – Electrically Operated Valve 52 – AC Circuit Breaker 84 – Operating Mechanism
21 – Distance Relay 53 – Exciter or DC Generator Relay 85 – Communications, Carrier or Pilot‐Wire Relay
22 – Equalizer Circuit Breaker 54 – Turning Gear Engaging Device 86 – Lockout Relay
23 – Temperature Control Device 55 – Power Factor Relay 87 – Differential Protective Relay
24 – Volts Per Hertz Relay 56 – Field Application Relay 88 – Auxiliary Motor or Motor Generator
25 – Synchronizing or Synchronism‐Check Device 57 – Short‐Circuiting or Grounding Device 89 – Line Switch
26 – Apparatus Thermal Device 58 – Rectification Failure Relay 90 – Regulating Device
27 – Undervoltage Relay 59 – Overvoltage Relay 91 – Voltage Directional Relay
28 – Flame detector 60 – Voltage or Current Balance Relay 92 – Voltage and Power Directional Relay
29 – Isolating Contactor or Switch 61 – Density Switch or Sensor 93 – Field Changing Contactor
30 – Annunciator Relay 62 – Time‐Delay Stopping or Opening Relay 94 – Tripping or Trip‐Free Relay
31 – Separate Excitation Device 63 – Pressure Switch
32 – Directional Power Relay 64 – Ground Detector Relay
Under Frequency
• Control-type
operates through
voltage regulator
– Controls generator
voltage proportional
to frequency
• Protection-type may
be needed to protect
other equipment
– Required to trip
generator offline
upon under
frequency detection
Over-Voltage Protection
• Should be used with every generator
• Protects loads as well as generator and exciter
• Must remove excitation from generator
Over Voltage Protection (cont.)
Over-Current Protection
Additional Generator Protection
• Required for some but not every installation (specification
driven.
– Exciter diode fault protection
– Negative sequence over current
– Differential over current
– Lightning arrestors and surge capacitors
Exciter Diode Failure Protection
• Indirect-type monitors ripple current in exciter field
winding
• Protects against generator field overheating
Diode Fault Protection
Negative Sequence Protection
• Also known as unbalanced current protection.
• Needed when there is any chance of unbalanced load.
• For Kato™ generators, k factor is 40
(k factor = (I2)2 t)
Negative Sequence
Maximum Current vs. Minimum Current
0.9
0.8
Minimum current /rated

0.7
0.6
0.5 Allowable
Excessive
0.4 unbalance
unbalance
0.3
current

Based on a 10%
0.2 equivalent
0.1 negative
sequence current
0
0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1
Maximum current/rated
current
Negative Sequence Protection
Differential Current Protection
• Compares currents of corresponding phase & neutral
windings.
• Does not prevent damage, but limits damage.
• CTs must be identical at both ends of windings.
• Watch for applications energizing large transformers.
Differential Current Protection
Lightning Arrestors, Surge Capacitors
• Protect generator windings against lightning and
switching. (What happens if not protected? Why?)
• Should be used on all medium and high-voltage
generators.
• As close to generator as possible.
• Use high-quality, low impedance, arrestors.
Lightning Protection
Capacitor/Arrestor Location
Lightning/Surge Protection
Lightning/Surge Protection (cont.)

Typical installation
General Recommended Protection