Generators Protection and Switching

Generators
Protection and switching
© ABB
Generators protection and switching
 The need to guarantee continuity of service increase the use of emergency

supply generators, as an alternative to, or in parallel with the public utility
supply network.
 Typical configurations include:

 Island supply to supply the priority loads in the case of a lack of energy of
the public network;
 Supply to the user installation in parallel with the public supply network.
© ABB
 In case of a short-circuit, the current supplied by the generator is a function

of the parameters of the machine itself, and decreases with time; it is
possible to identify the following successive phases:
 Subtransient phase: with a brief duration (10÷50 ms), characterized by the

subtransient reactance X”d (5÷20% of the rated impedance value), and by
the subtransient time constant T”d (5÷30 ms);
© ABB
Transitory phase: may last up to some seconds (0.5÷2.5 s), and is

characterized by the transitory reactance X’d (15÷40% of the rated
impedance value), and by the transitory time constant T’d (0.03÷2.5 s);
Synchronous phase: may persist until the tripping of external protection,

and is characterized by the synchronous reactance Xd (80÷300% of the
rated impedance value).
© ABB
© ABB
As a first approximation, it can be estimated that the maximum value of

the short-circuit current of a generator Ikg, with rated power Srg, at the
rated voltage of the installation Ur, is equal to:
Where Irg is the rated current of the generator:
© ABB
 The circuit-breaker for the protection of the generator shall be selected

according to the following criteria:
 The set current higher than the rated current of the generator:
I1 ≥ Irg
 Breaking capacity Icu or Ics higher than the maximum value of short-
circuit current at the installation point.
© ABB
 In the case of a single generator: Icu(Ics) ≥ Ikg;

 In the case of n identical generators in parallel: Icu(Ics) ≥ Ikg·(n-1);
© ABB
 In the case of operation in parallel with the network: Icu(Ics) ≥ IkNet, as

the short-circuit contribution from the network is normally greater than the
contribution from the generator.
© ABB
For circuit-breakers with thermomagnetic releases:
Low magnetic trip threshold I3 =2.5/3*In
Frames: XT2 160A, XT3 250A, T5 630A
TMG XT2 In min. 16A max. 160A (I3=3*In)

XT3 In min. 63A max. 250A (I3=3*In)
T5 In min. 320A max. 500A (I3=2.5/5*In)
© ABB
For circuit-breakers with electronic releases:
Ekip G
Frames: XT2 160A, XT4 250A,
Ekip G-LS/I XT2 In min. 10A max. 160A

XT4 In min. 40A max. 250A
© ABB
 For circuit-breakers with electronic releases:

 Trip threshold of the delayed short-circuit protection function (S), set
between 1.5 and 3/4 times the rated current of the generator, according to
the decrement curve of the generator:
I2 = (1.5÷3/4)*Irg
 If the function S is not present, function I can be set at the indicated values:
I3 = (1.5÷3/4)*Irg
© ABB
 Trip threshold of the instantaneous short-circuit protection function (I3)
set at a value greater than the rated short-circuit current of the
generator, so as to achieve discrimination with the devices installed
downstream.
Tripping S function
Selectivity
© ABB
 Example:
 Protection of a generator with Srg = 100 kVA, system with a rated voltage of 440 V.
 Generator parameters:
 Ur = 440 V
 Srg = 100 kVA
 f = 50 Hz
 Irg = 131.2 A
 X’’d = 6.5 % (subtransient reactance)
 X’d = 17.6 % (transient reactance)
 Xd = 230 % (synchronous reactance)
 T’’d = 5.5 ms (subtransient time constant)
 T’d = 39.3 ms (transient time constant)
 From table 2, an SACE Tmax XT2N160 circuit-breaker is selected
© ABB
© ABB
From table 2, an SACE Tmax XT2N160 circuit-breaker is selected,

with In = 160 A, with electronic trip unit Ekip G LS/I.
For correct protection of the generator, following settings are selected:
 Function L: 0.84 – 3s, corresponding to 134.4 A, value greater than

Irg =132 A, according to the formula:
 Function I: 1.5 = 240 A
© ABB
© ABB
© ABB
Generators protection with Ekip G

 Ekip G trip units for SACE Emax 2 provide specific generator protection
functions that are currently provided by an external relay
 The level of accuracy and reliability offered by the Ekip G protections is

comparable or better to the offerings of external relays for generator
protection
Benefits of the Ekip G integrated version over the external relay version include:
 Elimination of external current transformer and voltage transformer
 Reduction of wiring (eliminates time and potential for errors)
 Space saving (size of column, optimization of busbar)
 Ease of installation, testing and set up
 Increased measurement, communication and signaling capabilities
 Simplicity in navigation and troubleshooting
© ABB
Generators protection with Ekip G
Measuring Pro
 Two versions are available and cover the complete series of SACE Emax 2
(E1.2 - E6.2):
 Ekip G Touch LSIG
 Ekip G Hi-Touch LSIG (enhanced protection functions)
 Range of typical electrical parameters:

 400V up to 690V and 250A up to 6300A
 Corresponding to generator power of 170kVA up to 7,5MVA
© ABB
Generator protection with Ekip G
Synchrocheck Module
 Available for SACE Emax 2 with Ekip G trip units
plus the Ekip Measuring Pro Module
 Enables control of the synchronism condition for

placing two lines in parallel
 Monitors the difference between the voltage, phase

and frequency of two systems. When the
synchronism conditions meet the set values, the
module enables the circuit-breaker to be closed.
Consent is provided through a contact that can be
integrated into the control circuit for the main
breaker
 Operates by monitoring the status of two busbars;

one directly trough the Ekip Measuring Pro Module,
the other to the single-phase VT signal
© ABB
Generator protection with Ekip G
Synchrocheck Module
Active busbar configuration
 Connection of two active systems, for
example:
 Connection of a generator on a
busbar fed by the low voltage
distribution network
© ABB

Generators Protection and Switching

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Generators Protection and Switching

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Generators

Protection and switching

 The need to guarantee continuity of service increase the use of emergency

 Typical configurations include:

 In case of a short-circuit, the current supplied by the generator is a function

 Subtransient phase: with a brief duration (10÷50 ms), characterized by the

Transitory phase: may last up to some seconds (0.5÷2.5 s), and is

Synchronous phase: may persist until the tripping of external protection,

As a first approximation, it can be estimated that the maximum value of

Where Irg is the rated current of the generator:

 The circuit-breaker for the protection of the generator shall be selected

 In the case of a single generator: Icu(Ics) ≥ Ikg;

 In the case of operation in parallel with the network: Icu(Ics) ≥ IkNet, as

For circuit-breakers with thermomagnetic releases:

Low magnetic trip threshold I3 =2.5/3*In

Frames: XT2 160A, XT3 250A, T5 630A

TMG XT2 In min. 16A max. 160A (I3=3*In)

For circuit-breakers with electronic releases:

Frames: XT2 160A, XT4 250A,

Ekip G-LS/I XT2 In min. 10A max. 160A

 For circuit-breakers with electronic releases:

From table 2, an SACE Tmax XT2N160 circuit-breaker is selected,

For correct protection of the generator, following settings are selected:

 Function L: 0.84 – 3s, corresponding to 134.4 A, value greater than

 Function I: 1.5 = 240 A

Generators protection with Ekip G

 The level of accuracy and reliability offered by the Ekip G protections is

 Elimination of external current transformer and voltage transformer

 Reduction of wiring (eliminates time and potential for errors)

 Space saving (size of column, optimization of busbar)

 Ease of installation, testing and set up

 Increased measurement, communication and signaling capabilities

 Simplicity in navigation and troubleshooting

 Ekip G Hi-Touch LSIG (enhanced protection functions)

 Range of typical electrical parameters:

 Corresponding to generator power of 170kVA up to 7,5MVA

 Enables control of the synchronism condition for

 Monitors the difference between the voltage, phase

 Operates by monitoring the status of two busbars;

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