RECOMMENDED GENERATOR PROTECTIONS FOR THDF TYPE TURBO-GENERATORS

Generators are high quality machines and for securing the best possible continuity of power supply, in
addition to a suitable technical design and responsible mode of operation, provision should be made for
automatic protection facilities. The protective equipment serves for quick and selective detection of any
faults and for minimizing damage to electric apparatus during faults.

The protective equipment should be designed so that on occurrence of any serious fault the generator will
be disconnected from the system and de-excited immediately. Faults, which do not result in any direct
damage, are to be reported to the operating staff, permitting the unit to be operated outside the critical
range or to take precautionary measures for shutdown.

The generator protection can be broadly classified in two groups, the first one being the protection against
electrical faults and the second one protection against mechanical faults.

1.0 PROTECTION AGAINST ELECTRICAL FAULTS

Generator may be endangered by short circuits, earth faults, over voltages and excessive thermal stresses.
To guard the generator against any damage, the following protective equipment is recommended.

1.1 Differential Protection

Breakdown of insulation between the stator winding paths of different phases results in an internal short
circuit. The fault is detected by a differential relay which initiates immediate isolation and de-excitation of
the generator. In order to obtain a high sensitivity, the protected area should include the generator only.

Operating value : 0.2 to 0.4 IN

Relay time : ≤ 60 m sec.

In certain cases the generator may also be included in the differential protection for the main transformer
and station service feeder, resulting in the detection of generator faults by two differential protection
devices.

1.2 Stator Earth Fault Protection

Breakdown of insulation between the stator winding and frame results in a stator earth fault. If possible, the
stator earth fault protection should cover the completed winding range, including the neutral point of the
generator. The protection is to initiate immediate isolation and de-excitation of the generator.

Relay time : ≤ 1 sec.

The load resistance of an earthing transformer and any required boost to raise the neutral point potential
should be selected so that in the event of a fault the earth current will amount to less than 15A.

1.3 Rotor Earth Fault Protection

Provision must be made for rapid detection of the fault, since a one line to earth fault may develop to a
double earth fault. It is therefore, recommended to provide fault alarm for the generators.

1.4 Under Excitation Protection

Failure of the automatic voltage regulator, mal-operation of the generator or transformer control systems,
and generator operation in a system with capacitive load may result in a reduction of the excitation required
to ensure system stability below a predetermined minimum value. Short circuits or interruptions in the field
circuit result in a complete loss of field and thus in asynchronous running of the generator. The
consequences are higher temperature rises in the rotor stator winding and core end portions, rotor over
voltage and system swings.

A momentary excursion beyond the steady state stability limit must not necessarily result in a loss of
stability. Therefore, it is advisable to design the under-excitation protection so that an alarm will be given on
reaching the steady-state stability limit, with shut down of the generator being effected after a delay of a
few seconds only.

Electrical Machines Engineering

BHEL, Haridwar

Document No. : 4033-0487 Rev.-00, Date: 29.07.2010 Page 1 of 4

If on reaching of the steady state stability limit a loss of excitation occurs at the same time instant tripping
will be required. If the loss of excitation cannot be detected directly (e.g. exciters with rotating diodes), it is
recommended to introduce a second stator criterion covering the range of the permeance value 1/Xd and
1/Xd' and to provide for instant tripping when this criterion is exceeded.

1.5 Over-current Protection

System short circuits may result in inadmissible thermal stressing of the generator. For this reason, an
over-current protection should be provided to operate on failure of the system protection. For this purpose a
definite time lag over current relay may be used, the relay time of which should however be longer than that
of the system protection.

Operating value : 1.3 IN

Relay time : 6 - 8 sec.(max)

For avoiding longer relay times, it is recommended to equip larger generators with an inverse- time lag
(impedance ) relay, which will be energised on over current and operate with long or short time setting
dependent on the location of the short circuit. If connected to the generator neutral point, the over-current
protection serves as back up protection for the differential protection.

1.6 Load unbalance protection

Generators operating in an interconnected system are subjected to small load unbalance only. However,
all one and two line to earth faults occurring in the system, phase breakages or circuit breaker failures are
in fact load unbalances which may result in unduly high thermal stressing of the rotor.

It is recommended to provide a two stage load unbalance protection. When the continuously permissible
load unbalance is reached an alarm is given, while time-dependent tripping occurs when this value is
exceeded.

In case of large units, it is recommended to provide a protection with unbalanced load/time characteristic.
Operating value and relay time should be matched to the load unbalance/time characteristic applicable to
the particular generator.

1.7 Rise - in Voltage Protection

Rejection of partial or complete system loads causes a voltage rise, followed by an increase in the prime
mover speed. This may result in the generator and the apparatus connected to it being endangered by
unduly high voltages. Mal-operation during manual voltage regulation of the generator may likewise result
in inadmissible voltage stressing of this apparatus. Due to the sudden voltage variations occurring on
switching operations, it is advisable at least in case of large units, to provide a two-stage rise-in -voltage
protection, i.e. :

a. With high ( 1.45 x UN ) operating value and instant tripping.

b. With low ( 1.2 x UN ) operating value and delayed tripping.

1.8 Under Frequency Protection

Major disturbances in an interconnected system may result in operation of the generator at under-
frequency. At rated voltage, the generator can be continuously operated at rated KVA upto 95% of rated
frequency.

For avoiding excessive magnetic and thermal stressing, it is recommended to provided an under-frequency
protection.

Since the frequency variation due to a system disturbance is normally accompanied by a voltage variation,
the protection should be designed on the basis of the permissible load characteristic of the generator on
frequency and voltage variations.

Electrical Machines Engineering

BHEL, Haridwar

Document No. : 4033-0487 Rev.-00, Date: 29.07.2010 Page 2 of 4

1.9 Reverse Power Protection
A rise in system frequency for any reason whatsoever, finally results in closing of the governor valves, the
turbine being driven by the motoring generator. Since the turbine is then no longer supplied with cooling
system, the turboset must be disconnected from the system. The relay must be provided with a time delay
to prevent undesired operation on system swings.

Faults in the turbine interior initiate emergency tripping, resulting in interruption of steam supply to the
turbine. A reliable criterion of perfectly tight closure of the emergency stop valves is the flow of power from
the system back into the generator.

Disconnection of the turboset from the system by the generator circuit breaker is only permissible after this
reverse power has been drawn by the generator.

Operating value: Approx. 50-80% of reverse power.

Relay Time : High setting 20 sec.

Low setting 4 sec.

1.10 Over Voltage Protection

The use of surge diverters on the high-voltage side of the unit transformer is considered sufficient for
protecting the generator against atmospheric overvoltages and switching surges in the system. With a view
to a possible flashover from the high voltage winding to the low voltage winding in the unit transformer, it is,
however, advisable to provide surge diverters for the generator too, which should be connected between
the phases and earth.

Normally, the surge diverters are installed in the direct vicinity of the unit transformer, assuming that
switching surge resulting from any load isolator or circuit breaker arranged between generator and
transformer will not endanger the generator.

Care should be taken to provide explosion-proof surge diverters or suitable constructional measures in
order to avoid danger to persons or nearby plant components on over voltage.

Design voltage : Approx. 1.2 - 1.4 x UN

(allowing for power frequency overvoltage on load rejection)

Power frequency spark over voltage : Approx. 2 x UN

( < test voltage for stator winding
ie.VDE0530 Up=2UN +1 kV)

Impulse sparkover voltage : < 4 x UN

Electrical Machines Engineering

BHEL, Haridwar

Document No. : 4033-0487 Rev.-00, Date: 29.07.2010 Page 3 of 4

2.0 PROTECTION AGAINST MECHANICAL FAULTS
Protective circuits of the generator mechanical protection equipment are designed with two channels and
initiate a turbine trip through a 2 out of 3 logic or as specified by customer. They protect the generator in
the event of faults of mechanical nature in the generator.

The trip signals of these circuits only affect the turbine trip. The generator itself is then isolated from the
grid and de-excited by the reverse power protection or, if the turbine generator set is working in isolated
operation, by the under frequency protection.

2.1 Primary Water Flow

Two protective circuits, one for the quantity of primary water in the stator winding and the other for the
quantity of primary water in the three main bushings prevent the overheating of the stator winding and the
bushings due to inadequate flow of the cooling medium.

2.2 Temperature of the Primary Water at Outlet of Cooler

This protective circuit protects the water cooled components of the generator against inadequate cooling
and thus overheating as a result of the higher inlet temperature of the primary water.

2.3 Cold Gas Temperature

This protective circuit protects the hydrogen-cooled components of the generator against inadequate
cooling due to increased inlet temperature of the hydrogen.

2.4 Liquid in the Bushing Box

If a major leak occurs in components located within the generator the water/oil would leak out and this
endangers the generator. The liquid, which leaks out, would collect in the terminal box and because of the
limited volume of the box, the liquid level will rise rapidly. Due to this liquid level, if left unchecked, a short
circuit or an earth fault may occur. This protective circuit is intended to prevent this secondary damage.

2.5 Hot Air Temperature of the Main Exciter (If Applicable)

In the event of a failure of the exciter air coolers, the inlet cooling air temperature increases which
endangers the operation of the exciter. This protection would initiate the opening of an emergency
ventilation door in such cases.

Electrical Machines Engineering

BHEL, Haridwar

Document No. : 4033-0487 Rev.-00, Date: 29.07.2010 Page 4 of 4