Generator Protection
Generator Protection
Generator Protection
R.SESHADRI
MPS Business Unit Mysore Works
2.0
G 3.0
times for faults in the range 100% to 400% level. L&T Relay MC61A will be the ideal choice. b) By virtue of larger power level, any faults inside the stator or fault between the neutral of the machine and the breaker terminals can reach very high intensity. 2 -2Such internal faults must be cleared instantaneously. Normal IDMT over current / E/F relays are not adequate to monitor this internal fault condition. A separate relay scheme is required to monitor this internal fault status - otherwise the machine can circulate very high fault currents resulting in severe damage. A high impedance differential relay scheme, with L&T relay SC14S (3 nos) is the best suited for this purpose (Fig.2). If the neutral is formed inside the machine, the differential relay scheme will not be possible in this case a Restricted E/F scheme , with same SC14S relay (1 No.) is the solution. Care should be taken to provide adequate no. of CTs as shown in the diagram. c) Machines of this size are likely to have external controls for frequency and excitation so that they can be run in parallel with other power sources (other generators on the same bus or the local grid). This necessitates voltage and frequency related protections as well. L&T Relays UM30A is the best solution for this purpose. Alternately Relay MV12A (4 Nos) can be used if frequency protection is built in the engine.
MV12A / UM30A 27/ 59 51 50N 51 51N MC61A 81
87/ 87 N
3 x SC14S (Diff.) 1 x SC14S (REF) Fig. 2 Protection of Generators 300 kVA 1 MVA
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4.0
4.1
Stator side protections : a) Voltage restrained Over Current Protection (50V / 51V) : Normal IDMT O/C will not work here when a over current fault occurs, due to higher current levels, there would be a drop in terminal voltage. For the same fault impedance, the fault current will reduce (with respect to terminal voltage) to a level below the pick up setting. Consequently normal IDMT may not pick up. It is necessary to have a relay whose pick up setting will automatically reduce in proportion to terminal voltage. Hence the over current protection must be voltage restrained. Two levels of Over current protection is required low set and highest ( for short circuit protection). Thermal Overload (49) : This protection is a must it monitors the thermal status of machine for currents between 105% to the low set O/C level ( normally 150%). Current Unbalance (46) : Generators are expected to feed unbalanced loads whose level has to be monitored. If the unbalance exceeds 20%, it may cause over heating of the windings. This heating will not be detected by the thermal overload relay - since the phase currents will be well within limits. A two level monitoring for unbalance is preferred first level for alarm and the second level for trip. Loss of excitation(40) : When excitation is lost in a running generator, it will draw reactive power from the bus and get over heated. This condition is detected from the stator side CT inputs by monitoring the internal impedance level & position of the generator. Reverse Power (32) : Generators of this size may operate in parallel with other sources, which may cause reverse power flow at certain times ( during synchronization or when there is a PF change due to load / grid fluctuation or when there is a prime mover failure). When reverse power happens, the generator along with prime mover will undergo violent mechanical shock hence reverse power protection is absolute must. Under power (37) : It may not be economical to run generators below a
b)
c)
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certain load level. This protection will monitor the forward power ..4 -4delivered by the machine and give alarm when the level goes below a set point. g) Under / Over Voltage (27 / 59 ) : This will protect the machine from abnormal voltage levels, particularly during synchronization and load throw off conditions. Under / Over frequency (81) : This will protect the machine from abnormal frequency levels, particularly during synchronization and load throw off conditions. This will also help in load shedding schemes for the generator. Breaker Failure Protection : This protection detects the failure of breaker to open after receipt of trip signal. Another trip contact is generated under breaker fail conditions , with which more drastic measures (like engine stoppage, opening of bus coupler etc) can be taken. Multifunction relay IM3GV from L&T, as a single unit protects the generator for all above listed faults (a) to (h) giving at the same time the benefit of small panel space, simple wiring and user friendly operation. j) k) Stator Earth fault (64S): L&T relay MC12A will do this job. Differential Protection (87G) : This protection is very important since the machines of this size have to be protected for severe damages that may occur due to internal faults. Considering the large power levels, it is necessary to have a percentage biased, low impedance differential relay L&Ts relay MD32G is the ideal solution. MD32G has following advantages : - it provides percentage biased differential protection with dual slope characteristics - it has a built in REF protection element (87N), which will monitor the generator for internal earth faults. - It has a built in O/C protection, as a back up PT Fuse Failure Protection : This relay will detect any blowing of PT secondary fuse and give a contact which can be used to block the under voltage trip. L&T relay PTF03, with less than 7 ms response, will be ideal for this purpose.
h)
i)
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5 4.2 -5Rotor side protections : Generators of this size, will need rotor side protections listed below : a) b) c)) Rotor Excitation Under Current : This is a DC under current relay ( UBC/A/37), which will monitor the excitation current. Rotor Excitation U/V(80) : This is a DC under voltage relay (UBC / 80), which will monitor rotor voltage. Diode failure Relay : Brushless excitation systems will have rotor mounted diodes, which can become short or open during operation. Diode Failure relay (RHS) will monitor the condition of these diodes , for both open circuit and short, and give alarm. Rotor Earth Fault(64R) : Relay UBO/CR will monitor the rotor winding status for the Earth fault.
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5.0
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Summary : The sections above describe the actual requirements and various
options available from L&T towards protection and management of generators of various sizes. For generators above 1 MVA size, it is also recommended to have complete data acquisition & control through PC. L&T supplies MSCOM software for this purpose. The relays like IM3GV, MG30, MD32T,UM30A can all communicate to a PC and provide all management data. A comprehensive scheme as shown below will be the most desirable one.
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