Paralleling Basics

& Paralleling Controls

 Why Parallel Gensets?
Reliability
In situations where load can be split up,
failure of one genset leaves the system
still able to serve the most critical loads.
Better reliability for critical loads
Poorer reliability for non-critical loads

Paralleling Basics & Controls (2)

 Why Parallel Gensets?
Performance
Small, high speed (1800 RPM) gensets
can start faster than larger slow speed
machines
High speed gensets have better
transient performance than slow speed
machines
Stiffer Emergency/Standby Grid

Paralleling Basics & Controls (3)

 Why Parallel Gensets?

Cost Effectiveness
May be lower cost to install several small
gensets vs. single larger genset
Especially for systems over 2000kW
Installation Cost Reductions, Flexibility
Servicing convenience
Prime Power: reduced fuel consumption,
better load factor
Interruptible Service Contract without
Interruption in Power Supply

Paralleling Basics & Controls (4)

 Dont Parallel When:
Not economically viable
gensets are very small (under 300kW)
existing gensets not compatible with
new
Not technically viable
loads cant be split and controlled
(standby)

Paralleling Basics & Controls (5)

 What is Paralleling?
Making two or more small gensets work
together and act like one BIG genset.

2X
X Watts
Watts of
of Power
Power

- Evercharge +

- Evercharge +

Paralleling Basics & Controls (6)

Same Operating Voltage, Frequency, Phase
Rotation

G1 G2 G1

G2

LOAD
With both gensets running and breaker closed, the voltage and
frequency must be identical between any points on the bus.

Paralleling Basics & Controls (7)

 Magnet thing...
Once a generator is closed to an
operating bus, it is magnetically
coupled to the system
It CANT slip out of synchronism if it is
operating properly.
It WILL slip out of synchronism if magnetic
field is lost

Paralleling Basics & Controls (8)

Alternator Capability Curve

Paralleling Basics & Controls (9)

 Synchronizing

In-phase means voltages between gensets are at the

same 0-crossing point
at this point they may be at different voltage magnitude
Out of Phase means 0-crossing is not matched--
Paralleling Basics & Controls (10)
Out of Phase Paralleling Test

Paralleling Basics & Controls (11)

Paralleling Functions
Traditional Designs start with a
non-paralleling genset.
EC: Engine Control
Protection for Engine
Start/Stop
Operator Interface (Alarm/Metering)
GOV: Governor
Measure Speed/Control Fuel Rate
AVR: Automatic Voltage Regulation
Measure Voltage/Control Excitation

Paralleling Basics & Controls (12)

 Load Sharing for Paralleling

alternator
l oad
=

kVAR =
A
kV

kW = engine

kW Demanded by Load

kVar Demanded by Load

Engines Produce kW--Fuel Rate Controls

Alternators Make kVAR--Excitation Controls
Paralleling Basics & Controls (13)
 Load Sharing

A
B
C
N
G

CIRCULATING NEUTRAL CURRENTS

Add kW Load Sharing Controls: ILS

Add kVar Load Sharing: Cross Current

Paralleling Basics & Controls (14)

Synchronizing

Paralleling Basics & Controls (15)

Synchronizing Improvements

Typical Synchronizing Range

Paralleling Basics & Controls (16)

 Genset Protection

Minimum Paralleling Genset Protection:

Loss of Field (40)
Reverse Power (32) Paralleling Basics & Controls (17)
Metering/Manual Controls/HMI
TRADITIONAL PARALLEL CONTROL

PARALLEL BREAKER

Paralleling Basics & Controls (18)

Or, by location

Paralleling Basics & Controls (19)

 Load Govern Functions
Import/Export Control
Var/PF Control

UTILITY CB
CLOSED SIGNAL

THESE FUNCTIONS ARE ALL REQUIRED

FOR UTILITY PARALLELING APPLICATIONS
Paralleling Basics & Controls (20)
 Impacts of Digital Control

Fewer Components
Less Space
Better Reliability
Better Performance
Lower Cost
Paralleling Basics & Controls (21)
PowerCommand ANSI Functions GENSET

SURGE SUPPRESSORS
AM SW KW KWH PF 40 32 65 90 51V

VM SW HZ 27 81U 59

86
VM SW HZ 47 SYNC 25

SS
POWERCOMMAND CONTROL

SWITCHGEAR TRIP

CLOSE

Paralleling Basics & Controls (22)

 Looking to the Future

Facility Life>>Electronics Sales Life Cycle

Need to Design for Replacement

Paralleling Basics & Controls (23)

 Digital Control Alternatives
DIGITAL PARALLEL CONTROL
Governor by engine
mfr. (only)
Governor/Engine
Control Integrated
Speed and Voltage
Bias
Paralleling Control
by others
Interface to Other PARALLEL BREAKER
Gensets still Load
Sharing ONLY.
Paralleling Basics & Controls (24)
 Conventional Paralleling Hardware
How can this be made reliable?
Many components--mostly analog
Hundreds of interconnecting wires
Hard to train
Parts availability

Paralleling Basics & Controls (25)

Paralleling Hardware: Each Genset
Load Sharing
Droop or Isochronous?
Synchronizing
Auto and Manual
Genset Protection
Reverse Var, Reverse Power, Sync Check
Monitoring and Manual Control
Metering
AM, VM, FM, kWM, Sync Scope/Lights
Breaker Control
Load Govern (Optional)

Paralleling Basics & Controls (26)

 Traditional Equipment Construction

Paralleling Basics & Controls (27)

 Master
Paralleling
Control
Control
1 per system
1 per genset

Distribution
Equipment
control

breaker Distribution
Equipment
Paralleling Basics & Controls (28)
Paralleling Hardware: Master Control
Interfaces gensets to facility
Load Add
Load Shed
Load Demand
Operator Monitoring Station
Total System AC Metering
Ammeter, Voltmeter, Frequency, KW
Status Display
Availability of Sources, Status of Load Service
Manual Control Provisions
Auto Load Control Bypass
Manual Power Transfer
Test
Power Transfer Control

Paralleling Basics & Controls (29)

 Take-Aways
Paralleling improves reliability of service
to critical loads, and can lower costs in
some applications
Consider interruptible or cogeneration
Paralleling requires additional controls to
manage load sharing, synchronizing, and
other functions
These functions are available in integrated
digital system designs that improve reliability
and performance, and reduce cost
Master control systems are often used to
provide system level functions
Digital vs. Analog Decision

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