SPECIFICATION OF

EXCITATION SYSTEM

GENERATOR CAPABILITY

Generator converts mechanical energy to

electrical energy
Excitation System provides DIRECT
CURRENT to the synchronous machine Field
Winding.

GENERATOR CAPABILITY

Generator supplies both active and reactive

power

When connected to grid it either supplies or

absorb reactive power

When supplying reactive power it is lagging

(Inductive)

When absorbing reactive power it is leading

(capacitive)

EXCITATION SYSTEM
Excitation System
b) Brushless System (BLE)
c) Static System (SEE)
d) Standards
e) Trends
a)

EXCITATION SYSTEM
Excitation System
b) Brushless System (BLE)
c) Static System (SEE)
d) Standards
e) Trends
a)

EXCITATION SYSTEM
Excitation System performs CONTROL and
PROTECTIVE functions essential to the
satisfactory performance of Power System

 CONTROL

Control of Voltage and Q flow

Enhancement of System Stability

PROTECTION:

Ensure Capability Limits of Machine are not

exceeded.
Other Equipment are within safe operation.

 DYNAMIC

CHARACTERISTIVCS of Modern
EXC SYSTEMS

HIGH Initial Response

(Voltage Response Time is the time in seconds for

EXC SYS to attain 95% of Diff between Vc and Vr).
VRT of 0.1 sec or less qualifies as High and therefore
fast acting.

EXC SYS Ceiling Voltage

Maximum direct voltage that EXC SYS is able to

supply from its terminals under specified conditions.

EXC SYS Ceiling Voltage

Maximum direct voltage that EXC SYS is able to

supply from its terminals under specified conditions.

EXC SYS Ceiling Current

Maximum current that EXC SYS is able to supply from

its terminals under specified conditions.

Ceiling Voltage & Response Ratio

b

oa=ed= rated
voltage
Eb=ceiling
voltage
oe- 0.5 secs.

Generator and its excitation

system rating

Generator and its excitation system shall have a

capability at least matching the declared maximum
continuous rated output of the associated turbine at

all power factors between 0.85 lagging and 0.95

leading

with +3% to -5% frequency variation

terminal voltage variation of +/- 5%

combined voltage & frequency variation of 5%.

Generator and its excitation

system rating

Also the generator and its excitation system shall be

capable of continuous stable operation at the peak
output of the associated steam turbine under VWO &
HP heater out condition, etc. as available for the
secondary cooling water temperature of 39 deg. C

at all power factors between 0.85 lagging and 0.95

leading

with +3% to -5% frequency variation

terminal voltage variation of +/- 5%

combined voltage & frequency variation of 5%.

SPECIFICATION REQUIREMENT OF EXC.

SYSTEM

The excitation system shall be designed in such a

way that due to any fault in AVR firing circuit
pulse transformer, rectifying elements in any
channel etc, excitation system shall be available
in full capacity. all rectifying elements shall
have over voltage and short circuit protection.

Field forcing capability- each excitation system

channel shall be capable of supplying without
damage to any of the components, the field forcing
voltage and current for a period of 10 secs
without exceeding the limits of temperature for
rectifier junction .

SPECIFICATION REQUIREMENT OF EXC.

SYSTEM

Redundancy

2x100% auto channels including AVRs, power

converters & controls
each channel capable of being selected as manual

Interface with ATRS and EHG system

Excitation system response time - 0.5
Excitation system response ratio- > 2
Excitation system ceiling voltage- >1.5 times rated load
excitation voltage

Term Used-Ceiling Voltage

It is the max. voltage that can be impressed on the

field under specified conditions.
Ceiling voltage ultimately determines how fast the
field current can be changed.
For normal disturbances, ceiling condition prevails
for a 10 seconds max. to either increase or
decrease the excitation until the system returns to
steady state operating state.

EXCITATION AND VOLTAGE

REGULATION
OCC

V
Terminal
voltage

SCC

If(nl)

Ia

Armatur
e
current

If(fl)
Field current

VOLTAGE REGULATOR

Automatic voltage regulator shall constantly compare a ref voltage

signal with the generator terminal voltage feedback signal and
shall amplify the error signal which in turn will control the firing
circuit of the thyristor bridges. Depending on the firing angle, field
voltage in turn field current and machine voltage shall be
regulated.

Automatic Voltage Regulator (AVR)

Excitation Control Functions:

Stator Current limiter

Rotor Current Limiter
Load Angle Limiter
Over-fluxing Limiter / Controller
Field Forcing
Power System Stabilizer

All limiting mechanisms have an effect only in

generator-voltage control mode (automatic
mode).

EXCITATION SYSTEM
Excitation System incl AVR
b) Brushless System (BLE)
c) Static System (SEE)
d) Standards
e) Trends
a)

BRUSHLESS TYPE EXCITATION

SYSTEM

Advantages of Brushless excitation system

Elimination of slip rings and brushes helps in handling high excitation

currents
No field flashing circuit for initial voltage build up
Rating of power components are smaller, hence the panel requirement
is less
Independent supply of Excitation power from a shaft driven generator
and therefore no impact on excitation in case of line short circuits.
No power links to generator
No space requirement for excitation transformer as the same is
obtained through PMG.

Brushless excitation system- concerns

Additional Rotating Exciter and Pilot Exciter.

Response is slower
TG deck is longer
Large number of power components on shaft eg. Diodes, snubbers,
flexibles etc.
Failure will lead to longer down time.
Longer shaft system, number of bearings.
Diode monitoring only. Replacement needs shutdown.

EXCITATION SYSTEM
Excitation System incl AVR
b) Brushless System (BLE)
c) Static System (SEE)
d) Standards
e) Trends
a)

STATIC EXCITATION SYSTEM

FEATURES OF STATIC EXCITATION

SYSTEM

THE EXCITATION SYSTEM SHALL CONSIST OF

-RECTIFIER

TRANSFORMER

-INDOOR TYPE, 3 PH. TRANSFORMER WITH CLASS F

INSULATION CONNECTED TO THE GEN. TERMINAL
THROUGH ISOLATED PHASE BUSDUCT.
-THYRISTOR CONVERTOR CUBICLE ALONG WITH FIRING
CONTROL, 3 PHASE, FULL WAVE BRIDGE TYPE
-THE CONVERTER SHALL HAVE REDUNDANCY FEATURE.

THYRISTOR BRIDGE (SEE)

N+2

redundancy
N is the number of bridges can meet the
rated field current
N+1 can meet the ceiling voltage

THYRISTOR BRIDGE (SEE)

3

phase fully controlled, 6 thyristors, arm

fuses and snubber circuit
cooling fans
final pulse stage module for each bridge
pulse transformers

FIELD CIRCUIT BREAKER - FEATURES

-THE FCB SHALL BE OF DC , MULTIPOLE AIR BREAK TYPE
- SUITABLE FOR OPERATION FROM LOCAL PANEL AS WELL AS FROM
UCB
- FCB SHALL BE DESIGNED TO CARRY CURRENTS FOR
CONTINUOUS AS WELL AS SHORT TIME DUTY OF THE EXCITATION
SYSTEM
-DICHARGE CONTACTS SHALL BE RATED TO DISCHARGE THE FIELD
ENERGY CORRESPONDING TO THE HIGHEST FIELD CURRENT
WHICH MAY COME DURING ITS ENTIRE OPERATING RANGE.
-

FEATURES OF STATIC EXCITATION SYSTEM

-MAIN FIELD FLASHING DEVICE

-INITIAL FIELD FLASHING IS FROM STATIONS 415V
SUPPLY.
-SUITABLE RECTIFIER AND FILTERS REQUIRED FOR
CONVERTING AC TO DC.
-GATE FIRING CIRCUIT
-SHALL PROVIDE A LINEAR RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN
THE CONTROL VOLTAGE AND THE RECTIFIER OUTPUT.

Advantages of Static Excitation system

Elimination of all rotating parts -reducing losses-reducing

operating cost, Easy maintenance
Better redundancy arrangement. No limitation on the degree of
redundancy of rectifier.
High reliability & availability
Improved performance during transients and load throw-offs.
Due to higher field forcing and absence of rotating exciter - fast
excitation response

Advantages of Static Excitation system

Direct measurement of field current and voltage provides

better means of monitoring and control of field winding
Faster field discharge capability prevents excessive damage
to m/c in case of internal fault.
Repair work can be started when the m/c is in running
condition.
Simplified bearing configuration
Less balance problem on shaft
Shorter TG shaft-shorter TG foundation and thus reduced
civil structure

Dual Channel System

Type AFT

With Redundant Twin Converters

(cold standby, 100% redundancity, automatic change over)

UG
IG

AVR

IF

FCR

UG
IG

AVR

IF

FCR

AVR = Autom. Voltage Reg.

FCR = Field Current Reg.

VOLTAGE REGULATOR
-POWER SYSTEM STABILISER
.ELECTRO-MECHANICAL OSCILLATIONS
. FOLLOW UP CONTROL
. SMOOTH CHANGEOVER FROM WORKING TO STANDBY.
-AUTOMATIC CHANGE OVER FROM AUTO-1 TO AUTO-2 AND
VICE VERSA AT THE TIME OF
. LOSS OF TERMINAL VOLTAGE FEED BACK
. LOSS OF AUTOMATIC CHANNEL REF. SIGNAL
. MANUAL INTERVENATION.

EXCITATION SYSTEM
Excitation System incl AVR
b) Brushless System (BLE)
c) Static System (SEE)
d) Standards
e) Trends
a)

 IEC-60034-1,

IEEE

IEC-60034-3

421.1 to .5 Exc Systems

#IEEE

421.4 covers guidelines for

preparation of Excitation System
Specifications.

 IEEE

C37.90.1 Surge Withstand Capability

(SWC) Tests
Oscillatory
Fast Transient

Power

System Stability and Control: P

Kundur

EXCITATION SYSTEM
Excitation System incl AVR
b) Brushless System (BLE)
c) Static System (SEE)
d) Standards
e) Trends
a)

 500

MW sets: mostly BLE

660 MW sets: Sipat has BLE. All other
manufacturers provide SEE as their standard
offer
660/ 800 MW BHEL sets are BLE systems
except Barh2
All other leading manufacturers provide SEE
as their standard offer

 The

Field Circuit Breaker (FCB) of BLE is of

lower rating (typ 150 A). Field discharge is by
inversion and FCB secondary contacts.
Field Circuit Breaker (FCB) of SEE is of high
rating (typ 6300 A).
Some manufacturers provide FCB on the ac
side. Field discharge is by inversion and
overvoltage protection by thyristors triggering
onto discharge resistor.