Generator Protection

GENERATOR CONTROL AND PROTECTION

Generator Protection

Introduction
Device Numbers
Symmetrical Components
Fault Current Behavior
Generator Grounding
Stator Phase Fault (87G)
Field Ground Fault (64F)
Stator Ground Fault (87N, 51N, 59N, 27-3N)

GENERATOR CONTROL AND PROTECTION

Generator Protection

Loss of Field (40Q, 40Z)

Over/Under Frequency (81O/81U)
Overexcitation and Overvoltage (24, 59)
Out of Step (78)
Negative Sequence (Current Unbalance) (46)
Inadvertent Energization (27, 50, 60, 81, 62, 86)
Loss of Voltage Transformer (60)
System Backup (51V, 21)
Conclusion

GENERATOR CONTROL AND PROTECTION

Generator Protection
63

49

25
G
51N

64F

51
60

87G

REG

62

47

27

81U

59

81O

32-1 32-2

59N

87T

24

40

51V

51

50
IE

46

273N

51GN

GENERATOR CONTROL AND PROTECTION

Steam Generator Stator Windings

GENERATOR CONTROL AND PROTECTION

Hydraulic Generator Stator / Rotor

GENERATOR CONTROL AND PROTECTION

Hydraulic Generator Stator Core

GENERATOR CONTROL AND PROTECTION

Generator Protection

GENERATOR CONTROL AND PROTECTION

Split Phase Relaying CT

GENERATOR CONTROL AND PROTECTION

Cylindrical Rotor in Need of Repair

GENERATOR CONTROL AND PROTECTION

Generator Protection

GENERATOR CONTROL AND PROTECTION

Generator Protection

GENERATOR CONTROL AND PROTECTION

Symmetrical Components

Positive Sequence

Negative Sequence

A set of three phasors that have the same magnitude, are equally
displaced from each other by 120, and have the same phase
sequence as the system under study (ex ABC)
A set of three phasors that have the same magnitude, are equally
displaced from each other by 120, and have the opposite phase
sequence as the system under study (ex ACB)

Zero Sequence

A set of three phasors of equal magnitude that are all in phase or

have zero displacement from each other

GENERATOR CONTROL AND PROTECTION

Symmetrical Components

GENERATOR CONTROL AND PROTECTION

Symmetrical Components

GENERATOR CONTROL AND PROTECTION

Symmetrical Components

GENERATOR CONTROL AND PROTECTION

Symmetrical Components

GENERATOR CONTROL AND PROTECTION

Symmetrical Components

GENERATOR CONTROL AND PROTECTION

Symmetrical Components
Example Problem
One conductor of a three phase line is
open. The current flowing to the delta
connected load thru line a is 10A. With
the current in line a as reference and
assuming that line c is open, find the
symmetrical components of the line
currents.

GENERATOR CONTROL AND PROTECTION

Symmetrical Components
Example Problem

Ia = 10/0 A, Ib = 10/180 A, Ic = 0 A

Ia0 = (1/3)(Ia + Ib + Ic )

Ia0 = (1/3)(10/0 + 10/180 + 0) = 0

Ia1 = (1/3)(Ia + Ib + 2 Ic )

Ia1 = (1/3)(10/0 + 10/180+120 + 0)

Ia1 = 5.78 /-30

Ia2 = (1/3)(Ia + 2 Ib + Ic )

Ia2 = (1/3)(10/0 + 10/180+240 + 0)

Ia2 = 5.78 /30

GENERATOR CONTROL AND PROTECTION

Symmetrical Components
Example Problem
Ib0 = 0
Ib1 = 5.78 /-150
Ib2 = 5.78 /150
Ic0 = 0
Ic1 = 5.78 /90
Ic2 = 5.78 /-90

GENERATOR CONTROL AND PROTECTION

Symmetrical Components
Example Problem

Ia0 = 0, Ib0 = 0, Ic0 = 0

Ia1 = 5.78 /-30 , Ib1 = 5.78 /-150 , Ic1 = 5.78 /90
Ia2 = 5.78 /30 , Ib2 = 5.78 /150 , Ic2 = 5.78 /-90

GENERATOR CONTROL AND PROTECTION

Symmetrical Components
Example Problem
Note: the components Ic1 and Ic2 have
definite values although line c is open and
can carry no net current. As expected, the
sum of these currents is zero.
The sum of the currents in line a is 10/0
The sum of the currents in line b is 10/180

GENERATOR CONTROL AND PROTECTION

Symmetrical Components

Single Phase Line to Ground Fault

GENERATOR CONTROL AND PROTECTION

Symmetrical Components

Generator Sequence Networks

GENERATOR CONTROL AND PROTECTION

Symmetrical Components

GENERATOR CONTROL AND PROTECTION

Symmetrical Components

GENERATOR CONTROL AND PROTECTION

Symmetrical Components

GENERATOR CONTROL AND PROTECTION

Fault Current Behavior of a

Synchronous Generator

GENERATOR CONTROL AND PROTECTION

Fault Current Behavior of a

Synchronous Generator

GENERATOR CONTROL AND PROTECTION

Fault Current Behavior of a

Synchronous Generator

GENERATOR CONTROL AND PROTECTION

Fault Current Behavior of a

Synchronous Generator

Max DC Offset

No DC Offset

GENERATOR CONTROL AND PROTECTION

Fault Current Behavior of a

Synchronous Generator

GENERATOR CONTROL AND PROTECTION

Fault Current Behavior of a

Synchronous Generator

GENERATOR CONTROL AND PROTECTION

Generator Grounding

GENERATOR CONTROL AND PROTECTION

Generator Grounding
Low Impedance Grounding
Single phase to ground fault current between 200A and 150%
High Impedance Grounding
Single phase to ground fault current between 5 and 20A

GENERATOR CONTROL AND PROTECTION

Generator Stator Phase Fault

Protection (87G)

GENERATOR CONTROL AND PROTECTION

Generator Stator Phase Fault

Protection (87G)
87G used to protect for:
3 phase line to line
1 phase line to line
multi-phase line to ground
May not be able to detect a 1 phase to ground fault on high
impedance grounded generators
Restraint or Percentage Differential Trip Characteristic
Used to improve sensitivity for detecting small levels of
fault current
Also maintains security against inadvertent tripping due
to thru faults
GENERATOR CONTROL AND PROTECTION

Generator Stator Phase Fault

Protection (87G)

GENERATOR CONTROL AND PROTECTION

Generator Stator Phase Fault

Protection (87G)

GENERATOR CONTROL AND PROTECTION

Generator Stator Phase Fault

Protection (87G)
Split-phase protection scheme
Able to detect turn-turn faults
Windings for each phase split into equal groups
Individual winding currents are vector summed
Any difference in winding current results in a output from CT
Overcurrent relay (50/51) can be used to monitor difference
current
Setting must be above any normal unbalances that may exist

GENERATOR CONTROL AND PROTECTION

Generator Stator Phase Fault

Protection (87G)

GENERATOR CONTROL AND PROTECTION

Generator Field Ground Fault

Protection (64F)

GENERATOR CONTROL AND PROTECTION

Generator Stator Ground Fault

Protection (87N, 51N, 59N & 27-3N)

For Low Impedance Grounded Generators

GENERATOR CONTROL AND PROTECTION

Generator Stator Ground Fault

Protection (87N, 51N, 59N & 27-3N)

For Low Impedance Grounded Generators

GENERATOR CONTROL AND PROTECTION

Generator Stator Ground Fault

Protection (87N, 51N, 59N & 27-3N)

External Generator Phase-Ground Fault

GENERATOR CONTROL AND PROTECTION

Generator Stator Ground Fault

Protection (87N, 51N, 59N & 27-3N)

External Generator Phase-Ground Fault

GENERATOR CONTROL AND PROTECTION

Generator Stator Ground Fault

Protection (87N, 51N, 59N & 27-3N)

Internal Generator Phase-Ground Fault

GENERATOR CONTROL AND PROTECTION

Generator Stator Ground Fault

Protection (87N, 51N, 59N & 27-3N)

Internal Generator Phase-Ground Fault

GENERATOR CONTROL AND PROTECTION

Generator Stator Ground Fault

Protection (87N, 51N, 59N & 27-3N)

High Impedance Grounded

50MVA, 13.2kV Generator
Xc = 10,610 for 0.25uf @ 60Hz
Rpri = 10,610/3 = 3537
GENERATOR CONTROL AND PROTECTION

Loss of Field Protection (40Q, 40Z)

GENERATOR CONTROL AND PROTECTION

Loss of Field Protection (40Q, 40Z)

GENERATOR CONTROL AND PROTECTION

Loss of Field Protection (40Q, 40Z)

GENERATOR CONTROL AND PROTECTION

Over/Under Frequency Protection

(81O/U)
Causes:
Significant load addition
Sudden reduction in mechanical input power
Loss of generation
Loss of load
Underfrequency can cause:
Higher generator load currents
Overexcitation
Turbine blade fatigue
Overfrequency can cause:
Overvoltage on hydro turbines
GENERATOR CONTROL AND PROTECTION

Overexcitation and Overvoltage

Protection (24, 59)
Modern Excitation Systems include over excitation limiting
and protection, but it may take several seconds to limit
Overexcitation occurs when the V/Hz ratio exceeds 105% at
FL and 110% at no load
V/Hz relays set at 110% with a 5 10 sec delay
Generator overvoltage can occur without exceeding V/Hz
relay setting due to large over speed on hydro generator
Generator overvoltage relay, 59 may be used

GENERATOR CONTROL AND PROTECTION

Out of Step Protection (78)

High peak currents and off-frequency operation can occur
when a generator losses synchronism
Causes winding stress, high rotor iron currents, pulsating
torques and mechanical resonances
Conventional relaying approach analyzing variations in
apparent impedance as viewed at generator terminals
Variation in impedance can be detected by impedance
relaying and generator separated before the completion of one
slip cycle

GENERATOR CONTROL AND PROTECTION

Out of Step Protection (78)

EA

EB
ZA

ZT

ZB

Generator

Transformer

System

+X
EA/EB>1

EA/EB=1

ZB

Q
EA/EB<1

ZT
-R

+R

ZA

A
-X

GENERATOR CONTROL AND PROTECTION

Out of Step Protection (78)

A

B
X

System
R
Trans

P
Gen X'd

A
B
Element Element
Pickup Pickup

Blinder
Elements

GENERATOR CONTROL AND PROTECTION

Mho
Element

Negative Sequence Protection (46)

Protects generator from excessive heating in the rotor due to
unbalanced stator currents
Negative sequence component of stator current induces
double frequency current in rotor, causing heating
Rotor temperature rise proportion to I22t
Negative sequence relays provide settings for this relationship
in the form of a constant, k = I22t
Minimum permissible continuous unbalance currents are
specified (ANSI/IEEE C50.13)

GENERATOR CONTROL AND PROTECTION

Inadvertent Energization Protection

(27, 50, 60, 81U, 62 and 86)
Protects against closing of the generator breaker while
machine is not spinning / on turning gear
Caused by operator error, breaker flash-over, control circuit
malfunction
Two schemes illustrated:
Frequency supervised overcurrent
Voltage supervised overcurrent

GENERATOR CONTROL AND PROTECTION

Inadvertent Energization Protection

Frequency Supervised Overcurrent
+DC

50 (3-phase)

81U
62
60

50

60
81U

86
0.5sec Pickup
0.1sec Dropout

62

86

-DC

GENERATOR CONTROL AND PROTECTION

Inadvertent Energization Protection

Frequency Supervised Overcurrent
Uses an underfrequency relay (81U) to enable a sensitive
instantaneous overcurrent relay (50)
Overcurrent relay picks up at 50% or less of expected
inadvertent energizing current
Frequency relay contacts must remain closed if sensing
voltage goes to zero
Voltage balance relay (60) protects against loss of sensing
Time delay relay (62) protects against sudden application
of nominal voltage during inadvertent energization,
allowing overcurrent to trip lockout relay (86)
Lockout relay must be manually reset
GENERATOR CONTROL AND PROTECTION

Inadvertent Energization Protection

Voltage Supervised Overcurrent
Same illustration as frequency supervised overcurrent except
81U replaced by 27
Undervoltage setpoint of 85% of the lowest expected
emergency operating level

GENERATOR CONTROL AND PROTECTION

Loss of Voltage Transformer

Protection (60)

Common practice on large systems to use two or more VTs

One used for relays and metering
The other used for AVR
VTs normally fused
Most common cause of failure is fuse failure
Loss of VT protection blocks voltage based protective
functions (21, 32, 40 etc)
Loss of VT protection measure voltage unbalance, typical
setting is 15%

GENERATOR CONTROL AND PROTECTION

Loss of Voltage Transformer

Protection (60)
G
vt

60

To
Protective
Relays

To
Excitation
Controller

GENERATOR CONTROL AND PROTECTION

System Backup Protection (51V, 21)

Common practice to provide protection for faults outside
of the generator zone of protection
Voltage supervised time-overcurrent (51V) or distance
relaying (21) may be used
Distance relay set to include generator step up transformer
and reach beyond, into the system
Time delays must be coordinated with those of the system
protection to assure that system protection will operate
before back up
CTs on neutral side of generator will also provide backup
protection for the generator
GENERATOR CONTROL AND PROTECTION

System Backup Protection (51V, 21)

21
51V

a.) Neutral Connected ct's

GENERATOR CONTROL AND PROTECTION

System Backup Protection (51V, 21)

GENERATOR CONTROL AND PROTECTION

System Backup Protection (51V, 21)

For medium and small sized generators, voltage-restrained
or voltage controlled time overcurrent relays (51V) are
often applied
Control or restraining function used to prevent or
desensitize the overcurrent relay from tripping until the
generator voltage is reduced by a fault

GENERATOR CONTROL AND PROTECTION

System Backup Protection (51V, 21)

Enable

Pickup Inhibit/Enable

Percent Set Value for Pickup

100%

Inhibit

25%

25%

Percent Nominal Volts

a.) Voltage-Restrained Overcurrent

100%

Percent Nominal Volts

80%

100%

b.) Voltage-Contolled Overcurrent

GENERATOR CONTROL AND PROTECTION

Conclusion
Generators must be protected from electrical faults,
mechanical problem and adverse system conditions
Some faults require immediate attention (shutdown) while
others just require alarming or transfer to redundant
controllers
Design of these systems requires extensive understanding
of generator protection
Further study IEEE C37.102 Guide for AC Generator
Protective Relaying

GENERATOR CONTROL AND PROTECTION