Skip to main content

What Protective Devices Should be Installed for Generator

 According to the regulations of the power system, the main safety protection and requirements for the abnormal operation and possible faults of synchronous generators are as follows:

  1. Overload and short circuit protection of generators

The protection of generator should use a circuit breaker that can simultaneously disconnect all insulation poles for overload and short circuit protection, and its overload protection should be compatible with the thermal capacity of generator. And the following requirements should be met:

(1) When the overload is between 10% and 50%, the circuit breaker with a delay of less than 2mn should break. It is recommended to set it at 125% to 135% of the rated current of generator, with a delay of 15 to 30 seconds for the circuit breaker to break.

(2) If the overload (current) is greater than 50% but less than the steady-state short-circuit current of generator, the circuit breaker should break after a short delay required by the system selective protection. It is recommended to set the short delay release of the circuit breaker according to the following regulations: the starting value is 200%~250% of the rated current of generator, and the delay time is: the maximum DC time is 0.2s, and the maximum AC time is 0.6s.

(3) In cases where three or more generators may be connected in parallel, an instantaneous release should also be installed and set to momentarily open the circuit breaker at a slightly higher short-circuit current than the maximum short-circuit current of the protected generator.

(4) Generators with a single unit capacity of less than 50kW (or kVA) and not operating in parallel can be equipped with a multi pole linkage switch and a fuse for protection on each insulated pole.

(5) Generators with a capacity of 1500kVA or above should be equipped with a suitable protective device or system to deexcite the generator and open its circuit breaker in the event of a short circuit in the power supply cable inside the generator or between the generator and its circuit breaker.

The overload protection of diesel generator sets is mainly achieved by the automatic grading unloading device and the overcurrent release in the automatic air circuit breaker. The external short-circuit protection of diesel generator sets is mainly achieved by the overcurrent release in the automatic air circuit breaker.

  1. Undervoltage protection of generators

Generators operating in parallel should be equipped with undervoltage protection and meet the following requirements:

(1) When the motor is not generating electricity and the circuit breaker is closed, it should act instantaneously.

(2) When the voltage drops to 70%~5% of the rated voltage, it should act after a delay required by the system's selective protection. The undervoltage protection of diesel generator sets is mainly achieved by the voltage loss release in the automatic air circuit breaker.

  1. Reverse power protection of generators

AC generators operating in parallel should be equipped with reverse power protection with a delay of 3 to 10 seconds. The reverse power (or reverse current) value of generators operating in parallel can be adjusted according to the type of prime mover as follows:

① The prime mover is a diesel engine: 8% to 15% of the rated power (current) of the generator.

② The prime mover is a turbine: 2% to 6% of the rated power (current) of the generator.

When the power supply voltage drops to 50% of the rated voltage, the reverse power or reverse current protection should not fail, but its operating value can be changed. The reverse power protection of diesel generator sets is achieved by a reverse power relay.

  1. Automatic unload(without load)

Appropriate unloading devices or other equivalent measures should be installed to automatically unload non essential loads and equipment that ensures living conditions. If necessary, secondary important equipment can also be unloaded to ensure that the connected generator does not experience continuous overload. According to the overload capacity of the generator, this unloading can be carried out in one or multiple stages. In this case, non essential loads should be removed first.

Any malfunction of a diesel generator set may have adverse consequences, especially the consequences caused by short circuit faults are serious. When a three-phase short circuit occurs, the short-circuit current of the generator can reach more than 10 times the rated current, and the heat and mechanical force generated by this current can be more than 100 times higher than the normal value, causing huge damage to the generator. If not cut off in a timely manner, it may lead to the disconnection of parallel running generators, causing the entire power system to lose power, and even causing a fire, endangering the safety of the factory and human life. Therefore, in the design and operation of diesel generator sets, practical and effective measures should be taken to avoid abnormal operating conditions and short circuit faults as much as possible. One of the most effective methods is to install protective devices in the diesel generator set to automatically and quickly remove faults.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Diesel Generator Power Ratings: Standby vs Prime vs Continuous

Diesel generator sets are commonly used in a variety of sectors due to their dependable performance and high efficiency. They can be used for emergency power supply in the event of a power cut or used in places without connection to a power grid. When selecting a diesel generator for your home or business, you need to consider many factors, such as generator’s ratings. In this article, we’ll explain the three basic rating types - standby, prime, and continuous in diesel generators. ISO-8528-1:2018 defines basic generator set rating categories based on four operational categories: Emergency Standby Power (ESP), Prime Power (PRP), Continuous Power (COP) and Limited-Time Running Prime (LTP). Read on and learn the application of power ratings for engines used in generating sets. Standby Power Rating Standby Power(ESP) is used to supply emergency power when the external power supply is interrupted, such as power outages. Standby power rated generators can supply reliable electricity as t...

Main Structural Features of Natural Gas Engine - Weichai WP13NG Gas Generator

1.1 Main structural features of natural gas engine ● A cover per cylinder, dependable operation, easy disassembly. ● Frame-type main bearing structure and high complete machine rigidity which benefits the reliability and  service life of complete machine. ● Electronic throttle is adopted to control engine revolving speed. ● Mixture supply system uses mixer to regulate air-fuel ratio and adopts proportional mix and supercharged inter-cooling method to stabilize gas supply. ● Water-cooling middle case turbocharger applicable to gas engine features is selected and circulating  water shall be used to cool down turbocharger lubrication cooling oil so as to effectively prevent  pressure bearing lubricating oil from coking and to improve turbocharger’s reliability. ● Designed gas mixing system satisfies gas fuel features to effectively support stable lean burn and enhance thermal efficiency. ● Two pairs of friction couples of inlet, outl...

What Should You Pay Attention to in Routine Maintenance of Diesel Generator Sets

In modern society, the stability of power supply is directly related to the operation efficiency of enterprises and people's quality of life. Diesel generators have become an indispensable backup power supply or main power source in various industries due to their high efficiency, durability and reliability. However, to ensure the smooth operation and optimal performance of the generator sets, regular maintenance is essential. Here is what you need to pay attention to in the routine maintenance of diesel generators. Keep your generator clean It’s important to keep the generator’s exterior and the generator room clean. Regularly remove any dirt, dust, or debris that may accumulate to on the generator’s surface. This is not only for the sake of beauty, but also for the smooth operation of the unit. Cleaning the generator’s exterior, air intake vents, exhaust outlets and generator room can effectively reduce the risk of generator overheating. In addition, check if the connection bol...