Automatic Voltage Regulation Aim
Automatic Voltage Regulation Aim
Automatic Voltage Regulation Aim
Aim
LEARNING OUTCOMES
Overview
Starting of large induction motors (always with a low pf of 0.3 - 0.4 lagging) causes
sudden load current surges (6 - 8 times normal).
Large voltage drop in generator winding reduce terminal voltage at the load.
The effect is voltage dip. Similarly stopping of large motors will produce an over-
voltage on bus bars.
BS 2949 and LRS requirements specify the minimum performance for ship’s
generators.
The real need for an AVR is to deal with the voltage dip following the sudden
connection of extra load and to restore the voltage quickly without undue
overshooting of regeneration (voltage hunting).
3) The output error signal can be amplified and used to control the firing angle of
thyristors through a triggering circuit.
4) The ac exciter field coils are supplied with a regulated direct current from the
SCR output.
5) The output from the ac exciter rotor feeds into a rectifier bridge (in the case
of brushless alternator) to produce dc current for the alternator field winding
to control the voltage output.
Refer to Figure 1.
To Switchboard
Rectifier
Transformer
Voltage
Comparator
Excitation
Control using
SCR SCR
Alternator
From Alternator
Exciter Field Winding
Figure 1
Voltage dip - 2 stages
The initial sharp dip in voltage followed by a slower fall to a minimum voltage is
mainly the result of the size and power factor of the load and reactance
characteristic of the alternator.
b) Recovery
Recovery to normal voltage is dependent on the alternator, its excitation system and
AVR, and also the prime mover governor.
Transient
Voltage
Time
Voltage Dip
Figure 2
a. Too great a dip with too long a recovery time will cause objectionable flicker
of lighting.
b. Motor contact - BS specification requires contactors to operate satisfactorily
at 85% of normal voltage although they will hold in at much lower voltage.
There is danger that due to reduced contact pressure, contact welding can
occur.
c. Running Motor - RS and LRS limit the stalling torque of induction motor to not
less than 1.6 x Full load torque. Since T E2, stalling may occur at 79% of
voltage with motor running at full load.
But since the voltage dip is temporary, the motor will continue to run due to
inertia. Also the centrifugal load will reduce as the slip increases.
d. Stopped motor - starting torque of motor also falls but will be recovered as
voltage is restored after a voltage dip.
100 % _
+ 2.5 %
Generator
Voltage
15 %
Restored to
3 % of rated voltage
1.5 s
Time
Figure 3
Steady State
1
2 3
Figure 4