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Equipment Damage Curves Generators

The information presented in this application guide is for review, approval, interpretation and application by a registered
professional engineer only. SKM disclaims any responsibility and liability resulting from the use and interpretation of this
information.

Reproduction of this material is permitted provided proper acknowledgement is given to SKM Systems Analysis Inc.

Purpose

The purpose of this guide is to provide basic information about generator thermal limit curves and characteristic landmarks
necessary for plotting on time-current curves, for the purpose of equipment overcurrent protection.

Full Load Amps (FLA)

Rated continuous current carrying capacity of a motor at a referenced ambient temperature and allowable temperature rise,
see table 1.
Table 1 Generator Temperature Ratings

Max Amb. Hot Spot Temp. Temp. Total Temp. Insul. Insul.
Temp. Temp. Rise Rise Rise Temp. Temp.
40°C 5°C Class A 60°C 105°C Class A 105°C
40°C 10°C Class B 80°C 130°C Class B 130°C
40°C 10°C Class F 105°C 155°C Class F 155°C
40°C 15°C Class H 125°C 180°C Class H 180°C
40°C 10°C Class B 80°C 130°C Class F 155°C
40°C 15°C Class F 105°C 160°C Class H 180°C
Short-Time Thermal (Overload) Capability Curve

The short time thermal capability or overload curve represents the permissible output capability under emergency conditions.
This curve is not meant as an indication of continuous overload capability, and should never be used to schedule running
overload operations. Repeated operation up to and beyond the running overload curve will reduce insulation life. The short-
time thermal capability of cylindrical rotor generators as defined in ANSI C37.50 is listed in Table 2.
Table 2 Shot-time thermal capability

Time (sec.) 10 30 60 120

< #2 AWG 226 154 130 116

Short Circuit Withstand Capability Point

The short circuit withstand capability point represents the maximum time the machine can withstand a 3-φ short circuit at its
terminals without damage when operating at rated kVA and power factor, at 5 percent over-voltage, with field excitation.

Decrement Curve

The decrement curve represents the current output of the machine considering a 3-φ fault applied at or near its terminals.
The current output is defined by the following equations.

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Example

Plot the characteristic landmarks for a 750kVA, 480V, 902A synchronous generator with the following characteristics.

Xd" = 0.107 Ω p.u., Xd' = 0.154 Ω p.u., Xd = 0.93 Ω p.u.

Td" = 0.015 sec., Td' = 0.417 sec., Ta = 0.189 sec.
If = 3 A p.u., Ifg = 1 A p.u.

Solution

In the submittal package from the generator manufacturer the overload capability at rated operating (hot) temperature is
listed as

Current (%) Time (sec.)

1.45 1080.0
1.65 420.0
2.00 180.0
The manufacturer also lists a sustained short circuit capability of 300% line current for 5 seconds. The decrement curve will
be calculated using equation (1) from 0.01 to 5 seconds.

Time(sec.) AC DC Total
0.01 8.3 13.1 15.5
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0.1 6.1 8.1 10.2

0.2 5.5 4.8 7.3
0.4 4.6 1.7 4.9
0.6 4.1 0.6 4.1
0.8 3.8 0.2 3.8
1.0 3.6 0.1 3.6
2.0 3.3 0.0 3.3
3.0 3.2 0.0 3.2
4.0 3.2 0.0 3.2
5.0 3.2 0.0 3.2
The results are plotted in figure 1.

Fig. 1 750kVA generator damage curves

References
• Other Application Guides offered by SKM Systems Analysis at www.skm.com
• Electrical Transmission and Distribution Reference Book, ABB Power T&D Company, Raleigh, North Carolina, 1997
• Protective Relaying Theory and Applications, 2nd Edition, Marcel Dekker, New York, 2004
The latest revision of:

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• IEEE Std 242, IEEE Recommended Practice for Protection and Coordination of Industrial and Commercial Power
Systems (IEEE Buff Book)
• IEEE Std C37.102, IEEE Guide for AC Generator Protection
• IEEE Std C37.101, IEEE Guide for Generator Ground Protection
• ANSI C50.13, Cylindrical-Rotor Synchronous Generators
• NEMA MG-1, Motors and Generators
Insulating Materials

Insulation Maximum
Insulating Materials
Class Temperature
Cotton, silk, paper, wood,
Y 90°C cellulose, fibre without
impregnation or oil-immersion
Class Y impregnated with natural
resins, cellulose esters,
A 105°C
insulating oils, etc., also
laminated wood, varnished paper
Insuldur® Insulation Kraft paper
Hybrid A 110°C with epoxy binders activated
under pressure
Synthetic-resin enamels, cotton
E 120°C and paper Laminates with
formaldehyde bonding
Mica, glass fibre, asbestos, etc.,
with suitable bonding substance;
B 130°C
built-up mica, glass-fibre and
asbestos laminates
The materials of Class B with
F 155°C more thermally-resistant bonding
materials
Glass-fibre and asbestos
H 180°C materials, and built-up mica, with
appropriate Silicone resins
Mica, ceramics, glass, quartz,
and asbestos without binders or
C >180°C
with silicone resins of superior
thermal stability
NOMEX® insulation, varnish
Hybrid H 220°C dipped and vacuum pressure
impregnated (VPI)

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