APPLICATION OF STATIC EXCITATION SYSTEMS FOR PILOT AND ROTATING EXCITER REPLACEMENTS

ABSTRACT Many power generation plants' excitations systems are faced with parts obsolescence, high maintenance and down time due to problems with the excitation system. These problems can include dc field breakers, motorized rheostats, rotating exciter failures, commutator deterioration, vibration, and obsolescence of the existing voltage regulator. Performance can be an issue as more and more systems are required to have power system stabilizers. Problems such as those listed can affect machine availability and have the potential to result in long down time of the generator system. The replacement of the pilot exciter alone for a new bus fed voltage regulator or replacing the entire rotating exciter and associated equipment with a new static excitation system provide positive solutions to these problems. When the rotating exciter life expectancy is an issue, the static exciter offers the design flexibility of an easy retrofit for both small and larger exciter systems. Additionally, it eliminates the maintenance overhead common to the brush type exciter where the rotating exciter needs to be replaced. Other advantages include: 6 SCR Power conductor for optimum speed of response % voltage regulator Field Current Regulator for commissioning purposes Limiters, protection Oscillography and sequence of events INTRODUCTION This paper will discuss the static excitation system that includes the power control devices (SCRs, also called thyristors), power transformer, and automatic voltage regulator. The elimination of the dc field breaker can offer substantial cost savings. Solid state fast deexcitation circuits benefits will be discussed. Selection criteria and application considerations regading types of static exciters will be reviewed. Lastly, where the pilot exciter is replaced with a new voltage regulator, differences will be noted as they apply to the power bridge sizing and tuning of the controls. THE OPERATION OF THE STATIC EXCITER A static exciter/regulator behaves functionally like a simple automatic voltage regulator working into the exciter field. When the excitation system senses a low generator voltage, field current increases to the field; when a high generator voltage is sensed, field current is decreased. Functionally, a static exciter applies dc power into the main field for a slip ring machine, while a voltage regulator applies dc power into the exciter field. The static exciter system consists of three basic components: the control electronics (for example, Basler Electrics DECS family of Digital Excitation Controllers), the power rectifier bridge, and the power potential transformer. Together, they provide accurate generator field control to
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maintain generator output voltage. Figure 1 illustrates a typical static excitation system working directly into either the exciter field or main field.

Figure 1: Block Diagram of Static Exciter System POWER POTENTIAL TRANSFORMER Power for the excitation system is derived by the generator via a large kVA transformer. The transformer steps down the generator terminal voltage to be compatible with the field requirements of the generator. The transformer will provide the excitation systems full load rating, plus a voltage and kVA margin for accommodating short time field forcing to handle generator transient overload requirements. The secondary voltage of the power transformer is designed based upon the amount of field forcing provided for the system. Typical field forcing levels are 145-150% of nominal rated field voltage. Additionally, transformers are designed with BIL ratings (Basic Impulse Level) in accordance with ANSI C57.12. A high BIL rating ensures that the electrical insulation system of the transformer withstands any lightning-induced voltage spikes or transients introduced by a generator short circuit.
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AC FIELD SHUTDOWN CONTACTOR The output of the power potential transformer, shown in Figure 1, connects to input contacts of a shutdown contactor, and the output contacts are connected to the rectifier bridge. Unlike the common dc field breaker used at the field of the generator for shutdown, the ac field contactor or ac breaker is used to interrupt the power input to the excitation system for de-exciting the generator. When the ac contactor opens, the energy from the field flows through the thyristor and a series discharge resistor, known as a rapid deexcitation circuit. See Figure 4. The use of an interrupt switch at the ac input is the preferred method of shutdown over a dc field breaker because of its availability, economy and small space requirement. Furthermore, it still provides electrical field isolation from the ac power source. For large excitation systems that work direct into the main field and using an ac field breaker, the system is often shut down electronically. In this case, the firing circuit causes the full converter bridge to fully invert, forcing the field negative and collapsing the generator voltage very quickly. Using the electronic shutdown approach reduces the mechanical wear out mechanisms associated with the breaker and will extend its life. FIELD FLASHING THE GENERATOR When a solid state excitation system connects directly to the generator field and the excitation power is provided from the generator terminals, external means need to be provided to build generator voltage. A battery source meets this requirement of external dc. Without it, insufficient generator residual voltage (generator voltage available at the machine terminals when the machine is spinning and having no excitation) is available to provide power to the thyristors for rectification to dc. Hence, the external battery source forces a current in the field circuit, generating some ac voltage from the generator sufficient to allow the thyristors to begin rectifying. A diode in series with the positive battery source prevents the current from the power thyristor charging the battery. Typically, the battery source is 125 Vdc, although 250 Vdc is not uncommon. In special cases, an ac source that is rectified and supplied to the field as an alternate flashing source may be used. The battery source for field flashing is usually removed as generator voltage increases to 50-70 percent of rated voltage by the excitation system. The voltage buildup circuit includes a timer that removes the battery source to prevent excessive battery drain when the ac field contactor closes and the generator voltage does not build up. POWER RECTIFIER BRIDGE The rectifier bridge includes: heatsinks containing the power semiconductors, in-line current limiting fuses, and a surge suppressor to clamp and limit high voltages induced into the generator field from the stator. These components are mounted together on a chassis forming the rectifier bridge.
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Three Thyristor System The power rectifier bridge can be either half-wave or full wave controlled to rectify and control the field of the generator. The rectifier bridge is equipped with power fuses and R-C snubber circuits for proper control of the power thyristors. Figure 2 illustrates a schematic of a three-thyristor system and the accompanying output waveform for high and low output in Figure 3. The vertical rising portion of the waveform indicates the instant the thyristors are turned on. Note that as turn-on is delayed in time (moved to the right), the average dc output voltage decreases. By this scheme, bridge output varies from zero to maximum output. A fourth diode, called a freewheeling diode, connects across the output terminals of the bridge to provide a safe path for field current when the thyristors are commutating (switching on and off). The freewheeling diode substitutes for a dc field breaker and discharge resistor when used with small generator systems to reduce the cost of new excitation equipment. Here, the three-thyristor bridge is often the bridge of choice for smaller generators where replacement excitation system budgets are limited.

Figure 2: Schematic of Half Wave (3 Thyristor) Rectifier Bridge The three-thyristor system identified in Figure 2 conforms to a one quadrant system, because the output can be controlled from zero to some maximum positive field voltage with no negative field forcing. The application of the three-thyristor system can be used on any size generator, although they are predominately used on machines below 2-3 MVA and/or up to 150 Amperes on the main field.

Figure 3: Waveform of 3 Thyristor Rectifier Output Voltage

Six Thyristor System For machines greater than 3-4 MVA, or above 150 Amperes on the field, the six-thyristor system is generally preferred. Although the reaction time of the three-thyristor system can be very responsive, its output performance is limited to a zero-to-positive ceiling voltage in the field circuit. See Figure 3. When fast generator voltage changes are required, the zero minimum voltage on the three-thyristor bridge limits the speed of voltage decay, while the voltage recovery time will be related to the rate of field decay, machine time constant, caused by the freewheeling diode located across the field. The six-thyristor bridge in Figure 4 identifies a two quadrant system because the field output voltage swings in both the positive and negative directions, allowing faster generator voltage recovery. When the six-thyristor full wave bridge gates in the negative direction, the power flows from the field back into the generator, via a power potential transformer. Figure 4 provides a schematic illustrating the six-thyristor system, while Figure 5 highlights the change in field output with different conduction angles of the power thyristors.

Figure 4: Schematic of Full-Wave (Six-Thyristor) Rectifier Bridge The maximum thyristor conduction at the field occurs when the generator voltage becomes depressed, such as during a momentary system fault. Figure 5 identifies the power thyristors' output typical of a system that has a depressed generator voltage at locations A, B and C. Note how the conduction angle changes from 0 to 60 degrees positive as the AVR commands high field power. When a = 0, maximum field forcing voltage is available. During normal generator loading, the thyristors are phased on at Location D, with a conduction angle of approximately 90 degrees. When the generator voltage rises above the set point, thyristor output conduction immediately goes negative to quickly collapse the field flux. The thyristor output may vary from 120 to 150 degrees maximum conduction. See locations E and F in Figure 5.

= SCR Firing Delay Angle A

B
= 30

C
= 60

D
= 90

E
= 120

F
= 150

DC POSITIVE OUTPUT VOLTAGE

3-PHASE INPUT

DC NEGATIVE OUTPUT VOLTAGE

Figure 5: Six-Thyristor Output Waveform PERFORMANCE Generator Response-Increased Voltage Step Change Figure 6 highlights the performance of a six-thyristor system for a 42 MW hydro turbine generator using voltage step responses. Here, a 10% voltage step changes is introduced to measure performance off-line (generator breaker open). Notice, in Figure 6, with a 10% voltage increase, the static exciter momentarily forces maximum positive voltage into the field to quickly normalize to the new generator voltage. As noted, terminal voltage rises quickly and recovers within 0.4 seconds to nominal with less than 1% voltage overshoot. During a load-on transient, the behavior of 3 and 6 thyristor systems is nearly identical. They both momentarily force positive voltage into the field.

Figure 6: Excitation System Step Response

Generator Response-Decreased Voltage Step Change When a 10% step change is introduced, causing a decrease in terminal voltage (See Figure 6), the six-thyristor static exciter system causes a momentary negative voltage to be applied into the field. The negative forcing voltage speeds generator recovery by quickly dissipating the field energy back into the synchronous machine. Notice the voltage overshoot is again less than 1% with a 0.4 second recovery time. The load-off transient performance differentiates the three-thyristor from the six-thyristor system. Performance Differences between Three-Thyristor and Six-Thyristor Rectifier Bridges: Load-Off-Rejection For small machines, six-thyristor bridge performance versus three-thyristor performance is relatively minor because the main field time constant tends to be small (<2 seconds). When larger machines, > 20 MVA are involved, they have longer field time constants that tend to slow machine response. The longer settling time and nonlinear control in the field of a three-thyristor system dampens the systems ability to provide faster voltage recovery. Slow voltage recovery to system oscillations may be too long when optimum stabilization is critical, since the field cannot go negative. On large machines that required power system stabilizers, the linearity at the machine output is critical toward good power system damping; hence, only full converter bridges meet this requirement. Figure 7 illustrates a slower voltage recovery for a 5% voltage step down for a 3 SCR and 3 diode bridge. Rise time for step up is 0.3 seconds, while the decay time is 0.6 seconds.

Figure 7: AVR +-5% Voltage Step Response

Note in Figure 7, the voltage response is much faster when a +5% voltage step is introduced as compared to the 5% voltage step down when load is removed. The slower voltage recovery is the result of the field never going more than 1.5 Volts negative due to the freewheeling diode. The six-thyristor bridge, however, can swing the field voltage in both the positive and negative directions. In Figure 6, notice the symmetrical performance at the generator output for positive and negative voltage steps. Here, the excitation system becomes transiently more responsive to system load changes through its ability to rapidly reduce the generator field flux, hence, provide extremely fast generator voltage recovery. PILOT EXCITER PERFORMANCE IMPROVEMENT WITH DIGITAL CONTROL Excitation systems have dramatically improved the performance of the generator system as new technology provides new tools to optimize unit performance. PID control provides flexibility to achieve response that was only available from static exciter systems working direct into the main field. Figure 8 highlights performance of a voltage regulator working into the exciter field of a 70 MW pump generate synchronous machine. The main field time constant is a 9 second time constant (Tdo) while the exciter field (Te) is a 2 second time constant. Step response was performed with the machine open circuited to determine machine response. Here a 5% voltage step change is introduced. Terminal voltage rises to the new level in 1.2 seconds with less than 1% voltage overshoot. The high proportional gain, approximately 5 times greater than the integral gain, causes a fast rise time. While a nominal derivative gain value resulted in minimum voltage overshoot.

Figure 8: Performance with Pilot Exciter

CROWBAR FAST DE-EXCITATION CIRCUIT The rectifier bridge needs to be protected from voltage transients that can damage power semiconductors. The type of protection may vary depending upon the type of rectifier bridge utilized. For three-thyristor bridge systems, surge protection such as MOVs (metal oxide varistors), seleniums, or thyrites may be utilized. For six-thyristor bridge systems, the need to eliminate the dc field breaker due to its availability (See Figure 9) and substantial cost has prompted the use of solid state control insertion of a discharge resistor accompanied with MOV for additional protection. See Figure 10.

Figure 9: Full-Wave (6 Thyristor) System with dc Field Breaker

Figure 10: Crowbar Fast De-Excitation Circuit This crowbar circuit consists of two power thyristors connected in anti-parallel with a series discharge resistor. A crowbar circuit provides a means of fast de-excitation to quickly dissipate the field energy during shutdown of the excitation system via a discharge resistor when the ac field contactor opens.
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Crowbar fast de-excitation: Eliminates expensive dc breaker Keeps discharge resistor Optimum fault clearing time 50 times faster than dc breaker It protects against Machine short circuit transients Machine pole slip Power thyristors A or B in Figure 10 will be triggered on by an excessive voltage transient induced into the generator field. Without the crowbar circuit, the voltage transient can be of a magnitude that can damage the bridge power semiconductors. The crowbar circuit clamps the field at a specific voltage and dissipates the field energy via the discharge resistor. Voltage transients induced into the field can be caused by a machine pole slip or generator short circuit. During these conditions, the crowbar circuit senses the polarity of the overvoltage transient and causes the appropriate power thyristor (A or B) to turn on. For a second level of field protection, the crowbar circuit can be triggered by an external contact typical of an 86 lockout relay. In this case, triggering the power thyristors (A and B) causes the field energy to rapidly dissipate through the discharge resistor. Unlike the dc field breaker, however, the operating time of the solid state circuit is 50 times faster. This occurs due to immediate triggering of the crowbar thyristors to conduct within 150 microseconds compared to 0.1 seconds of a dc field breaker. (See ANSI/IEEE C37.18). See Figure 11.

Figure 11: Fast De-Excitation versus dc Field Breaker Operating Time after Initiation of Fault Machine Short Circuit Transients When a generator short circuit occurs, a large negative voltage and positive current results thats induced into the field windings. The peak current induced into the field from the fault will combine with the rectifier bridge output if not suppressed. If an adequate suppression network is not utilized, overload of the rectifier bridge can be
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imminent. With a crowbar circuit, a directional voltage sensitive circuit detects a specific voltage level at the field thats negative during a generator short circuit. The voltage detection level of the crowbar circuit is coordinated with the rating of the semiconductors and the field insulation. Upon detection of an excessive voltage transient, the gating of SCR (A) occurs. When SCR (A) turns on, positive current is shunted away from the field through the discharge resistor, while the rectifier bridge six-thyristors are blocked to prevent the discharge resistor from being overloaded. Machine Pole Slip Transients During a pole-slip condition, a negative current is induced into the field thats opposite of the normal positive current flow produced by the excitation system. A large negative induced current with no current path will result in a very high positive voltage transient across the power rectifiers. The large voltage transient can cause damage to the solid state devices and cause severe pitting of the generator slip rings. With the crowbar circuit, the positive induced field voltage will be detected and cause the gating of SCR (B). This allows the current to flow from the field through the discharge resistor. When the crowbar circuit turns on, the rectifier bridge six-thyristors are blocked to ensure proper thyristor coordination. Short Time Transients Additional surge protection is required for the first 150 microseconds due to the time delay in the crowbar operating time. Here, metal oxide varistors (MOV) are utilized. AUTOMATIC VOLTAGE CONTROL To achieve automatic control, the combination of sensing transformers and automatic voltage regulator and a firing circuit is utilized. Sensing transformers The sensing transformers provide isolation and voltage matching between the generator instrument transformer and the automatic voltage regulator. Parallel compensation Generators operating in parallel, in order to prevent circulating currents, need to share reactive power equally. Excitation systems accomplish this by the addition of a paralleling signal to each regulator. A quantity is derived from a current transformer from the generator output that adds with the vector quantity derived by the generator voltage via the sensing transformers. The composite signal enables the exciter to correct its output and attain balanced operation of reactive power between synchronous machines. Automatic voltage regulator Automatic voltage regulator features include: % voltage regulation Volts/Hertz limiting Generator voltage soft start Reactive current sharing Excitation Limiting
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The automatic voltage regulator rectifies and filters a sample of the generator voltage, and then compares it with a stable dc reference voltage. If it determines the generator voltage deviates from normal, an error signal results that passes to the firing circuit, it causes the rectifier bridge output to change appropriately to restore generator voltage to a normal level. A hand operated or remote adjustable set-point controller permits adjustment of the generator voltage either locally or remotely. Another signal, generated in the firing circuit and shaped by the stabilizing network, is directed to the automatic voltage regulator to prevent instability. Volts/Hertz Limiter A volts-per-Hertz (volts/Hertz) limiter is so named because the flux is proportional to the terminal voltage divided by the frequency. Excessive flux can result in overheating and damage to synchronous machine stator or transformer core iron laminations. The V/Hertz limiter is used to prevent overheating that may arise from excessive magnetic flux due to underfrequency operation or overvoltage operation, or both. A V/Hertz limiter commonly is used to protect a synchronous machine (and any connected transformers) for conditions in which the synchronous machine excitation could be applied during start up or shutdown, possibly subjecting the synchronous machine (and connected transformers) to excitation during reduced speed (and thus reduced frequency) operation. It also is used to protect the synchronous machine (and connected transformers) from high flux levels, as they may occur with the machine off-line during which there is no machine armature reaction current to oppose increases in terminal voltage for corresponding increases in excitation. Also, sometimes it is used when two synchronous machines are synchronously started together, one as a motor and the other as a generator. In this type of operation, the V/Hertz limiter acts to raise the terminal voltage as frequency increases. Figure 12 illustrates expected performance as terminal frequency and terminal voltage is varied.

Figure 12: Volts Per Hertz Limiter Characteristics

Generator Softstart For many older excitation systems, its not uncommon to see generator voltage overshoot upon energization of the excitation system. The generator voltage may overshoot 15-20% before stabilizing to its steady state value. Generator voltage overshoot occurs when the excitation system is initially energized and the static exciter forces the field with substantial power to quicken the generator voltage to steady state. Generator softstart is important because overvoltage can stress the machine windings and even cause corona (ionization of air due to a high voltage that can affect insulation life.) By controlling the rate of generator voltage rise via the field excitation system, generator voltage will build up to rated value with little to no overshoot. See Figure 13.

Figure 13: Generator Voltage Buildup Characteristic Field Current Regulator Often the manual controller (Field Current Regulator) is an integral part of the excitation system. The manual controller typically regulates the synchronous machine field voltage or field current from below the no-load field voltage to the maximum field voltage required by the synchronous machine at full load. The manual controller is typically used during initial commissioning and serves as backup control should the automatic voltage regulator lose the voltage sensing occur. Transfer between the automatic voltage regulator and manual control must be bumpless to avoid erratic changes in terminal voltage or system vars. Redundant Voltage Regulators Today many digital excitation systems have manual control integrated with the voltage regulator, hence one box utilizes the same processors. The older philosophy of separation between the voltage regulator and manual control no longer exists. Instead, the practice of having two controllers, which offers 100% redundancy with the voltage regulator, manual control, and limiters in each controller, is most common and preferred method for backup. See Figure 14. The backup controller will track the primary controller to ensure a bumpless
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transfer between controllers if a scheduled or unscheduled transfer should occur. The transfer between the controllers can be performed manually or through a fault logic scheme, such as a watchdog processor in the digital controller and an internal or external independent overcurrent module.

Figure 14: Dual Controllers are the Preferred Method for Backup

Figure 15: Bumpless Transfer Between Two Digital Controllers

Figure 15 illustrates a transfer between two digital controllers. The actual tracking time is adjustable to set the response time of how fast the backup controller will follow the primary controller. A less than 2% change at the generator output is considered bumpless. DUAL PID SETTING GROUPS In todays world of digital implementation, advance controls can be provided to improve generator response depending upon its operational requirements. For excitation systems where system performance is important, implementing two different PID setting groups instead of one can be a direct benefit to improve unit operation. The PID control allows for shaping the response of the synchronous machine to meet desired voltage response. Fast responding excitation systems can help to maximize the synchronizing torque on the rotor to quickly regain its steady state position after a fault. In applications where generators are connected to a voltage weak transmission system that has a high impedance, a power system stabilizer is often required to provide damping torque to power oscillations. For this application, the excitation system PID settings can be tuned to be very aggressive to optimize transient stability with the power system stabilizer to aid system damping.

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The problem with having only one set of stability gains is that when the power system stabilizer is disabled, the PID gains can be too aggressive and can result in undamped power oscillations in the system after a disturbance. Hence, where stabilizers are used, comprises in PID setting are required to insure a stable system operation regardless when the power system stabilizer is enabled or disabled. Figure 16 illustrates power system instability when aggressive gains are utilized in the excitation system. Note when a 2% voltage step change is introduced, terminal voltage and kVars are very stable, but the kWs begin to swing and the oscillation grows. The aggressive gains improve the transient stability of the system but introduce negative damping, causing kW oscillations on this voltage weak transmission system. When a power system stabilizer is added, as shown in Figure 16, damping is restored during the same 2% step change. Normally, the power system stabilizer is disabled until a specific power threshold is achieved. With aggressive gains, this can become a problem, as shown in Figure 16. Using the second gain group for the voltage regulator with the lower gains assures a stable system until the power system stabilizer is enabled and the aggressive gains are utilized. Figure 17 illustrates performance when a 2% voltage step change is initiated with the slower PID setting group. Note the kW oscillation dampens after a few cycles, and observe how generator terminal voltage and kVars again are very stable.

Figure 16: AVR 2% voltage step response with Fast gain and with PSS disabled

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Figure 17: AVR 2% voltage step response with Slow PID gain and with PSS disabled

Figure 18: AVR 2% step response with fast gain and PSS at full load Figure 18 illustrates, again, the aggressive PID group combined with power system stabilizer action. Here, a 2% voltage step change is introduced, but unlike Figure 16, kW oscillations are quickly damped with the aid of the power system stabilizer.

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SELECTION CRITERIA FOR CHOOSING A STATIC EXCITER REGULATOR The field power required by the generator is based on two factors. 1. Generator Size - The larger the machine, the greater the field power required to maintain rated generator voltage at rated load. 2. The Rotational Speed - Mr. Faraday, who discovered electromagnetic induction, observed that the faster a loop of wire passes through a magnetic field, the greater the magnetomotive force produced. In a synchronous generator, this indicates that it takes less field excitation to excite a generator operating at high speed than is required on the same generator operating at lower speeds. The type of turbine used on a generator plays a dominant role in determining the size of the excitation system. It is not surprising, then, that a gas or steam turbine rotating at 3600 rpm requires a much smaller excitation system compared to a hydro turbine rotating at 120 rpm that has the same generator kW rating. Choosing the Excitation Rating The procedure for selecting a excitation system involves little more than the use of Ohms Law to determine the rating of the static exciter appropriate for a given generator. In most applications, the excitation system normally is sized to meet the generator continuous field rating requirement with, perhaps, additional margin for contingency. For a static exciter working into the main field, this information can be obtained from the machine nameplate located on the side of the generator. If the machine has been rewound, it is most important to obtain operating dc Amperes and dc Volts required by the field that represents the maximum continuous machine loading at rated power factor. Often, a +10% operating margin will be added to the excitation system to obtain a more conservatively sized unit rating in the event the generation rating is increased. If the pilot exciter is being replaced, the field amps and voltage is required for the shunt field of the rotating exciter. Power for these pilot voltage regulator systems generally is obtained by a dependable 480 Vac source unless field flashing is required for black start. If black start is required, power is often derived from the generator output directly with external dc used for momentary field flashing. BEHAVIOR OF THE STATIC EXCITER DURING FAULT CONDITION Many times the question arises: Is excitation support necessary for the generator? In reality, the application and type of fault that occurs determines behavior of the shunt static exciter in response to the fault. Type of Fault
Distance Fault Single Phase Fault 3 Phase Fault at Generator

Impedance Limited
Yes No No

Exciter Output
Static Exciter Output Reduced by % AC Input Reduced Field Forcing No Exciter Output

Table 1: Excitation System Response to Faults for Shunt Type Static Exciter
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The location of the fault affects the response of the excitation system, hence, the generator output. Table 1 describes the output of the excitation system based on various system fault possibilities. Generating systems can be divided into two categories: those systems that operate totally isolated, and systems that are connected in parallel with the utility bus. The information below offers an explanation of how the excitation system will behave without excitation support for each condition. Isolated Bus-Motor Starting When a generator provides isolated power to local loads, the machine(s) capacity normally provides for normal loading and some degree of overload depending upon the system. If the loads are motors, the starting inrush kVA required by the motor must be considered. Depending on the size and type of synchronous or induction motor used, voltage dips of various magnitudes can be anticipated due to the starting inrush kVA of the motor. Excessive voltage dips during motor starting may reduce the available field power from the excitation system and cause longer motor starting time. See Figure 12. Computers are often used to model the generator with its reactance and the load in order to determine the expected voltage dip when motors are applied across the generator output. The models preview the systems performance by calculating the voltage dip and voltage recovery time. The factors that affect voltage dip include: reactances and time constant of the generator, the inrush kVA of the motor, and the static exciter transfer function and field forcing capability. The higher the field forcing level, the shorter the motor starting time. Typical amounts of field forcing range from 145 - 150%.

Figure 19: Motor Starting Characteristic with Various Levels of Field Forcing Isolated bus-sustained generator short circuit. Another consideration involves a fault at the generator output terminals. Should a sustained three phase fault occur at the generator output, a shunt type static exciter output will collapse, eliminating the possibility of generator fault contribution. See Table 1. Lack of a sufficient fault current from the generator may prevent proper relay coordination necessary to trip system breakers that may otherwise cause equipment damage. Here, careful selection of protective relays must be considered to ensure adequate generator protection upon loss of excitation.
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PARALLEL BUS The second category affects the use of a shunt static exciter on a machine connected to the utility bus. When the generator connects to the utility, the increased MVA capacity of the system improves motor starting and aids in minimizing the voltage dip in the system. If a three phase fault occurs at the generator terminals, the generators voltage decays, and there is insufficient voltage for the excitation system to feed power to the field. Unlike the discussion of an isolated bus, however, relay coordination may be achieved through the utility bus intertie that is also feeding current into the fault. Here, the fault current for relay tripping is provided by the stiffer power source (utility) and not from the generator relaying. Where a fault occurs in the distribution system (See Table 1), often transformers and line impedance will limit the fault current between the generator and the source. See Figure 20. For these faults, the system impedance tends to limit the magnitude of the generator voltage drop, and the static exciter is able to force the generator field momentarily to support the voltage needed for high speed relays to clear the fault and bring the generator voltage back to normal.

Figure 20: Generator Paralleled to the Infinite Bus with a Fault to Ground, Impedance Limited Excitation Support for The Shunt Exciter The use of excitation support must be evaluated based on the systems requirements for fault clearing at the generator output. To determine if excitation support is necessary, questions need to be asked. Can the fault current be derived from the utility, or must it be derived by generators independently? If the fault current must be derived independently from the generator, excitation support should be considered. Excitation support added to the shunt static exciter can aid motor starting and sustain fault current for relay coordination by inserting large power current transformers into each of the generator lines. When the voltage drops below a set value, the output from the current transformers is rectified and applied into the generator field. See Figure 21.

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Figure 21: Excitation Support Added to Shunt Static Exciter The amount of short circuit current required is based on the generator capability and relaying requirements.
Time (Seconds) Generator Armature Current in % of rated 10 20 60 120

226

154

130

116

Table 2: Permissible Generator Overload Versus Time ANSI C50.13 offer guidelines as indicated in Table 2 that show the permissible short time overload current plotted against time. When excitation support is being considered, the following additional questions must be addressed. What is the generator short circuit current capability and permissible time allowed? Is the switchgear designed to handle the possible sustained PU short circuit current? Is sufficient machine data available to design the excitation system? What is the maximum allowable overcurrent time? Has there been proper consideration of relay coordination and tripping? SHAFT VOLTAGE ON CYLINDRICAL TYPE TURBINE GENERATORS Cylindrical rotor generators may have a voltage that exists between a rotating shaft and the stationary parts of the turbine-generator. Voltages, if sufficiently high, can produce a current between the rotor and the stationary parts to ground by way of the insulated bearing. See Figure 22.

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Figure 22: Shaft Voltage Suppression These voltages are called "shaft" voltages. If not minimized, they can dramatically shorten the operating life of the insulated bearings. Shaft voltages are caused by magnetic irregularities in the generator long shaft and appear most commonly on high speed cylindrical generators. In these applications, it has been found that bearing deterioration (pitting) originates from electrostatic discharges. The electrostatic discharges may be caused by a number of noise sources. One of the sources may be the switching thyristors in the static exciter power rectifier bridge. One solution to this problem involves adding a grounding brush seated at the end of the shaft that connects to ground. Stray currents will flow through the grounding brush rather than through the insulated bearing. However, this system requires regular maintenance checks to ensure good surface contact. Today, resistor and capacitor snubber circuits are used to send high frequency noise to ground. See Figures 2 and 4. The snubber circuit consists of a symmetrical resistor and capacitor network connected across the field with a center tap to ground. The snubber circuit responds to high frequency noise generated by the power thyristors. The snubber circuit provides a low impedance circuit path that shunts high frequency currents caused by the thyristors to ground. PACKAGED EXCITATION SYSTEMS Many power plants today are totally automated because of their isolated locations. In these applications, the excitation system must be responsive to remote commands from the supervisory station either by contact or digital commands via a RS 485 Modbus connection. Due to their remote location, the basic static exciter/regulator package is usually equipped with other excitation accessories. Today, these accessories are enabled by software that allows easy implementation. The additional functions help to ensure the continuity of power and integrity of the system during system disturbances. A system develops from a basic static exciter/regulator to one that includes excitation limiters, power
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factor controller, voltage matching semiconductor failure indicators and remote control based upon the needs of the generator and its importance to the system. It may also include features such as oscillography to help provided analysis of system behavior before and after a disturbance. See Figures 23 and 1.

Figure 23: Voltage Regulator Replacement for Alterrex Regulator System CONCLUSION Static excitation systems provide valuable solutions to problems with equipment obsolescence. The benefits of retrofit to static excitation are far beyond the maintenance savings. As synchronous machines are being continuously pushed to their design limit to meet system loading, it has become increasingly important that the system be stable under any condition. Today's excitation features help to provide the control for enhanced performance regardless if the excitation replacement involves updating the pilot exciter or complete retrofit of the rotating exciter to a main field static excitation system. REFERENCES 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. ANSI C50.13-1965 Cylindrical Rotor Synchronous Generators IEEE 421.4-1990 Guide Specification for Excitation Systems NEMA MG1-22.16, July 1982 Schaefer, R.C., Performance Considerations for Selecting a Static Excitation System. Presented at Waterpower 85 Schaefer, R.C., Steam Turbine Generator Excitation System Modernization Presented at IEEE Pulp & Paper Conference in Vancouver, Canada, June 1995
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6. 7. 8. 9. 10.

11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19.

Schaefer, R.C., Voltage Regulator Influence on Generator System Stability. Presented at Waterpower Conference in Denver, Colorado, August 1991 ANSI C37.18-1979 IEEE Standard Enclosed Field Discharge Circuit Breaker for Rotating Machinery. Rev C, January 1996 Riddle, K. A., Renovation of a Paper Mill Steam Driven Turbine - Generators. Presented at IEEE Pulp and Paper Conference in Vancouver, Canada, June 1995 Schaefer, R.C., Generator Excitation Influence of Engine During Block Load Pickup. Presented at Society of Automotive Engineers in Peoria, Illinois, 1984 IEEE Task Force on Digital Excitation Systems Digital Excitation Technology A Review of Features, Functions and Benefits, IEEE Summer Power Meeting, Panel Session on Digital Excitation System Applications and Models, January 23, 1996, Baltimore, MD IEEE Task Force on Digital Excitation Systems, Computer Models for Representation of Digital-Based Excitation Systems, IEEE Transactions On Energy Conversion, Vol. 11, No. 3, September, 1996, pp. 607-615 K. Kim, A. Godhwani, M.J. Basler, Supplemental Control in a Modern Digital Excitation System, presented at the IEEE/PES Summer Meeting, Singapore, July, 2000 A. Godhwani, M.J. Basler, K. Kim Commissioning Experience with a Modern Digital Excitation System, IEEE Transactions On Energy Conversion, Vol. 13, No. 2, June, 1998, pp. 183-187 F.P de Mello, C. Concordia, Concept of Synchronous Machine Stability as . Affected by Excitation Control, IEEE Transactions On PAS, Vol. PAS-88, No. 4, April, 1969, pp. 316-329 F.P de Mello, L.N. Hannett, J.M. Undrill, Practical Approaches to Supplemen. tary Stabilizing from Accelerating Power, , IEEE Transactions On PAS, Vol. PAS-97, No. 5, Sept/Oct, 1978, pp. 1515-1522 H. Vu, J.C. Agee, Comparison of Power System Stabilizers for Damping Local Mode Oscillations, Paper presented at the 1992 PES Summer Meeting R.C. Schaefer, K. Kim Digital Excitation System Provides Enhanced Tuning Over Analog Systems. IEEE Transactions On Industry Applications, Vol. 37, No. 4, July/Aug, 2001 P Kundur, D.C. Lee, H.M. Zein El-Din, Power System Stabilizers for Thermal . Units: Analytical Techniques and On-Site Validation, IEEE Transactions On PAS, Vol. PAS-100, No. 1, January, 1981, pp. 81-95 Basler, M. J., Schaefer, R.C., Kim, K., Glenn, R, "Voltage Regulator with Dual PID Controllers Enhances Power System Stability", Presented at the Waterpower 2003 Conference, Buffalo, NY, July 29, 2003

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If you have any questions or need additional information, please contact Basler Electric Company. Our web site is located at: http://www.basler.com e-mail: [email protected]

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