4 ECSComm Software

The ECSComm software is the communication interface for the GMR3 electronic component, allows
the access for configuration, programming and display of the programmed blocks.

Any modification to the regulator program must be carried out by trained personnel, is not only
necessary to know the programming interface but a great knowledge of the regulation and control
functions of the excitation system, otherwise risky modifications for the system operation can be done.

4.1 Software Installation

The system requirements are practically the same as for the WinOper program.

Processor 486, Pentium, Pentium II or better

Operative System Windows 95, 98, NT 4.0, 2000, XP
Graphic resolution 1024 x 768 pixels
HD Space 5 MB
Ports Serial RS232 (Null Modem Cable type)

Locate in the installation disk the program ECSComm_setup, run it directly or by the option “Execute”
in the Windows “Start” menu. The installation program will start and the following screen will appear.

Select “Wieter” to start the installation or “Abbrechen” to abort it.

Then select a sub folder where the ECSComm program will be installed, the default folder is called
C:\Elvis\, if you want to select a different path, select “Ändern” to have the access to the file list, or just
select “Weiter” to continue.
Before to proceed to the installation, the following window will appear, it allows to go back “Zurück” to
modify the installation destination, start installation “installier” or abort installation “Abbrechen” before
start the copy of the files to the destination unit.

The installation will last a few minutes, even it can be aborted, we recommend the complete it and if
necessary run again the installation file to use the de-installation utility included in the same program,
by doing this, the associated files will be properly deleted.
When the installation program is executed and an installed program is detected, the following options
are presented: Programm andern / Install program, Programm reparieren / Repair program and
Programm Entfernen / Uninstall program.

Finally, select “Fertigstellen” to finish installation.

4.2 Getting Started with ECSComm

Connect your computer to the excitation system (MRBx card) using the serial null modem cable. Start
the ECSComm.exe program located in the installation path (p.e. c:\elvis\ecscomm).

The following window will appear the options allow the abortion or confirmation the program start.
Basic Screen

The presented basic screen is basically a communication platform where the monitor and keyboard
become an extension of the main microprocessor located in the MRBx card.

This is, with exception of the functions that allow us save and read the information from the hard disc
of the portable computer, any action will be done in the RAM memory and microprocessor of the
MRBx card.

4.3 Available Functions via Menu

Information administration between portable computer and MRBx is done with the menu bar of the
ECSComm program.

Load Fps-file Allows uploading “fps” files from

portable computer to GMR3
Load E2P-Parameterfile Allows uploading “E2P” files from
portable computer to GMR3
Load Binary-file Allows uploading “bin” files from
portable computer to GMR3.
Close Exits ECSComm program
Save Fps-file Allows downloading “fps” files
from GMR3 to portable
computer (even if the generator
is on-line)
Save E2P Parameterfile Allows downloading “E2P” files
from GMR3 to portable
computer (even if the generator
is on-line)
Save Binary-file Allows downloading “bin” files
from GMR3 to portable computer (even if the generator is on-line)

Load Ecs-file Allows uploading “ECS”

operating system into the
GMR3
Save ECS-file Allows downloading “ECS”
operating system to a portable
computer
Ecs Handler Allows revising in a structured
way the tasks and modules that
form the regulation program
Extended Configuration Internal parameter configuration

Font Allows selecting the font type

BackColor Allows configuring the
background color in the working
area

4.4 Operating System Commands

The text “ECS188>” showed in the main screen, corresponds to the GMR3’s operating system prompt,
the available commands are as follows.

A Saves any modification to the regulator software.

B Installment of cards
A Number of cards; modification of total number of E, A, X, Y (input only possible if
I/O location not fixed)
D Definition of cards and their location; modification of the required installment;
condition: I/O location must be fixed
I Actual installment shall be used as required installment
T Test; crosscheck between software configuration and current position

C Configuration of program; size of user program, I/O tables, record areas, definition
of ranges for variables

D Initialize data
I delete all I-parameters
V deletes all V-parameters
A deletes record memory of MRBx
 D deletes program information data

E Editor; see under editor

B Begin; the program pointer is set to the begin of the task
D Delete; the module pointed to by the program pointer will be deleted. It can be
undeleted using the command U
F Find; input of a search string (variable or module)
G Enter base number for automatic search of free variable numbers
H Help; lists all valid commands and modules
L Set list mode to line by line
M Set list mode to module by module
N New module; the new module will be inserted before the one pointed to by the
program pointer. All following modules will be shifted down
Q Quit; go back to operating system ECS188>
R Rest; displays the number of used module-registers and program lines
S Stop; the program pointer is set to the end of the task
U Undelete; the latest deleted module is inserted
W Change task number; allows changing to another task number
Z Displays the cycle time of all tasks

F Fault indication
L fault indication with number and text
K fault indication with number only

H Help; lists all valid commands

I Initialize (delete) user program

L List program; line per line with <cr>
N Display and modify name of user program
P Start user program
S Display version of operating system
T Test memory and display result
V Definition of limits for pre-setting of variables (deletion of V, I variables at program
start)
Z Display and modify task cycle times

The “*” indicates the prompt of the run time monitor (user program is running). Under this condition the
following commands are available.

QUIT Stops user program

U Update plant parameters into the EEPROM

Previously listed commands will be used in the next section.

4.5 Programming Display

It is possible, only with the use of the ECSComm program, to review the function blocks that integrate
the GMR3 regulation program. For this, just select the option “ECS Handler” in the “Specials” menu in
the basic screen.
The previous selection allows us to review the existing program in the GMR3 regulator or the one
saved in the hard disk of the portable computer, the selection of the option “Yes” will lead us to a
second selection that will ask us to stop or not the user program running in the GMR3 (similar to
command QUIT when in run time monitor).

Independently of the previous selection, the existing GMR3 regulation program will be downloaded to
the hard disk of the portable computer and can be reviewed.

With the selection of “No” the system file explorer of windows is opened to verify a previously saved
program.

Once the file is selected a new window is opened for the “ECS Handler” function, the information is
structured showed in a topic tree and inside of each topic the module list.
6.1 List of Possible Alarms and Annunciations
The following is a list of all alarm messages shown on the operation terminal with possible reasons
and hints how to clear the fault. Due to the complexity of the excitation system it is not practicable to
note all possible causes for any trouble.

Note: Clear a fault before resetting the alarm

AC-overvolt.pr.fail
Effect: Alarm.
Detection: Micro switches on the fuse bases.
Cause: Excessive over voltage;
Defective over voltage limiter;
Defective diode or capacitor on the panel.
Resetting: Reset micro-switch;
Replace fuse.

AC supply fail
Effect: Trip.
Detection: Logic control software.
Cause: Excitation transformer voltage too low
Regulator transformer tripped (together with alarm "m.c.b. tripped").
Resetting: Check thyristor voltage;
Check regulator transformer MCB and regulator transformer output voltage; Check
synchron. Voltage (signal L1SYN...L3SYN) at board IWK2 mounted on the back of
the regulator rack.

Exc.trans.temp.warn
Effect: Alarm.
Detection: Winding temperature detectors of excitation transformer and temperature supervision
relay.
Cause: Overload;
Insufficient cooling;
Unbalanced load due to fault in thyristor bridge or gate pulse device.
Resetting: Decrease reactive load;
Wait cooling, clean air inlets;
Check wave form of field voltage.

Exc.trans.temp.trip
Effect: Trip.
Detection: Winding temperature detectors of excitation transformer and temperature supervision
relay.
Cause: Overload;
Insufficient cooling;
Unbalanced load due to fault in thyristor bridge or gate pulse device.
Resetting: Decrease reactive load;
Wait cooling, clean air inlets;
Check wave form of field voltage.

Field breaker fail

Effect: Excitation trip. Detection:
Logic control software.
Cause: Manual trip of field breaker;
Defective field breaker;
Fault in the ON-, OFF-control circuit;
Fault in the position indication circuit.
Resetting: Check field breaker; Check control and signal circuits.
Field flashing fail
Effect: Excitation trip by start or stop time supervision.
Detection: Logic control software.
Cause: Defective field flashing contactor;
Fault in the ON-, OFF-control circuit;
Fault in the position indication circuit.
Resetting: Check field flashing contactor;
Check control and position signal circuit.

Gate pulse fail

Effect: Alarm.
Detection: Logic control software.
Cause: Thyristor current to low, caused by missing or incorrect firing pulses (fault in a pulse
cable, gate pulse transducer board LG/TH-6, gate pulse output SAB;
Resetting: Check firing pulses and wiring.

Invalid parameter
Effect: Trip.
Detection: Logic control software.
Cause: A basic parameter has an invalid value.
Resetting: Reset processor to force reloading of program and parameters (see description of
voltage regulator GMR3, chap.5.2.3 "System Re-Start");
Check the following parameters for their correct values:
V1843 = 1.00, V1844 = -1.00, V1845 = 2.00, V1846 = -2.00.

M.c.b. tripped
Effect: Alarm.
Detection: Micro switch on the fuse base;
MCB´s.
Cause: Short circuit;
Defective element.
Resetting: Switch on MCB;
Replace fuse and reset micro switch.

PIM0 man. Gate control

Effect: Alarm.
Detection: Logic control software.
Cause: Switch "HST" on card SAB in test position "1".
Resetting: Push switches "HST" down to the normal operation position.

PIM0-A synch. Fail

Effect: Trip.
Detection: Logic control software.
Cause: Fault in the gate pulse synchronizing circuit (signal SYNCH at board IWK2);
PGS3-board proc.A fault.
Resetting: Check synchron.voltage (signal L1SYN...L3SYN) at board IWK2 mounted on the
back of the regulator rack;
Replace PGs3-board.
PIM0-A program stop
PIM0-B program stop
PIM0-C program stop
PIM0 communicate. Error
PIM0 proc. A, B fail
PIM0 proc. C fails
Effect: Trip.
Detection: Logic control software.
Cause: Defective circuit on the PIM-board, or the communication with the main processor
card MRB failed.
Resetting: Replace PGS3-board.

Pulse relay fail

Effect: Excitation trip by start or stop time supervision.
Detection: Logic control software.
Cause: Defective gate pulse blocking relay or wiring fault.
Resetting: Check relay on LG6 board, replace LG6;
Check control and position signal circuit.

Rotor over voltage

Effect: Excitation trip.
Detection: Relay mounted on PUS7 sub-assembly and logic control software.
Cause: Over voltage at the DC-busbar > trigger level of ÜST;
Defective element (thyristor, trigger).
Resetting: None.

Speed < trip

Effect: Trip if the generator breaker is off.
Detection: Logic control software.
Cause: The generator frequency is below 90% for more than 20 sec.
Resetting: None.

Start overtime trip

Effect: Excitation trip.
Detection: Time supervision (control logics).
Cause: Excitation start sequence overtime due to:
Thyristor voltage or field flashing voltage missing;
Malfunction of relays or contactors;
Malfunction of control.
Resetting: Check additional alarm messages for more details and clear fault.

Stop overtime trip

Effect: Excitation trip.
Detection: Time supervision (logic control software).
Cause: Excitation stops sequence overtime due to:
Malfunction of relays or contactors;
Malfunction of control.
Resetting: Check additional alarm messages for more details and clear fault.
Thyristor. Current fail
Effect: Excitation trip by start time supervision.
Detection: Logic control software.
Cause: Thyristor current is not rising after field flashing;
Field flashing voltage missing
Excitation transformer not connected to generator bus.
Resetting: Check field flashing voltage;
Check main supply voltage at AC-bus and/or AC-current after excitation start in
normal operation mode;
Check thyristor. Current measurement (signal IP~ at board IWK2 mounted on the
back of the regulator rack).

Thyristor voltage fail

Effect: Excitation trip by start time supervision.
Detection: Logic control software.
Cause: Supply voltage on the thyristor bus too low;
Regulator transformer tripped (together with alarm "m.c.b. tripped");
Generator circuit. Breaker not closed during black-start.
Resetting: Check thyristor voltage;
Check regulator transformer MCB and regulator transformer output voltage;
Check synchron. Voltage (signal L1SYN...L3SYN) at board IWK mounted on the
back of the regulator rack;
Check generator breaker and signals if fault occurs during black-start.

Thyristor fan warn

Effect: Alarm.
Detection: MCB for the motor of fan tripped.
Cause: Defective motor or fan;
Short circuit.
Resetting: Check fans, transformer, circuits;
Reset MCB.

Thyristor fuse trip

Effect: Trip.
Detection: Micro switches mounted on the fuses of the thyristor bridge;
Check mechanical indicator on thyristor fuses to make out which fuses are blown.
Cause: Short-circuit;
Defective thyristor; Defective
RC-element; Excessive overload
due to fault.
Resetting: Check thyristors;
Check RC-elements;
Replace fuse.

Thyristor Temperature High

Effect: Trip.
Detection: Thermo switches mounted on the heat sinks of Thyristor Bridge.
Cause: Overload;
Insufficient cooling due to pollution;
Defective fan or circuit.
Resetting: Clean air inlets and outlets and heat sinks;
Wait cooling;
Check fan and circuit.
Sensing fail
Effect: At automatic-operation transfer of control to manual.
Detection: Gen. Potential transformer MCB;
Logic control software.
Cause: Generator voltage transformer
fault; Voltage sensing circuit
fault;
PGS3-board proc.C
fault; Generator
short circuited.
Resetting: Check potential transformer and voltage sensing
circuit; Switch on MCB;
Check for additional alarm messages and/or replace PGS3-board.