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A voltage regulator is designed to automatically maintain a constant voltage level.

A
voltage regulator may be a simple "feed-forward" design or may include negative
feedback control loops. It may use an electromechanical mechanism, or electronic
components. Depending on the design, it may be used to regulate one or more AC
or DC voltages.

Automatic voltage regulator[edit]

Voltage regulator for generators.

To control the output of generators (as seen in ships and power stations, or on oil rigs,
greenhouses and emergency power systems) automatic voltage regulators are used. This is
an active system. While the basic principle is the same, the system itself is more complex.
An automatic voltage regulator (or AVR for short) consist of several components such as
diodes, capacitors, resistors and potentiometers or even microcontrollers, all placed on a
circuit board. This is then mounted near the generator and connected with several wires to
measure and adjust the generator.
How an AVR works: In the first place the AVR monitors the output voltage and controls the
input voltage for the exciter of the generator. By increasing or decreasing the generator
control voltage, the output voltage of the generator increases or decreases accordingly. The
AVR calculates how much voltage has to be sent to the exciter numerous times a second,
therefore stabilizing the output voltage to a predetermined setpoint. When two or more
generators are powering the same system (parallel operation) the AVR receives information
from more generators to match all output.

Basically the AVR or Automatic Voltage Regulators function for generator is to


ensure voltage generated from power generator running smooth to maintain the
stable voltage in specified limit. It can stabilize the voltage value when suddenly
change of load for power supply demand.
If the generator running in parallel condition,the AVR can controlled the voltage that
it produce to ensure of equal value for reactive load sharing.
For the big system of interconnected power distribution with parallel design,it must
have a full controlled and transient stability particular must added for requirement
to the Automatic Voltage regulator for generator.
The AVR can operate in two conditions controlled. It is from manual control or
automatic control with standard limited parameter that required for generator.
This controlled must be provided if it not available for the generator system to
ensure it smooth running without any problem
Basic principles for AVR
A signal proportional to generator terminal voltage obtained from the rectified
output of a voltage transformer is compared to a stabilized reference voltage
obtained within the regulator.
If it detected any abnormal, different or error signal, it will amplified and control the
excitation supply, increase or decrease the input to the main field winding or exciter
field. The main purpose is to reduce the error signal to zero or an acceptable value.
Adjustment of the set voltage is obtained either by adjustment of the reference
voltage or by adjusting the proportion of machine voltage compared to the
reference voltage. The stabilizing loop is included to prevent hunting. Below is basic
diagram for AVR circuit

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