SYNCHRONOUS GENERATOR CAPABILITY

LIMITT
Synchronous generator capability limiters are as follows:1.MVA or armature current limit of generator:
This depends on the cooling system of generator so that temperature rise in
generator is limited to safe value. Depending on cooling system
effectiveness and temperature limit for the insulation used in generator,
MVA limit is decided.
2. MW limit:
This is determined by the power output capacity of prime mover to which
generator is connected.
3. Rotor angle limit:
This is related to stability of generator which is synchronized to the grid.
Ideally this could be 90 degree, but in practice this is limited to70 degree so
as to have better stability margin in transient and dynamic condition. The
generator falls out of synchronism in transient condition if rotor angle is
close to 90 degree.
4. Rotor current limit:
the field winding placed on rotor has got limited current carrying capacity,
beyond

which

it

may

burn

.so

this

limit

is

used.

all these limiters make capability curve of g generator within which the
generators operates safely

The generator capability curve described the capability real and reactive
power capability of a generator. Real power is plotted on the horizontal axis,
while reactive power is plotted on the vertical axis.
A reactive capability curve consists of three curved segments. One segment
is the arc of a circle centered at the origin of the reactive capability curve.
Because the radius of that circle is the apparent power, S (in MVA), it is
based on the thermal heating limitations inherent in the stator winding and
reflects the fact that the stator limitation is based on current alone.
The second segment is an arc of a circle centered on the Q axis - the arc
joins the positive Q axis with the constant MVA portion of the curve, and
defines the upper boundary of reactive power OUT of the generator. It is the
arc of a circle because it also reflects current-based heating; the critical
difference is that the limitation described is that of the rotor winding.
The third segment joins the negative Q axis (representing reactive power
into the machine) with the constant MVA portion of the curve. This segment
reflects end-ring heating while in under excited operation.
When you change the tap on the generator step up transformer, you will
change the reactive output of the generator. Remember that reactive (VARS)
always flow downhill in voltage - from higher voltage to lower voltage. So if
you change the tap on the transformer to produce a lower open-circuit
secondary voltage, the reactive output of the generator will increase.
Conversely, if you change the tap to cause a higher open-circuit secondary
voltage, the reactive output of the generator will decrease.