1

Abstract Synchronous generator Loss of Excitation (LOE) if

dose not detected rapidly; not only has a harmful affect on the
generator, but also has a devastating impact on power system
stability. This paper presents a novel method for detecting Loss of
Excitation in synchronous generator based on change in the
magnetic flux linkage. Generator air gap flux linkage is measured
via search coils sensor installed under the stator wedges. The
search-coil sensor is widely used in electrical machine monitoring
in recent years. Theoretical approach based on Finite Element
Method (FEM) together with experimental results derived from a
4-pole, 380V, 1500 rpm, 50 Hz, 50 KVA, 3-phase salient-pole
synchronous generator confirm the validity of the proposed
method. Extensive simulations show that the proposed method
has various distinct features that are advantageous over existing
schemes. Speed and sensitivity are the main points featured in the
proposed technique. The effectiveness of the proposed protection
is demonstrated by comparing with conventional LOE protection.
Index 1erms-Synchronous generator, loss of excitation
protection, FEM, linkage flux, search coil.
I. INTRODUCTION
YNCHRONOUS generators are the main and signiIicant
parts oI power system and their Iailure can cause severe
damage on the machine, interruption oI electrical supply, and
consequently economic loss.
A synchronous generator requires suIIicient DC voltage and
current to its Iield winding to retain synchronism with a power
system. As a rule, the generator Iield is adjusted so that
reactive power as well as real power is delivered to power
system. The excitation may be completely or partially lost due
to accidental tripping the Iield breaker, Iield open circuit,
Ilashover oI the slip rings, regulator Iailure or loss oI supply to
the excitation system. The behavior oI a generator in any case
oI Iield loss will depend on its initial loading, machine and
system characteristics and the governor. II the Iield loss occurs
at Iull load the stator currents may be as high as twice the Iull
load current and high currents may be induced in the rotor. An
overheating oI the generator may occur quickly under these
circumstances. The condition must be rapidly distinguished
and to evade generator damage, the generator must be isolated
Irom the system. A LOE condition which is not detected can
This work is partly supported by the Mashhad Power Station.
H. Yaghobi, K.Ansari and H. Rajabi Mashhadi are with the Department oI
Electrical Engineering, Ferdowsi University oI Mashhad, IRAN.
H. Mortazavi and H. Borzoe are with Khorasan regional Electric Company
(KREC) ,IRAN (e-mail:hmort2Aol.com).
H. Khorashadi zadeh is with Siemens Energy Inc, USA
(Hassan.zadehsiemens.com).
also have a demolishing impact on the power system by
causing both a loss oI reactive power support as well as
creating a signiIicant reactive power drain. On large generators
this condition can cause an area wide system voltage collapse
|1|, |2|.
In 1949, a single phase oIIset Mho relay was introduced Ior
the Iast detection oI LOE in synchronous generators |3|. The
security Ior LOE has since been a great concern to many
authors and utility under takings. The concern was about the
possible maloperation oI the relay during stable power swing
under certain conditions |1|. The conventional LOE
documented solution to this problem is to intentionally delay
the operation oI LOE relay. The method presented in |4|
proposed an adaptive LOE relay, augmented by suitably
selected time derivatives oI impedance seen by the relay, to
ensure correct discrimination between genuine loss oI
excitation and power swing. Providing time delay to avoid
Ialse operation on stable power swing is not considered as an
ideal solution and there continues some user apprehension
about the relay perIormance |5|. This deliberately time delay
increases the operating time oI the relay which means that the
MVARS drawn by the generator persist Ior a longer time,
making the power system more vulnerable to severe voltage
dips. In |6|, the authors present evaluation oI the perIormance
oI the adaptive LOE protection based on the rate oI change oI
the apparent reactance accomplished by considering the well
known positive oIIset method. In |7|, on the base oI simulation
oI loss oI excitation, the method oI LOE protection Ior
generator based on artiIicial neural networks is proposed. The
presented method can be considered as an accelerated tripping
Iactor and in conjunction with other criteria, not as a sole LOE
protective relay.
Most oI previous work about the LOE protection have
been concentrated on enhancing the security oI oIIset Mho
relay and evaluating the eIIects oI the power system
disturbances on these relays |1||5|. The other new papers
present the importance oI proper coordination oI LOE relay
with under excitation limiter and generator capability curve
|8||10|. The need to improve coordination between generator
protection and control has come to light aIter recent
misoperation oI generator protection during major system
disturbances. Two signiIicant disturbances are the 1996
western area disturbances and 2003 east coast blackout. The
method presented in |11| gives a new algorithm based on
measuring oI the 3-phase reactive power output oI the
machine, and monitors the direction and magnitude oI leading
reactive power at the generator output terminal. This algorithm
does not response satisIactorily to partial loss oI Iield
A Novel Flux- Based Method Ior Synchronous Generator
Loss oI Excitation Protection
H. Yaghobi, H. Mortazavi, K.Ansari, H. Rajabi Mashhadi, Member, IEEE,
H. Khorashadi zadeh, Member, IEEE, and H. Borzoe
S
2
conditions as long as the AVR can increase the Iield current
enough to correct the situation.
On the other hand, Iault monitoring oI rotating electrical
machines using magnetic Ilux measurements have been
proposed as a topical subject oI investigation |12|- |18|. In
addition to above mentioned studies, in this paper, it will be
shown that generator air gap Ilux is a useIul variable Ior
accurate detection oI LOE condition.
The objective oI this paper is to present a novel method Ior
LOE protection based on change in the magnetic Ilux linkage
oI the synchronous generator. The method consists in
obtaining the magnetic Ilux linkage via a search coil sensor. It
will be shown that Ilux based LOE protection is not only more
sensitive but also is Iaster than conventional LOE relay. The
main idea oI proposed method is validated by experimental
results and FEM analysis. The perIormance oI the proposed
method has been studied Ior a single-machine inIinite bus
system using MATLAB soItware.
II. SYNCHRONOUS GENERATORLOE PROTECTION
When a loaded generator loses its Iield current, the
generator becomes an induction generator until the prime
mover is removed aIter which it may become an induction
motor |1|. In a LOE condition, the generator operates in the
under excited region oI its capability curve. Such a LOE
causes the generator to accelerate rapidly because the power
into the generator Irom prime mover can only now be
transIormed to energy stored in the rotor`s angular velocity.
Without removing the power input Irom the prime mover, the
generator will soon be selI-destructed. The eIIects oI such a
LOE on the power system includes: loss oI reactive support,
considerable reactive drain, locale voltage collapse, power
swings, extreme reactive power Ilow and probably
transmission line tripping.
Fig.1. Loss oI Iield R-X diagram scheme 1 |10|.
The most broadly applied method Ior detecting a generator
LOE situation is the use oI distance relays to sense the
deviation oI impedance as viewed Irom the generator
terminals. This distance relay approach used as a combination
oI exciter-initiated protection (e.g. Ior inadvertent Iield breaker
opening) and mho-type relays. The impedance relays may be
combined with directional units and under voltage elements to
reduce the likelihood oI misoperation during system
disturbances.
There are two basic designs oI LOE protection. The Iirst
technique (scheme 1 Fig. 1) consists oI two oIIset Mho units.
An impedance circle diameter equal to the generator
synchronous reactance and oIIset downward by
2
1
oI the
generator transient reactance is used Ior the Zone 2 distance
element. The oIIset oI the relay characteristic prevents
operation oI the protection Ior external three-phase Iaults close
to the generator terminals. The operation oI this element is
delayed approximately 30-45 cycles to prevent misoperation
during a stable transient swing. A second relay zone, set at an
impedance diameter oI 1.0 per unit (on the generator base),
with the same oIIset oI
2
1
oI the generator transient reactance
is used also. This Zone 1 element has a Iew cycles oI delay and
more quickly detects severe under excitation conditions. When
synchronous reactance is less than or equal to 1.0 per unit (e.g.
hydro generators) only the Zone 2 is used and is set with the
diameter equal to 1.0 per unit.
The second relaying method (scheme 2 Fig. 2) consists oI
an under voltage unit, an impedance unit and a directional unit.
In this case the generator synchronous and transient reactances
are used to determine the settings.
Fig.2. Loss oI Iield R-X diagram scheme 2 |10|.
As with the Iirst scheme, two elements are used, one without
signiIicant delay (typically 0.25 second Ior the most severe
condition) and the other delayed to prevent misoperation. For
both schemes the relay settings are based on CT and VT
secondary quantities, thus the impedances need to be
calculated on the CT and VT secondary basis.
Another method oI LOE protection is oIIered by Siemens in
static and digital generator protection |19|. Positive sequence
admittance seen by the relay is used in the numerical algorithm
to determine the synchronizing power oI the machine. The
operating characteristic in the admittance plane is a
combination oI straight lines as shown in Fig.3.
3
Fig.3. Under excitation characteristic in the admittance plane |19|.
The characteristic is adapted to the generator capability
curve. The protection trips immediately iI the admittance
moves to the leIt beyond line 3 which means that stability has
been lost permanently. An alarm or several seconds delayed
trip is initiated when the impedance has crossed only line 2 oI
the characteristic. The protection is also set to operate below
60 to 70 oI the no-load excitation voltage and upon
malIunction oI the voltage regulator or Iailure oI the excitation
voltage; the machine can be disconnected aIter a short delay
e.g. 1.5 seconds.
A. Conventional LOE protection problems
The distinguish matter between LOE and transient power
swing during major system disturbances, receives as one oI the
biggest challenge oI LOE protection relay |20|, |21|. The
accepted solution Ior this dilemma is making deliberately
delay in the operation oI LOE relay. LOE response time
includes two time delays. The Iirst is the inherent time delay oI
power system in response to loss oI Iield condition. The
permissible time beIore damage can occur in these
protection depends on the type oI machine, type oI
excitation loss, turbine governor characteristics and system
conditions. The time can be as short as 10 seconds or as
long as many minutes |22|. In these circumstances, the
generator may be able to run Ior several minutes without
requiring to be tripped. There may be suIIicient time Ior
remedial action to restore the excitation, but the reactive power
demand oI the machine during the Iailure may severely depress
the power system voltage to an unacceptable level. Second
time delay is related to protective relay detection speed and
designer setting. This deliberately time delay increases the
operating time oI the relay which means that the MVARS
drawn by the generator persist Ior a longer time, making the
power system more vulnerable to severe voltage dips. In
addition, Ior operation at high initial power output, the rotor
speed can rise to about 105 oI rated speed, where there
would be low power output and where a high reactive current
oI up to 2.0p.u. may be drawn Irom the supply. Rapid
automatic disconnection is then required to protect the stator
windings Irom high current and to protect the rotor Irom
damage caused by induced slip Irequency currents. Although
the detection method upgraded to modern two-zone mho relays
to enhance protection, the relay time delay operation is
persisting.
The variation oI machine impedance with the rate oI slip is
another matter oI concern |21| on the sensitivity and security
oI LOE relay operation. The eIIect oI this variation during
asynchronous operation is to cause generator reactance varying
at slip speed. In consequence, the loss oI excitation impedance
locus does not settle at a single point, but it continues to
describe a small orbit about a mean point. A protection scheme
Ior loss oI excitation must operate decisively Ior this
condition, but its characteristic must not inhibit stable
operation oI the generator.
Another matter oI concern is the perIormance oI AVR
when generator absorbs VARs (under excitation mode) |20|.
There is an apprehension that the regulator will 'undershoot
while trying to maintain the limit and thereby cause a
momentary excursion oI the apparent impedance into the relay
characteristics. The last but not the least dilemma oI LOE relay
is its setting and coordinating with under excitation limiters oI
AVR and generator capability curve. Transient stability
analysis Ior each power plant recommended Ior proper setting
oI LOE relay |10|.
III. PROPOSED TECHNIQUE
Impedance method uses oI voltage and current as relay
inputs. Because CTs and PTs are usually installed in the
machine Ior diIIerent purposes as deIault, the protection
schemes that depend on the study oI these inputs are mostly
being notiIied. Unlike the impedance methods, the proposed
technique use Ilux linkage as an input Ior protection. In this
technique, search coil is used Ior measuring the air gap Ilux
linkage Irom inside the machine. The main idea oI this paper
was analyzed by FEM modeling oI a 4-pole, 1500 rpm, 50 Hz,
salient-pole synchronous generator. Then measurement oI the
machine Ilux linkage is explained in section III.B. In section
IV, Ior an isolated generator, experimental results on the above
mentioned machine are presented. Then by simulation with
MATLAB soItware, it will be shown that the presented
method is also valid Ior a synchronous generator connected to
power system. The comparison oI proposed method with
conventional protection presented in section V. Finally,
Section VI concludes the paper.
A. Modeling of LOE with 3-D Finite-Element
In many applications, a 2-D Iinite element analysis gives
quite precise prediction oI the magnetic Iield distribution and
machine perIormance. Some limitations oI 2-D analysis imply
that the use oI 3-D analysis is inevitable iI an accurate
analysis is needed. These limitations are presented in |23|. In
this research, the magnetic Iield distribution is calculated by
3D-FEM using ANSYS workbench soItware.
Salient-pole synchronous generator is used to investigate
diIIerent kinds oI machine Iaults. Excluding loss oI excitation,
some other Iaults such as stator turn-to-turn short circuit have
been investigated |24|. The nonlinear relationship between
the Ilux linkage with the excitation current and phase current
has made the modeling and analysis oI salient-pole
synchronous generator very complicated. In order to improve
the overall accuracy, saliency and slotting, magnetic saturation
4
eIIects, and the position oI the winding inside the stator are
included in the FEM modeling. Slotting and the position oI the
winding can be seen in Fig.4. In order to prevent conIusion,
only excitation and phase A windings are shown in Fig.4. Also,
the eIIect oI magnetic saturation was included in the FEM
soItware by using B-H curves oI the rotor and stator cores.
Fig. 4. FEM model Ior the analysis oI salient pole synchronous generator.
Although the complete model oI salient pole synchronous
generator was considered Ior diIIerent normal and abnormal
operation situation Ior both experimental and simulation
analysis, this paper concentrated on loss oI excitation
condition.
Fig. 5. Distribution oI magnetic Ilux density in salient-pole synchronous
generator under healthy operation (Iront view).
Figs.5 and 6 show the typical magnetic Ilux distribution
under normal and loss oI excitation oI studied generator as
obtained by the FEM. In a salient pole synchronous machine,
the air gap is nonuniIorm and the reluctance oI the magnetic
Ilux path is a Iunction oI time. ThereIore the magnetic Iluxes
along the d-axis and the q-axis are varying. Under d-axis
(under poles), the Ilux linkage between the stator and rotor
windings is MAX due to the minimum reluctance between the
stator and rotor in these areas. Under q-axis, the Ilux linkage
between the stator and rotor windings is MIN due to the large
air gap between the stator and rotor in these areas.
In Fig.5 load current is 20 oI the rated load. In this Iigure
magnetic Ilux distribution varies Irom 0.177 Tesla (q-axis) to
1.595 Tesla (d-axis). Fig.6 illustrates Ilux distribution in LOE
condition. In this Iigure magnetic Ilux distribution varies Irom
0.008 Tesla to 0.07 Tesla. According to these Iigures, when
LOE occurs, the machine Ilux linkage declines to near zero.
ThereIore, magnetic Ilux distribution could be applied Ior
detection oI LOE in synchronous generators.
In Iact, in electrical machines air-gap magnetic Iield
distribution in no-load and on-load perIormance under healthy
conditions is symmetrical (neglecting the insigniIicant
inherent asymmetry in the magnetic Iield distribution due to
the diIIerences on mechanical structures). When LOE occurs,
the magnetic Iield distribution oI machine is still symmetrical
but its magnitude decreases to near zero.
Fig. 6. Distribution oI magnetic Ilux density in salient-pole synchronous
generator under loss oI excitation (Iront view).
B. Measurement of the Machine Flux Linkage with Search
Coil
The search coil sensor (see Fig.9) is widely used Ior Ilux
measurement in electrical machine monitoring in recent years
|25|. The theory behind the search-coil senor is Faraday`s law
oI induction. By Faraday's law, the voltage induced in single
turn search coil wound round a stator tooth is
(1) L B v e
ind
). (
Where
ind
e is the eIIective value oI voltage induced by the
air-gap Ilux, B is the air-gap Ilux, v is the component oI the
wire velocity perpendicular to the direction oI the magnetic
Ilux density, and L is the eIIective length oI the search coil.
II the magnetic Ilux through a coiled conductor alters, a
voltage proportional to the rate oI change oI the Ilux is
generated between its leads. The Ilux through the coil will
change iI the coil is in a magnetic Iield that varies with time.
The signal detected by a search-coil sensor depends on the
permeability oI the area oI the coil, the core material, the
number oI turns, and the rate oI change oI the magnetic Ilux
through the coil |26|.
This type oI sensor is primarily used in harsh environments
where high reliability sensing can be aIIorded |26|. Also, this
sensor has more advantages such as insensitivity to external
conditions (humidity, temperature, etc.), no mechanical
disassembling / reassembling, and easy to remove. The
disadvantage oI this sensor is that these coils have to be placed
in the stator slots by the manuIacturer or have to be placed in
overhaul oI the machine.
These inductive sensors (search coils) observe the real
distribution oI the air-gap Ilux density. This indicates that all
Excitation Winding
Coils 1, 2
Coils 7, 8
Coils 3, 4
Coils 5, 6
5
damping eIIects coming Irom the saturation and the parallel
current branches oI the stator winding are taken into account.
This sensor is readily accessible on the market and its cost is
very low comparing with capacitive air-gap monitoring system.
Easiness and low price oI the used inductive sensors allow the
installation oI a high number oI sensors |27|.
IV. EXPERIMENTAL RESULTS
To demonstrate the perIormance oI presented protection
via search coil sensor, a series oI actual LOE tests to a salient-
pole synchronous generator have been IulIilled. It will be
shown that Ior an isolated synchronous generator operation,
when LOE happened the induced voltage in search coil (which
is completely proportional to air gap Ilux) decline to zero.
A. Experimental Test Setup, and Numerical Measurement
The machine used in this study is a 50 KVA, 380V, 4-pole,
1500 rpm, 50 Hz, salient-pole synchronous generator, and
machine having 48 stator slots. The stator oI this generator has
a 3-phase, one layer, lap winding, and Iour parallel branches in
each phase. The structure oI the testing laboratory and
experimental test setup is shown in Fig.7. It consists oI a
synchronous generator connected to a three-phase load. This
generator has no damper winding, and is driven by an
induction machine.
Fig. 7. Testing laboratory and experimental test setup.
In the experiments perIormed in this work, search coils and
designed electronic-microcontroller board are used Ior
measuring the Ilux linkage Irom inside the machine.
Electronic-microcontroller board has one master and Iorty
eight slaves. Electric diagram oI the board is shown in Fig. 8,
where two slaves (oI 48 slaves) oI this system can be
observed.
Two-wire Serial InterIace (TWI) is used in this system. The
TWI protocol allows the system designer to interconnect up to
128 diIIerent devices using only two bi-directional bus lines,
one Ior clock (SCL) and one Ior data (SDA). All devices
connected to the bus have individual addresses.
Sampled voltage data taken Irom search coils are directly
proportional to the rate oI change oI the Ilux. Forty eight
single turn search coils were installed along the grooves oI the
stator teeth with a pitch oI

15 with the aim oI being able to

determine how the Ilux linkage distribution in the generator
changes when an abnormal operational condition is present.
Schematic and experiment view oI these search coils are
illustrated in Fig.9.
PA0/ADC0 40
PA1/ADC1 39
PA2/ADC2 38
PA3/ADC3 37
PA4/ADC4 36
PA5/ADC5 35
PA6/ADC6 34
PB0/XCK/T0 1
PB1/T1 2
PB2/NT2/AN0 3
PB3/OC0/AN1 4
PB4/SS 5
PB5/MOS 6
PB6/MSO 7
PB7/SCK 8
PA7/ADC7 33
RESET 9
XTAL1 13
XTAL2 12
PC0/SCL 22
PC1/SDA 23
PC2/TCK 24
PC3/TMS 25
PC4/TDO 26
PC5/TD 27
PC6/TOSC1 28
PC7/TOSC2 29
PD0/RXD 14
PD1/TXD 15
PD2/NT0 16
PD3/NT1 17
PD4/OC1B 18
PD5/OC1A 19
PD6/CP 20
PD7/OC2 21
AVCC 30
AREF 32
MASTER
ATMEGA16
PA0/ADC0 40
PA1/ADC1 39
PA2/ADC2 38
PA3/ADC3 37
PA4/ADC4 36
PA5/ADC5 35
PA6/ADC6 34
PB0/XCK/T0 1
PB1/T1 2
PB2/NT2/AN0 3
PB3/OC0/AN1 4
PB4/SS 5
PB5/MOS 6
PB6/MSO 7
PB7/SCK 8
PA7/ADC7 33
RESET 9
XTAL1 13
XTAL2 12
PC0/SCL 22
PC1/SDA 23
PC2/TCK 24
PC3/TMS 25
PC4/TDO 26
PC5/TD 27
PC6/TOSC1 28
PC7/TOSC2 29
PD0/RXD 14
PD1/TXD 15
PD2/NT0 16
PD3/NT1 17
PD4/OC1B 18
PD5/OC1A 19
PD6/CP 20
PD7/OC2 21
AVCC 30
AREF 32
SLAVE1
ATMEGA16
PA0/ADC0 40
PA1/ADC1 39
PA2/ADC2 38
PA3/ADC3 37
PA4/ADC4 36
PA5/ADC5 35
PA6/ADC6 34
PB0/XCK/T0 1
PB1/T1 2
PB2/NT2/AN0 3
PB3/OC0/AN1 4
PB4/SS 5
PB5/MOS 6
PB6/MSO 7
PB7/SCK 8
PA7/ADC7 33
RESET 9
XTAL1 13
XTAL2 12
PC0/SCL 22
PC1/SDA 23
PC2/TCK 24
PC3/TMS 25
PC4/TDO 26
PC5/TD 27
PC6/TOSC1 28
PC7/TOSC2 29
PD0/RXD 14
PD1/TXD 15
PD2/NT0 16
PD3/NT1 17
PD4/OC1B 18
PD5/OC1A 19
PD6/CP 20
PD7/OC2 21
AVCC 30
AREF 32
SLAVE2
ATMEGA16
D
7
14
D
6
13
D
5
12
D
4
11
D
3
10
D
2
9
D
1
8
D
0
7
E
6
RW
5
R
S
4
V
S
S
1
V
D
D
2
V
E
E
3
LCD1
LM016L
R1
10k
R2
10k
R3
10k
R4
10k
R5
10k
R7
10k
RE-READ-2
R9
10k
VCC-10
GND-11
GND-31
VCC-10
GND-11
GND31
VCC-10
GND-11
GND-31
POT-10K
1
2
3
U3:A
4093
1
2
5V-1W
zener
R8
1Meg
1
2
5V-1W
zener
R10
1Meg
5-VOLT
5-VOLT
1
2
3
U1:A
4093
SENSOR
10-VOLT
TERMINAL
TERMINAL
C3
10u-50V
C4
100n
10U
10U
C5
100n
C6
100n
C7
100n
C2
10u-50V
10U
C8
100n
C9
100n
C10
10u-50V
5-VOLT
5-VOLT
C12
4.7U-16V
R12
100
R13
100
C1
4.7 U-16V
LED
DODE
6
5
4
1
2
P521-XX817
OPTOCOUPLER
5-VOLT
R6
1k
R11
10K
Fig. 8. Electric diagram oI the electronic-microcontroller designed board to
obtain the Ilux linkage.
(b) (a)
Fig. 9. (a) Schematic view oI search coil. (b) Search coils placed along the
stator teethin experiment.
Serial port interIace has been used Ior connecting
electronic-microcontroller board to computer. The induced
voltages in the search coils are communicated to serial port oI
the computer by means oI electronic-microcontroller board.
This structure is shown in Figs.7 and 10.
Fig.10. WaveIorm samples are transIerred to a standard personal computer
(PC).
The voltage induced in search coils was sampled by
electronic- microcontroller board. In other words, electronic-
microcontroller board has been designed Ior measuring
simultaneously sampling data oI the Ilux linkage in cross-
section oI mentioned generator. In Iact, the Iorty eight search
coils are sampled simultaneously by electronic-microcontroller
board.
B. Induced Joltage in Search coils under Healthv and LOE
Operations
Figs.11 and 12 show the measured voltage induced in 31
st
search coil, under healthy and LOE operations at no-load
respectively. As illustrated in Fig.11, under LOE operation,
induced voltage in search coil is declined to near zero. It must
be noted that the experimental setup did not connect to a
Electronic-microcontroller
board
Machine under test
Electronic-microcontroller board Load
Synchronous generator
Search coils
6
power system, so when LOE happens the induced voltage in
search coil decline to zero rapidly. In the next section, it will
be shown that iI the generator connected to power system, in
LOE condition the induced voltage in search coils decline to
near zero with a time delay.
Fig. 11. Measured voltage under healthy operation (no-load).
Fig. 12. Measured voltage under LOE operation (no-load).
Fig.13 shows induced voltages in 31
st
search coil, under on-
load condition in the normal operation. According to Figs.11
and 13, due to the eIIect oI armature reaction, under on-load
conditions, induced voltage in the search coils slightly leave
Irom the induced voltage in the search coils under no-load
conditions. In Iact, in a p poles, healthy, symmetrical machine,
the magnetic axis oI each pole is located at 360/p geometrical
degrees |28|. Under load conditions, the pole axis is not an
axis oI symmetry whereas in no-load conditions the pole axis
is axis oI symmetry. When a generator is delivering power to
the load, the axes oI symmetry oI the magnetic Iield deviates
Irom the polar and interpolar axes |29|.
Fig.13. Induced voltage in the 31
st
search coil under on-load condition in the
normal operation.
Fig.14 shows the Iorty eight voltage waveIorm (induced in
the search coils) in the healthy operation. In this Iigure,
symmetry in the magnetic Iield distribution under healthy
operation is presented (also, see Fig.5).
Fig.14. Forty eight measured voltage under healthy operation.
Fig.15 shows the Iorty eight voltage waveIorm (induced in
the search coils) in the LOE operation. This Iigure show that
the magnetic Iield distribution is lost and induced voltage in
search coils decline to zero (also, see Fig.6). As demonstrated
in Fig.6, Fig.15 validates the FEM modeling oI machine Ior
LOE condition. As stated earlier (in section III.B), the
magnitude oI induced voltage in search coils are completely
proportional to generator air gap Ilux linkage |25|, |26|. So in
the next sections instead oI induced voltage in search coil,
linkage Ilux will be used.
Fig.15. Forty eight measured voltage under LOE operation.
DiIIerent normal and abnormal operation conditions are
tested. The linkage Ilux oI generator measured Ior diIIerent
loading condition such as low and high PF loading, small and
heavy generator loading. In each situation the test repeated Ior
normal and loss oI Iield condition. From Fig.15 it can be
clearly seen that in LOE situation the air gap Ilux oI generator
has declined rapidly to zero.
It worth mentioning that Ior evaluating the precise oI the
method Ior every slot a search coil installed. For practical
application it can be recommended that only one search coil is
adequate Ior detecting LOE condition.
Corresponding channel
Corresponding channel
Corresponding channel
7
Fig.16. The system studied.
V. ANALYSIS OF THE PROPOSED METHOD
A. Simulation Result
Experimental results limited to analyze only isolated
generator operation. So Ior extending the result oI proposed
method Ior a generator connected to an inIinite bus, simulation
was done with MATLAB soItware. DiIIerent normal and
abnormal operation conditions were simulated on a salient
synchronous generator connected to inIinite bus via a three
phase step-up transIormer. The simulations were done by
MATLAB soItware. EIIects oI AVR`s and governors were
included in simulations. The structure oI the simulated system
is shown in Fig.16. The data Ior the system is given in
Appendix. The generator air gap linkage Ilux and impedance
seen by LOE relay recorded Ior diIIerent operating regime,
especially Ior power swing.
In Fig. 17, curves a` and b` show a general shape oI the
measured Ilux and apparent impedance associated with LOE
Ior light load and heavy load respectively, whereas curve c`
illustrates the traverse oI apparent impedance and Ilux change
on a three phase short circuit at generator terminal. Curved`
and e` demonstrate the reaction oI generator Ilux and
impedance Ior stable normal and severe power swing. In all
the cases, initial point Ior diIIerent Iaults is the 4
th
second.
It is apparent that a severe power swing results in an
unnecessary tripping oI conventional LOE relay, while the
propose scheme is more stable Ior this condition.
As shown in Fig.17 it can be easily seen that the air gap
Ilux Ior various operating situations has a distinctive change.
In Fig.17 (a) and (b) it was shown that iI LOE happens in
diIIerent load conditions then the Ilux will decline to about
zero rapidly. So we can deIine a novel protection Ior detecting
loss oI Iield oI synchronous generator based on the Ilux
variation.
B. Comparison with Conventional LOE Protection
Any proposed LOE protection should be immune Ior
responding to normal system operations or system Iaults that
are in the process oI being used Ior clearing by other
protection devices. Failing to do so may results in Iurther
system instability.
Obviously, it is desirable that the protective relay isolates a
trouble zone as rapidly as possible. The LOE detection times,
using the two techniques were compared Ior the various case
scenarios in Table I. In impedance scheme (Fig.1), the time
taken by impedance seen by the relay traversing to inner circle
is considered (instantaneous trip oI relay). Extensive tests
show that iI measured Ilux dropped more than 30 percent oI
nominal Ilux, the setting will be acceptable (Ilux setting0.7
nominal Ilux). In LOE condition the traverse time Irom the
initial load point to the relay characteristic oI conventional
impedance loci will be between 2 to 7 seconds |20|, |22|. In
addition, to avoid Ialse tripping during stable power swing,
there is an intentional time delay.
(a) Normal LOE (light Load).
(b) Normal LOE (heavy Load).
(c) Three phase short circuit at generator terminal.
(d) Power swing.
(e) Severe power swing.
Fig.17. All the incidents happened at 4
th
second.
The simulation studies show that the proposed relay is Iaster
Ior detecting oI LOE conditions. Fig.17 (a) and (b) show the
simulation results oI the LOE that occurs at time instant t4s,
while the load varies Irom 10 (light) to 100 (heavy). From
Table.I it can be seen that Ior light load LOE, the impedance
moves into the inner circle in 2.1019s, while it takes 0.802s
Ior LOE detection by Ilux method. For heavy load LOE the
operation time is 2.5215s and 1.373 respectively.
8
According to |10|, |20|-|22|, one oI the main concerns
about LOE protection is Ialse tripping during a stable transient
power swing. The simulation results also show that the
proposed relay is more eIIective Ior discriminating between
the power swings and LOE. Fig.17 (d) and (e) show the
reaction oI two protection methods to normal and severe
power swing. From Fig.17 and Table I it can be clearly seen
that the Ilux method has a more accurate response than
conventional impedance method though Ior the worst case oI
simulated power swing.
As stated earlier, linkage Ilux is measured via a search coil
without solving any especial impedance calculation equations.
This makes the application oI the method simple and
straightIorward.
The generator protection must detect short circuit at
generator terminal very Iast and trip the breaker. According to
Table.I the Ilux method has a maloperation in discriminating
between LOE and three phase short circuit at generator
terminal. From the selectivity point oI view oI protective relay,
iI the operation oI this relay is delayed approximately 25-30
cycles it would prevent maloperation oI Ilux method during a
three phase short circuit at generator terminal.
Extensive tests show that the proposed method has various
distinction Ieatures that are advantageous over existing
schemes. The Iirst is that the proposed scheme is able to detect
LOE during various kinds oI loading and power swings, even
iI the power swings are severe. The second distinction Ieature
Ior the method intends to keep it independent oI machine
impedance variation resulting the rate oI slip during
asynchronous operation. In addition, the eIIects oI the step up
transIormer, power system impedance, shunt load, and
transmission line conditions are also analyzed, and it is Iound
that the proposed protection can still perIorm satisIactorily
under these eIIects. And the last but not the least Ieatures oI
the Ilux method is that it is Iaster than conventional protection.
TABLE I
TWO METHOD OPERATION COMPARISON
Operation time (s)
Case
Flux method Impedance method
LOE-Light Load 0.802 2.1019
LOE- Heavy Load 1.373 2.5215
3 Ph. Short Circuit at Generator
Terminal
False operation Not operated
Usual Power Swing Not operated Not operated
Severe Power Swing Not operated False operation
VI. CONCLUSIONS
The paper proposed a novel Ilux-based relaying technique
Ior synchronous generator loss oI excitation protection. Based
on air gap Ilux measurement by installing search coils, a new
LOE protection has been developed Irom which loss oI Iield
can be evaluated readily. The main idea oI proposed method is
validated by experimental results and FEM analysis. The
perIormance oI the proposed method has been studied Ior a
single-machine inIinite bus system using MATLAB soItware.
The technique was tested under various Iault and no-Iault
conditions. Although the proposed method has a simpler
technical and theoretical basis, it was perIectly discriminated
between generator loss oI excitation and other operation
conditions. The experiment and simulation tests show that the
proposed technique is indeed immune to the transient power
swings. The speed and sensitivity are the main points Ieatured
in the proposed technique. At the time being, in rewinding oI
an old 12 MW synchronous generator the search coils were
installed.
APPENDIX
Generator Data:
S200MJA, J13.8KJ, PF0.95,
305 . 1
d
X p.u.,. 296 . 0
'

d
X p.u., 252 . 0
' '

d
X p.u., 474 . 0
q
X p.u.,
243 . 0
' '

q
X p.u., 18 . 0
l
X p.u., 01 . 1
'

d
T s, 0053
' '

d
T s, 1 . 0
' '

q
T s,
3 8544 . 2 e R
s
p.u., H 3.2 s,. pole32.
Hydraulic Turbine and Governor: PID Governor System
07 . 0
a
T s, 33 . 3
a
K ,droop 05 . 0
p
R , 163 . 1
p
K , 105 . 0
i
K ,
0
d
K , 01 . 0
d
T s, beta0, 67 . 2
w
T s, Initial mechanical power 0.75
p.u.
Excitation System: IEEE Type 1
3 20 e T
r
s, 300
a
K , 001 . 0
a
T s, 001 . 0
f
K , 1 . 0
f
T s,
Transformer:
S 210MJA, ^Y, J13,8/230 KJ, 0027 .
1
R p.u., 08 . 0
1
L p.u.,
Transmission Line:
J 230 kJ, ) 0014 . 0 0529 . 0 (
2 1
f Z Z O/km, ) 0061 . 0 61 . 1 (
0
f Z
O/km, l 100 km.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
This work is partly supported by the Mashhad Power
Station. Authors wish to thank Mr. Dehnavi, Dr. Hashemian
and Mr. Pordeli in providing the experimental test setup and
testing laboratory.
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Hamid Yaghobi was born in Sari, Iran on 1978. He received his B.Sc degree
in Electrical Engineering Irom K.N.Toosi University oI Technology in 2000,
Tehran, Iran and M.Sc degree in Electrical Engineering Irom Ferdowsi
University in 2002, Mashhad, Iran. Presently, he is a PHD student in
Ferdowsi University oI Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran. His research interests are
electric machinery and Intelligent Systems.
Hashem Mortazavi was born in Bojnord, Iran on 1974. He received his B.Sc
degree in Electrical Engineering Irom Ferdowsi University oI Mashhad in
1998, Mashhad, Iran and M.Sc degree with honor in Electrical Engineering
Irom Ferdowsi University in 2001, Mashhad, Iran. Presently, he is a Senior
Electric Supervisor in Krec, Mashhad, Iran. His research interests are
Generator protection and Renewable energy Integration.
Kourosh Ansari was born in Urmiye, Iran in 1951. He received his B.Sc. and
M.Sc.degrees Irom Tabriz University, Tabriz, Iran, both in Electrical
Engineering and his Ph.D. in especially electric machinery Irom the
Department oI Electrical Engineering oI Jjiang University, Jjiang, China in
1996. He has been an assistant proIessor oI electrical engineering in Ferdowsi
University. His research interests are computational electromagnetic and
electric machinery.
Habib Rajabi Mashhadi was born in Mashhad, Iran in 1967. He received his
B.Sc. and M.Sc.degrees with honour Irom Ferdowsi University oI Mashhad,
Mashhad, Iran, both in Electrical Engineering and his Ph.D. Irom the
Department oI Electrical and Computer Engineering oI Tehran University,
Tehran, Iran under joint cooperation oI Aachen University oI Technology,
Germany in 2002. He has been an associate proIessor oI electrical engineering
in Ferdowsi University. His research interests are Power System Operation
and Dynamics, Intelligent Systems and Biological Computation.
Hassan Khorashadi-Zadeh received his BS in E.E. Irom Ferdowsi
University, Iran, in 1998, MS in E.E. Irom university oI Tehran, Iran, in 2001,
and PhD in E.E. Irom Illinois Institute oI Technology (IIT), USA, in 2009.
Currently, he is a leader protection and control engineer in Siemens Energy
Inc.. His research interests include power system protection, wide are
protection and control and smart grid.
Hossein Borzoe was born in Mashhad, Iran in 1986. He received his B.Sc
degree in Electrical Engineering Irom water & power industry applied
scientiIic in 2009, Mashhad, Iran. Presently, he is an Electric Supervisor in
Krec, Mashhad, Iran.