M.

Murali Mohan
Dy. Suptd (O)

LOSS OF EXCITATION - CONTENTS

Excitation:What it is ?
Why is required ?
How it will be provided ?
When it will be lost ?
What will happen if it lost ?
What are the Protection Schemes available?

GENERATOR
Generator is a rotating machine which converts
Mechanical Energy from Prime mover into Electrical
energy.
Basic Principle:
Basically Generator works on Faradays laws of Electro
Magnetic Induction.
Ist Law: Whenever a conductor placed in a rotating magnetic
field an EMF will be induced in that conductor.
IInd Law: The magnitude of the Induced EMF is Directly
Proportional to the rate of change of flux linkages.
E = K.L d/dt
L = Length of the magnetic flux lines
d/dt = Rate of change of flux linkages

K = Constant

EXCITATION WHAT IT IS ?
Creating the required Magnetic Field
strength in the Rotor winding of the
Generator by giving D.C supply which
when cut by conductors produces Voltage.
The system which is
used
to
Supply,
Control & Monitoring
of the D.C supply is
called the Excitation
system.
system

EXCITATION WHY IS REQUIRED ?

1) Basic requirement for the generation of
Magnetic Field in the air gap between the
Rotor and the Stator.
2) Results in the creation of the Rotating
Magnetic field in the air gap.
3) To Regulate the Terminal Voltage.
4) To control Reactive Power flow and facilitate
the sharing of reactive load between the
machines operated parallel in the grid.
5) Enabling the Maximum
Machine Capability.

utilization

of

WHAT IS REACTIVE POWER ?

In AC power networks, while Active Power
corresponds to useful work, Reactive Power supports
voltage magnitudes that are controlled for system
Reliability, Voltage stability, and operational
acceptability.
Reactive power is essential to move Active Power
through the Transmission and Distribution system to
the customer.
Reactive power is required to maintain the Voltage
to deliver Active Power (Watts) through transmission
lines.

Contd.

Reactive Power
Limitations:
Reactive power does
not travel very far.
Usually necessary to
produce it close to
the location where it
is needed.
(Apparent Power (S))2 = (Active Power (P))2 + (Reactive Power (Q))2
Contd.

VA
(M
er
w
Po
nt
re
pa
Ap
Power factor

Reactive Power (MVAR)

Analogy of understanding Reactive Power

True Power (MW)

Power Factor = Active power / Apparent power = Kw / kVA

= Active Power / (Active Power + Reactive Power)
= Kw / (Kw + kVAr)
The higher kVAr indicates Low Power Factor and vice versa.

REACTIVE POWER SOURCES AND SINKS

EXCITATION HOW IT WILL BE PROVIDED ?

Excitation system

D.C Excitation
(up to 110MW)

Static Excitation
System (200MW)

Brush less Excitation

system (500MW)

Stage1

Stage2&3

EXCITATION WHEN IT WILL BE LOST ?

1) Field Open Circuit (Field Current is zero).
2) Field Short Circuit (Field Current is too high).
3) AVR Control Failure.
4) Accidental Tripping of Field Breaker.
5) Loss of supply to the Main Exciter.
6) Poor brush contact in the Exciter.
7) Field Circuit Breaker latch failure.
8) Slip Ring flash over.

EXCITATIONWHAT WILL HAPPEN IF IT LOST ?

The Generator delivers both Real and Reactive
Power to the grid. The Real power comes from the
Turbine while the Reactive power is due to Field
Excitation.
When Field Excitation is lost while the Mechanical
Power remains intact, it would attempt to remain
synchronized by running as an Induction
Generator.
As an Induction Generator, the machine speeds up
slightly above the synchronous speed and draws
Excitation from the grid.
Contd.

Before Loss of Excitation

Qe

Mechanical
Input
Pm

Pe

Generator

Grid

jQe

Pe

Speed = Ns

Generator
Voltage = V rated

Field Current = I f

Loss of Excitation condition

Mechanical
Input
Pm

Pe

Generator

Pe
jQ

Grid

LOE

Speed > Ns
Field Current I

f = Zero

Generator

Voltage = V LOE

LOE

 Operation as an Induction Generator necessitates the

flow of Slip frequency current in the rotor, the
current flowing in the Damper Winding and also in
the slot wedges and surface of the solid rotor body.

Now there are Two Possibilities: Either the grid is able to meet the reactive power
demand Fully or meet it Partially.
If the grid is able to fully satisfy this demand for
reactive power, the machine continuous to deliver
active power of PeMW but draws reactive power of
QLOE MVA and there is no risk of instability.
Contd.

 However, the Generator is not designed as an

Induction Machine, so Abnormal Heating of the
Rotor and overloading of Stator winding will take
place.
If the Grid able to meet the Reactive Power
demand partially then this would be reflected by
fall of a Generator Terminal Voltage.
Voltage The
Generator would be under excited.
There are certain limits on the degree to which a
Generator can be operated within the Under
Excited mode.
Reduced Excitation weakens the magnetic coupling
between the Rotor and Stator.
Contd.

If the coupling becomes too weak, the Turbine

output cannot be fully converted into Electrical
form (Pa = Pm-Pe).
This leads to acceleration of Rotor, resulting
into increased .
Increased Rotor Angle force the Generator to
lose Synchronism.

Therefore, the operation in case of loss of

excitation must be quickly detected and
checked.
Contd.

 If a generator is operating at full load

when it loses excitation, it will reach a
speed of 2% to 5% above normal.
This over speed condition will be harmful
to Steam Turbine driven Generators.
Generators
If a Generator is operating at reduced
loading (< 30%), the machine speed may
only be 0.1% to 0.2% above normal.
Contd.

 When Excitation is lost, rotor current (If),

Internal voltage (E) and terminal voltage (Vt)
falls.
Due to reduced voltage,
increases for the same Pe.

Stator

current

As V/I ratio become smaller, the Generator

Positive Sequence Impedance (Z+) as measured
at its terminals will reduce and enter the 4th
Quadrant of the R-X plane.

POWER FLOW DIRECTION AND POWER FACTOR

MVAR

Q-II

+ jX

Machine acts as an
Synchronous Motor

Machine acts as an
Synchronous Generator

- MW

-R

MW

+R

O
Machine acts as an
Induction Generator
P

Machine acts as an
Induction Motor
P

Q-III

Q-I

- MVAR

- jX

Q-IV

Generator Active and Reactive Power after LOE

Voltage Drop and Rotor acceleration During LOE fault

Typical Generator Capability Curve

LOSS OF EXCITATION PROTECTION SCHEMES

The simplest method by which loss of excitation
can be detected is to monitor Field current of
the Generator.
If the filed current falls below a threshold, a
loss of field signal can be raised.
A complicating factor in this protection is the
Slip Frequency Current induced in the event of
loss of excitation and running as an Induction
Generator.
Contd.

 The quantity which changes most when a Generator

loses Field Excitation is the Impedance measured at
the Stator terminals.
On loss of excitation, the terminal voltage begins to
decrease and the current begins to increase, resulting
in Decrease of Impedance.
The Loss of Excitation can be unambiguously detected
by a Mho relay located at the Generator terminals.

In 1949, a Single Phase Offset Mho Relay was

introduced for the high speed detection of Loss of
Excitation in Synchronous Generators.
Contd.

There are Five LOE protection schemes used today, namely,

1)

R-X Scheme with Single and Double Relay Scheme

(Based
on
Generator
terminal
Impedance
measurement).

2) R-X with Directional element Scheme (-do-).

3) G-B Scheme (Based on Generator terminal Admittance
measurement).
4) P-Q Scheme (Based on Generator Active and Reactive
power output).
5) U-I Scheme (Based on the measurement of Phase Angle
difference between Phase Voltage and Current).
However, R-X Schemes is widely used in Power Systems.

Contd.

IMPEDANCE MEASUREMENT (SINGLE ELEMENT)

The diameter of the circle set equal to the

Synchronous Reactance (Xd) and Offset
will be set equal to one - half of the
Transient Reactance (Xd/2).
This circle is operation zone for LOE relay.
As viewed from the machine terminals the
Relay will operate for any impedance
phasor that terminates inside the circular
characteristic.
Contd.

 In normal operation condition, the Generator

generates Active and Reactive Power to the system
which means both R and X are positive and the
Terminal Impedance is located in the First Quadrant
in R-X plane.
When the Excitation is lost, the Generator starts to
draws Reactive power from the system and X
becomes Negative from the LOE relay point of view.
As a result, the Terminal Impedance loci in R-X plane
moves to the Forth Quadrant and the endpoint of
terminal Impedance ranges between the sub Transient
Reactance and Synchronous Direst Axis reactance.

+X
-R

+R

Xd/2

Xd

-X

Relay Operating
Characteristic

When the measured

Impedance falls into
the operating region,
the relay function will
be picked up and
after a certain Time
Delay to enhance the
security for power
swing,
A trip signal will be
sent to the Generator
Breaker.

Typical impedance loci on loss of Excitation

X Rated
Load

II

Medium
Load

-R

Time = 0
Low load

Xd/2
Initially its a
Motoring
Action when
Excitation fails

Trip
Time Increasing
Xd
Locus of Apparent
Impedance

III

-X

After motoring action

Machine starts to work
As Induction Generator

IV

 To limit system voltage, the Generators may have to

operate Under Excited and absorb VARS from the
power system.
It is important that the Generator be able to do so
within its capabilities as defined by the Generator
Capability Curve.
The Generator Under Excitation Limiter (UEL) must
be set to maintain operation within the capability
curve.
The Loss Of Field Relay must be set to allow the
Generator to operate within its Under Excited
Capability.

Impedance measurement (Double Element)

This protection scheme applies Two offset Mho
Impedance circles by using the Generator Terminal
side Voltages and Stator Currents as input signals.
The Offset-mho relay in the impedance plane has two
circles with a diameter of Direst Axis Transient
Reactance Xd and a Negative offset of Xd /2 for the
Outer Circle.
And the diameter of 1.0 (pu) and a Negative offset
of Xd /2 for the Inner Circle.
Zones 1 and 2 are for detecting LOE with full load and
light load. The typical time delays for Zone - 1 & Zone
- 2 are about 0.1 s & 0.50.6 s.

+X
Heavy load Light load
130

-R

+R
Machine operating
Limit in Leading PF

Xd/2

1.0 pu

Zone-1

Xd
Zone - 2

Steady state
Stability limit
Machine
capability
Min Exciter
Limiter

Zone - 2 setting crosses

Steady state stability limit
-X

R-X with Directional Element Scheme

Its a combination of Two Impedance elements,
a Directional unit and an Under voltage unit
applied at the Generator Terminals.
The Zone - 2 element is set to coordinate with
the Steady State Stability Limit. The top of the
Zone - 2 circle (positive offset) is set at the
System Impedance in front of the Generator.
It will detect reduced or Loss of Excitation
condition, raise an alarm and if the
abnormality persists, Trips the Generator.

+X
-R

Light Load

XTG+Xmin SG1

- Xd/2

Heavy Load
+R

Zone-2
Directional
Element

1.1Xd

Zone-1
Impedance locus
During loss of field
Machine capability
Min Exciter Limiter
-X

Two zone Loss of field scheme with Directional unit

Stage 1 Relay details

Stage 2&3 Relay details

+X
-R

+X
+R

-R

+R

Z1 Xd/2

Z1 Xd/2

Z2

Z2

Xd

Xd
-X

Z1 = 2.17
Z2 = 12.25
CT Sec = 5A, PT Sec = 110V
Make ALSTOM, Type = YCGF
Model YCGF11AF1A

-X
Z1 = 3.0
Z2 = 14.88
CT Sec = 5A, PT Sec = 110V
Make : English Electric, Type = YCGF
Model YCGF11AF1A5

Typical Relay setting calculations

Information required:PT Ratio
CT Ratio
Transient Reactance (Xd)
Synchronous Reactance (Xd)
Generator Rating
Generator Voltage

: 22000 : 110 = 200 : 1

: 20000 : 5 = 4000 : 1
: 0.30 (0.16 to 0.45 )
: 2.50 (2.0 to 3.90 )
: 588 MVA
: 21.0 KV

Calculation:T = CT Ratio / PT Ratio

Base (Pri) = KV2/MVA
Base (Sec) = T X Base ohms (Pri)

: 4000 / 200 = 20
: 21 X 21 / 588 = 0.75
: 20 x 0.75 = 15

Xd (Sec) = Xd x Base (sec)

Desired offset = Xd/2
Xd (Sec) = Xd (pu) x Base (sec)

: 0.30 x 15 = 4.50 .
: 4.50 / 2 = 2.250 .
: 2.50 x 15 = 37.50

Diameter of circle = 37.50

Offset setting
= 2.250

Stage 1 Relay details

Stage - 2 Relay details

CT Ratio - 8500 / 5A
PT Ratio - 18.7KV / 110V

CT Ratio - 20,000 / 5A
PT Ratio - 22KV / 110V

Diameter = 12.25
Offset ZR =2.17
K1 = 0.91, K2 = 2.5
K3 = 0.5, K4 = 2.0
K5 = 13.4
Timer Setting
Trip = 2 sec - 2A/40G
Reset = 10 sec - 2B/40G
VTIGM setting = 80V
VAA21:- Time delay on reset
= 200 m sec. ( fixed )

Diameter setting - ZF = 14.88

Offset setting - ZR= 3
K1 = 0.8, K2 = 3.0
K3 = 1.0, K4 = 2.0
K5 = 18.6

Z1 = K3+K4 = K2
Z2 = K 1 x K 5

Z1 = K3+K4 = K2
Z2 = K 1 x K 5

Type - YCGF
Model YCGF11AF1A

Type - YCGF
Model YCGF11AF1A5

Timer Setting:
Trip = 2 sec - 2A / 40G
Reset = 2 sec - 2B / 40G
VTIGM setting = 80V
VAA21 = 200 mA

400 KV Bus -I
400 KV Bus -II

400 KV Bus -I
400 KV Bus -II

CORE-5
CORE-4

METERING

EM

CORE-3

87
HV

CORE-1

400KV TEE PROT1/2

51
NGT

400KV CVT

LBB

VT1:- 64G2,59G,81G,27G,99GT,64G1,98G,21,40G

CORE-2

LBB

SPARE

VT2:- AVR / EHG / SYNC

VT3:- PERFORMANCE TEST / AVR /EHG /
LOW FRWD /REV POWER RELAYS

B/B PROTN

B/B PROTN

B/B PROTN

B/B PROTN

TEE PRT

CORE-1
CORE-2

DIFF 1/2
87
T

GT TRANS Y/
VT3

87
GT

51
UT

METERING
CORE-8

AVR

87
UT

EHG

51
NUT

CORE-7
CORE-6

VT2

VT1
GENERATOR

87
G

UAT
/Y

CORE-5
CORE-4

EHG
37
GA

CORE-3

50
GDM

46
G

98
G

40
GB

40
GA

DR

21
G

37
GB

32
GA

32
GB

TESTING
64
RUT

CORE-2

CORE-1

100% STATOR E/F (64G1)

& INTER TURN PROTN (95G)

Typical Generator Protection scheme (500MW)

ANSI/IEEE Standard Device Numbers

1 - Master Element
2 - Time Delay Starting or Closing Relay
3 - Checking or Interlocking Relay
4 - Master Contactor
5 - Stopping Device
6 - Starting Circuit Breaker
7 Rate of Change Relay
8 - Control Power Disconnecting Device
9 - Reversing Device
10 - Unit Sequence Switch
11 Multifunction Device
12 Over speed Device
13 - Synchronous-speed Device
14 Under speed Device
15 - Speed or Frequency-Matching
Device
16 Data Communications Device
20 - Elect. operated valve (SV)

21 - Distance Relay
23 - Temperature Control Device
24 Volts per Hertz Relay
25 Synchronizing Check Device
26 - Apparatus Thermal Device
27 Under voltage Relay
30 - Annunciator Relay
32 - Directional Power Relay
36 - Polarizing Voltage Devices
37 - Undercurrent Relay
38 - Bearing Protective Device
39 - Mechanical Conduction
Monitor
40 Field failure Relay
41 - Field Circuit Breaker
42 - Running Circuit Breaker
43 - Selector Device
46 Phase- Bal. Current Relay

47 - Phase-Bal. Voltage Relay

48 - Incomplete-Sequence Relay
49 - Transformer Thermal Relay
50 - Instantaneous Over current
51 - AC Time Over current Relay
52 - AC Circuit Breaker
53 Field Excitation Relay
55 - Power Factor Relay
56 - Field Application Relay
59 Over voltage Relay
60 - Voltage or Cur. Balance Relay
62 Time-Delay Stopping / Opening
Relay
63 - Pressure Switch
64 - Ground Detector Relay
65 - Governor
66 Notching or jogging device
67 - AC Directional OC Relay
68 - Blocking or out of step Relay

69 - Permissive Control Device

74 - Alarm Relay
75 - Position Changing Mechanism
76 - DC Over current Relay
78 - Phase-Angle Measuring Relay
79 - AC-Reclosing Relay
81 - Frequency Relay
83 - Automatic Selective Control or
Transfer Relay
84 - Operating Mechanism
85 Pilot Communications, Carrier
or Pilot Wire Relay
86 - Lockout Relay
87 - Differential Protective Relay
89 - Line Switch
90 - Regulating Device
91 - Voltage Directional Relay
92 - Voltage and Power Directional
Relay
94 - Tripping or Trip-Free Relay

Induction Generator
An Induction Generator or Asynchronous Generator is a
type of AC Electrical Generator that uses the principles
of Induction motors to produce power.
Induction Generators and motors produce electrical power
when their rotor is turned faster than the Synchronous
Speed.
In Generator operation, a Prime mover (Turbine) drives
the rotor above the synchronous speed. The stator flux still
induces currents in the rotor, but since the opposing rotor
flux is now cutting the stator coils, an active current is
produced in stator coils and the motor now operates as a
Generator, sending power back to the Electrical Grid.

Synchronous Reactance and Impedance

The overall reactance of the Armature
winding is the sum of its Leakage
Reactance plus Fictitious Reactance,
which is known as Synchronous Reactance
(Xd).
The Impedance of armature winding is
obtained by combining its Resistance and
its Synchronous Reactance. It is called
Synchronous Impedance Zs.

 Synchronous Reactance determines steadystate current. However, when a sudden change

from steady state occurs, such as short circuit,
other reactance's come into play. This happens
because the flux in the machine cannot change
immediately.
Sub-Transient Reactance determines maximum
instantaneous current. It lasts up to about 6
cycles.
Transient Reactance is a longer lasting
reactance determining current up to as much as
5 seconds.

 Zero Sequence Reactance determines neutral

currents in grounding studies. It is also a factor
in determining neutral currents when third
harmonics are encountered.
Negative Phase Sequence Reactance is used in
calculating line-to-line faults.
Transient Reactance (Xd):- It is One of the Five
reactance figures frequently used by engineers
when comparing Generator capability with
load requirement, or when comparing one
Generator with another.

Total Short Circuit Current

a) Sub transient Reactance = Xd

b) Transient Reactance = Xd
c) Synchronous Reactance = Xd

RELAY NUMBERS AND THEIR UNIVERSAL NOMENCLATURE

21 G
40 G A / B
46 G
DR
98 G
37 GA / GB - 32GA / GB

GENERATOR BACK UP IMPEDANCE PROTECTION

FIELD FAILURE PROTECTION
NEGATIVE SEQUENCE PROTECTION
DIGITAL FAULT & DISTRUBENCE RECORDER
POLE SLIPPING PROTECTION
LOW FORWARD / REVERSE POWER RELAYS

87 G

GENERATOR DIFFERENTIAL PROTECTION

87 GT

OVER ALL DIFFERENTIAL PROTECTION

87 T

GENERATOR TRANSFORMER DIFFERENTIAL PROTECTION

87 UT

UNIT AUXILLIARY TRANSFORMER DIFFERENTIAL PROTECTION

64 RUT

UNIT AUXILLIARY TRANSFORMER RISTRICTED EF PROTECTION

51 NUT

UNIT AUXILLIARY TRANSFORMER EARTH FAULT PROTECTION

51 UT

UNIT AUXILLIARY TRANSFORMER OVER CURRENT PROTECTION

50 Z

BREAKER FAILURE PROTECTION

87 HV

TRANSFORMER HV WINDING + OVER HANGE DIFFERENTIAL PROTECTION

51 NGT

GENERATOR TRANSFORMER BACK UP EARTH FAULT PROTECTION

99 GT

GENERATOR TRANSFORMER OVER FLUXING PROTECTION

64 G2

95% STATOR EARTH FAULT PROTECTION

81 G

UNDER FREQUENCY PROTECTION

51 G

OVER VOLTAGE PROTECTION

27 G

UNDER VOLTAGE PROTECTION

Excitation
Synchronous machine maintains constant flux.
When DC field current gets reduced (under
excited), to strengthen main field, it absorb
reactive power (draw current from AC supply
mains).
In reverse, when DC field current gets increased
(over excited), to weaken main field, it deliver
reactive power to the bus bar.
All these are controlled by magnetizing and
demagnetizing effect of Armature Reaction

 Generator Active Power output equation:

Eq Us
Pe = ----------- Sin
Xs
Where

Pe = Active Power output to the system.

Eq = Gen int. vol. behind the d-axis Synch Reactance.
Us = Equivalent System Voltage.
Xs = Direct axis Synch Reactance.
= Angle between Eq and Us.
Pe Eq, Us Sin .

 As the Generator internal

Voltage Eq is a function
of Field Voltage, the
Generator Active Power
output is a function of
Field Voltage as well.
When the generator
operates at =90, any
increase of Mechanical
Power or decrease of
Electrical Power will lead
to Generator Loss of
Synchronism.

Generator Active Power

Vs Load Angle