Module : Electrical Engineering MT 3011

Topic : Automatic Voltage Regulation

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Automatic Voltage Regulation

Aim

Understand the automatic voltage regulation

LEARNING OUTCOMES

• Explain the principle of operation of an automatic voltage regulator.

• Describe the requirements for an AVR
• Explain the principle of operation of a voltage comparison circuit.
• Explain the need for automatic voltage regulation in generator.
• Describe the two stages of voltage dip.
• Explain the reasons for voltage dip.
• Describe the effects of voltage.
• Compare the voltage dip and recovery for different excitation systems.

Overview

This lesson provides students with an understanding of the effect on generator

terminal voltage when load is switched on or off. AVR is used to regulate voltage
fluctuation within specified limits.

REASON FOR AVR

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PTM / Jul 2002 60 SP / SMA
Module : Electrical Engineering MT 3011

Topic : Automatic Voltage Regulation

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Starting of large induction motors (always with a low pf of 0.3 - 0.4 lagging) causes
sudden load current surges (6 - 8 times normal).

Large voltage drop in generator winding reduce terminal voltage at the load.

The effect is voltage dip. Similarly stopping of large motors will produce an over-
voltage on bus bars.

BS 2949 and LRS requirements specify the minimum performance for ship’s
generators.

The real need for an AVR is to deal with the voltage dip following the sudden
connection of extra load and to restore the voltage quickly without undue
overshooting of regeneration (voltage hunting).

Principle of Operation of AVR

1) At the voltage sensing unit, generator output is transformed, rectified and

smoothed to give a proportional dc signal.

2) This dc signal is compared with a set value produced by an electronic reference

circuit of zener diodes and resistors.

3) The output error signal can be amplified and used to control the firing angle of
thyristors through a triggering circuit.

4) The ac exciter field coils are supplied with a regulated direct current from the
SCR output.

5) The output from the ac exciter rotor feeds into a rectifier bridge (in the case of
brushless alternator) to produce dc current for the alternator field winding to
control the voltage output.

Refer to Figure 1.

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PTM / Jul 2002 61 SP / SMA
Module : Electrical Engineering MT 3011

Topic : Automatic Voltage Regulation

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To Switchboard
Rectifier
Transformer

Voltage
Comparator

Smoothing Error Signal

Capacitor

Excitation
Control using

SCR Trigger Control

SCR SCR

Alternator
From Alternator
Exciter Field Winding

Figure 1

Voltage dip - 2 stages

a) Transient stage followed by recovery

The initial sharp dip in voltage followed by a slower fall to a minimum voltage is
mainly the result of the size and power factor of the load and reactance
characteristic of the alternator.

b) Recovery

Recovery to normal voltage is dependent on the alternator, its excitation system and
AVR, and also the prime mover governor.

2) Steady state conditions.

___________________________________________________________________
PTM / Jul 2002 62 SP / SMA
Module : Electrical Engineering MT 3011

Topic : Automatic Voltage Regulation

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T ra n s ie n t

V o lta g e

S te a d y S ta te S te a d y S ta te

T im e

V o lta g e D ip

Figure 2

Effect of voltage dip on the load

a. Too great a dip with too long a recovery time will cause objectionable flicker
of lighting.

b. Motor contact - BS specification requires contactors to operate satisfactorily

at 85% of normal voltage although they will hold in at much lower voltage.
There is danger that due to reduced contact pressure, contact welding can
occur.

c. Running Motor - RS and LRS limit the stalling torque of induction motor to not
less than 1.6 x Full load torque. Since T α E2, stalling may occur at 79% of
voltage with motor running at full load.

But since the voltage dip is temporary, the motor will continue to run due to
inertia. Also the centrifugal load will reduce as the slip increases.

d. Stopped motor - starting torque of motor also falls but will be recovered as
voltage is restored after a voltage dip.

REQUIREMENT FOR AVR

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PTM / Jul 2002 63 SP / SMA
Module : Electrical Engineering MT 3011

Topic : Automatic Voltage Regulation

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Steady state voltage regulation ± 2½%

Transient volt change at

pf 0 - 0.4 lagging 15% with 35% load

Response time for restoration to within 1.5 seconds

3% of voltage

100 % +_ 2.5 %
Generator
Voltage
15 %

Restored to
3 % of rated voltage

1.5 s

Time

Figure 3

Comparison of Voltage Dip and Recovery for Different Excitation System

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PTM / Jul 2002 64 SP / SMA
Module : Electrical Engineering MT 3011

Topic : Automatic Voltage Regulation

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0 .2 s 1.8 s
0.6 s

S teady S tate

1
2 3

1 alte rnator w ith sta tic excita tion

2 error - op erated alternato r
3 carbon pile A V R an d d.c. exciter

Figure 4

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PTM / Jul 2002 65 SP / SMA