Commissioning Dept.: Power Systems Division

Power Systems Division
Commissioning Dept.
parallel operation training
Power Systems/Jan. 2008

parallel operation training

Topics
• Why parallel operation of alternators.
• Definition of synchronization.
• Modes of parallel operation.
• What makes a generator increase load
• Conditions for parallel operation.
• Different synchronizing methods.
• Notes on important component used in synchronizing:
* Voltage regulator [AVR]
*Load share module [LSM]
*Speed phase matching [SPM]
*Synchroscope and check synch relay
*Synchronizing Modules EASYGEN, GCB, DSE, DEIF, ………
• Speed droop and how you can adjust speed droop.
• Voltage droop and how you can adjust voltage droop.
• Reactive droop compensation (also known as individual compensation).
• Cross current compensation.
• How the droop current transformer used to make VAR sharing.
• Circulating Currents.

Why parallel operation of alternators
• To meet the customer needs with available ratings.

• Customer load profile.
• Increase the output capacity of a system.
• Serve as additional reserve power for expected
demands.
• Permit shutting down one machine without
interrupting power distribution.

Definition of synchronization
• Synchronization is the process of connecting a

3-phase synchronous generator (alternator) to
anther generator or to power grid.

Modes of operation
• In order to control the electrical power of a

generator, different modes of operation needs
to be defined
 island operation
* Single engine *Multiple engines
 grid operation (Base load)

Island operation
• Single engine in island operation

The simplest mode is: one single engine without a
mains connection. In this mode only the frequency
and the voltage are controlled. The load produced by
the generator, from both active and reactive power,
will be equal to the site load.

Island operation
• Multiple engines running parallel to each other
In this situation more engines are running on the same busbar.

Both the busbar voltage and the busbar frequency can be
controlled to any set point. The total site load (both active and
reactive power) needs to be shared among the running engines.

Grid operation (Base load)
• In this mode the frequency and the busbar voltage are

(expected) to be fixed by the grid. Frequency and
voltage control are disabled and the load (both active
and reactive power) that needs to be produced by the
generator can be set to any set point.
• In this mode the engines are running independent

from each other

Island and Base load comparison

Conditions for parallel operation
• In order to operate alternators in parallel,

several conditions must be met
• The four first fundamental conditions are:
Same phase rotation
 Same frequency
 Same voltage
 No shift

Same frequency
• The alternator must be driven by the prime

mover at a speed such that the stator frequency
is equal to the bus bar frequency

QUESTION ?
We have two gensets :

3512 1500 RPM
3618 1000 RPM
Can we parallel them?????
 If we have with 3512 four poles alternator and 3618 six

poles alternator.
The answer is ????

The answer is we can
Same voltage
• The stator line voltage must be equal to the

line voltage of the power grid. This is achieved
by controlling the rotor current (excitation)

Phase sequence
• The phase sequence of the alternator must

be the same as the phase sequence of the
bus bar.
• If the busbar sequence is R-Y-B, then the
alternator sequence must also be R-Y-B. If
not two phases must be switched.

How to check phase sequence
1-Three synchronizing lamps method

How to check phase sequence
• If phase sequence is correct on the incoming generator, the lamps will

become light and dark together. If phase sequence is not correct, the lamps
will never be all light or be all dark at the same time. To change phase
sequence or rotation in a three-phase system (to correct phase rotation),
interchange any two line leads from the incoming machine. Once correct
phase sequence or rotation is established, it is permanent unless leads to the
bus bar are disconnected.
2-The second method by using phase sequence instrument

No shift
• The phase angel of the alternator must be

equal to the phase angle of busbar

What makes a generator increase load
If a generator is running at 1200kW of a diesel

engine rated 1600kW and a command is issued
from speed controller to increase load to
1600kW. What happens to generator that it
increases load to 1600kW?

• The engine is a device that produces torque, and the
amount of torque being produced can be varied, and
is in direct proportion (usually) to the amount of fuel
being burned in the engine .
• Increase the fuel flow-rate, the amount of torque

being produced by the engine will increase. Decrease
the fuel flow-rate, the amount of torque being
produced by the turbine will decrease.

• The basic formula for power (Watts) is
P= V* I * (3^(0.5)) * PF
where P is power (in Watts), V is generator terminal voltage (in Volts), and I
is armature current (the alternating current flowing in the stator of the
generator).
(3^(0.5))……..Constant PF ……..Constant
V ……. the terminal voltage of most synchronous generators is
almost a fixed value, as well, and doesn't usually vary by more than
approximately +/- 5.0%,

• the way that a generator produces more power is to increase
the number of amps flowing in the stator.
• The way that amps are increased in the generator stator is by

providing more torque from the engine into the generator
So, it should be clear that torque, amps, and load are proportional
to each other. An increase in fuel results in an increase in
torque which results in an increase in load; a decrease in
torque results in a decrease in amps which results in a decrease
in load.

Methods of synchronization…..
• We have four methods to make synchronizing:
 First method
 Automatic speed phase matching
 Automatic load sharing
 Second method
 Manual speed phase matching
 Manual load sharing
 Third method
 Automatic speed phase matching
 Manual load sharing
 Fourth method
 Manual speed phase matching
 Automatic load sharing

Speed droop
• Droop is usually expressed as a percentage. Droop percentage is calculated

by dividing the difference between the no load speed and the full load
speed by the rated speed.

Manual load sharing
• Tow genset identical 1MW 50 HZ
HZ HZ
G1 G2
51.5
51.5
50 50
3% Speed 3% Speed
droop droop
LOAD LOAD
50% Load 100% 50% Load

Manual load sharing
• Tow genset identical different speed droop

How we can parallel them….?
HZ
HZ
53
G1 G2
51.5
50 50
3% Speed
6% Speed
droop
droop
LOAD
LOAD
200 KW 200 KW
Manual load sharing
• Tow genset Same droop different rating

HZ
HZ
G1 G2
51.5 51.5
50 50
LOAD Power Systems/Jan. 2008 LOAD
200 KW
Manual load sharing
• Two genset different load different speed droop

HZ
HZ
53
G1 G2
51.5
50 50
LOAD Power Systems/Jan. 2008 LOAD
200 KW 100 KW
Manual load sharing
• Two genset different load different speed droop
HZ
HZ
53
G1 G2
Isochronous
50 50
LOAD
LOAD
200 KW 100 KW

Manual load sharing
• Two isochronous genset

HZ HZ
G1 G2
Isochronous Isochronous
50 50
LOAD
100% LOAD
Manually Paralleling Generator Sets
• Using synchronizing lamps or a synchroscope

Manually Paralleling Generator Sets
• The dark lamp method
(V1-V2)Sinθ V1
V2
This method light the synchronizing lamps

when there is a potential between the phases of
the incoming and the online generators. This
means that when all the lamps are dark, the
generators are synchronized.

Real power [KW]
• Real power is work done by the electrical energy of

the generator. This power is supplied by the prime
mover in the form of torque. The generator converts
mechanical torque to electrical energy. This energy is
supplied to a load to be converted to the desired form
of energy, such as heat, light, mechanical energy
(motor), etc.

Reactive power [KVAR]
• Reactive power is that power required by loads with

inductance or capacitance to store energy on each half cycle.
• If the load is purely resistive, such as a heating element.
Because no reactive power is required at any point on the sine
wave, current is directly proportional to the voltage at that
point. The real power can be calculated using Ohm’s Law.

• If an inductance is connected to the generator output, the relationship

between voltage and current is different. The inductor will not allow
current to flow without first building up lines of flux in its magnetic circuit.
Thus, the current through the inductor is proportional to voltage, but the
current lags the voltage by 90 electrical degrees

• The capacitor, on the other hand, will not allow voltage across
its terminals until some charge has been deposited on its plate.
For this reason, the current must flow before a voltage can
exist. Thus the capacitor current leads the voltage by 90
electrical degrees

load containing all three elements in parallel
look at I1 and I2 indicates that these

currents are always opposite in polarity.
If the currents are equal, the net result
is zero! For this reason, inductive loads
are said to accept reactive power, while
capacitors are said to supply reactive
power. Power Factor correction capacitors
use this principle to compensate for
inductive loading. The reactive power flow
is illustrated in this figure

KVA circle diagram

Notes on important component used in synchronizing
• Voltage regulator [AVR]
• Load share module [LSM]
• Speed phase matching [SPM]
• Synchroscope and check synch relay
• Synchronizing Modules EASYGEN, GCB, DSE, DEIF, ………

VOLTAGE REGULATOR [AVR]
• The function of the voltage regulator is to provide precise

regulated generator voltage at no load and with changing
loads. When generators are connected together in parallel
operation, a parallel compensation circuit is required to assist
the voltage regulators in controlling the generator reactive
loads.



Load share module [LSM]
• During parallel operation of two or more generators,

the load sharing module senses the load carried by its
generator and causes the loads of all generators in the
system to be shared proportionally.

Load share module [LSM]

Speed phase matching [SPM]
• The SPM-A Synchronizer checks the phase angle and

frequency of the bus and an off-line generator which is to be
paralleled.

Speed phase matching [SPM]

Synchroscope and check synch relay
• Synchroscope measure and display the frequency difference

and phase angle between two power systems

Synchroscope and check synch relay
• If the generator is turning at a lower frequency than the grid,

the synchroscope needle will rotate in the direction (usually
counterclockwise) marked "slow" or "lag" on the dial to
indicate that the generator is running slower than, or lagging
behind, the grid. If the generator is running faster than the
grid, the needle will rotate in the opposite direction, marked
"fast" or "lead". Next, the plant operator will adjust the speed
of the generator until it is running at precisely the same speed
(frequency) as the grid. As the frequency of the generator
nears that of the grid, the synchroscope needle will slow down
and when the frequencies match, the needle will stop moving.

The operation as synchrocheck relay

The operation as synchrocheck relay
• Once the BUS and GEN signals become coincident,

the unit will wait for an adjustable time delay before
lighting the green triangular SYNCHRONISED
LEDS and operating the relay.

G2 G1
Speed Control Speed Control
Load sharing lines

Load share Load share
C.B Position
SPM SPM

For proper synchronization
1. all units should have 3% speed droop from no load to

full load.
(1.8 cycles at 60 Hz, 1.5 cycles at 50 Hz.)
2. If the load is pure resistance or incandescent lighting

load (1.0 pf), a 2% voltage droop from no load to full
load should be satisfactory. If the load is reactive
(primarily motors of 0.8 pf), a 5% voltage droop should
be used,

How to adjust speed droop
Example
• Pulse Width Modulated Output 9907-174

Setting Droop for an Isolated Load
1.Open the OPEN FOR DROOP switch (or disconnect the wires from terminals 13 and
14).
2.Start the engine and adjust the speed for rated with no load.
3. Apply full load.
4. Adjust the DROOP potentiometer to give the desired speed.
Example: Operating at 60 Hz, 57 Hz at full load indicates 5 percent droop.

If only 50 percent loading is possible, 58.5 Hz would indicate 5 percent
droop

Adjust the voltage.
• There are two fundamentally different methods for reactive

power equalization.
* Reactive droop compensation (also known as individual compensation)
* Cross current compensation (also known as differential compensation)

Reactive droop compensation
• In the reactive droop compensation the voltage regulator causes an

individual generator output voltage to change in proportion to the reactive
current. The reactive current is measured with a current transformer (CT).
• The reactive current can be either lagging or leading. As the lagging

reactive current increases, the voltage regulator will cause the generator
output voltage to lower (droop) proportionally. As the leading reactive
current increases, the voltage regulator will cause the generator output
voltage to rise proportionally.

• This method will tend to reduce the reactive current for better KVAR
sharing with other units. The reactive droop compensation is a standard
method on the Caterpillar generator sets.

How the droop current transformer used to make VAR sharing

• The secondary current of the current transformer
induces a voltage across the burden resistor that is
vectorially added to the line voltage to produce an
error signal to the voltage regulator. Voltage across
the burden resistor is proportional in magnitude and
has the same phase as the line current through the
primary of the current transformer

Error signal

Capacitive load
• If the generator load has a leading power factor

(capacitive load), the vector diagram of the burden
resistor voltage will rotate counterclockwise from its
unity power factor position

Capacitive load
• The phase angle between the line voltage and burden

resistor voltage will become more out of phase,
which will decrease the regulator sensing voltage.
The regulator will receive a smaller sensing signal
and thus increase generator excitation.

Inductive load
• When the load is a lagging power factor or inductive

load, the vector diagram of the burden resistor
voltage will be rotated clockwise from its unity power
factor position

Inductive load
• The phase angle between the line voltage and burden

resistor voltage will become more in phase and the
voltage sensing signal to the regulator will be
increased. The regulator will receive the larger signal
and respond by decreasing generator excitation.

Note
• The voltage level adjustment and voltage droop adjustment

determine the amount of circulating currents between the
generators. The circulating currents between the generators
will be reduced when the voltage adjustments are carefully
matched. Use the same voltmeter to make adjustments on each
unit which will be paralleled.

Adjusting voltage droop
• Voltage droop
V V
G1 G2
400
400
388 388
3% voltage 3% voltage
droop droop
50% Load 100% 50% Load LOAD

LOAD


Cross current compensation
• In the cross current compensation the voltage regulator is

biased by the difference in reactive current outputs of the
paralleled generators.
• Cross current compensation is very similar to the reactive

droop compensation. The difference is that the secondary
circuits of the current transformers are interconnected in a
series string.


• When one of the generators carries more reactive

current than other generators or the current that the
generator carries is either lagging or leading, a net
difference voltage signal will offset the generated
voltage. This will also reduce the reactive current.

Circulating Currents
• Definition:
Circulating currents are currents that do no useful
work when generators operate in parallel. “Wattless
Amps”
Can we live with Circulating Currents?

Maybe!

• Where do they come from?

They come from;
Either the Generator or the Load (or both)
 They look like;
Fundamental (60 or 50 Hz) and / or

Harmonic currents.

 If they are fundamental “circulating currents”, then this

indicates the generator internal voltages are not the same.
(Excitation is different)
 So, individual generator Voltage Regulator adjustments are

needed for either voltage level, voltage gain or voltage droop
(or cross current compensation), to minimize the circulating
currents.

• Can we ever totally eliminate the fundamental

circulating currents?
Maybe
• Some circulating currents will exist due to slight
variations in the generator voltage control system
and as the load changes. Voltage regulators,
Exciters, etc.)

Circulating Currents from Harmonics
• If there are “Harmonics” causing the circulating currents,

then there are many things that can create the harmonics.
• Again, harmonic voltages and currents can come from either

the generator or the load. (or both)

Harmonics
• Harmonics are defined as multiples of the fundamental wave form frequency.

ie. 60 Hz = Fundamental
120 Hz = 2nd Harmonic
180 Hz = 3rd Harmonic
1620 Hz = 27th Harmonic
etc.
Volts Harmonics
resultant waveform
Perfect sine wave
Third harmonic
Time
Fifth harmonic

Sources of harmonics
Nonlinear loads are the main source of harmonic

currents. There are three major classes of nonlinear
loads on power system.
• Ferromagnetic devices.
• Electric power converters and electronic devices.
• Arcing devices

Harmonic effects:
• Reduction of efficiency of machines and

equipment.
• Ageing of equipment insulators leading to
shortening their useful life.
• In general, harmonics lead to plant mal-
operation, meters, "and protective devices".
• Interference with communication systems.

the
end !

Commissioning Dept.: Power Systems Division

Uploaded by

Commissioning Dept.: Power Systems Division

Uploaded by

Power Systems Division

parallel operation training

Power Systems/Jan. 2008

Power Systems/Jan. 2008

Power Systems/Jan. 2008

• To meet the customer needs with available ratings.

Power Systems/Jan. 2008

• Synchronization is the process of connecting a

Power Systems/Jan. 2008

• In order to control the electrical power of a

Power Systems/Jan. 2008

• Single engine in island operation

Power Systems/Jan. 2008

• Multiple engines running parallel to each other

In this situation more engines are running on the same busbar.

Power Systems/Jan. 2008

• In this mode the frequency and the busbar voltage are

• In this mode the engines are running independent

Power Systems/Jan. 2008

Power Systems/Jan. 2008

• In order to operate alternators in parallel,

Power Systems/Jan. 2008

• The alternator must be driven by the prime

Power Systems/Jan. 2008

We have two gensets :

 If we have with 3512 four poles alternator and 3618 six

The answer is ????

Power Systems/Jan. 2008

• The stator line voltage must be equal to the

Power Systems/Jan. 2008

• The phase sequence of the alternator must

Power Systems/Jan. 2008

1-Three synchronizing lamps method

Power Systems/Jan. 2008

• If phase sequence is correct on the incoming generator, the lamps will

2-The second method by using phase sequence instrument

Power Systems/Jan. 2008

• The phase angel of the alternator must be

Power Systems/Jan. 2008

If a generator is running at 1200kW of a diesel

Power Systems/Jan. 2008

• Increase the fuel flow-rate, the amount of torque

Power Systems/Jan. 2008

Power Systems/Jan. 2008

• The way that amps are increased in the generator stator is by

Power Systems/Jan. 2008

Power Systems/Jan. 2008

• Droop is usually expressed as a percentage. Droop percentage is calculated

Power Systems/Jan. 2008

• Tow genset identical 1MW 50 HZ

Power Systems/Jan. 2008

• Tow genset identical different speed droop

• Tow genset Same droop different rating

LOAD Power Systems/Jan. 2008 LOAD

• Two genset different load different speed droop

LOAD Power Systems/Jan. 2008 LOAD

Power Systems/Jan. 2008

• Two isochronous genset

• Using synchronizing lamps or a synchroscope

Power Systems/Jan. 2008

• The dark lamp method

This method light the synchronizing lamps

Power Systems/Jan. 2008

• Real power is work done by the electrical energy of

Power Systems/Jan. 2008

• Reactive power is that power required by loads with

Power Systems/Jan. 2008

• If an inductance is connected to the generator output, the relationship

Power Systems/Jan. 2008

Power Systems/Jan. 2008

look at I1 and I2 indicates that these

Power Systems/Jan. 2008

Power Systems/Jan. 2008

• Voltage regulator [AVR]

• Load share module [LSM]

• Speed phase matching [SPM]