MISCELLANEOUS ELECTRICAL VOLUMES I

FIST VOLUMES 3-11 THROUGH 3-15

Internet Version of This Manual Created

September 2000

Engineering Division
Facilities Engineering Branch
Denver Office

The Appearance of the Internet Version of This Manual

May Differ From the Original, but the Contents Do Not

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

BUREAU OF RECLAMATION
 MISCELLANEOUS ELECTRICAL VOLUMES I

CONTENTS

Volume Title

3-11 Generator Thrust Bearing Insulation and Oil Film

Resistance

3-12 Correcting the Ratio and Phase Angle Characteristics of

Bushing Current Transformers

3-13 An Electrical Method of Moving a Generator Rotor

3-14 Commutator and Collector Ring Performance

3-15 Fiber Optic Arc Detector

 FACILITIES INSTRUCTIONS, STANDARDS,
& TECHNIQUES

Volume 3-11

GENERATOR THRUST BEARING

INSULATION AND OIL FILM

RESISTANCE

 Generator Thrust-bearing Insulation

and Oil Film Resistance

The thrust and upper-guide bearings of large When there is very high resistance with the
vertical generators are insulated from the machine running, it is a good indication that the
frame to prevent circulating current from bearing surfaces are free of high spots or
passing through the bearing surfaces which roughness, and the bearing is not grounded. This
might damage them. Test terminals are test can also be used when establishing an oil
provided for periodic ohmmeter checks across film with a high pressure lubrication system or to
the thrust bearing insulation. Some generators determine how quickly a complete oil film is
have three terminals A, B, and G (fig. 1 ), established on starting a unit, or how long it
which permit checking the insulation on both persists on stopping.
sides of the metal plate separately, as well as
measuring the thrust bearing oil film The insulation resistance between the bearing
resistance. Other generators have only the shoes and the frame should be checked first,
terminal A, which only permits checking the before the oil film resistance is checked;
thrust-bearing insulation to ground. because, since these resistances are in parallel,
a false impression of oil film resistance could be
This bearing insulation test should be obtained if the bearing insulation resistance is
performed annually on all Reclamation relatively low. When the generator is stationary,
generators. If the insulation resistance is the oil having been squeezed from between the
abnormally low, the cause of the trouble should bearing surfaces allows metal-to-metal contact,
be investigated. Before concluding that the and zero resistance between terminals B and G.
insulating sheets under the bearing supports When operating at normal speed the oil film
are causing the low resistance, check the RTD resistance should be from 100,000 to 500,000
leads, temperature device tube, or high ohms.
pressure oil connection to the bearing shoes.
On machines with a B terminal it is possible to Measurements of oil film or bearing insulation re
determine when the bearing shoes are sistance should be made using an ohmmeter
grounded through these accessories by operated from batteries of not more than 9 V d-c,
measuring the resistance between terminals B and connected only long enough to take the
and G with the machine running (provided reading. Under no circumstances should an a-c
there is a high oil film resistance, and the or d-c power circuit be connected to the test
bearing support insulation is good). The terminals, because damage could occur to
insulation on both sides of the metal plate can bearing surfaces if high current should pass
be checked separately by connecting the through them. As an added precaution,
ohmmeter between terminals A and G, and generators provided with the B terminal
between A and B. The thrust-bearing insulation connected to the bearing shoes, should have a
resistance should measure from about 10,000 red nameplate mounted adjacent to the terminals
ohms to infinity. Low resistance can indicate with the following inscription:
mechanical damage or damp insulation from
leaky cooling coils. Dampness in the oil pot,
due perhaps to a very slow cooling-coil leak,
can cause serious corrosion damage or
saturation of insulation, if allowed to persist. WARNING
These problems are difficult to detect except Do not connect any source of power over 9 V d-c
by this test. to these terminals. To check resistance, use an
ohmmeter operated from d-c batteries of not
An additional test may be periodically made on over 9 V, and connect only long enough to take
the thrust-bearing oil-film resistance while the the reading.
generator is running, and with the ohmmeter
connected across terminals B and G. Although
not entirely reliable, this test has indicated
metal-to-metal contact where the bearing was
slightly wiped, or a high spot had developed.

1 (FIST 3-11 5/91)

(FIST3-11 5/9 2
 FACILITIES INSTRUCTIONS, STANDARDS,
& TECHNIQUES

Volume 3-12

CORRECTING THE RATIO AND PHASE

ANGLE CHARACTERISTICS OF

BUSHING CURRENT TRANSFORMERS

 CORRECTING THE RATIO AND PHASE ANGLE

CHARACTERISTICS OF BUSHING CURRENT

TRANSFORMERS

Fairly accurate current, watt, or var readings or and makes a compact assembly complete with
recordings from a circuit where the only current terminals for all external connections. The cur-
transformers available are of the bushing type, rent-balancing autotransformer is used to in
may be obtained by the addition of ratio and crease the bushing current transformer sec
phase-angle compensators. Several Reclamation ondary current slightly higher than the correct
facilities have these compensators installed, and value. The thyrite shunt then drains off this
operators find them satisfactory and that they excess current in a nonlinear relationship, to
give good results at a moderate cost. The ratio bring the resultant current to the correct value.
and phase angle compensator (fig. 1) consists of Capacitors may be used as necessary to correct
one each of the following components for each the phase angle.
phase, A, B and C:
The ratio error of a standard multi-ratio bushing-
T2 - current balancing autotransformer,
type current transformer may be from ap
Westinghouse1 Style 608A938G01
proximately 5 to 20 percent and the phase angle
T3 - auxiliary autotransformer rated 5 V*A
error may be up to approximately 5 degrees,
capacity 1.5/9.0/24 V (special design by
depending on the secondary current and burden.
Standard Transformer Company)2
Except as described, the use of this com
Thyrite disk - GE3 No. 3952481
pensator will correct the ratio error to within 1
Capacitor - 100 V or larger; 1/2, 1, or 2FF
percent, and the phase angle error to within 1
as needed (any manufacturer) degree. This makes the bushing current trans
formers suitable for operating the recording
The compensators are not available complete wattmeters or varmeters. The range of this cor
from any single manufacturer, but can be readily rection is only from 1 to 5 A and is not to be
assembled. The thyrite disk, the capacitor, and used to correct relay currents at high values of
T3 can be mounted to the side of T2, fault current and is not recommended for use
with revenue watt-hour meters. An example of
the results obtained on a 150-V, 5-A, 69-kV
1
Westinghouse Electric Corporation, P. O. Box 4239,
bushing current transformer with and without the
Grand Central Station, New York, N.Y. 10164
compensator is shown (fig. 2). The
2
Standard Transformer Company, 212 Dana Street, NE,

Warren, Ohio 44481

compensators must he adjusted for the burden
3 and bushing current transformer characteristics
General Electric Company, 1635 Broadway, Bldg. 18-5,

Fort Wayne, Ind. 46804

that exist on each installation.

1 (FIST 3-12 5/91)

(FIST 3-12 5/91)

2
3 (FIST 3-12 5/91)

 FACILITIES INSTRUCTIONS, STANDARDS,

& TECHNIQUES

Volume 3-13

AN ELECTRICAL METHOD OF MOVING

A GENERATOR ROTOR

An Electrical Method of Moving an Generator Rotor

It is sometimes desirable to rotate a large generator THE ROTOR MUST BE RESTRAINED HORIZON
rotor a small amount to accomplish several mainte TALLY TO PREVENT IT FROM BEING PULLED
nance tasks such as the four-wire rotation check INTO THE STATOR IRON AS CURRENT IS AP
during unit alignment, matching up couplings, work PLIED. ADEQUATE THRUST BEARING LUBRI
ing on particular turbine runner. It is extremely diffi CATION MUST BE PROVIDED AT ALL TIMES
cult to move a rotor physically, especially vertical DURING ROTATION.
machines not equipped with high pressure thrust-
bearing lubrication. This method uses the electrical If the unit cannot be raised with iacks to provide
characteristics of the generator operated as a motor, lubrication, the thrust bearings should be coated with
which can be accomplished by using external exci a mixture of petroleum jelly and lubricating oil. If the
tation current (fig. 1 and 2). This excitation current work continues for several days, applications may
can be provided from a spare exciter set, or any have to be repeated. If there is a field contactor with
source of direct current other than the directly con discharge resistor available, connections should be
nected exciter of the machine itself. An ordinary d-c made as shown (fig. 1 and 2). If not, the spare exciter
welder should be sufficient to move the rotor of set, or d-c welder field contactor may be used to
medium size generators as only one sixth of the deenergize the circuit. In some cases the welder
normal field current of the generator will usually be must be stopped to safely deenergize the circuit.
necessary.

Figure 1 - External excitation current source connected to generator with neutral brought out.

1 (FIST 3-13 5/91)

Figure 2 - External excitation current source connected to generator with double throw
disconnect switches.

A generator designed with the neutral brought but if not, a movement of 30 electrical degrees
out (fig. 1), provides the easiest connecting in either direction may be obtained by shifting
arrangement; however, it does not allow the full the field cable from the neutral to one or the
torque available when connections are made other of the phases which is not closed through the
directly to the terminals (fig. 2). When the disconnecting switches. Thus, if phase 3 is closed
neutral is available (fig. 1), leads are extended shifting the field cable from the neutral to T1 or T2
from the terminals T1, T2, and T3 to the will produce the smaller final movement. By
disconnecting switches. The other switch following this procedure, the field circuit is not
terminals are connected together, and extended opened and it is usually possible to operate the
to the other side of the source of excitation. If disconnecting switches without particularly bad
the inductance of the stator winding is not too sparking if it is done slowly. If the arcing starts to
great, it is possible to rotate the rotor to the damage the disconnecting switches, use the field
required position 60 electrical degrees at a time, contactor or otherwise deenergize the d-c source.
by operating the disconnecting switches alone, Connections can be made consecutively to phases
without at any time opening the field contactor, 1, 2, and 3, closing and opening the circuit by the
then close phase 2, open phase 1, close phase field contactor, thus bringing the rotor around 120
3, open phase 2, close phase 1, open phase 3, electrical degrees at a time. In the older instal
and continue until the rotor moves around to the lations, this method may not involve any special
proper location. The circuit is then completely switches. It is sometimes possible to open the
deenergized by means of the field contactor. generator breaker and the generator.

DO NOT INTERRUPT THE FIELD WITH ANY If the generator neutral is not available, or the am
CONTACT EXCEPT THE FIELD pere turns in one leg of the stator winding are not
CONTACTOR sufficient to pull the rotor around, another method
(fig. 7b) can be used. However, this method re
This method enables positioning the rotor to quires double-throw disconnect switches, which
within plus or minus 30 electrical degrees of its may not be as readily available as the single throw
required position. This is usually close enough, disconnect switches. This connection permits

(FIST 3-13 5/31) 2

rotation of the rotor, 30 electrical degrees at a cubicle.) Switching among the phases is then
time by operating the switches without opening done by moving the plugs and deenergizing the
the field circuit. Starting with 1-F, close 1-E, d-c source each time.
open 3-E, close 3-F, open 2-F, close 2-E, open
l-E, close l-F, open 3-F, and continue this Rotors as large as 300-ton for a 50,000-kW
sequence until the rotor is at the required generator have been rotated within an hour with
location, and then open the field contactor. If two men, which had required 6 men about 12
this operation causes too much arcing at the hours to rotate mechanically. Because the static
switches, an alternate switching sequence can friction of the bearings is much greater than the
be used which is similar to the previous system: running friction, it is possible to advance the
Throw the disconnect switches consecutively to rotor several pole pitches at a time by changing
positions 1-E, 2-F, 2-E, 3-F, 3-E, and 1-F, while the connections for a 120-degree advance and
closing and Interrupting the circuit through the closing and quickly opening the field contactor.
field contactor. With this method it is possible to If the field is left connected, the rotor will usually
come within plus or minus 15-electrical degrees. oscillate in its new position several times before
The last few degrees may have to be obtained coming to rest, but sometimes with a 120
physically with a hydraulic jack, or block and degree advance, it will jump two pole pitches
tackle. Some generator circuit breakers are the before coming to rest. Therefore, if the field is
draw-out type where no disconnecting switches interrupted just as the rotor starts to move, it
are provided. At this type of installation, may be possible to make use of the stored
connections have been made by making up plug energy in the rotor to move it several pole
terminals to the welding cables to fit the pitches. Small movements may be obtained if
generator terminal sockets in the switchgear. the d-c source is quickly deenergized and its
(When this is done a barrier is recommended to polarity changed.
cover the bus-side sockets in the circuit breaker

3 (FIST 3-13 5/31)

 FACILITIES INSTRUCTIONS, STANDARDS,

& TECHNIQUES

Volume 3-14

COMMUTATOR AND COLLECTOR RING

PERFORMANCE

 Commutator and Collector Ring Performance

Commutator and collector ring problems on Although this is an approximate guide, the brush
exciters of hydrogenerators, which have been manufacturer's specific recommendations should
most prevalent in Reclamation experience, are be used.
often misunderstood. This discussion, although
by no means a full treatment of this complex and DO NOT INTERFERE WITH PROPER BRUSH
lengthy subject, gives some basic elements of an STAGGER WHILE OPERATING A COMMUTA
adequate maintenance program. The literature TOR WITH SOME OF THE BRUSHES LIFTED.
listed in the bibliography, only a segment of that AN EQUAL NUMBER OF POSITIVE AND
which has been published, should be available to NEGATIVE BRUSHES MUST COVER
maintenance personnel on each project. EXACTLY THE SAME PATH ON THE
Troubles which cannot be readily corrected COMMUTATOR.
should be referred to D-8440 or D-8450.
It is usually easiest to avoid disturbing this
Good Performance of both commutators and col stagger pattern by removing brushes toward one
lector rings is mainly dependent upon the end of the commutator, and concentrating
formation of the correct thickness of surface film current on the other portion. Wear can be
which is tough, glossy, and has low friction. distributed by periodically alternating portions of
Moisture absorbed from the surrounding air is an the commutator being used.
important component of the film. If the ambient
air is abnormally dry the film dries, causes 2. - COLLECTOR RINGS
friction, and the rate-of-wear increases.
Unlike commutator performance, collector ring
Heat increases the formation of oxides, which performance can seldom be improved by
are also essential to a good low friction film. The removing brushes. The most common trouble is
most prevalent problem with exciters has excess film formation on one ring. Film Is formed
resulted from insufficient heat because of principally under the positive brush. The negative
insufficient load which has not allowed adequate ring frequently shows the most wear, which is
film formation. Because the exciters are variously explained as lack of film or as transfer
generously rated, the average load is only about of metal in the direction of current flow.
half the nameplate rating. The manufacturer
customarily equips the exciter with a good grade Less film is required on rings, but excess film
of electrographic brush according to the results eventually in punctured film, uneven
nameplate rating. These brushes may have good distribution on current, sparking, roughness and
characteristics and perform excellently at name rapid brush wear. While commutator brush film
plate rating or medium to heavy load, but is easily controlled by equalizing the brushes;
perform poorly on light load. nearly as much benefit can be obtained on a
collector by frequently changing polarity. If the
1. - COMMUTATOR ring polarities can be changed as often as from
1 to 3 months the film can usually be maintained
Recognizing these conditions characteristic of on both rings.
Reclamation operation, it is not surprising that
better performance can usually be obtained by Longer intervals may serve only to distribute the
removing half the brushes from the commutator roughness which develops. This type of frequent
surface. This increases the current density and maintenance is sometimes impractical, and other
temperature which aids film formation. Most types of film control can be used such as daily or
electrographic brushes are recommended for weekly burnishing with canvas pads, frequent
current densities of 0.093 to 0.109 A/mm2 (60 to use of light flexible abrasives, or occasional
70 A/in2), but will usually form film satisfactorily stoning.
for densities down to 0.062 A/mm2 (40 A/in2).

1 (FIST 3-14 5/91)

It is important that collector rings be given humidity with no adverse results. However, if
frequent attention because, after film puncture this persists, increased brush friction could
and roughness develop, conditions are apt to wear through the film, especially if film
become worse at an increasingly rapid rate formation is reduced by light load operation.
resulting in proportionate brush wear, and Current density concentrates at the first bare
bridging of insulation by brush or metal which brush areas, sparking starts, roughness
finally causes flashover. Other collector ring develops, and once started, destruction may
troubles are quite varied and must be treated occur quickly. Consequently, frequent
as special problems. inspections during cold, dry winter weather are
advised. If performance deteriorates,
3. - HUMIDITY roughness can be controlled by frequent
polishing with a light flexible abrasive or oc
Low humidity, already described as a problem, casional stoning. Acceptable performance can
is usual in most Bureau powerplant locations. be maintained through such a period, even
The approximate amount of moisture needed is though the ring or commutator may operate for
shown by the minimum safe water content line a time without film, until normal conditions are
on the humidity chart (fig,. 1), which has been restored.
fixed at 3.43 g/m3 (1.5 gr/ft3). Relative humidity
is not the indicator to be used here, as less REFERENCE MATERIAL
water can be held by air at Iow temperatures.
For example, air at-6.7 C (20 F) may be The following reference material was originally
tested to have 30 percent relative humidity but used for this volume. Much of this material was
the actual water content would be less than not extensive, and is no longer available, but is
needed for good commutator or ring listed here for general interest. Carbon-graphite
performance. Warming this air for example to and Metal-graphite Brushes, by the Research
21.1 C (70 F) moves you on the chart and Technical Staff of National Carbon
horizontally to about 12 percent relative Company; Hunter-Brown, Carbon Brushes and
humidity, but this does not increase the Electrical Machines, A.M.I.E.E. published by the
absolute humidity or water content. Morgan Crucible Company, Ltd., Battersea
Works, London; Commutator and Slip-ring
The influence of humidity on brush wear is hard Maintenance, by Ideal Industries, Inc., Syca
to identify because of the delay in appearance more Illinois; Carbon Brushes and Commutator
of its symptoms. Once a good film has formed Maintenance (B-6150A), Westinghouse Electric
it will last from 1 to 3 months of inadequate Corporation; Better Carbon Performance (GEA
6688), General Electric Company.

(FIST 3-14 5/91) 2

FACILITIES INSTRUCTIONS, STANDARDS,

& TECHNIQUES

Volume 3-15

FIBER OPTIC ARC DETECTOR

 FIBER-OPTIC DETECTOR

Severe arcing from brushes on hydroelectric optics were removed and the re-installed during
generator rings has occurred on several generator maintenance, some fiber optics required
Reclamation generators. If this arcing is not repair. Because the common end of the fiber optic
detected soon after it develops, the arc travels bundle was cemented together, it was not possible
between the brushes and may cause considerable to replace individual damaged leads, and the entire
damage to the collector rings and brush holders. If fiber optic bundle has to be replaced with another
this situation were to be unnoticed, as it could be in commercially manufactured bundle.
an unattended plant, it could cause a fire in the
generator. Therefore, unattended plants need the The latest of the arc detector utilizes individual
protection that some method of arc detection could Hewlett-Packard Versatile Link optical receivers
provide. and Hewlett-Packard plastic fiber arc cable. A
separate receiver and optical cable is used for each
The following is description of the latest arc brush on the collector rings. The plastic cable can
detector as of June 1991, prepared by the be cut to length, polished, and terminated in the
developer1. Figure 1, is a schematic diagram and field with the proper crimping tool and an
Figure 2, is a contact copy of the printed circuit inexpensive polishing kit. The individual fiber
card. optics plug into the optical receivers that are
mounted inside a common chassis. The chassis
SUMMARY OF DEVELOPMENT AND and associated PC board are designed to
INSTALLATION OF ARC HYDROELECTRIC accommodate up to 16 fiber optics. The cost of the
GENERATOR EXCITERS materials, including fiber optics cable, for a typical
16-circuit detector is approximately $300.00.
Since the initial development of the exciter arc
detectors in 1973, arc detectors have been The latest version of the detector had been
installed on all hydroelectric generators in the North installed on all of the generators at Guernsey,
Platte River Projects and on several generators in Glendo, and Alcova Powerplants. These detectors
other projects. To date, in the North Platte River have operated satisfactory for several months. A
Projects, several arcing incidents have been slightly modified version is being installed at
detected and the generators successfully shutdown Yellowtail Powerplant. The modified version was
before significant damage occurred. designed with more sensitive fiber optic receivers
(Hewlett-Packard Model HFBR-2523) that allow one
The arc detector has been modified a few time fiber optic to be used for each cluster of brushes.
since it was first developed, and the latest version Because of the high sensitivity of these receivers,
incorporates some significant changes. The early they can only be used for exciter housings, like
versions of the arc detector utilized a common Yellowtails, that do not allow ambient light form the
photocell or phototransistor and a commercially powerplant to enter the exciter housing.
manufactured fiber optic bundle made to
specifications for a specific generator brush layout. The use of the individual receivers and plastic
These optics worked well for several years, and cable allows any individual cable to be easily
some original units are still in service. However, replaced if it is damaged. The plastic cable can
due to aging of the fiber optic leads and some withstand a long tern bending radius of 35 mm and
damage caused when the fiber temperatures up to 70 OC.

1
This arc detector was developed by Mr. Donald Jacobson,
Electronic engineer, North Platte River Project Office, GP
Region, where additional information may be obtained.

1 (FIST 3-15 5/91)

(FIST 3-15 5/91)

2
Figure 2. - Fiber-Optic Printed Circuit Board

3 (FIST 3-15 5/91)