Under Speed and Over Speed Alarms

1 OVERVIEW
This document is intended to explain the different types of under and over speed alarms during the various states of
operation. The same principle discussed within this document are also applicable to the under and over frequency
alarm settings.

2 WHY HAVE SPEED PROTECTION?

During operation of the Genset it is normal to monitor engine speed so that the DSE module can provide both under
and over speed protection. In addition, the DSE module uses the RPM signal to provide the following information;

• Confirmation that the engine is running.

• Confirmation the engine isn’t running (Fail to Stop).
• An RPM value to signal Crank Disconnect.
• Protection against Reverse Power in addition to current and voltage monitoring.
• A source of engine speed measurement in addition to frequency.
• Protection against AC harmonics by having an additional source of engine speed.

In an engine only application, only the RPM signal is available. However, in a conventional Genset application both
frequency and RPM are monitored. Most applications dictate that both frequency and RPM are used as a source of
engine speed to provide redundancy. Typical engine speeds for generator applications are as follows;

1500 RPM = 50 Hz
1800 RPM = 60 Hz

If the RPM value exceeds or falls below a range around these values, this could cause damage to the engine and the
electrical equipment being supplied. During start-up it is normal for the engine to experience some fluctuation before
stabilising. Because of the differing RPM values during start up and running on load, it is necessary to have different
alarm levels. The end user needs to define these alarm levels to account for the load requirements and characteristics
of the engine during starting and normal running conditions.

Author: M.T.S Page 1 of 4 056-115 ISSUE: 1

3 ALARM EXPLANATION

3.1 UNDER SPEED TRIP

This is the lowest RPM value that the engine is expected to operate at before triggering a shutdown. The Under
Speed alarm also has a pre-alarm feature so that the end user can intervene to avoid a complete shut-down or
electrical trip. This Under Speed alarm, remains inactive until the genset becomes available. Prior to the Genset
becoming available the RPM speed must be above the pre-alarm return speed. Failure to do so results in an Under
Speed alarm.

An alarm delay can be added to allow the RPM to fall temporarily below the Under Speed trip value. This delay can be
utilised to allow for sudden changes in load requirements.

Parameter Description
Under Speed Alarm  = Under Speed alarm is disabled
 = Gives an alarm in the event of the engine speed falling below the
configured Under Speed Alarm Trip value for longer than the Activation Delay.
The Underspeed Alarm Trip value is adjustable to suit user requirements.
Action Select the type of alarm required from the list:
Shutdown
Electrical Trip

Under Speed Pre-Alarm  = Under Speed Warning alarm is disabled

Under Speed Return
 = Gives a warning alarm in the event of the engine speed falling below the
configured Under Speed Pre-Alarm Trip value for longer than the Activation
Delay. The Under Speed Pre-Alarm Trip value is adjustable to suit user
requirements.
The speed at which the Under speed alarm becomes inactive when previously
being active.

3.2 OVER SPEED TRIP

This is the highest RPM value that the engine is expected to run at before triggering a shutdown. This alarm is always
active. The Over Speed alarm also has a pre-alarm feature so that the end user can intervene to avoid a complete
shut-down or electrical trip.

An alarm delay can be added to allow the RPM to rise temporarily above the Over Speed trip value. This delay can be
utilised to allow for sudden changes in load requirements.

Parameter Description
Over Speed Pre-Alarm  = Alarm is disabled
 = Gives a warning alarm in the event of the engine speed rising above the
configured Over Speed Pre-Alarm Trip value for longer than the Activation
Delay. The Warning is automatically reset when the engine speed falls below
the configured Return level.
The Over Speed Pre-Alarm Trip value is adjustable to suit user requirements.
Over Speed Alarm  = Alarm is disabled
 = Gives a Shutdown alarm in the event of the engine speed rising above the
configured Over Speed Alarm Trip value for longer than the Activation Delay.
The Over Speed Alarm Trip value is adjustable to suit user requirements.
Over Speed Return The speed at which the Over speed alarm becomes inactive when previously
being active.

056-115 ISSUE: 1 Page 2 of 4 Author: M.T.S

3.3 OVER SPEED OVERSHOOT
The Over Speed Overshoot temporarily raises the Over Speed alarm level. This allows for a temporary increase in
RPM directly during the Safety On and Smoke Limiting Timer.

The Overshoot percentage value defines how much the Over Speed alarm is increased by. This is calculated as a
percentage of the Over Speed trip value.

The Overshoot Delay defines how long the RPM can remain above the Over Speed trip level before shutting down.
The Delay is triggered when the RPM rises above the Over Speed trip RPM.

Parameter Description
Overspeed Overshoot % To prevent spurious overspeed alarms at engine start up, the module includes
configurable Overspeed Overshoot protection.
This allows the engine speed to ‘overshoot’ the Overspeed setting during the
starting process for a short time.
Overshoot Delay
Rather than ‘inhibiting’ the Overspeed alarms, the Overspeed shutdown level is
temporarily raised by the Over Speed Overshoot %.

3.4 RUN AWAY TRIP

This is the highest RPM value that the engine is expected to run at before triggering an immediate shutdown. This
alarm is active always and cannot be disabled. If the engine experiences a sudden increase in RPM which trips the
Over Speed alarm, but does not exceed the trip level delay this could still damage the engine. For this reason, the
Run Away Trip alarm exists.

Parameter Description
Run Away This alarm is always enabled.
In the event of the engine speed rising above the configured Trip value the Run
Away Shutdown alarm is immediately triggered.
This is used to protect against engine damage due to uncontrolled speed
increase, where the engine speed runs away.
Trip Set the speed level for the Run Away alarm.

4 ALARM NAMES

Alarm Type Module Alarm Display Event Log Display

Under Speed Warning Trip Engine Under Speed Under Speed
Under Speed Shutdown Trip Engine Under Speed Under Speed
Over Speed Warning Trip (during Safety on Engine Over Speed Over Speed
and Smoke limiting) Delayed
Over Speed Overshoot Shutdown Trip (during Engine Over Speed Over Speed
Safety on and Smoke limiting) Delayed
Over Speed Warning Trip (Gen available) Engine Over Speed Over Speed
Over Speed Shutdown Trip (Gen available) Engine Over Speed Over Speed
Over Speed Over Shoot Trip Engine Over Speed Over Speed
Overshoot
Run Away Trip Over Speed Runaway Over Speed Runaway

Author: M.T.S Page 3 of 4 056-115 ISSUE: 1

5 UNDER SPEED AND OVER SPEED PROTECTION
The graph below details a typical Generator start up. For the purpose of this training document the Smoke limiting off timer has been extended beyond what would normally
be considered normal. This to show more clearly the purpose of the Overshoot and Over Speed Delay timers. The Smoke Limiting off timer accounts for the length of time it
takes for the RPM to increase from Smoke Limiting On speed (idle) to a stable nominal RPM (warming). This is displayed as Ramp on the controller display.

RPM
2300
Under Speed and Over Speed Protection
2200
Run Away Trip (2100RPM)
2100
Over Speed Over shoot (+10%
2000 Over Speed Delay Timer Active
1897RPM)
1900
Over Speed Overshoot Timer Delay Over Speed Shutdown Trip (1725RPM)
1800
Active
1700
1600 Over Speed Pre-Alarm (1675RPM)
Generator Available
1500 Smoke
Crank Safety Delay ON
Smoke… Warmin… Under Speed Warning Trip
1400 5s 10s Limit
1300 ON
Under Speed Shutdown Trip
1200 (1300RPM)
1100
1000
900
800
700
600
500
Crank Disconnect
400
300
200
100
0
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60
Time