3/10/2021 Generator Protection

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Generator Protection
dc differential relay direct current electrical generator generator faults
generator protections mechanical power systems protection scheme
rotor faults solutions Jul 21, 2020

Generator protection is different and complex as compared to other

equipment and machines due to the reason that it is connected with 3
other systems simultaneously, a DC exciter circuitry for providing DC to
field winding, a prime mover for rotating rotor and is synchronized with
the grid. Also, generating systems consist of auxiliaries like heat water
pumps and exhaust fans, etc. which are supplied power through the
generator itself that is why it is never preferred to completely turn off the
generator as it would be a time taking task to start the generator again.
Also, it is not preferred to have a backup generator for auxiliaries as this
would change the short circuit rating.

When it is required to cut the generator with the grid due to

maintenance or fault, then the following steps should be taken:

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Slowing boiler firing

Fuel supply is minimized
Running the generator at baseload

Generators can have certain abnormal conditions and faults that may
reduce their useful life and can cause some serious damages. These are
discussed below along with their respective protection and preventive
measures.

Abnormal Conditions in
Generator:
These conditions are related to the equipment connected with a
generator like prime mover, exciter and grid.

It is further classified into two parts:

Mechanical
Electrical

Mechanical:
Loss of Prime Mover

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If you haven't checked out our previous blog on the Synchronous

Condenser, then please click here

Over Speeding

Electrical:
Unbalance Loading

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Loss of Excitation

Faults in Generator:
Stator Faults:
Phase & Earth Faults

A generator consists of 3 phase windings connected in Y and a

neutral wire. The following faults may have the probability to occur:

3 phase faults
3 phase to ground faults

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Single line to ground fault

The line to line fault
Double line to ground fault
Inter-turn fault on the same phase

You may check our previous blog focusing on fault analysis in

power systems

Longitudinal Differential Protection Scheme

For the protection of phase and ground fault, a differential

protection scheme is employed. This protection scheme differs
from the transformer differential protection scheme as:

There is no interposing CT involvement

No turn ratio problem
No tap changer requirement

This type of protection scheme is known as a longitudinal

differential protection scheme.

Figure 1: connection diagram of the longitudinal differential protection

scheme
The connection diagram of longitudinal protection is such that,
for each phase red (R), yellow (Y), and blue (B) there are two
current transformers (CT). One of the CT connected at the

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neutral point (at generator) and the other at phase (switchgear).

There are 4 pilot cables available, which is used for the
connection of CTs with the relay coil (R1, R2, and R3).

The differential protection scheme works on the current

matching principle that is when there is no fault, the current
flowing through CT1 and CT2 will be the same, in this case, no
current flows through relay coil and there is no tripping. In case
of phase or ground fault, the relay coil gets energize and the
difference of current is non-zero. Thus, relay issues a trip signal.

Differential Protection Scheme Using a Balance Resistor

There is a certain limitation in the above-mentioned protection

scheme that is for the efficient working of this scheme, the relay
coil should be placed in mid of the pilot cable (at an
equipotential point) otherwise there could be a mal-operation of
the relay.

But in some cases, generator and switch gears are placed at a

certain distance and as the relays are placed in switchgear, the
relay coil is placed at an uneven distance. The relay might give a
trip signal in normal condition as well (due to unequal
impedance).

A balancing resistor is connected with phase point CT for the

reliable working at the time of fault and no-fault. It is known as
differential protection using a balancing resistor.

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Fig 2: connection diagram of differential protection using balancing

resistor
Modified Differential Protection

As the star point of the stator, the winding is grounded using

some earthing resistance to reduce the effect of an earth fault.
The fault which occurs close to the neutral point is not detected
by relay. So, it is usually in practice to protect 85% of the stator
winding,

Due to the presence of earthing resistance, the sensitivity of

detecting an earth fault by the above schemes decreases. For
this purpose, a modified differential protection scheme is used.

Fig 3: connection diagram of modified differential protection

There are 2 phase relay coils (PA and PC) while an earth relay
coil (ER) and a balance resistor (BR). In case of a phase fault, only
PC or PA will get energized, there will be no current at earth
relay. While in case of an earth fault, earth relay gets energize
and issues a trip.

Balanced Earth Fault Protection

For small generator, the above-mentioned schemes cannot be

used for earth fault protection purpose, as the neutral point of
these generators is connected internally, there is no provision
for 3 CTs to connect at the neutral point. Instead of it, balance
earth fault protection is used.

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Fig 4: connection diagram of balanced earth fault protection

Inter Turn Faults

Inter turn faults in generators cannot be detected using Buchholz

relay as there is no oil tank present in the generator as the
transformer does.

The transverse differential protection scheme is used for the

detecting inter-turn fault in generators.

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Fig 5: connection of transverse differential protection

In this scheme, each winding is split into two sub windings, shown as
S1 and S2. Its working mechanism is such that if there is no fault
then equal current is divided in each sub winding like if the red
phase has 7000 A current then its sub winding S1 and S2 would have
3500 A current.

In case of an inter-turn fault in any of the sub winding current drops,

for example, an inter-turn fault occurs in red phase S1 sub winding
and its current now changes from 3500 A to 3000 A, due to the
difference in current in both sub winding (3500-3000), differential
current flows through relay coil and relay issues a trip signal.

Rotor Faults:
Rotor field winding fault includes dc field excitation short circuit fault,
due to which secondary flux is generated which opposes primary flux
distorting the main flux, this asymmetrical magnetic flux can potentially
cause mechanical damage to bearings due to vibrations or permanent

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damage to machines which have very small rotor-stator clearance. These

faults are protected using AC or DC injection method. However, the DC
injection method is preferred more as the AC injection method has a
leakage current problem.

Fig 6: DC Injection Method of Rotor Earth Fault Protection in Alternator

In DC injection method, a DC voltage relay is connected with the positive
terminal of a DC exciter, the negative terminal of the relay is connected
with an external DC power source which is usually fed by an auxiliary
transformer through bridge rectifier circuitry, the positive terminal of the
bridge rectifier is grounded. In the case of rotor fault, the positive
potential of the external DC source appears across the terminals of relay
and the protective relay operates.

Check out Power System Protection Fundamentals Course in which we

briefly discussed "Types of protective relays & design requirements". We
started with the introduction to the design and working mechanism of a
Relay, based on a protection system. Then moved forward to the
discussion on the factors that need to consider when designing a relay-
based protection scheme. Then we introduced Overcurrent Relays,
Directional Relays, Distance or Impedance Relays & Reverse Power Flow
Relays in detail.

Conclusion:
It is very important to protect generators from all kinds of faults since
they are one the most important and initial part of a power system hence
any fault in a generator can lead to severe power abnormalities or even

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blackout, moreover, backup protection must always be present so that

the equipment and rest of system are protected.

This concludes our topic of Generator protection; we hope our blog

made it easier for you to understand this topic. Feel free to suggest or
ask us any questions you might have in the comments section below.

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