MX321 AUTOMATIC VOLTAGE

REGULATOR (AVR)
SPECIFICATION, INSTALLATION AND ADJUSTMENTS

GENERAL DESCRIPTION TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION

The MX321 is a three phase, thyristor type Automatic Voltage SENSING INPUT
Voltage 170-250 V ac max
Regulator (AVR) and forms part of the excitation system for a Frequency 50-60 Hz nominal
brushless generator. Phase 1 or 3
Wire 2 or 3
POWER INPUT (PMG)
In addition to regulating the generator voltage, the AVR Voltage 170-220 V ac
circuitry includes protective features to ensure safe reliable Current 3 A/phase
control of the generator. Excitation power is derived from a Frequency 100-120 Hz nominal
permanent magnet generator (PMG) to guarantee low Radio Phase 3
Wire 3
Frequency Interference (RFI) and immunity from thyristor type OUTPUT
loads. Voltage max 120 V dc
Current continuous 3.7 A (See note 3)
Transient 6 A for 10 seconds
The AVR is linked with the main stator windings and controls Field Resistance 15 Ω minimum
the power fed to the exciter stator and hence the main rotor to REGULATION (See Note 1) +/- 0.5% RMS*
maintain the machine output voltage within the specified
limits, compensating for load, speed, temperature and power THERMAL DRIFT
(after 10 min)
factor of the generator. 0.5% for 40°C change in AVR ambient

Soft start circuitry is included to provide a smooth controlled SOFT START RAMP TIME
0.4 - 4 seconds
build up of generator output voltage.
TYPICAL SYSTEM RESPONSE
Sustained overvoltage caused by open circuit sensing Field current to 90% 80ms
terminals is avoided by overvoltage detection circuitry which Machine Volts to 97% 300ms
provides internal shutdown of the AVR output device. EXTERNAL VOLTAGE ADJUSTMENT
+/- 6% with 4.7 K Ω trimmer
A frequency measuring circuit continually monitors the
generator output and provides underspeed protection of the UNDER FREQUENCY PROTECTION
Set Point (see note 2) 95% Hz
excitation system by reducing the generator output voltage Slope 100-300% down to 30 Hz
proportionally with speed below a presettable threshold. A Dwell (Recovery) 0.5-2.0 seconds
further enhancement of this feature is an adjustable volts/Hz
UNIT POWER DISSIPATION
slope to improve frequency recovery time on turbo charged 18 watts maximum
engines. A
CCESSORY INPUT
Current limiting may be included to allow control over the +/- 1 V = +/- 5% change in output volts
amount of short circuit current flowing during three phase and QUADRATURE DROOP
single phase short circuits on the generator output. Maximum sensitivity (10 Ω Burden)
0.22 A for 5% droop @ 0p.f.
CURRENT LIMIT
Uncontrolled over excitation is limited to a safe period by
internal shutdown of the AVR output device. This condition sensitivity range (10 Ω Burden) 0.45 A - 1 A
remains latched until the generator has been stopped.
OVER VOLTAGE PROTECTION
For complete protection, a circuit breaker option is available Set Point 300 V
providing circuit isolation in event of a short circuit power Time Delay (fixed) 1 second
device. Circuit breaker trip coil voltage 40-60 v dc
Circuit breaker trip coil resistance 50-100 ohms
OVER EXCITATION PROTECTION
Provision is made for the connection of a remote voltage Set Point 75 V dc
trimmer allowing the user fine control of the generator's Time Delay (fixed) 8-15 seconds
output.
ENVIRONMENTAL
Vibration 20 - 100 Hz 50mm/sec
Accessories are available for this AVR. Please refer to factory 100 - 2 kHz 3.3g
for further details. Relative Humidity 0 - 60°C 95%
Operating Temperature -40 to +70°C
Storage Temperature -55 to +80°C
*The stated voltage regulation may not be maintained in the presence
of certain transmitted radio signals. Any change in regulation will fall NOTES
within the limits in Criteria B of EN50082-2. 1. With 4% engine governing.
2. Factory set, semi-sealed, jumper selectable.
3. Derate linearly from 3.7A at 50°C to 2.7A at 70°C operating temperature.
 DESIGN DETAILS

PMG

UFRO SYNC
ENGINE CIRCUIT
OVER OVER RELIEF
VOLTAGE VOLTAGE
DETECTOR MONITOR POWER
RECTIFIER
SOFT
START
CIRCUIT BR EA KER EXCITATION
CIRCUIT
D RIVE
BREAKER
+ IN H IBIT (OPTIONAL)

PRECISION
VOLTAGE POWER
REFERENCE SUPPLIES

ACCESSORY OFFSET
INPUT CONTROL

AMPLIFIER

GENERATOR POWER POWER

VOLTAGE SENSING RMS
CONTROL CONTROL
SENSING RESISTORS CONVERTER
DRIVER DEVICES

REMOTE DROOP OVERLOAD

VOLTAGE DETECTOR
TRIMMER + INHIBIT

STABILITY EXCITER
CIRCUIT STATOR

CURRENT CURRENT
INPUT CONVERTER

The main functions of the AVR are:

Power control devices and rectifier vary the amount of exciter field
Sensing Resistors take a portion of the generator output voltage and current in response to the error signals produced by the main
attenuate it. This input chain of resistors includes the hand trimmer comparator.
adjustment.
Syncronising circuit provides a short pulse near the zero point of
Quadrature droop circuit converts the current input into a voltage one of the phases on the PMG and is used to synchronise the Under
which is phase mixed with the sensing voltage. The result is a net Frequency Roll Off (UFRO) and power control circuits to the
increase in the output from the sensing network as the power factor generator cycle period.
lags, causing the reduction in excitation needed for reactive load
sharing of paralleled generators. UFRO circuit measures the period of each electrical cycle and causes
the reference voltage to be reduced linearly with speed below a
RMS converter is a square law precision rectifier circuit that converts presettable threshold. A light emitting diode (LED) gives indication of
the ac signals from the sensing networks into a composite dc signal underspeed running.
representing the mean squared value of the waveform.
The output of the RMS converter includes a variable potential divider Engine relief (load acceptance) circuit causes greater voltage roll off
which is the voltage range control for the AVR. (makes the V/Hz slope steeper) to aid engine speed recovery after
application of a "block" load.
Current converter is a three phase precision rectifier and amplifier
that converts the inputs from current transformers into a dc signal Over voltage monitor continuously monitors the voltage at the
representing the mean value of the current waveform. generator terminals and provides signals to shut down the output
device and trip an optional circuit breaker, to isolate power from the
Offset control provides an interface between the AVR and exciter and AVR if sustained overvoltage occurs.
accessories and allows the generator's excitation to be controlled by A one second timer is included in the circuit to prevent operation
adding or subtracting the accessory dc output voltage to the AVR during transient overvoltages, which are normal after load removal.
rectified sensing voltage.
Overload detector continuously monitors the level of excitation and
Power supply components consist of zener diodes, dropper resistors provides signals to shut down the output device if overloads last more
and smoothing to provide the required voltages for the integrated than ten seconds. Both the overload and overvoltage conditions are
circuits. latched faults requiring the generator to be stopped for reset.

Precision voltage reference is a highly stable temperature

compensated zener diode used for dc comparison.

Soft start circuit overrides the precision voltage reference during run
up to provide a linear rising voltage.

Main Comparator/Amplifier compares the sensing voltages with the

reference voltage and amplifies the difference (error) to provide a
controlling signal for the power device to supply the exciter with the
required amount of power to maintain the generator voltage within the
specified limits.

Stability circuit provides adjustable negative ac feedback to ensure

good steady state and transient performance of the control system.

Power control driver provides the means to infinitely control the

conduction period of the output device. This is achieved by pedestal
and ramp control followed by a level detector and driver stage.
 FITTING AND OPERATING

The AVR is fully encapsulated to ensure long-trouble-free 5) Start generator set, and run on no load at nominal
operation. It is usually fitted on a panel of the terminal box. It frequency e.g. 50-53Hz or 60-63Hz.
can also be separately fitted in a switchboard.
6) If the red Light Emitting Diode (LED) is illuminated, refer
to the Under Frequency Roll Off (UFRO) adjustment.
ADJUSTMENT OF AVR CONTROLS
7) Carefully turn VOLTS control clockwise until rated voltage
VOLTAGE ADJUSTMENT is reached.

The generator output voltage is set at the factory, but can be 8) If instability is present at rated voltage, refer to stability
altered by careful adjustment of the volts control on the AVR adjustment, then re-adjust voltage if necessary.
board, or by the external hand trimmer if fitted. Terminals 1 &
2 on the auxiliary terminal block in the generator terminal box 9) Voltage adjustment is now completed.
will be fitted with a shorting link if no hand trimmer is required.
STABILITY SELECTION
Do not increase the voltage above the
rated generator voltage. If in doubt, refer The "jumper" selector lead should be correctly linked (A,B,C
to the rating plate mounted on the at the bottom of the board) for the frame size of the generator
generator case. (See diagram).

STABILITY ADJUSTMENT
If a replacement AVR has been fitted or re-setting of the
VOLTS adjustment is required, proceed as follows:- The AVR includes a stability or damping circuit to provide
good steady state and transient performance of the generator.
1) Before running generator, turn VOLTS control fully anti-
clockwise. The correct setting can be found by running the generator at
no load and slowly turning the stability control anti-clockwise
2) Turn remote volts trimmer (if fitted) to midway position. until the generator voltage starts to become unstable.

3) Turn STABILITY control to midway position. The optimum or critically damped position is slightly clockwise
from this point (i.e. where the machine volts are stable but
4) Connect a suitable voltmeter (0-300V ac) across line to close to the unstable region).
neutral of the generator.

PO Box 17 • Barnack Road • Stamford • Lincolnshire • PE9 2NB

© 2002 Newage International Limited. Tel: 00 44 (0)1780 484000 • Fax: 00 44 (0)1780 484100
Reprinted with permission of N.I. only. Website: www.newage-avkseg.com
Printed in England. TD_MX321.GB_09.02_01