Power Generation

THYRIPART
Compound-Excitation System
for Synchronous Generators
Excitation Systems
Operating Characteristics Standard circuitry
THYRIPART
Load dependent
Short circuit supporting
Low voltage gradient dv/dt
Black start capability
Digital open and closed loop control
High reliability and availability
Extraordinary flexibility
Easy maintenance
Best control capabilities
The THYRIPART excitation system is a static excitation system
supplied by voltage and current from the generator and
incorporating a transistorized voltage regulator. It supplies the
energy required to excite the generator directly via slip rings.
The outstanding flexibility of the standard system and the modular
construction make the THYRIPART system suitable for application
in industrial-, steam- and hydro power plants and particularly
suitable for the modernization of existing excitation systems.
This basic circuit with its excellent dynamic properties also features
a transistorized controller which provides a parallel circuit to the
excitation winding.
The transistorized controller is a DC chopper regulator, a standard
product of DC drive technology. It operates in parallel with the
rectifier, i.e. it is connected in parallel to the excitation winding.
The transistorized chopper can both add and subtract current to
the field current supplied by the basic THYRIPART circuit, thus
increasing or reducing the field current. This control feature
permits a relative voltage stability of 0.5%.
In island mode it is even possible to operate the excitation system
without closed loop control. The hardware components trans-
former, Harz circuit and bridge converter are capable to control
the generator voltage to an accuracy of (depending on generator
characteristics) approximately 10 %.
The modular construction the graphically supported flexible
software of the digital open and closed loop control as well as
the little space requirement makes the system ideal for the mo-
dernization of existing excitation systems.
For new systems adaptation to specific requests is possible.
Mechanical Design
The THYRIPART excitation system is installed in a standard cubicle
specially designed for equipment comprising open loop and
closed-loop controls and power electronics devices. Modular
design and easy accessibility of all components facilitate all setting
and optimizing operations. The standard cubicle group is 1500
to 2400 mm wide and 600 mm deep at a height of 2200 mm.
The adaptability to all kinds of local conditions and existing plant
may necessitate deviating cubicle dimensions, especially in the
case of modernization projects.
As the generator lead or neutral point has to go through the
current transformer and the voltage transformer will be connected
to the generator lead the transformers should be assembled close
to the generator. Therefore the transformers are supplied bulky
for erection into a separate room of MV compartment.
2
THYRIPART-compartments
(examples)
The functional principle is based on a Harz circuit which uses an
oscillating circuit to convert a voltage source into a current source.
The no load component of the excitation is supplied from the
excitation voltage transformer and converted into a current source
by the Harz circuit The load component is supplied by the
excitation current transformer. The generator current flows through
the primary winding. The no load component from the Harz
circuit flows through an additional winding and is added by this
to the load component. A third winding supplies the resulting
excitation current which is rectified in a bridge converter and fed
to the generator field.
The current-dependent component also helps to boost or maintain
excitation in the event of voltage dips or short circuits.
The oscillating circuit is supplied by the voltage generated from
residual magnetism during run-up to speed or also at rated speed.
This enables the generator to operate as a self-excited machine
without an external power source.
THYRIPART Standard Circuit
THYRIPART
The voltage transformer (1) supplies the no load part of the
excitation.
The oscillating circuit consisting of the reactor (3) and the capacitor
(4) transforms the no load part into a current source.
The current transformer (2) supplies the load part of the excitation
and adds it to the no load part.
The B6U converter bridge (7) rectifies the excitation current.
The components (1)-(7) alone control the generator voltage with
an accuracy of max. 10 %
The digital open and closed loop control (8) receives the actual
values from the measurement transformers (5) and controls the
transistor chopper (9). This chopper adds or subtracts a part of
the excitation current. This results in an accuracy of 0,5 % for
the generator voltage.
Main components are:
3
In manual mode, the actual value excitation current is detected
via a shunt resistor (10) and controlled by the closed loop control.
The over voltage protection (11) prevents from over voltages in
the field circuit. It is self restoring so that excitation can go on
after over voltages caused by load steps or short circuits.
To de-excite the generator, the de-excitation contactor (6) shorts
the feeding current source. Additionally the shorted current source
prevents the generator from self-excitation out of the residual
magnetism if the generator is at speed or being turned.
Optionally it is possible to speed the de-excitation up by the fast
de-excitation circuit (12) consisting of the de-excitation switch
and the de-excitation resistor.
1
2
3 4
5 8 9
6
7
11
10
12
Mode of Operation
THYRIPART
Base Excitation
The excitation current supplied by the THYRIPART consists of the
voltage-dependent no-load component and the current-dependent
load component.
The no-load component is generated from an oscillating circuit
according to the Harz circuit principle. The oscillating circuit
consisting of reactor L and capacitor C is connected to the generator
lead and the voltage transformer respectively.
At a frequency near resonance, the oscillating circuit produces a
current at the leads between the reactor and the capacitor. This
current is proportional to the voltage applied (Harz principle). By
adjusting the reactor inductance (by varying the air gap) or
changing the tap on the current transformer this current can be
set to correspond to the no-load field current when the generator
is at nominal voltage.
Based on the Harz principle this current is independent of ambient
conditions as e.g. the rotor temperature. At rated speed the rated
voltage is reached automatically.
As this current flows through the reactor its phase is offset by
90el from that of the current.
During load operation a current component decoupled directly
from the generator current is added to this no-load component.
Decoupling and addition are performed in the current transformer
(T).
The generator current flows through the primary winding of the
CT, which only has a few turns, and the current from the oscillating
circuit flows through the first secondary winding.
The sum of the two currents (adapted according to the phase
angle and the transformation ratio) is picked off the second
secondary winding, rectified, and fed to the field winding.
This base excitation controls the generator current to an accuracy
of min. 10 %.
Voltage built up
The oscillating circuit operates near resonance frequency. The
result is a voltage rise which supplies a little excitation current
even if the supply voltage generated from residual magnetism is
low. By this the generator voltage rises and therefore also the
excitation current. This results in a voltage built up to rated
generator voltage.
4
U(G)
(400 V)
-L -C
-T
I(G)
I
f
Principle diagram of the basic excitation
Current- and Voltage transformer (example)
Comanche Peak nuclear power plant, USA: THYRIPART systems
qualified to American standard 1E
Closed loop control
The closed loop control controls a transistor chopper, which
adapts the excitation current from the Harz circuit by current
addition or subtraction. This results in a control accuracy of
0,5 % for the generator voltage.
Automatic Voltage Regulator
(Automatic control system)
The actual value of the generator voltage is compared with an
adjustable generator voltage setpoint. The resulting signal is
compared with the output of the excitation limiter and taken to
the input of the PI voltage controller. The PI voltage controller
with adjustable gain and time response provides an output signal
which is applied to the setpoint input I
ref
of the secondary field
current controller. The output of this controller governs the
generation of the frequency-modulated driving pulses for the
power transistors of the associated output stage, which is operated
with a clock frequency of about 2,5 kHz. The DC current flows
through the phase U and W of the transistor power circuit.
Automatic cos or reactive
power regulator at the generator leads
(Automatic control system)
The cos regulator compares the actual value with an adjustable
cos reference value. In case of a deviation the reference value
of the voltage regulator is adjusted until the deviation is reduced
to zero. In isolated or no-load operation of the generator the
operation mode of the automatic control system is switched over
from cos regulation to voltage regulation.
Manual control system (Excitation current regulator)
The P-action control amplifier of this regulator receives a filtered
setpoint signal that is compared with the actual value of the field
current. The output signal controls the frequency-modulation
drive circuit for the power transistors of the associated output
stage.
Of the three control systems the automatic one is normally in
operation, even during starting and stopping of the electric set.
The automatic control system includes the measuring and setpoint
devices and the control and monitoring circuits for the following
functions:
Generator voltage regulation
Fast secondary control and limitation of the output current of
the field current chopper regulator and/or field-forcing limiter.
Limiting controller for the under-excited range (under excitation
limitation)
Delayed high limiting control for the over-excited range
(over excitation limitation)
Delayed generator current limiter (stator current limitation)
THYRIPART 4
Options
V/Hz-limiter (over fluxing limiter)
Cos - - or reactive power regulator at the supply point
VAR joint control of several generators
Commissioning mode
The manual control system is designed as excitation current
regulator which permits generator characteristics to be recorded
during commissioning and inspections, and also short-circuit
operation of the generator to be carried out for setting the
protective relays. When the automatic voltage regulator is faulted,
it can also be used for the operational adjustment of the generator
excitation.
Follow-up control
The setpoint value of the field current controller is continuously
updated during operation on the automatic control system, thus
ensuring rapid and nearly bump less changeover to manual control
in the event of a fault. Automatic switchover takes place when
certain fuses or protective circuit breakers operate or in case of
failure of the automatic control system.
Control accuracy
The control accuracy of all control systems is 0.5 %
Control board inside the transistor power part
THYRIPART
When operating a synchronous generator, it is necessary to
observe the permissible combinations of active and reactive
power, which can be seen from the capability diagram.
LMO Limit characteristic of the underexcited range
OP Limit set by the stator temperature rise
PQ Limit set by the rotor temperature rise
Similar characteristics with reversed active-power flow apply to
motor operation of the generator.
The underexcitation limiter corrects the reactive power by raising
the machine voltage as necessary to ensure that, in case of an
excursion beyond the limit characteristic L-M-O, the operating
point is returned to that characteristic before the machine is
tripped by the underexcitation protection.
Limiting controllers
Limit characteristics of a synchronous machine in generator operation
Minimum excitation limiting
Overexcitation limiting and secondary field current limiting
5
The overexcitation limiter ensures that, in the overexcited range,
the operating point always keeps within capability curve section
P-Q of the generator. In response to system voltage drops caused
by high reactive power requirements, switching manipulations
or faults, the voltage regulator raises the excitation level so as to
keep the generator voltage constant. The overexcitation limiting
device acts as a safeguard against thermal overloading of the
rotor.
The overexcitation limiter admits excitation current values between
the maximum continuous current and the maximum excitation
current (field forcing) for a limited period of time so that the
generator can back up the system in response to short-time system
voltage dips.
The secondary excitation current limiter (field-forcing limiter),
in contrast, has the task of limiting the excitation current to the
maximum permissible value as quickly as possible.
The stator current limiter ensures the delayed limitation onto
working points, within the N-P range of the generator power
diagram. The main task of the stator current limiter is to prevent
the generator stator from thermal overload, which can be caused
by a high reactive power at increased active power. The stator
current limiter also permits increased excitation values for a
limited period so that the generator can back up the system.
Max. turbine-
output
Overexcited
Active Power
Underexcited
Reactive Power
O
P
N
M
L
Q
Active Power
Max. turbine-
output
Reactive Power
Underexcited
M
L
O
N
Excitation current I
f
(Rated Value)
40
30
20
10
1 1.1 1.5
Subordinate excitation
current limitation
Overexcitation
limitation
t(s)
The four quadrant chopper allows positive as well as negative outpot voltages
with positive or negative output currents. If the mean value of the output voltage
is bigger than the excitation voltage of the base excitation, an additional current
is fed into the field circuit and the excitation current rises. If the mean value of
the voltage is lower, a part of the base excitation current is fed back into the DC
link. The result is a lower excitation current.
Open loop control
The open loop control system contains interlocks
for switching the excitatioin on and off. The pro-
tective OFF signal on the other hand is applied
directly to the coil of the excitation contactor. The
open loop control also affects the changeover
between the automatic and manual closed loop
control systems.
Every operating mode of the excitation system is
monitored and displayed; slow control processes
are carried out and evaluated.
In addition to detailed internal fault indication, the
internal monitoring routine makes the following
alarms available at the cabinet terminals:
Fault with Protective Off command
Fault in automatic control system and switchover
to manual control system
Group alarm triggered by various internal
fault signals.
Group alarm triggered by various internal
fault signals causing starting lockout.
Process alarms are also made available for external
indication:
Excitation is on
Excitation is off
Automatic Voltage Regulator is on
Excitation Current Regulator is on
Cos or VAR Regulator is on
Limiters are active
Further more detailed signals are optionally
possible.
THYRIPART 6
The power circuit uses transistor chopper regulators, which provides the necessary
excitation power via a DC link.
The field voltage is adjusted by varying the pulse/pause ratio and the field circuit
resistance causes the field circuit to vary accordingly. The field current is measured
in the output stage and the signal is converted for the field current controller.
Power circuit
Principle connection of the transistor power part
Principle of the pulse wide modulation
+ + + + + + + + +
positive
zero
negative
-220 V
0
+220 V
- - -
- - - - - -
Rectifier Smoothing Adjuster
Output
Control
P
N
L1
L2
L3
parameters can be changed easily by selecting the corresponding
parameter in the parameter list. It is possible to choose between
a complete parameter list, pre-defined parameter lists with
selection of parameter for a special application (e.g. input/ out-
put) or a user defined parameter list by entering the interesting
parameter numbers. A complete upread of parameters allows
easy documentation.
THYRIPART
PC Tools
7
The operator friendly software tool SIMOVIS/DriveMonitor
guarantees simply commissioning of the THYRIPART. Through
a serial interface the voltage regulator can be connected with the
PC for easy configuration.
Customer friendly Configuring
The SIMOVIS/DirveMonitor software for Microsoft Windows
9x/2x/NT allows the complete parameterization of the power
circuit. Actual values can be monitored in the parameter list and
The trace recording function contains following
features:
Monitoring of up to 8 analog signals
Monitoring of 16 binary signals per unused analog signal
(e.g. 32 binary and 6 analog signals)
Maximum recording time of 280s at a maximum sampling rate
of 280ms or 1.4s at minimum sampling rate of 1.4ms
Freely adjustable sampling rate between 1.4 and 280ms in
steps of 1.4ms
Fault recording is automatically triggered by programmable
fault signals (triggered by binary signals e.g. faults or by
comparing an analog value (condition: </>/=/<>) with a
predefined value)
Adjustable pre-trigger between 0% (no pre-trigger, only
future) and 100% (only past, no future)
THYRIPART
Trace
8
Trace is an add-on for SIMOVIS/Drive Monitor that permits
visualization of recorded data. You can also store the data read
out of the device and open it again later. It is also possible to
import such data into text processing programs, such as Microsoft
Word, or into spreadsheet programs, such as Microsoft Excel.
You can perform simple measurements of amplitudes and instants
using two moveable cursors.
THYRIPART
Configuring with D7-ES
9
The complex voltage regulator with its limiters and calculations
as well as control functions such as interlocking is integrated
inside the programmable T400 circuit board. The T400 can be
configured with the graphic D7-ES configuring tools, based on
Windows 95/NT.
Thus, it is very easy to implement even complex customized
supplementary functions inside the THYRIPART. Complete
standard software packages are available for functions and
applications which are frequently required.
The picture below shows an example of a software structure and
a selection of available functions out of the function block library.
Technical Data
THYRIPART 10
Atucha nuclear power plant, Argentinia:
four THYRIPART systems 7.2 MVA for
emergency generators of Atucha 2.
THYRIPART
The range of application for THYRIPART excitation systems are low and middle voltage generators with small and medium
power when load dependence and short circuit support is required or the condition of the rotor insulation does not allow
the high voltage gradient caused by thyristor converters. This mainly applies for older generators. Other reasons are the
black start capability and the high availability. The standard application range is (extended application range on demand):
Rated generator voltage U(GN) max. 13,2 kV
Rated generator current I(GN) max. 2300 A
Rated excitation current I(fN) max. 960 A
Auxiliary supply from station battery 250 V: For power circuit control
Power consumption: < 0,1 kW continuously
< 0,2 kW short-time
For signal and controller power supply (24V DC)
Power consumption: < 0,2 kW continuously
Instrument transformers: Potential transformers:
connected to 3 phases of the generator voltage.
Power consumption < 5 VA per phase;
Secondary voltage rating 100 V to 120 V.
Current transformers:
Two-phase (L1, L3), for measuring the generator current.
Secondary current rating 5 A or 1 A,
< 5 VA (plus CT cable losses).
The transformers are not included in the scopeof
supply of the voltage regulator .
Standards: The THYRIPART excitation system is rated and designed
according to IEC-, EN-, DIN-, VDE-, IEEE-421- standards. Service
and maintenance of the excitation system THYRIPART can be
executed according the VGB4- instructions.
Published by and copyright 2004:
Siemens AG
Power Generation
Freyeslebenstrasse 1
91058 Erlangen, Germany
fax: 0049-9131-18-4369
www.siemens.com/powergeneration
Subject to change without prior notice
The information in this document contains general
descriptions of the technical options available which
do not always have to be present in individual cases.
The required features should therefore be specified in
each individual case at the time of closing the contract.
Excitation Systems