Parallel Operation - When is it Required?

 1. To increase the capacity of available power without loss of supply

to the customers distribution system.

 2. To allow the Generator to be connected to a live system ( e.g ; the

Mains, (Grid, Utility,), Multiple Generator systems, C.H.P, etc.

 3. To allow shutdown of individual Generators for Maintenance or

repair purposes.

 4. To economise operating costs by running multiple generators

according to load demand.

 5. To provide an emergency back-up to critical supplies without

loosing power, ( e.g ; Hospitals, Ships, Computer data systems, etc).
 Parallel Operation - Essential Requirements
 1. All Generators must have the same voltage.

 2. All Generators must have the same phase rotation.

 3. All Generators must have the same frequency.

 4. All Generators and Prime Movers (Engines), must have similar no

load, to full load, voltage and frequency characteristics.

 5. Generator installation must be provided with Synchronising

equipment.
 6. Essential protection should include Reverse power, Over-current ,

Over-temperature, Generator Over/Under excitation.

 7. Generator of dissimilar design or manufacturer, should have similar

waveform characteristics (harmonics), if Neutrals are joined.

 Parallel Operation - Synchronising AC Generators

 Synchronisation is carried out in order to parallel a Generator onto a

live Bus-bar, either in Island mode ( with multiple Generator sets as the

only supply), or to the Utility..

 Synchronisation can be achieved Manually, Semi-Automatic with

Check-sync, or by fully automatic P.L.C systems.

 Why is Synchronisation of AC Generators necessary ?

 Parallel Operation - Synchronising AC Generators

GEN 1 AVR DROOP CT

CB1 BUS-BAR

LOAD
GEN 2 AVR MCB
DROOP CT

CB2

 Consider a simple installation with two Identical Gen-sets, (breakers open circuit).
 Normally, one (or more), generators will already be connected to the load, and
supplying power. (GEN 2 is now closed onto the Bus-bar).
 It is also normal that the Generator on line (GEN2) will be running at nominal
frequency (50 or 60 HZ), while the incoming generator (GEN1), can be running at a
higher (NO LOAD), frequency of about 52 or 62 HZ.
 Parallel Operation - Synchronising AC Generators

Synchronising
GEN 1 AVR DROOP CT
Equipment

CB1 BUS-BAR

LOAD
GEN 2 AVR MCB
DROOP CT

CB2

 When the relative Engine speeds are different, the Generator waveforms will be
rapidly going in and out of phase with each other.
 To correctly Synchronise A.C. Generators, the frequencies must be ALMOST identical.
 Frequency (HZ), is the Electrical equivalent of Speed (RPM), which means that the
engine SPEEDS must be ALMOST identical.
 Synchronising equipment is required to monitor the Bus Frequency and the
Incoming Generator frequency, to ensure that the Generators are in Synchronism.
 Parallel Operation - Synchronising AC Generators
SYNCHRONISED
Incoming
Incoming
Generator
Generator
Set Set On-line
On-line
Generator
Generator
SetSet

 EXAMPLE : In this analogy two trucks represent two Generator sets, to be paralleled .

 If both trucks are travelling at EXACTLY THE SAME SPEED, they will ALWAYS
remain the SAME DISTANCE APART, ( IRRESPECTIVE OF SPEED).
 However, if the REAR truck is A FEW RPM FASTER than the FRONT truck, it will
VERY SLOWLY catch up with the truck in front.

 SYNCHRONISING is exactly the same process, the RATE OF CHANGE in speed must be
SLOW ENOUGH to allow the BREAKER to close when the Generators are IN PHASE .
 Parallel Operation - Synchronising AC Generators
GEN 1
IN PHASE
50 HZ
(1500 RPM)

GEN 2 50.1 HZ
(1503 RPM)

 Example :- GEN 2 is supplying load and is running at 50HZ (1500 RPM).

 GEN 1 is INCOMING, and the engine speed has been adjusted down slightly to
almost 1500 RPM (for example 50.1 HZ).
 As there is a SMALL RELATIVE DIFFERENCE between speeds, the Synchronising
equipment should be indicating that the Generators are moving IN and OUT of phase
SLOWLY enough to ALLOW TIME to close the breaker.
 Parallel Operation - Synchronising AC Generators
GEN 1 180o OUT OF PHASE
IN PHASE
50 HZ

GEN 2 50.1 HZ

 Consider above condition:-

 The Generator is IN PHASE, , but is now about to go OUT OF PHASE.

 What will happen if the circuit breaker is closed in the final condition above ?
 Parallel Operation - Synchronising AC Generators
GEN 1
CRASHED
180º
INTO PHASE

GEN 2

 The Generator waveforms are 180º OUT OF PHASE with each other.
 As the breaker closes, GEN 1 will instantly try to reverse the rotation of GEN 2.
 This is IMPOSSIBLE, because of the inertia in the Engine/Generator moving parts.
 The Generators will be INSTANTLY ‘CRASHED’ into synchronism. .
 The transient forces created are both Electrically and Mechanically DESTRUCTIVE
 Electrical damage can occur to Diodes, Varistors, and Main Stator windings.
 Mechanical damage may also occur to Couplings, Bearings, and Shaft.
 Parallel Operation - Synchronising AC Generators
GEN 1
IN PHASE
50 HZ
1500 RPM

GEN 2 50.1 HZ
1503 RPM

 Example 2 :- GEN 2 is supplying load and is running at 50HZ (1500 RPM).

 GEN 1 engine speed has been adjusted to almost 1500 RPM (50.1 HZ).

 The Generator waveforms are SLOWLY moving IN and OUT of phase.

 The Synchronising equipment indicates that the Generator are IN PHASE.
 The circuit breaker can be SAFELY closed in the above condition.
 Parallel Operation - Synchronising AC Generators

Synchronising
GEN 1 AVR DROOP CT
Equipment
OK !
CB1 BUS-BAR

LOAD
GEN 2 AVR
MCB
DROOP CT

CB2

 When the Synchronising equipment indicates that the incoming Generator (GEN 1) is IN
PHASE with the Bus-bar frequency, the circuit breaker can be safely closed.
 The INCOMING Generator should ALWAYS be slightly FASTER than the loaded
Generator. This ensure that the incoming Generator ALWAYS takes a small proportion of
load when the breaker is closed. This will prevent REVERSE POWER protection tripping.
 The Generators are now IN PARALLEL, the next step is LOAD SHARING.
 Parallel Operation - Load Sharing
REACTIVE kVAr VOLTAGE ACTIVE CURRENT
LAGGING
(50 OR 60HZ) p.f 1 (kW)
APP
ARE
NT P
OWE
R(k
VA)
LAG
TIME
90º POWER ( kW ) COS 
90º COS 
AD
VA ) LE
(k
POWER
N T
ARE
APP
REACTIVE CURRENT REACTIVE CURRENT
REACTIVE (kVAr) LEADING p.f 0 LAGGING p.f 0
LEADING

 ACTIVE CURRENT is the USEFUL CURRENT , which is IN PHASE with the Voltage, and
provides the POWER, or kWATT component of the load.
 INDUCTIVE CURRENT is WASTED or WATTLESS CURRENT, which is LAGGING the
Voltage by 90º. This is the kVAr component, (POWER FACTOR 0).
 The VECTORIAL RESULTANT is the kVA , ( APPARENT POWER).
 The COSINE of the RESULTANT ANGLE is called the POWER FACTOR ( COS  ).
 CAPACITIVE CURRENT LEADS the Voltage by 90º.
 REACTIVE CURRENT SHARING is controlled by the GENERATORS, (AVR & DROOP).
 Parallel Operation - Load Sharing
REACTIVE (WATTLESS) CURRENT SHARING

The Brushless AVR controlled Generator has a natural linear voltage ‘DROOPING ’
characteristic from NO LOAD to FULL LOAD.

VOLTS
415V 0%
0.5%
1.0%
409V
0% 50% 100%
PERCENTAGE LOAD

 0.5% Voltage Regulation for AVR Types MX321, MA325, MA327

 1.0% Voltage Regulation for AVR Types MX341

 TO AUTOMATICALLY SHARE REACTIVE LOAD CURRENT, GENERATORS

MUST HAVE SIMILAR NO LOAD TO FULL LOAD VOLTAGE CHARACTERISTICS.
 Parallel Operation - Load Sharing
REACTIVE (WATTLESS) CURRENT SHARING
 The PARALLEL DROOP CIRCUIT, provides a signal which allows the AVR to
sense WATTLESS REACTIVE CURRENT, ( ZERO POWER FACTOR ).

VOLTS
415 V 0%

1.0% (SINGLE)

403 V 3.0%
0% 50% 100%
LOAD AT 0.8 POWER FACTOR

 At full load 0.8 power factor the voltage DROOP required (single running), is 3%.

 This is in addition to the normal (natural) voltage regulation of the AVR, and
allows the DROOP CIRCUIT to automatically control a % of the voltage.
 The DROOP SETTING is adjusted on the AVR DROOP CIRCUIT.

 A SHORTING SWITCH may be fitted across the DROOP CT for single running.

DROOP kWATT
 Parallel Operation - Circulating Current
WHY IS DROOP IS REQUIRED FOR GENERATORS IN PARALLEL ?

GEN 1 SYNCHRONISING
AVR 1 403V EQUIPMENT
400V
CB1
CB1
BUS
0 LOAD
LOAD
403V
GEN 2 AVR 2 MCB
403V
406V
CB2
CB2

 EXAMPLE: Two similar 400V Generators are required to operate in parallel

 Generator 2 is incorrectly adjusted to 406V (at no load).
 GEN 2 is connected to the Bus by closing circuit breaker CB2
 GEN 1 is synchronised with GEN 2, and breaker CB1 is closed
 The resultant Bus-Bar Voltage will be approximately average of the two Generators.
 Parallel Operation - Circulating Current
WHY IS DROOP IS REQUIRED FOR GENERATORS IN PARALLEL ?

GEN 1 AVR

BUS-BAR
400V CB1
403 V
403V LOAD
GEN 2 AVR MCB
406V

CB2 CIRCULATING CURRENT

 GEN 1 EXCITATION SYSTEM is trying to PULL the voltage DOWN to 400 V.

 GEN 2 EXCITATION SYSTEM is trying to PUSH the voltage UP to 406 V.
 The RESULTANT VOLTAGE will be approximately. AVERAGE of the two Generators
 This ‘PRESSURE DIFFERENCE’ (VOLTS), forces CIRCULATING CURRENT into GEN 1.
 CIRCULATING CURRENT is WATTLESS, (POWER FACTOR 0).
 Parallel Operation - Circulating Current
PF
1 LEAD

GEN 1 AVR 1 DROOP CT LAG

BUS-BAR
CB1
403 V
LOAD
GEN 2 AVR 2 DROOP CT MCB
CB2

CIRCULATING CURRENT
PF
POWER 11
LEAD
LEAD
FACTOR
METERS LAG

 HIGH LAGGING CURRENT ( INDUCTIVE, power factor 0 ) is now flowing OUT of GEN 2.
 HIGH LEADING CURRENT ( CAPACITIVE, power factor 0 ) is now flowing INTO GEN 1.
 The DROOP CONTROL must REDUCE circulating current to ACCEPTABLE limits.
 The MAXIMUM acceptable limit for circulating current is normally 8 %.
 Parallel Operation - Circulating Current
PF
1 LEAD

GEN 1 AVR 1 DROOP CT LAG

BUS-BAR
CB1
403 V
LOAD
GEN 2 AVR 2 DROOP CT MCB
CB2

CIRCULATING CURRENT
PF
POWER 11
LEAD
LEAD
FACTOR
METERS LAG

 AVR 2 receives a signal proportional to the circulating current (LAGGING p.f) which
DROOPS (DECREASES), the Generator D.C EXCITATION VOLTAGE.

 AVR 1 receives a signal proportional to the circulating current (LEADING p.f),

which INCREASES the Generator D.C EXCITATION VOLTAGE.
 Parallel Operation - Circulating Current
PF
1 LEAD

GEN 1 VR 1 DROOP CT LAG

BUS-BAR
CB1
403 V
LOAD
LOAD
GEN 2 VR 2 DROOP CT MCB
CB2
LOAD CURRENT
PF
11
POWER LEAD
LEAD
FACTOR
METERS LAG

 When the MCB is closed, the DROOP CONTROL must also assist in SHARING the
REACTIVE, ( power factor 0 ), component of the LOAD CURRENT.
 Parallel Operation - kW Load Sharing
kW
LEAD kWATT
METER
GEN 1
ENG AVR 1 DROOP CT

BUS-BAR

LOAD
ENG
GEN 2 AVR 2 DROOP CT MCB

ACTIVE CURRENT or kW
kW
LEAD kWATT
METER

 ACTIVE CURRENT (power factor 1) is the kWATT component of the load, and is
CONTROLLED and SHARED by the PRIME MOVERS (ENGINES).

 The PRIME MOVERS (ENGINES), must have similar NO LOAD to FULL LOAD
GOVERNOR CHARACTERISTICS, in order to share the ACTIVE CURRENT, (PF1).
 Parallel Operation - kW Load Sharing
ACTIVE CURRENT ( kWATT) LOAD SHARING

 1 HORSE POWER = 746 WATTS , ( OR 0.746 kWATTS .)

 HORSE POWER is the mechanical equivalent of kWATTS, (ELECTRICAL POWER).

 kWATTS = CURRENT X VOLTAGE X POWER FACTOR ( X 1.732 for 3 phase ).

 ACTIVE LOAD CURRENT SHARING, is controlled by the ENGINE GOVERNORS.

SPEED
1560 RPM
0%

1500 RPM 4.0%

0% 50% 100%
PERCENTAGE LOAD

 A MECHANICAL ENGINE GOVERNOR REQUIRES A MINIMUM OF 4% SPEED

DROOP IN ORDER TO SHARE THE ACTIVE CURRENT (KW), WHEN IN PARALLEL.
 Parallel Operation - kW Load Sharing
ENGINE 1/ 500 H.P

CB1 BUS-BAR

LOAD
ENGINE 2/ 500 H.P MCB
CB2

 EXAMPLE : Two Generator Sets are required to run in parallel, both sets have equal
size 500 H.P Engines, with mechanical ENGINE GOVERNORS.

 How will ENGINE 1 and 2 share the load AUTOMATICALLY, throughout all load
variations, from NO LOAD to FULL LOAD ?
 Parallel Operation - kW Load Sharing
ENGINE GOVERNING
A.C Generator Engine

 EXAMPLE : In this analogy the truck ENGINE represents the GENSET DIESEL
ENGINE, and the TRUCK represents the GENERATOR.
 Parallel Operation - kW Load Sharing
ENGINE GOVERNING

LOAD LOAD

 EXAMPLE : In this analogy the truck ENGINE represents the GENSET DIESEL
ENGINE, and the TRUCK represents the GENERATOR.
 As with a Genset, the truck engine speed is FIXED, at a constant speed ie.,1500 RPM.
 When the truck is UNLOADED, the engine is powering the LOSSES only.
 When the truck is LOADED, the engine must provide extra power, and the truck
speed will fall (for example 4% SPEED DROOP), because the ENGINE GOVERNOR is
fixed at constant speed.
 What will happen if the trucks are NOW JOINED SOLIDLY TOGETHER??
 Parallel Operation - kW Load Sharing
ENGINE GOVERNING

LOAD LOAD

 The trucks are now JOINED TOGETHER, similar to two GENERATOR SETS when they
are in PARALLEL.

 How will the engines SHARE THE LOAD in the following situations ?……...

 1) Both ENGINES have SIMILAR LOAD CHARACTERISTICS from no load to full load ?

ANSWER - THEY WILL AUTOMATICALLY SHARE THE LOAD - EQUALLY

 Parallel Operation - kW Load Sharing
ENGINE GOVERNING
LOAD
LOAD

 2) THE TRUCK IN FRONT HAS A STRONGER ENGINE THAN THE ONE AT THE BACK.?

ANSWER- THE FRONT ENGINE WILL TAKE LOAD AWAY FROM THE REAR ENGINE.
 Parallel Operation - kW Load Sharing
ENGINE GOVERNING
LOAD

 3) The TRUCK AT THE BACK develops an ENGINE FAULT, and LOOSES POWER ?

MOTORS
ANSWER - THE FRONT TRUCK TAKES ALL OF THE LOAD, AND MOTORS
THE REAR TRUCK.
 Parallel Operation - kW Load Sharing

1560 RPM

ENGINE 1 ENGINE 2
500 H.P 500 H.P
1500 RPM
4.0% SPEED DROOP

ENGINE
SPEED

0% 50% 100% 50% 0%

PERCENTAGE LOAD

 When BOTH Engines have similar GOVERNOR CHARACTERISTICS, they will share
the kW load in parallel, AUTOMATICALLY, from NO LOAD to FULL LOAD.
 When the engines have DIFFERENT governor characteristics, (as single running
engines), load sharing will become UNEQUAL as kW load is INCREASED.
 In above example ENGINE 2 is the STRONGER ENGINE
 Parallel Operation - kW Load Sharing
ENGINE 1/ 50 H.P

CB1 BUS-BAR

ENGINE 2/ 500 H.P LOAD

MCB
CB2

 EXAMPLE: Two different sizes of Generator Sets are required to run in parallel, Set
1 has a 50 H.P ENGINE, set 2 has a 500 H.P ENGINE.

 How will ENGINE 1 know that it must take 10% of the total kW load,
AUTOMATICALLY, from NO LOAD to FULL LOAD ?
 Parallel Operation - kW Load Sharing

1560 RPM

ENGINE 1 ENGINE 2
50 H.P 500 H.P
1500 RPM
4.0% SPEED DROOP

ENGINE 37 kW 370 kW
SPEED

0% 50% 100% 50% 0%

PERCENTAGE LOAD

 When BOTH Engines have similar GOVERNOR CHARACTERISTICS, they will

PROPORTIONALLY share the kW load, AUTOMATICALLY, from NO LOAD to FULL LOAD.

 ENGINE 1 should AUTOMATICALLY take 10% of the load throughout all load changes.
 Parallel Operation - kW Load Sharing
WHAT IS REVERSE POWER ?
ENGINE 1, 50 H.P
REVERSE POWER.

CB1 BUS-BAR
GEN 1
MOTOR

ENGINE 2, 500 H.P LOAD

MCB
CB2

GEN 2 ACTIVE CURRENT

 Example : Engine 1 (50HP) develops a fault, which causes it to loose speed & power.
 What will happen if Engine 1 is running in parallel with Engine 2?
 Answer; Engine 2 will be supplying ALL OF THE LOAD CURRENT, and feeding
back ACTIVE CURRENT (kWATTS) INTO GEN 1.
 GEN 1 has now become a MOTOR, DRIVING ENGINE 1.
 This is REVERSE POWER, and can severely DAMAGE the ENGINES.
 Parallel Operation - kW Load Sharing
REVERSE
POWER
ENGINE 1, 50 H.P
PROTECTION

CB1 BUS-BAR
MOTOR
GEN 1

ENGINE 2, 500 H.P LOAD

MCB
CB2

GEN 2 ACTIVE CURRENT

 REVERSE POWER can occur :-

1. NO LOAD - following synchronisation, if the INCOMING Engine speed is lower than
the BUS BAR speed/frequency.
2. ON LOAD - if a FAULT occurs on one of the Engines, causing it to LOOSE POWER,
or if the Governor is INCORRECTLY ADJUSTED relative to the other Generators.
 The Generator should be DISCONNECTED from the system to avoid damage.
THIS IS ACHIEVED WITH REVERSE POWER PROTECTION
 Parallel Operation - kW Load Sharing

ISOCHRONOUS
GOVERNOR kW FEEDBACK

CB1 BUS-BAR

LOAD
ISOCHRONOUS
GOVERNOR kW FEEDBACK MCB
CB2

ACTIVE CURRENT

 How can kW Load sharing be achieved WITHOUT SPEED DROOP?, i.e., constant
speed from no load to full load?
 Answer : The Engines must be fitted with ISOCHRONOUS ELECTRONIC GOVERNORS.
 kW LOAD SHARING (kW), is achieved by GOVERNOR CONTROL from a kW feedback
signal, which automatically controls the kW LOAD SHARING.