PROBLEM: Site:

Tripping of Generator on account of failure of Static Excitation Cable Kothagudem- Unit No. 7

Unit No.7 tripped on Generator class A protection with the following indications, on 16.04.05 at 16.17 Hrs. Stator Earth Fault > 95 % Inter Turn Fault Over Voltage All the other Generator parameters such as winding/core, cold & hot gas temperatures were found to be normal. Physical/visual inspection of the Generator, Transformer, Bushings, Bus Ducts, Static Excitation Transformer cables, Static Excitation Equipment (SEE) panels etc., revealed no abnormality. The insulation resistance of the system inclusive of the Generator, Bus duct, Excitation Transformer, Generator Transformer, Unit Aux. Transformer was measured with 5.0KV megger and the value was 26 Mega ohms. After an interval of 2 Hrs., it was again measured and found to be 46 Mega ohms. The Potential Transformers (PTs) were meggered with 1 kV megger, which showed a value of more than 2000 Mega ohms. Stator winding resistance was measured and found normal. At this stage, the problem was reported. It was suggested to isolate the generator at the generator terminals and recheck the megger values. After expelling of Hydrogen Gas and isolation of Generator, the insulation resistance was measured on 18.04.05 with 5KV megger and the megger values were as follows:

PI value R- Phase Y- Phase 3.68 B- Phase 3.45

1 min. G Ohm 3.86 1. 38 do1. 58 do1. 4

10 min 5.49 G Ohm 5.05 5.45 -do-do-

Winding resistance was also measured and the values at 40 deg.C were as follows; R- Phase Y- Phase B- Phase 1.185 milli ohm. 1.187 do1.185 do-

Generator was thus found to be healthy. Bus duct with the generator transformer was also found healthy. Meggering of excitation transformer along with the HT cable was carried out and during the test, one of the cables got burnt. (Tapping from 11 kV Bus duct to Excitation Transformer is connected by Aluminium HT cable , which was carried out by APGENCO during R & M work) . The reason for the failure and tripping of the unit on 16.04.05 was concluded due to the failure of the excitation cable. All the three cables were replaced with new cables. The Generator connections to Bus duct was normalized and the insulation resistance of the system, inclusive of the replaced cables/static excitation transformer/bus duct / generator and Generator transformer, meggered and found to be 95M? s.

The generator was cleared for Hydrogen gas filling and re-start. The unit was rolled on 19.04.05. Synchronized with the grid at 11.00 Hrs and loaded to 120 MW.