For the
GE Alterrex Excitation System
System Description
DGC Excitation - GE Alterrex Excitation System
System Description
Table of Contents
TABLE OF CONTENTS 2
1.0 DOCUMENT SCOPE 4
2.0 INTRODUCTION 4
3.0 SCOPE OF THE RETROFIT 4
3.1 Regulator 4
3.1.a Control Room Interfaces 4
3.1.b Annunciation 4
3.1.c Machine Trip 5
3.1.d Mechanical 5
3.1.e Disconnect Switches 5
3.1.f Boost CT Circuits 5
2.0 Introduction
The GE Alterrex system is the most widely utilized excitation system for GE large steam turbine
generators. In the Alterrex scheme, the energy for excitation of the generator field is derived from
the turbine using a self excited shaft driven alternator.
The AC output of the alternator is rectified by a set of water cooled diode bridges with the resultant
DC being supplied to the generator field through brushes and collector rings. Each rectifier bridge
supports approximately 1500 ADC, as such, the number of rectifier bridges range from three to six
depending on the excitation requirements of the generator.
The magnitude of the generator field current is determined by the output voltage of the alternator,
which is controlled by the voltage regulator. The voltage regulator modulates alternator field current
to control either generator terminal voltage (Auto) or generator field current (Manual) as selected by
the operator.
3.1 Regulator
When retrofitting the Alterrex voltage regulator, the standard approach is to retain and reuse the
original four cubicles. This allows the field wiring terminal blocks in Cubicles 1 and 4 (TB-R) to be
re-used, which permits all field wiring to remain in place undisturbed. The internal panel mounted
components of the existing regulator are nearly all removed and discarded. Cubicle lighting and
convenience outlets are left in place.
3.1.b Annunciation
Some of the annunciator points are replicated by the new regulator, whereas others are
converted to alarm DGC related conditions such as a regulator trouble alarm. The
customer may choose which alarm conditions are implemented using the existing wiring.
3.1.d Mechanical
The new regulator is delivered on panels, custom designed to bolt onto the existing Unistrut
channels in the cubicles. Interconnecting cables among the panels are mostly
prefabricated. Connections from the panels to the field termination R blocks are installed
on site in accordance with a customer specific wire list.
lamps are provided for 0%, 100%. The position of the adjuster is also available as an
analog output from the DGC.
In AC AUTO control the set-point range is typically set for 90% to 110% of rated generator
voltage. AC AUTO is the equivalent of the Alterrex AUTO mode.
In DC AUTO control the set-point range is typically set for 20% to 100% of rated field
current. DC AUTO is the equivalent of the Alterrex MANUAL Mode.
When field current decays to less than 5% or a time delay is reached, the field breaker
is opened
When the DGC is in control the Base Adjuster follows the automatic signal to ensure a bumpless
transfer between auto and manual operations.
The Base Adjuster has an independently powered track/hold backup circuit. An alarm is sent to the
DGC if the Base Adjuster senses an internal problem.
Block R Block R
41E Excitation DGC
Ground
Field Breaker Transformer and Computers and
Detectors &
And Field two SCR Bridge Start/Stop
Firing Panel
Protection Panels Logic
Cubicle 4 Cubicle 3 Cubicle 2 Cubicle 1
The excitation system is supplied on prefabricated panels which are sized to mount onto the
existing Unistrut. Interconnecting cables among the panels are prefabricated to simplify and speed
the installation.
4.11.a Cubicle 1
Redundant Channel DGC in a panel mounted VME chassis
4.11.b Cubicle 2
Continuous Ground Detector (2)
Redundant Firing Panel
4.11.c Cubicle 3
Excitation Source Transformer
4.11.d Cubicle 4
41E Field Breaker
Generator Field Protection
Alternator Field Protection
Flashing Contactor and Resistors
The magnitude of the generator field current determines the output voltage and VAR loading of the
main generator armature. The generator armature output voltage and current values are fed back
to the DGC through test switches for use in the control and protection software.
The DGC is the automatic controller for generator voltage. The operating mode of the DGC is
selected by the operator using the regulator mode control switch (90CS). The available modes are
AC AUTO, DC AUTO and base control. The DGC provides contacts to indicate the actual operating
mode to the lamps on the bench board.
When the system is in the AC AUTO control mode, the plant operators establish a desired
generator output voltage using the voltage adjuster control switch (90V/CS). The DGC compares
the desired output voltage the actual generator output voltage (PT) and sends a demand signal to
the firing and power circuits to adjust excitation accordingly.
If the excitation system is in DC AUTO control mode, the plant operators establish a desired level of
field current using the voltage adjuster (90V/CS). The DGC compares the desired alternator field
current to the actual alternator field current and sends a demand signal to the firing and power
circuits to adjust excitation accordingly.
While in AC or DC automatic modes, the base adjuster follows the automatic signal and adjusts its
own output to carry the excitation demand, keeping the output of the DGC near zero. Thus, should
the DGC be unable to properly control, the base adjuster takes over with minimal disturbance in the
generator output voltage.
If the computer system is incapable of controlling in the AC or DC automatic modes, the DGC
rejects to BASE mode. In BASE mode, the output from the DGC is held at zero and the base
adjuster actively controls alternator field current. Under these contingency circumstances, the
operator is responsible for controlling the generator output voltage using the base adjuster control
switch (70B/CS).
5.1 Characteristics
The controller is a proportional plus integral controller with transient gain reduction (TGR) via rate
feedback. The control algorithm also incorporates High Initial Response (HIR) contribution. All
parameters are tunable.
The controlled variable is normally generator voltage (AC) or field current (DC). VAR and power
factor control modes are available but require an additional control switch to implement.
5.2 Compensators
The software incorporates real and reactive current compensation features to accommodate load
sharing and line compensation when needed.
5.3 Limiters
Three excitation limiter functions are incorporated into the DGC control software. Each limiter is
normally enabled but may be disabled at the customers discretion. The limiters act by modifying
the controllers output to keep the operator from exceeding the generators operating limits.
41E Exciter Field DC CB, Aux Switch, Pos Sw. Demolish AC Breaker 4F
Instrument Transducers, DCPT & DCCT Demolish Replace 4F
Relay Panel (41E AUX, 74AC, 74DC) Demolish Replace w/ new 4F
The document is the property of and contains proprietary information owned by Emerson Process
Management Power & Water Solutions, Inc. and/or its affiliates, subcontractors and suppliers
(collectively, Emerson). It is transmitted in confidence and trust, and the user agrees to treat this
document in strict accordance with the terms and conditions of the agreement under which it was
provided.
The text, illustrations, and images included in this overview are intended solely to explain the retrofit
overview solution. Due to the many variables associated with specific uses or applications,
Emerson cannot assume responsibility or liability for actual use based upon the data provided in
this document.
No patent or other intellectual property liability is assumed by Emerson with respect to the use of
circuits, information, equipment, or software described in this document.
No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any
form or by any means, including electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise
without the prior express written permission of Emerson Process Management Power & Water
Solutions, Inc.
The Emerson logo is a trademark of Emerson Electric Co. Ovation is a trademark of Emerson
Process Management Power & Water Solutions, Inc. All other marks are properties of their
respective owners.
Copyright 2011 Emerson Process Management Power & Water Solutions, Inc. All rights reserved.
Emerson Process Management
Power & Water Solutions, Inc.
200 Beta Drive
Pittsburgh, PA 15238
USA