Scribd
Upload
142 views

EEP - Preparing To Synchronize A Generator To The Grid

EEP - Preparing to Synchronize a Generator to the Grid

Uploaded by

Sugeng Sumarno
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
142 views

EEP - Preparing To Synchronize A Generator To The Grid

EEP - Preparing to Synchronize a Generator to the Grid

Uploaded by

Sugeng Sumarno
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 5

Print

http://us.mg1.mail.yahoo.com/dc/launch?.gx=1&.rand=88mniifk1e4hg&re...

Subject:

Preparing to synchronize a generator to the grid

From:

EEP - Electrical Engineering Portal ([email protected])

To:

[email protected];

Date:

Wednesday, March 27, 2013 7:04 PM

Technical articles receive 16,284 electrical engineers worldwide.

Email not displaying correctly?


View it in your browser.

Published on Mar 27, 2013 01:20 am by Edvard | Subscribe to Monthly Download Updates

Recommended - Capacitor Application Issues


Forward this article to your colleagues

Preparing to synchronize a generator to the grid (on photo: General Electric steam turbine generator)

1 of 5

4/1/2013 12:42 AM

Print

http://us.mg1.mail.yahoo.com/dc/launch?.gx=1&.rand=88mniifk1e4hg&re...

Conditions
In order to synchronize a generator to the grid, four conditions must be met:
1.
2.
3.
4.

Phase Sequence
Voltage Magnitude
Frequency
Phase Angle

Figure 1 - Synchronizing a Generator to the Grid

1. Phase Sequence
The phase sequence (or phase rotation) of the three phases of the generator must be the same as the
phase sequence of the three phases of the electrical system (Grid).
The only time that the phase sequence could be wrong is at initial installation or after maintenance. There
are two possible problem sources.
The generator or transformer power leads could actually be interchanged during maintenance orthe potential
transformer leads could be interchanged during maintenance.

2. Voltage Magnitude
The magnitude of the sinusoidal voltage produced by the generator must be equal to the magnitude of the
sinusoidal voltage of the grid.
If all other conditions are met but the two voltages are not the same, that is there is a voltage differential,
closing of the AC generator output breaker will cause a potentially large MVAR flow.
Recall that before a generator is synchronized to the grid, there is no current flow, no armature reaction and
therefore the internal voltage of the generator is the same as the terminal voltage of the generator.
If the generator voltage is higher than the grid voltage, this means that the internal voltage of the
generator is higher than the grid voltage. When it is connected to the grid the generator will be overexcited
and it will put out MVAR.
If the generator voltage is less than the grid voltage, this means that the internal voltage of the
generator is lower than the grid voltage. When it is connected to the grid the generator will be under-excited
and it will absorb MVAR.

2 of 5

4/1/2013 12:42 AM

Print

http://us.mg1.mail.yahoo.com/dc/launch?.gx=1&.rand=88mniifk1e4hg&re...

3. Frequency
The frequency of the sinusoidal voltage produced by the generator must be equal to the frequency of the
sinusoidal voltage produced by the grid.

Figure 2 - Generator Slower than Grid

In Figure 2 above the generator is slower than the grid.


The synchroscope would be rotating rapidly counter clockwise. If the generator breaker were to be
accidentally closed, the generator would be out of step with the external electrical system. It would behave
like motor and the grid would try to bring it up to speed.
In doing so, the rotor and stator would be slipping poles and damage (possibly destroy) the generator as
described previously. The same problem would occur if the generator were faster than the grid.
The grid would try to slow it down, again resulting in slipping of poles.

Figure 3 - Generator at Same Speed asGrid


but not in Phase

Figure 3 shows the condition where the generator and grid have matching speed. The high points and
zero crossings of the sinusoidal voltages occur at the same rate of speed.
However, if you notice in 2 with the grid and a phase angle exists between them. This would appear as a

3 of 5

4/1/2013 12:42 AM

Print

http://us.mg1.mail.yahoo.com/dc/launch?.gx=1&.rand=88mniifk1e4hg&re...

non-rotating synchroscope (both generator and grid at same frequency), where the pointer would appear
stuck at about 9:00 oclock (generator lagging grid).
If the generator breaker were to be closed at this time, the grid would pull the generator into step.
However, this again would cause a large current in-rush to the generator and high stresses on the
rotor/stator with subsequent damage to the generator. If the generator were leading the grid, it would try
to immediately push power into the grid with the same destructive forces as mentioned.
Hence the generator must be brought to a point where the grid voltage waveform exactly matches what it is
producing.

4. Phase Angle
As previously mentioned, the phase angle between the voltage produced by the generator and the voltage
produced by the grid must be zero.
The phase angle (0 to 360) can be readily observed by comparing the simultaneous occurrence of the
peaks or zero crossings of the sinusoidal waveforms.
If the generator breaker is closed when they match exactly, the connection will appear smooth and
seamless.
At that instance (Figure 4 below), the pointer on the synchroscope would indicate 12:00 oclock.
The worst case occurs if the generator is exactly out-of phase, with a phase angle of 180 and the
synchroscope pointing at 6:00 oclock.

Figure 4 - Generator in Phase with Grid

Synchronisation of Generators to a Busbar (VIDEO)


Cant see this video? Click here to watch it on Youtube.

Resource: Science and Reactor Fundamentals Electrical CNSC Technical Training Group

Jump to original technical article at EEP - Preparing to synchronize a generator to the grid
Category & Tags: Energy and Power, frequency, generator, grid, phase angle, phase sequence,

synchroscope, voltage magnitude

4 of 5

4/1/2013 12:42 AM

Print

5 of 5

http://us.mg1.mail.yahoo.com/dc/launch?.gx=1&.rand=88mniifk1e4hg&re...

Subscribe to Monthly Download Updates


Recently published technical articles:
Induction Motor Startup And Losses Calculation
Hospitality lighting design, Why it matters
Lightning Protection System Germany Regulations
The Rheostat In Few Simple Words
Starting Motor With Auto-transformer
Torque Of Three-Phase Induction Motor Explained
Sources and Contributors To Short Circuit Current
What Is The Purpose Of Wind Farm Lighting?
Defining Size and Location of Capacitor in Electrical System (2)

Share with your friends!

Copyright 2013 EEP - Electrical Engineering Portal, All rights reserved.


You're receiving this newsletter because you opted in at our website EEP for
receiving technical articles.
Our mailing address is:
EEP - Electrical Engineering Portal
Murska 10
Belgrade 11000
Serbia
Add us to your address book
unsubscribe from this list | update subscription preferences

4/1/2013 12:42 AM

You might also like