RETURN

ME149
Burnout of Reactor and PCT for Self-Exciting
Shunt Type Exciter
Technical committee

1. Outline of breakdown
During voyage, the V-phase coil of the 3-phase reactor of the self-exciting shunt type exciter for No.1
generator burned out entirely, its terminal dropped off, and the surrounding area of terminals of 2 other
phase coils were burned. Furthermore, the V-phase voltage coil of PCT (Potential Current Transformer)
burned out entirely, with terminals burned and 2 other coils partially burned out.

2. Probable cause
(1) An inter-phase short circuit occurred to the reactor or PCT voltage coil (1-phase) causing them to
burn out due to excessive current, destroying their terminal blocks.
(2) Under no load, reactor current exceeded rated current, thermally destroying the terminal blocks.
(3) The lead wire of the voltage coil of the reactor or PCT was not fastened firmly to the terminal block,
causing a spark or a drop off due to vibration, short-circuiting with adjacent terminals.
(4) Current leakage occurred from the voltage coil terminal block due to unexpected cause (water
/oil/dust adherence, etc.), resulting in a short circuit.
(5) In the coil fixation part of the reactor, a gap opened between iron cores or between iron cores and
coils due to thermal deformation of a gap spacer (made of bakelite) as well as a fixing wedge (made
of fiber). Due to long term exposure to vibration and electromagnetic action, the coil shifted position,
damaging its edges, finally exposing its internal wire, resulting in an inter-phase short circuit.
With regard to the abovementioned causes, a risk of occurrence of (1) and (2) is very small as adequate
margins have been included in design in view of both insulation processing and thermal requirement.
There is a risk of occurrence of short circuit which was synergistically caused by aged deterioration of
insulation material other than coils, change in gap width due to long-term exposure to vibration or
loosening, and accompanying electromagnetic action. It is presumed that the major cause for this case also
lies here.

3. Repair and Countermeasures

The AVR is a unit of the exciter which needs to be adjusted on board. If this unit does not enable stable
voltage without consistent adjustment, or a large difference with other units is observed, special attention
is required.
Furthermore, the inside of the exciter cubicle shall be inspected bimonthly according to the following
items:
(1) Check, when opening the cubicle, if there is any abnormal odor of burnt varnish.
(2) Check for blowout/discoloration of varnish.
(3) Check for any peeling of wire covering.
(4) Check for any loosened screw or cuts at the foot clip terminals.
(5) Check for any discoloration of insulation support (made of bakelite).
(6) Check for any humming of coils, etc.
(7) Check for any change in vibration.

1
The Marine Engineer Oct.1990
 RETURN

[Reactor Structure]

[Exciter of subject vessel]

2
The Marine Engineer Oct.1990