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Power topic #GLPT-6174-EN | Technical information from Cummins Power Generation
Random Access vs Dead Bus
Paralleling
White Paper
By Rich Scroggins, Technical Advisor Sales Application Engineer
The overwhelming majority of
paralleled generator sets in operation
today use a paralleling method known
as Random Access Paralleling to
synchronize and connect generator
sets to a paralleling bus. An alternate
paralleling method known as dead
bus or dead field paralleling is being
promoted by some generator set
and control manufacturers as having
some performance advantages with
respect to random access paralleling,
specifically speed to parallel and
the ability to energize large banks of
transformers. In this paper we will
examine the capabilities of these two
paralleling methods.
Random Access
Paralleling
In a random access paralleling system all
generator sets receive a start command at
the same time and independently build up
their voltage and speed to rated values at
which point they are ready to close to the
paralleling bus. The generator sets will not be
in sync with each other so the generator set
controls must have some kind of arbitration
scheme which allows only one generator
set to close to the dead bus. When one
generator set wins the arbitration it sends a
signal to the other generator sets preventing
them from closing their breakers and then
closes its own paralleling breaker to the
bus. At this point the other generator sets
recognize that the bus is now live and they
synchronize and close to the bus.
In a random access system it is not
predetermined which generator set will be
the one to close to the dead bus. It is a
robust paralleling method because if a single
generator set fails or is slow to come up to
speed the rest of the generator sets are not
affected. There is no single point of failure.
Dead Bus Paralleling
In a dead bus paralleling system generator sets
start with their paralleling breakers closed to the
bus. All generator sets start with their excitation
circuits disabled. This allows generator sets to be
connected in parallel without being in sync because
no voltage is being generated. As engines reach a
preset speed the generator set controls turn on and
ramp up excitation levels. This causes the voltage on
the bus to build up and forces the generator sets to
come into sync with each other. There is a variation
of this method known as dead field paralleling in
which the generator sets start with the paralleling
breakers open and then close them as the engine
starter disengages. Exciter paralleling, run up
synchronization and close before excitation are
other terms that describe this same basic paralleling
algorithm.
Because there is no need for arbitration or
synchronizing multiple generator sets, dead bus
paralleling can bring a paralleling bus to rated
speed and voltage quickly. This, however, is a less
robust method of paralleling as each generator
set represents a single point of failure. A control
or excitation system fault on any generator set
compromises the entire system.
Most control systems that use dead bus or dead field
paralleling employ a timer based system for removing
generator sets that fail to start. If the engine has failed
to reach a predetermined speed before the delay
expires the control opens the breaker disconnecting
the failed generator set from the paralleling bus,
allowing the rest of the generator sets to energize
the bus. If the breaker fails to open however, the
unpowered alternator will be connected directly to the
bus effectively putting a low impedance three phase
fault on to the system as the bus backfeeds the
alternator. Similarly a failure of the excitation system
that prevents the alternator from building up voltage
will have the same effect.
With this type of system the control, excitation system
and paralleling circuit breaker for each generator
set all represent single points of failure for the entire
system. This is in contrast to a random access
system where the generator sets are not connected
to the bus until they are ready to load so any failed
generator set will have no effect on any working
generator set.
The other risk associated with dead bus paralleling
is the potential for circulating currents between
generator sets causing diode or MOV failures,
nuisance tripping of breakers or other failures of the
AVR or excitation system. Circulating currents are
caused by generators building up internal voltage at
different rates as excitation is increased. Although
the terminal voltages of the paralleled generator sets
will be the same because they will be electrically
connected, the internal voltages of the generators
may be different due to different internal reactances of
the generators, different exciter resistances, different
levels of saturation, different residual voltage levels
of the generators at the start of the excitation ramp,
and different transient characteristics of the engine
as it is ramping up to nominal speed. Current will
flow from generators with higher internal voltage to
generators with lower internal voltage resulting in
some generators being back fed which causes stress
to the windings and excitation system.
In a random access paralleling system the closed
loop load sharing algorithm will effectively eliminate
any circulating current. During the excitation ramp in
a dead bus paralleling system the voltage reference
of the AVR is increased linearly with no feedback. The
control is not correcting for any of these differences so
there could be substantial current circulating between
the generator sets.
Speed of Paralleling
The sequence of operations in a random access
paralleling system consists of three main steps:
1. Generator sets start and ramp up to rated speed
and voltage.
2. As generators reach rated speed and voltage they
arbitrate with each other so that only one generator
set is allowed to close to the dead bus.
3. The remaining generator sets synchronize and
close to the energized paralleling bus.
Cummins diesel generator sets are designed to meet
NFPA 110 (Standard for Emergency and Standby
Power Systems) requirements that life safety loads
are restored within 10 seconds of a power outage.
The time it takes to ramp up speed and voltage will
typically range from 6 to 9 seconds depending on
generator set size and model. This is the longest
segment of the total time to parallel and dead bus
paralleling does not result in faster ramping to rated
speed and voltage.
02 Power Topic #GLPT-6174-EN
The first start arbitration time depends somewhat on
how many generators will parallel in the system. With
four generators using the Cummins PowerCommand
3.3 controller, we see an average time of 1.1 seconds
between the first generator being ready to load
and the first generator closing its breaker to a dead
paralleling bus.
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The time it takes to synchronize the remaining
generators to the paralleling bus depends in part
on how much their phase angles differ from the
phase angle of the connected generator. This phase
angle difference is an uncontrolled variable and
therefore the total paralleling time will have some
variation. Cummins experience has shown that this
synchronizing time ranges from less than 1 second
up to 6 seconds. Because each generator set
synchronizes to the bus independently the number
of generator sets in the system does not impact the
synchronizing time.
Energizing Transformers
When energizing transformers the key concern is the
transformer inrush current. The high level of current
during magnetization can result in nuisance tripping
of overcurrent or undervoltage devices. The level of
inrush current is very difficult to model and predict
because it depends on a number of factors that are
highly variable and not well documented.
R1 X1
I1
Magnetizing
Current
Figure 1. Transformer equivalent circuit
Figure 1 shows a transformer equivalent circuit.
As voltage is applied to the primary terminals of
the transformer the level of inrush current that the
transformer will draw is a function of the magnetizing
impedance of the transformer (Xm). The magnetizing
impedance is non-linear. It varies due to saturation
effects. As the flux in the transformer core is driven
to saturation levels the impedance becomes very low
resulting in the high level of inrush current.
The initial phase angle of the voltage waveform and
the residual flux in the transformer core at the instant
that voltage is applied to the transformer primary
winding also affect the level of inrush current. Initial
phase angle and residual flux result in a dc offset of
the flux in the core of the transformer which decays
as the transformer becomes energized. The effects
of the initial phase angle and the residual flux may be
additive or may cancel each other out. The result of
this is that the same transformer will draw different
levels of inrush current each time it is energized and
each of the three phases will draw different levels of
inrush current.
I2
Rm Xm
03 Power Topic #GLPT-6174-EN
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 Transformer Inrush Current
3000
2000
1000
Current - Amp
-1000
-2000
-3000
-4000
0 1 2 3
Time - Seconds
Figure 2 Inrush Current of a 50 MVA transformer being energized by a 2.5 MW generator set.
Estimating Inrush Current
Another challenge in estimating a maximum inrush
current is that data on transformer saturation
is generally not published so estimations and
assumptions must be made. As an example, SKM
system analysis software simply prompts the users
to enter a single point to represent inrush current
for analyzing system protection and coordination
schemes. In their documentation they recommend
8 - 12 times transformer full load current for 0.1
seconds. This is a reasonable approximation for
transformers which are fed by a stiff source such as
a utility substation transformer. When energizing a
transformer with a synchronous generator the inrush
current will be limited by the physics of the generator.
Characteristics of the alternator decrement curve
and the excitation system need to be considered in
estimating inrush current.
4 5 6 7 8 9
15
Conventional wisdom on how large of a transformer
a single generator set can energize varies between 5
and 20 times the kVA rating of the generator set. The
limiting factor typically is that the peak inrush current
will be high enough to trip a circuit breaker. Cummins
Power Generation has modeled transformer inrush
current when energized by a generator set. Figure 2 is
a graph developed by a model of a 2.5 MW generator
set energizing a 50 MVA transformer.
From the graph we see that the instantaneous
peak current is about 3300 amps. The alternator
reactances and the magnetizing impedance of the
transformer limit the inrush current. The three different
colors in the graph represent the three phases and
illustrate the concept of the inrush current being
different on each of the three phases as the initial
04 Power Topic #GLPT-6174-EN
phase angle at the instant of connecting the source
will be different for each of the phases.
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 Genset Voltage
4200
4100

4000

3900
Voltage - Volt

3800

3700

3600

3500

3400
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Time - Seconds
Genset Frequency
60.5

60
Frequency - Hz

59.5

59

58.5

58

57.5
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

Time - Seconds

Figure 3 Voltage and frequency recovery after a transformer inrush event.

Figure 3 displays the voltage and frequency recovery

during this inrush event. It shows that the voltage
Random Access Paralleling in
recovers to nominal in about a second and a half and Power Plant Applications
frequency recovers in about 3 seconds. The dip in the
In a random access paralleling application the first
voltage recovery corresponds to the under frequency
generator set to connect to the paralleling bus
roll off function in the voltage regulator.
is required to energize all of the transformers in
the system. The previous example consisted of a
In this model we see a voltage dip of about 20%
2.5MW (3.125 MVA) genset energizing a 50 MVA
and a frequency dip of about 2 Hz. The voltage is
transformer; a transformer roughly 16 times the size
recovered and stabilized within about 1.5 seconds.
of the generator set. The model would yield the same
The peak inrush current is about 7.6 times the
result for any combination of transformers connected
generator set full load current rating. In this application
in parallel at the terminals of the genset with a
overcurrent protective devices would need to
summed power rating of 50 MVA (such as 10 5 MVA
have their instantaneous trip settings higher than
transformers).
7.6 times the nominal current to prevent nuisance
tripping. When the generator set control has integral
overcurrent protection the instantaneous overcurrent
05 Power Topic #GLPT-6174-EN

setting of protective devices may be set to a high level

without risk of damaging the alternator windings or
properly sized cables. The Cummins PowerCommand
AmpSentry function is UL listed as an overcurrent
protective device and provides this protection.

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2016 Cummins Power Generation

A more common topology in power plant applications
is one in which each generator set is connected G
0.4Kv
G
0.4Kv
G
0.4Kv
G
0.4Kv
G
0.4Kv
directly to a single transformer and the transformer 2.744MVA
8.7%
2.744MVA
8.7%
2.744MVA
8.7%
2.744MVA
8.7%
2.744MVA
8.7%

secondary windings are all connected in parallel to a

T-NEA T-NEA T-NEA T-NEA T-NEA
common bus. Figure 4 is an example of this topology. Yd5
0.4/30kV
Yd5
0.4/30kV
Yd5
0.4/30kV
Yd5
0.4/30kV
Yd5
0.4/30kV
3.15MVA 3.15MVA 3.15MVA 3.15MVA 3.15MVA

Under steady state operation each generator 6% 6% 6% 6% 6%

is providing magnetizing current for only one

transformer, however, during a black start using
random access paralleling a single generator will be
energizing all of the transformers.

On start up the generator sets go through the

arbitration process to determine which genset is the
first to close to the bus. When that first generator
closes it energizes its transformer. As voltage builds
up on the secondary side of that transformer the
other transformers become energized through their
secondary windings. Although the total number of
transformers that a single generator is energizing may Figure 4 Common power plant topology
be the same, the inrush current seen by the generator
will be significantly less in this topology because
500 kW generator set is connected to a 1500 kVA
the total current is limited by the transformer that is
step up transformer. The high voltage winding of
connected directly to the generator set.
that transformer is connected to 11 x 2700 kVA
This topology was used as a black start system for transformers. The single 500 kW generator set
a wind farm. Figure 5 is a partial one line drawing successfully energizes 31.2 MVA of transformers, or
from that application. In this application a single nearly 50 times the generator set kVA rating.

06 Power Topic #GLPT-6174-EN

Figure 5 Wind farm single line diagram

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Performance of Random Conclusions
Access Paralleling Systems Dead bus paralleling has been used in the past as
a low cost paralleling method because generators
Dead bus paralleling is often specified as a method
could be paralleled without the use of an external
for energizing large transformer banks and paralleling
synchronizer. As generator set controls evolved to
multiple generators quickly. Cummins generator sets
the point where the synchronizer function became
with Power Command controls using random access
integral to the control, the cost advantage of a dead
paralleling are able to match dead bus paralleling
bus paralleling system was negated. Recently there
performance in both of these areas.
has been increased interest in energizing large
transformer banks and bringing large systems on line
One such example consists of 14 2.5 MW generator
quickly which has made dead bus paralleling seem
sets each connected to a step up transformer
attractive, however dead bus paralleling introduces
and paralleled on the high voltage side of the
failure modes that are not present in random access
transformers. With this system 35 MW of power was
paralleling systems.
brought on line in less than 15 seconds.
Appropriate overcurrent protection settings allow
In this application the first generator set was ready to
single generator sets to energize transformers many
load in 7.5 seconds. Arbitration between generator
times their size, particularly when the generator set
sets took 1.5 seconds so the first generator set
controls have a current regulation function such as
closed its breaker to begin energizing all of the
Cummins PowerCommand AmpSentry. Systems
transformers just over 9 seconds after the system
controlled by Cummins PowerCommand controls
started. As the remaining generator sets sensed that
have consistently demonstrated the capability
voltage was available on the low voltage side of their
to parallel multiple generator sets within 10 15
connected transformer they synchronized to that
seconds, even when energizing transformers is part of
voltage and closed their breakers. All generator sets
the sequence. A well designed system using random
were on line 14.25 seconds after starting.
access paralleling offers the best combination of
system speed and reliability.

07 Power Topic #GLPT-6174-EN

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About the author
Rich Scroggins is a Technical Advisor
in the Application Engineering group at
Cummins Power Generation. Rich has
been with Cummins for 18 years in a variety
of engineering and product management
roles. Rich has led product development
and application work with transfer switches,
switchgear controls and networking and remote
monitoring products and has developed and
conducted seminars and sales and service training
internationally on several products. Rich received
his bachelors degree in electrical engineering from
the University of Minnesota and an MBA from the
University of St. Thomas.
08 Power Topic #GLPT-6174-EN
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GLPT-6174-EN (02/16)