Generator Protection

Protection of a Medium-
Sized Generator up to 5 MW

n 1. Introduction
Small-scale stations are making a significant con-
tribution to power generation. Hydropower plants
currently still account for the largest share of sys-
tem infeed. The most significant increase in the
number of generating plants has been in wind
energy.
Electrical protection is essential for the reliable

LSP2171-afpen.eps
operation of such equipment.
The scope of protection must be in proportion to
the overall costs and importance of the plant. The
scope and choice of protection functions are influ-
enced by plant type, generator design and addi-
tional equipment, output level and power system
connection. The following table gives an overview
of the protection functions used depending on Fig. 1 SIPROTEC 7UM generator, motor and transformer
protection
generator output.

For hydropower generators For diesel generators and turbogenerators

Up to 300 to 700 to > 1500 up to 300 to 700 to > 1500
300 700 1500 300 700 1500
kVA kVA kVA kVA kVA kVA kVA kVA
Thermal and short-time delayed x – – – x – – –
trip and shunt release for U~
on generator circuit-breaker
Only shunt releases for U~ on – x x x – x x x
generator circuit-breaker
Rise-in-voltage protection x x x x – – x x
Reverse-power protection – – – – x x x x
Overcurrent-time protection – x x x – x x x
Differential protection – – – x – – – x
Rotor earth-fault protection – – – x – – – x
Is DC auxiliary voltage for – x x x – x x x
protection required?

Table 1 Protection functions for small-scale power stations

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 Generator Protection

n 2. Protection concept
In small-scale power stations, the basic circuits for
busbar and unit connection (as shown in Fig. 1)
can be assumed.

Unit connection Busbar connection

Fig. 2 Plant basic circuit

Fault type Cause Protection function Remarks

In unit connection, the generator is linked to the
Overload Sab>Sproduced Thermal overload Evaluation of current higher voltage level busbar via a transformer. In
2
Controller error protection (I t) r.m.s. value with pre-
Maloperation vious load recording
the case of several parallel units, the generators are
electrically isolated by the transformers.
Short-circuit Deterioration of insula- Overcurrent-time Time delay must be
(2 or tion protection (I>) coordinated with In busbar connection, several generators feed
3 phase) Winding displacement Differential protection system protection onto a common busbar. Subsequently, the next
Overvoltages (∆I) higher voltage level is fed via a transformer. The
Manufacturing defects generators are galvanically connected.
Earth fault Same cause as for short- Stator earth-fault pro- The protected zone
(Stator) circuit tection U0> in unit (approximately
Owing to the low overall plant costs, the busbar
connection 80 %) is determined connection is frequently chosen for small-scale
Earth-fault direction by plant conditions power stations. This application is therefore con-
in busbar connection (see discussion in text)
(/UE, IE)
sidered in greater detail in the following.

Earth fault Deterioration of insula- Rotor earth-fault pro- Used as from 5 MW, Table 2 shows the protection functions suitable
(Rotor) tion tection with system if sliprings available; for small-scale power stations in accordance with
Winding displacement frequency signal cou- below 5 MW optional today’s state-of-the-art. Fault type, cause and the
pling in rotor circuit
Brush abrasion on the protection function to be deployed are indicated,
slipring surface
together with general notes on particular features
Material fatigue
of the protection function.
Reverse- Drive failure Reverse-power Only necessary for
power Shutdown protection (-P) steam and diesel drive
systems
Speed Leaking stream valves Frequency protection As from 5 MW f> and
irregularities Sudden changes in active (f> or f<) f<
power Below 5 MW so far
Overload only f>; f< is likewise
recommended if avail-
able
Overvoltage Controller error or Overvoltage protec- Evaluation of phase-
manual maloperation tion (U>) to-phase voltage
Unpermissible Fault in exciter circuit Underexcitation Used as from 5 MW
under- Operation in underex- protection (e.g. -Q, or Below 5 MW so far
excitation cited state (high reactive Z) not usual;
power demand in recommended if func-
system) tion available
Maloperation,
controller error
Asymmetric Unequal loading of con- Negative-sequence Used from 5 MW;
load ductor (or load unbalance) Below 5 MW so far
protection (I2>) not usual; recom-
mended if possible, Table 2 Fault type, protection functions

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 Generator Protection

n 3. Applications Protection functions ANSI 7SJ60 7SJ61 7SJ62 7SJ63/64 7UM61

Table 1 shows, that even with small generators of
Rotor overload protection 49 X X X X X
< 5MW, relays must be used with a number of
protection functions. Numerical protection relays Earth-fault protection 64G X X X X
directional / non directional 50G X X X X X
are the current state-of-the-art. 67G X X X X
The SIPROTEC range provides a good choice.
Overcurrent-time protection 50 X X X X X
As shown in Table 3, 7SJ relays are well suited for 51
simple protection functions for small generators. Negative-sequence protection 46 X X X X X
1) 1) 1) 1)
Rotor earth-fault protection 64R X X X X
The decisive advantage of the 7UM6* generator
2)
protection relay is the automatic adjustment of Reverse-power protection 32 X X
the sampling frequency. To ensure that the pro- Overcurrent protection 59 X X X
tection and measurement functions deliver cor- Underexcitation protection 40 X
rect results over a wide frequency range, the actual Frequency protection 81 X X X
frequency is continuously measured and the mea-
Temperature monitoring 38 X X X X
surement processing sampling frequency continu- (by an external monitoring
ously tracked. This ensures the measuring accura- box called thermo-box)
cy in the frequency range from 11 Hz to 69 Hz. Breaker failure protection 50BF X X X X X
This relay offers a wide range of additional protec-
Programmable logic X X X X
tion functions. If differential protection is re-
quired and the appropriate transformer sets are Control functions X X X X X
available, a 7UM62 is recommended. As differen- Flexible serial interface 1 2 2 2/3 2
tial protection is applied usually for generators 1) via IEE measuring input if earth-fault direction function is not used.
above 5 MW, the example shown opposite refers 2) in 7SJ63 with CFC, in 7SJ64 with flexible functions.
to a 7UM61 relay for a 5 MW generator in busbar
Table 3 Protection relays – selection matrix
connection.

n 4. Settings
In the following sections, the individual protec-
tion and additional functions (see Table 3) are
explained. Notes on the setting values are also
given. The calculation examples are oriented to-
wards the reference plant shown in Fig. 3. For the
tripping concept, it is assumed that the protection
directly actuates the tripping (circuit-breaker,
de-excitation, turbine valve closing or diesel
cut-off).

4.1 Thermal overload protection (ANSI 49)

Overload protection prevents thermal overload of Fig. 3 Busbar connection with core-balance CT
the stator windings on the machine to be protec-
ted. The relay calculates the temperature rise in Low ambient or coolant temperatures mean that
accordance with a thermal single-body model by the generator can be loaded with more current;
means of the thermal differential equation and high temperatures signify that the loadability is
takes account of both previous overload history less.
and emission of heat into the ambient area.
Example
After an initial, adjustable threshold has been Generator and transformer with the following
reached, an alarm signal is emitted for the purpose data:
of enabling a load reduction in good time, for n Permissible continuous current
example. Imax prim = 1.15 • IN, generator
The second temperature threshold disconnects n Rated generator current IN, generator = 483 A
the machine from the system. For example,
n Current transformer 500 A/1 A
ambient or coolant temperatures can be input via
the PROFIBUS-DP interface.

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 Generator Protection

Set value k-factor = 1.15 483A/500A = 1.11 4.3 Definite-time overcurrent-time protection
(I>) with undervoltage seal-in (ANSI 51V)
Note:
Taking the k factor at the usual figure of 1.1, ap- Setting example:
plying the generator rated current (with the pri- Pickup value 1.4 ⋅ INGenerator
mary transformer current matched) produces a Tripping delay 3 s
temperature rise of Θ/ ΘK = 1 / 1.12 = 0.83 of the Undervoltage seal-in 0.8 UNGenerator
tripping temperature. The alarm stage should thus Seal-in time of U < 4 s
be set between end temperature at rated current Dropout ratio 0.95
(83 % in this case) and tripping temperature
(100 %). 4.4 Earth-fault protection
In addition to short-circuit protection, which as
With an assumed load current of I = 1.5 IN (relay) described above is provided in a familiar fashion
and a preload of Ipre = 0, the following tripping via overcurrent (or differential) protection, earth-
times are derived for various ambient temperatures fault protection is of particular significance for
ΘK= 40 ºC t = 463 s small-scale machines.
ΘK= 80 ºC t = 366 s
ΘK= 0 ºC t = 637 s 4.4.1 Principle
A particular feature of electric machines with iso-
4.2 Definite-time overcurrent-time protection lated star point is that the displacement voltage
(I>, I>>) (ANSI 50/51) decreases linearly as the fault location moves in
General the direction of the generator star-point (Fig. 4).
Overcurrent-time is the form of short-circuit pro- The earth-fault current, the magnitude of which is
tection for extra-low or low voltage generators. In determined by the earth capacitances in addition
order that internal faults are always responded to, to the displacement voltage, thus also decreases.
the generator protection is connected to the In the event of faults close to the star point, the
current transformer set located in the star point displacement voltage and earth current become so
connection of the generator. In the case of genera- small that they can no longer be reliably mea-
tors whose excitation voltage is taken from the sured.
machine terminals, in the event of nearby faults A protected zone of 80 – 90 % is consequently
(i.e. in the generator or the unit transformer re- spoken of.
gion) the short-circuit current decays very quickly
Fig. 4 since there is no longer any excitation current, and In unit connection (Fig. 2a), the protected zone
Displacement voltage within a few seconds falls below the overcurrent- discussed above is additionally determined by the
as a function of the fault disturbance signal injection from the upstream
location in the stator time protection pickup value. In these cases
winding undervoltage seal-in is used. system. If an earth fault occurs in the system, a
displacement voltage is identifiable via the cou-
pling capacitance of the unit transformer. The
magnitude of the interference voltage is deter-
mined by the coupling capacitance, the genera-
tor-side earth capacitance (stator, incoming line)
and the difference between rated system voltage
and rated generator voltage.
In busbar connection, the displacement voltage
can only be used for earth-fault indication due to
the galvanical connection of the generators. The
earth-fault direction protection makes selective
tripping possible. The protected zone is deter-
mined by the earth current, which is measured by
a core-balance current transformer (60 A/1 A). As
shown in Fig. 2b the sum of the component earth
currents flows through the generator affected by
the fault. The cable network connected to the
generators is decisive for the fault current magni-
tude.

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 Generator Protection

Example: 4.4.2 Note

In the case of 10 kV cables (lead sheath, polymer- In industry, busbar systems are designed with high
insulated) the capacitive earth-fault current lies or low resitive switchable star-point resistors. For
between 1.2 to 3.5 A/km. If with a full displace- earth-fault detection, the star-point current and
ment voltage we assume an earth current of the summation current are measured by the core-
max. 3 A and aim for a protected zone of 80 %, balance current transformer and fed into the pro-
approximately 0.6 A flows on the primary side. tection relay as a current difference (see Fig. 4).
This current (secondary approximately 10 mA) The earth-current component coming from the
can be handled reliably by the protection. star-point resistor, as well as any from the system,
contribute to the total earth-current. In order to
If the capacitive current is not sufficient where
rule out overfunction as a result of transformer
higher power levels are concerned, it is worth in-
faults, the displacement voltage serves for tripping.
vesting in an earthing transformer on the busbar
The protection then decides on generator earth-
or in disconnectable load resistors on the genera-
fault if both of the following criteria apply:
tor star point. The earth-current increases as a
result of the resistive current. n Displacement voltage is greater than setting
value U0>,
n Earth-fault current difference DIE greater than
setting value 3 I0>, magnitude.

SES = Stator earth-fault protection

Fig. 5 Earth-fault protection by differentiation with core-balance current transformers

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 Generator Protection

The pickup value should be at least twice the oper- n Steam turbines: PReverse/SN ≈ 1 % to 3%
ational asymmetries. A value of 10% of the full n Gas turbines: PReverse/SN ≈ 3 % to 3%
displacement voltage is normal. n Diesel drives: PReverse/SN > 5 %

4.5 Sensitive earth-fault detection (ANSI 50/51 GN)/ However, it is advisible to measure the reverse
rotor earth-fault protection (ANSI 64R) power with the protection itself in the primary
Sensitive earth-current protection is used for de- test. About 0.5 times of the measured motoring
tecting earth faults in isolated or high-resistance energy is chosen as a setting value. The motoring
earthed systems. This protection function can also energy value can be found at the “percentage op-
serve to detect rotor winding earth-faults if the erational measured-values”.
rotor circuit is artificially displaced with a system-
frequency voltage to earth (UV ≈ 42 V by means of 4.7 Frequency protection (ANSI 81)
7XR61 coupling device). In this case the maxi- Frequency protection detects overfrequencies and
mum flowing earth current is limited by the mag- underfrequencies of the generator. If the fre-
nitude of the selected URE voltage and by the quency lies outside the permitted range, the ap-
capacitive coupling to the rotor circuit. Monitor- propriate switching operations are initiated, such
ing of the measuring circuit is provided (for this as separating the generator from the system. De-
application) as rotor earth-fault protection via the crease of frequency is caused by an increase active
sensitive earth-current measuring input. It is re- power demand the system or by malfunctions in
garded as closed if the earth current (which also the frequency or speed control. Frequency de-
flows with healthy insulation) resulting from the crease protection is also used on generators that
earth capacitance of the rotor circuit exceeds a (temporarily) feed a separate island system, since
parametrizable minimum value IEE<. Should the in such a case the reverse-power protection can-
earth-current fall below this value, a failure signal not work if the drive power fails. The generator
is issued after a short delay time (2 s). can be disconnected from the system by the fre-
quency decrease protection. Frequency increase is
A typical pickup value is approximately 2 mA. If caused for example by load shedding (separate
this value is set at 0, the monitoring stage is ineffec- island system) or malfunctions in the frequency
tive. This can become necessary if the earth capaci- control. In such cases there is a danger of self-exci-
tances are too low. The setting of the earth-fault tation of generators which feed long, no-load
pickup IEE> is selected in such a way that the insula- lines. The frequency values are generally set in ac-
tion (earth) resistances RE can be detected in the cordance with the specifications of the system or
range from about 3 kΩ to 5 kΩ: The value set power station operator. Frequency decrease pro-
should in this case be at least twice as high as the tection has the task of securing power for the sta-
interference current owing to the earth capacitances tion-service equipment by disconnecting it from
of the rotor circuit. The tripping delays the system in good time. The turbo regulator then
T IEE> and T IEE>> do not include operating times. adjusts the machine set to rated speed so that the
station-service power can continue to be supplied
4.6 Reverse-power protection (ANSI 32R) at rated frequency. A frequency increase can occur
Reverse-power protection serves to protect a tur- for example in the event of load shedding or speed
bine generator unit if, in the event of drive power control malfunction (e.g. in a separate island sys-
failure, the synchronous generator runs as a mo- tem). The frequency increase protection is thus
tor and drives the turbine and is thereby drawing used for example as overspeed protection.
the required motoring energy out of the system.
This state will endanger the turbine blades and
must be interrupted without delay by opening the Stage Cause Setting values
network circuit-breaker. For the generator there at at Delay
exists the additional danger that in the event of re- fN = 50 Hz fN = 60 Hz
sidual steam leakage (defective seal valves) after f1 Disconnection 48.00 Hz 58.00 Hz 1s
opening of the circuit-breaker, the turbine genera- from system
tor unit can be run up to overspeed. For this rea- f2 Shutdown 47.00 Hz 57.00 Hz 6s
son disconnection from the power system should f3 Alarm 49.50 Hz 59.50 Hz 20 s
only take place after detection of active power in-
f4 Alarm or 52.00 Hz 62.00 Hz 10 s
put into the machine. The value of the consumed tripping
active power is determined by the friction losses to
Setting example
be overcome and, depending on the system, is
approximately:

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 Generator Protection

4.8 Overvoltage protection (ANSI 59) The tripping characteristics of the underexcitation
Overvoltage protection serves to protect the elec- protection are composed of straight lines in the
tric machine and the connected system compo- diagram, each defined by its conductance section
nents from impermissible voltage increases, 1/xd (= coordinate admittance distance) and its
thereby protecting the insulation from damage. angle of inclination α (Fig. 7).
Voltage increases result for example from incor-
rect operation in manual control of the excitation
system, from malfunction of the automatic volt-
age regulator or from (full) shedding of a genera-
tor load, separation of a generator from the sys-
tem or in separate island operation. Setting of the
limit values and delay times of the overvoltage
protection depends on the speed with which the
voltage regulator can control voltage changes. The
protection may not intervene in the control pro-
cess when it is operating trouble-free. The two-
stage characteristic must therefore always be
above the voltage time characteristic of the control
process. The long-time stage should intervene in
the event of steady-state overvoltages. It is set to
approximately 110 % to 115 % of UN and, de-
pending on the regulator speed, at 1.5 s to 5 s. Fig. 7 Underexcitation protection characteristics in the
admittance plane

4.9 Underexcitation protection (ANSI 40)

The straight lines (1/xd Char. 1) / α 1 (characteristic
Underexcitation protection (loss-of-field) protects 1) and (1/xd Char. 2) / α 2 (characteristic 2) form
a synchronous machine from loss of synchronism the static underexcitation limit. (1/xd Char.1) cor-
in the event of malfunction of excitation or con- responds to the reciprocal value of the reference
trol and from local rotor overheating. synchronous direct reactance
In order to detect underexcitation, the relay pro-
cesses all three phase currents and all three volt- 1 1 UN
= ⋅
ages as stator circuit criteria as well as the signal of x d x d 3 ⋅ IN
an external excitation voltage monitor as rotor
circuit criterion (Fig. 6). If the synchronous machine voltage regulator in-
cludes underexcitation limitation, the static char-
acteristics are set such that intervention by the
underexcitation limitation is enabled before the
characteristic 1 is reached. The generator perfor-
mance diagram can be used as a basis for setting.
If the axis sizes are divided by the rated apparent
power, the generator diagram is obtained in “per
unit” form (corresponding to a “per unit” repre-
sentation of the admittance diagram). Multiplying
1/xd by a safety factor of approximately 1.05 pro-
duces the setting value.

Fig. 6 Admittance diagram of turbo generators

For α 1 the angle of the voltage regulator under-
excitation limitation is selected, or the inclination
angle from the restraint characteristic of the ma-
chine can be read. α 1 is normally between 60° to
80°. For low active power levels, the machine
manufacturer normally specifies a minimum exci-
tation. Here the characteristic 1 is cut off from
characteristic 2 when the active power is low. α 2
is set to 90 °. With characteristic 3, the protection
can be matched to the dynamic stability limits of
the machine. If no more precise details are avail-
able, a value roughly between the synchronous di-
rect-axis reactance xd and the transient reactance
xd is selected; it should however be greater than 1.

Siemens PTD EA · Applications for SIPROTEC Protection Relays · 2005 7

 Generator Protection

For the angle α 3, 80 ° to 110 ° is normally se- n PROFIBUS DP, RS485 or optical 820 nm
lected, in order to ensure that only dynamic insta- double-ring ST connector,
bility can lead to tripping with characteristic 3. If n IEC 60870–5–103,
the static limit curve (consisting of characteristics n DNP3.0; RS485 or optical 820 nm double-ring
1 and 2) is exceeded, initially the voltage regulator ST connector and
must be given the opportunity to increase the ex- n MODBUS; RS485 or optical 820 nm
citation; for this reason an alarm signal is delayed double-ring ST connector
“long time” (at least 10 s). If the relay is neverthe-
less “informed” of excitation voltage failure (by an 7UM6 supports the widely used, internationally
external excitation voltage monitor via binary standardized open communication standards.
input), disconnection can take place with a short n 6. Summary
delay time.
Based on the recommendations for protection
Characteristic 1 and 2 Instantaneous Excitation signal functions [1] it has been described how, despite
steady-state stability Exc < Exc the cost aspects that have to be taken into account
Characteristic 1 and 2 Long time-delay Trippings in small-scale power generating plants, modern
steady-state stability T Char. 1 = T Char. 2 ≈ 10 s Exc < Char. 1 TRIP / relays can be used to create technically effective
Err < Char. 2 TRIP yet uncomplicated concepts.
Characteristic 1 and 2 Short time-delay Tripping
Excitation voltage failure T SHORT Uex < ≈ 1.5 s Exc < UPU < TRIP In contrast to traditional individual relays,
state-of-the-art multifunctional numerical protec-
Characteristic 3 Short time-delay Tripping
Dynamic stability T Char. 3 ≈ 0,5 s Exc < Char. 3 TRIP tion equipment now provides a wider scope of
functions. Self-monitoring contributes to avoid-
Setting of underexcitation protection
ance of underfunctions (failure to detect relay fail-
ure). A generator can be adequately protected
Note: with a single relay. For more detailed information
Selecting very short delay times can lead to on selecting functions and settings, the 7UM61
dynamic transients (possibly overfunctions). manual is recommended, chapter 2.1 of which has
It is therefore advisable not to set the times below been provided as an application handbook.
0.05 s.
4.10 Negative-sequence protection (ANSI 46) n 7. References
Negative-sequence (or unbalanced load) protec- Herrmann, H.-J.:
tion is used to detect asymmetrical loading of "Digitale Schutztechnik" (Digital Protection
three-phase induction machines. Asymmetrical Technology).
loads create a reverse field, which affects the rotors Basic principles, software, examples of
with double the frequency. Eddy currents are in- implementation.
duced on the surface of the rotor, leading to local VDE-Verlag GmbH, Berlin 1997, ISBN
overheating in the rotor end zones and slot wedges. 3-8007-1850-2.
Furthermore, interruptions, faults or incorrectly Herrmann, H.-J.: "Elektrischer Schutz von
inter-changed connections to the current trans- Kleinkraftwerken"
formers can also be detected with this protection (Electrical Protection of Small Power Stations).
function. Additionally, single and two-phase faults "Elektrizitätswirtschaft Jg."
with fault currents lower than the maximum load (Electricity Industry Year) 97 (1998) Issue 24
currents can be identified.
Siemens AG; PTD:
Setting example: SIPROTEC 7UM61 V4.1 Multifunctional
Setting value I2 permissible = 11 % ⋅ (483 A/500 A) = Machine Protection Manual
10.6 %
Factor k = 18.7 s
T cooling = 1650 s

n 5. Communication
The SIPROTEC 7UM6 relays fully satisfy the re-
quirements of modern communication technol-
ogy. They have interfaces that enable integration
into
– superordinate control centers,
– convenient parameter assignment and operation
via PC (locally or via modem connection).

8 Siemens PTD EA · Applications for SIPROTEC Protection Relays · 2005