Short notes on Generator Synchronization & Load Sharing
1.What is generator synchronization? What are the Key parameters for
synchronizing of Alternators?
Generator synchronization is the process of matching a generator's voltage,
frequency, phase sequence, and phase angle with the main switchboard or
another generator before connecting them together. This is critical to avoid
large circulating currents, mechanical stress, or damage to equipment.
Key Parameters for Synchronization:
1.Voltage – The generator's output voltage must match the bus voltage.
2.Frequency – Generator frequency must be equal to the grid/system
frequency.
3.Phase Sequence – The order in which the phases (R-Y-B) reach their peak
voltages.
4. Phase Angle – The phase angle between generator and grid voltages must be
close to zero.
2.Explain briefly each of following Key parameters for Alternator
Synchronization?
1. Voltage of Incoming generator should match with Bus bar Voltage
2. Frequency of Incoming Generator should match with Bus bar Frequency
3. Incoming Generator three phase voltage sequence should match with Bus
bar Voltage Phase sequence
Phase rotation, or phase sequence, is the order in which the voltage waveforms
of a polyphase AC source reach their respective peaks. For a three-phase
system, there are only two possible phase sequences: 1-2-3 and 3-2-1,
corresponding to the two possible directions of alternator rotation.
4. The angular difference (Phase angle) between the voltage waveform of the
Incoming generator and the Busr bar should be within Limits ( 0 to 10 Degree )
4. List Various types of Generator synchronization?
a. Manual Synchronization – Three Dark Lamp method, One Dark and Two
Bright Lamp Methos, Synchroscope Method
b. Automatic Synchronization
Manual Synchronization: In Manual synchronization the operator watches the
synchronoscope or Three lamp indicators. Adjusts the governor to slow down
or speed up the generator, reducing the phase angle drift. Closes the breaker
when the phase angle approaches zero. By following these steps, the generator
is synchronized smoothly with minimal phase angle difference, preventing
system disturbances and mechanical stress.
Automatic Synchronization:
Sensors monitors Incoming generator’s voltage, frequency, and phase, Busbar
(main system) parameters.
A synchronizer unit (or PMS) compares both sets of values.
The system adjusts: Governor (for frequency control), AVR (Automatic Voltage
Regulator for voltage control).
When synchronization conditions are met: Breaker closes automatically at the
exact zero phase angle crossing
5. Sketch and explain Three Dark Lamp method of Generator
synchronization?
6. Sketch and explain One Dark & Two bright Lamp Method of
synchronization?
Start the Prime mover of the alternator and bring it to its rated speed. Check
whether the incoming generator have the same voltage as of the bus-bar.
If not; increases the voltage by changing field current in the alternator till it
match up with that of the bus bar. Adjust the frequency of Incoming Generator
to the frequency of busbar.
Switch ON the three lamps method by selecting to incoming generator . Watch
for the bulb flicker and decide whether it follows an anticlockwise or clockwise
pattern.
An anticlockwise movement indicates slow speed while a clockwise movement
indicate; fast speed of the incoming generator in respect to the bus bar or
running generator.
Change the speed of the alternator accordingly to reduce the flicking of the
bulb to nearly zero or as low as possible.
Now close the Incoming generator breaker at moment when the bulb
connected in phase is dark while the others two are equally bright.
Synchronization of Incoming Generator Completed
7. How Synchronizing done without the aid of a synchroscope or
synchronizing lamps?
Connect pair of analogue voltmeter proves across one phase of incoming
circuit breaker
Adjust Incoming generator speed until voltmeter slowly fluctuate from ‘0’to
‘max’
Close circuit breaker when voltmeter indicator passes through zero.
6. Why it is necessary that incoming generator frequency more than busbar?
The incoming alternator is always kept it slightly higher frequency than the bus
because as soon as we connect the incoming alternator on load its RPM will fall
because the sudden demand of load and when result in low frequency. In this
case, the generator will behave like motor and start growing current which
then is tripped by reverse power relay .
7. What are the likely consequences of attempting to close incomer’s circuit
breaker when generator voltage or not in synchronism?
If an attempt to make the breaker of an unsynchronised incoming generator
with the running generator, then the volt phase difference will cause large
circulating current between the Machines.
This large circulating current produces large magnetic forces to pull the
generator voltage into synchronism. This means a Rapid acceleration of one
machine and deacceleration of other machines. This large magnetic force may
physically damage the generator and the prime mover. This large circulating
current will trip each generator breaker and cause a blackout. To avoid this
reverse power relay is there which is set to trip generator breaker at -10% of
full load capacity.
8. Explain Generator synchronization using synchroscope method?
The polarity of the poles will alternate north south according to changes in red
and yellow phases of the incoming machine. The rotating field will react with
the poles and rotate the rotor clockwise or anticlockwise.
Simultaneously synchroscope pointer rotates.
The rotation of direction of the synchroscope pointer is determined by the
speed or frequency of the incoming machine. If the pointer rotates in
anticlockwise direction, it means that the frequency e of the incoming machine
is less. If the point rotates in clockwise direction, it means the frequency of the
incoming machine is more.
Command to close the incoming alternator breaker is given at about 11 o'clock
position, when and the pointer is rotating in the clockwise direction. This will
make the machine getting connected to busbars exactly when the pointer
reaches the 12 o'clock position of the synchroscope.
9. How two generators remain synchronised?
After synchronization, if there’s a slight mismatch (like one machine’s voltage
being slightly higher), a small circulating current (called the synchronizing
current) flows between the alternators. This current try to correct the
mismatch by exerting torque on the rotors and adjusting their speed/position
slightly. It helps maintain synchronization.
Let us consider two alternators having their emfs E1 and E2 exactly in phase
(relative to external load circuit) but of different magnitudes (E1 > E2). The
resultant emf, ER being equal to E1 – E2, acts in the local circuit and causes
synchronising current Isy around the local circuit. This synchronising current
Isy lags behind ER or E1 by 90° and leads E2 by 90°. Thus synchronising current
Isy produces demagnetising effect on machine no. 1, resulting thereby
reduction in E1 and magnetising effect on machine no. 2 resulting thereby
increase in E2. Thus difference of E1 and E2 is reduced and stable condition is
established.
Effect of Change in Fuel Throttling
When the two alternators are in exact synchronism the two alternators have
equal potential differences and are in exact phase opposition. No circulating
current flows round the local circuit. But when the speed of machine 2 is
reduced, E2 falls back by a phase angle δ electrical degrees, as shown in Fig.
13.6, the magnitude of induced emfs E1 and E2 remaining the same. It will
cause resultant emf ER acting in the local circuit, which will cause a flow of
synchronising current Isy in the local circuit. The synchronising current Isy will
be generating current with respect to machine 1. This synchronising current
sets up a synchronising torque tending to retard the generating machine 1 and
accelerating the motoring machine i.e., machine 2. Thus the two machines
come again in synchronism.
10. How do you prove to a visiting PSC officer the reverse power protection
relay of a generator is working satisfactorily?
Say Generator No.1 and 2 are running on load and you have planned to start
Gen No. 3 and take on load and stop Gen No2 for maintenance.
Start Gen No. 3 and synchronies it to the bus bar
Now three generators are on load, slowly reduce the load on Gen.No.2.
Increase the load on the Gen. 3 and balance the load between No. 1 and 3.
Continue to reduce the load on Gen.No.2. Watch the frequency of the bus bar
and load on No.1 and No.3. When the load on No.2 Gen is zero KW further
reduce and see if the needle of the KW meter going in negative. The circuit
breaker of the No. 2 Gen should trip when needle of the KW meter is at the set
Reverse power value (8-10%) after the set time delay (5-15 sec)
You have tested the reverse power trip of Gen. No.2. In the same process you
can test the reverse power relay of other Generators also.
11. what is load sharing in parallel running Generators?
Load sharing is defined as the proportional division of the kW and kVAR total
load between multiple generators sets in a paralleled system. When generator
sets operate in parallel, the engine speed governor of each generator set
determines the proportional sharing of the total active power requirements
(kW) of the system.
The kW load sharing is achieved by increasing or decreasing fuel to the
systems’ engines.
When generator sets operate in parallel the alternator field excitation system
of each generator set controls the proportional sharing of the total reactive
power requirements (kVAR) of the system.
The kVAR load sharing is achieved by increasing or decreasing the field
excitation to the systems’ alternators.
SPEED CONTROL BY GOVERNOR
12. What is droop setting in Governor and AVR?
In generators, the droop setting is a control method used to share load
between multiple generators running in parallel and to maintain system
stability. Droop means that as the load on a generator increases, its frequency
or voltage decreases slightly. Equal Governor droop and AVR droop of parallel
running generators necessary to have equal KW and KVAR load sharing .
13. Sketch and explain Droop Load sharing?
The balance of power sharing depends upon the governor droop setting. For
equal load sharing the droop setting of governors of parallel running generators
must be similar. (2-4%).
The AVR voltage droop setting must be equal for all parallel running generators
for proper KVAr sharing. If the excitation of an alternator operating in parallel
with other alternators is increased above its normal value of excitation, its
power factor changes in the lagging direction and its current output increases
with no appreciable change in its kW load.
14. Sketch and explain working of Electronic Governor?
Electromagnetic pick-up (MPU): measures engine speed.
Speed controller (ESC): The controller measures the speed from the frequency
of the electromagnetic pickup and compares this with the desired setting
speed, and then outputs a speed correction signal.
Actuator: receives the speed correction signal and changes the angle of the
mechanical linkage to the fuel valve.
Fuel valve: through the change in the position of the mechanical linkage there
is a change in the quantity of fuel supplied to the engine.
Engine: The fuel supplied to the engine is turned into electrical energy. By
varying the engine speed, the power level is adjustable.
Flywheel: The flywheel is directly connected to the engine so the rotation
speed is same as engine speed. The electromagnetic pickup monitors flywheel
speed in order to monitor the actual speed.
Electronic Governor Block Diagram
15. Explain difference between KW (Active Power) and Reactive KVAR)
Power?
kW load refers to the total power demand or consumption of a system at a
given time, measured in kilowatts.
For example: A 10-kW load means the system is consuming 10,000 watts of
power.
KVAR (Reactive power) is the power that oscillates back and forth between the
source and the reactive load, rather than being dissipated or consumed. It's
measured in volt-amperes reactive (VAR). It's measured in volt-amperes
reactive (VAR) and is primarily associated with inductive and capacitive
components like motors and capacitors.
16. Sketch and explain 440v Power Distribution on ships?
