AC GENERATORS

Power to the AVR

Alternators of a smaller size need to get power to the Automatic Voltage Regulator. Steve Wells looks at two ways in which this is achieved.

The AVR monitors the alternator output voltage against a pre-set level Two schools of thought exist as to how the AVR should be powered
With cars and the aerodynamics, if all manufacturers followed the same principles to the full then all cars would look the same. For alternators the basic technology is well proven and most manufacturers follow these principles in design; so, power for power, there are little differences in evidence other than how that technology is packaged. There is however, one area where two schools of thought exist. Alternators commercially available today have voltage control systems suited to applications and budgets. Small machines (<15KVA) with budgets in mind have the most economic solutions such as capacitor or transformer voltage control systems, which are open loop systems no feedback from voltage output from the alternator to the control system. From 5KVA to 15KVA, electronic regulation is normally an option and as power increases, this control system becomes the norm. This electronic control system centres around an Automatic Voltage Regulator (AVR). This AVR monitors the alternator output voltage against a preset level and adjusts the output from the AVR to the exciter field winding. This constant monitoring is a closed loop system that continually adjusts the alternator output voltage within changing load conditions. To perform, the AVR needs power, and it is here that the two main schools of thought exist. By far the simplest way, is to take power directly from the alternator output. The AVR comes to life as the driver unit comes up to speed as main power becomes available. In a steady state all is okay, but when there are marked changes in the load (i.e. starting of motors) the AVR needs to respond quickly to avoid the load reducing voltage output. The power supplying the load also powers going to the AVR. Load affecting the alternator, also directly affects the AVR, so AVR response in this system is weak and may not be suitable for certain applications. This is not one of the areas of contention in the alternator manufacturing industry. Manufacturers have found ways to provide power to the AVR that is independent of any effects from the load. With a constant power supply the AVR is best equipped to cope with load transients.
The two ways to give Power to the AVR are both tried and proven, the first is the Permanent Magnet Generator (PMG). The PMG is effectively a small generator mounted on a common shaft with the main alternator (see fig 1). The multi-pole, high frequency PMG ensures voltage build up from a low residual magnetism in the rotor. In its simplest terms the addition of a generator on an alternator is a logical response to a problem but it does have its penalties! Wherever the PMG mounted it will undoubtedly add length, weight and complexity to an alternator. Regarding cost, this can be lost easily on larger machines but for the smaller ones it can be up to 10% of the alternator buying price! The second popular way is by having a dedicated auxiliary winding placed within the main stator slots (see fig 2). This dedicated power source is also isolated from any electrical effects the load may have on the main stator and will give continuous power to the AVR under all load conditions. The benefits listed above for motor starting, harmonics etc will still apply so why add the weight, length and complexity to a machine when it may be achieved more easily and at a lower cost penalty?

Steve Wells, Mecc Alte (UK) Ltd

Reference

A.V.R

Sensing

Main Output

Output Power Exciter Stator Main Stator Aux Winding

An independent and constant power supply provides: High starting capacity for electric motors Sustained main field excitation when main output winding is short circled a pre-requisite for marine applications Isolation from disruptive harmonics caused by distorting non-linear loads

(Field)

Exciter Rotor (Armature)

Main Field (Rotor)

Rotating Diodes Reference

Mechanical Rotational Power Input

A.V.R

Sensing

Main Output

Output

Exciter PMG Stator

Stator Main Stator

fig.2 - Mecc Alte Self Excitedsystem

(Field)

Exciter Rotor (Armature) PMG Rotor (Field)

Main Field (Rotor)

Rotating Diodes

Mechanical Rotational Power Input

fig.1 - Permanent Magnet Generator system (PMG)

COMPARISON BETWEEN TWO DIFFERENT WAYS TO SUPPLY THE AVR

Now we would like to spend a few words about the means we use for the supply of the electronic regulator, that is, the auxiliary winding, and the means, called PMG, used by other alternators manufacturers, comparing their advantages and disadvantages. The main purpose of both the systems is to guarantee a short circuit current equal or bigger than 3 times the nominal current, when the alternator is in a short circuit working condition, that means to have the output voltage of the alternator at 0 V. Both the systems meet this requirement successfully. The PMG system provides the supply to the electronic regulator by means of a small alternator with permanent magnets usually located towards the rear of the alternator. Instead the auxiliary winding system ensures the supply to the electronic regulator by means of an auxiliary winding within the main stator (see the attached drawings).

Let us now look at the advantages and disadvantages that these different supply systems provide in terms of certain comparable common parameters.

WEIGHT AND SIZE For the same power, a machine with an auxiliary winding is lighter and smaller than a machine with PMG. In fact the auxiliary winding has a negligible weight and its inclusion in the main stator does not have any effect on the size of the machine which therefore remains unchanged. The PMG (consisting of a permanent magnet rotor and a stator) has however a certain weight and its inclusion has a significant effect on both the weight and the length of the machine. SUPPLY VOLTAGE OF THE SYSTEM The voltage of the PMG is not affected by the power generated by the alternator, while the voltage of the system with auxiliary winding is slightly affected by the power generated, but at the same time is fully compensated by the design of the electronic regulator. This therefore has a negligible effect on performances, also when the load applied changes. The electronic regulator is designed so that this is still the case if the load is distorted or non-linear.

TRANSIENT POWER OF THE SYSTEM The PMG system can only provide a limited transient power compared with the auxiliary winding system and therefore this type of system could reduce the motor starting capability of the machine. In fact, with PMG the excitation power is limited to the size of the PMG, while in the auxiliary winding system the excitation power is theoretically equal to that of the machine, which is considerably higher than the excitation power needed.

SHORT CIRCUIT CAPACITY Both systems are able to maintain a correct supply to the electronic regulator even in the event of short circuit to the main stator. In this situation the sensing voltage of the electronic regulator is zeroed and the guaranteed short circuit current is greater in both cases than 3 times the nominal current. The auxiliary winding system could also provide higher short circuit current values without compromising the weight, the size, or the cost of the alternator; however this is not possible with the PMG system.

SO, WE CAN CONCLUDE AS FOLLOWS: The two systems are more or less equivalent from the performance point of view. The PMG system only has a theoretical advantage in the application of distorted loads. In reality the Mecc Alte system with auxiliary winding is able to provide the same performance with distorted loads as the PMG system thanks to the design of the electronic regulator and the auxiliary winding. The Mecc Alte system certainly has advantages over the PMG system in terms of the motor starting capability and the excitation power available, as well as in size and cost.