Course Overview

Excitation systems directly impact the stability of power systems that use large generators, are connected with long lines, located at sensitive voltage areas, or in systems with local fluctuations. The reliability and availability of excitation systems can be improved with skilled routine maintenance and competent troubleshooting capability.

The effective operation of any Generating System eventually depends on how well the individuals performing the inspection, testing, maintenance, and troubleshooting functions are trained. Skilled resources that carry out well-developed procedures and planning will be able to reduce costs, equipment downtime, frequency of the requirement for parts, and troubleshooting complexity in the long run.

Why is this “Generator Excitation Systems” course relevant and important? This course will provide engineers and technicians the necessary knowledge to preserve, mend, and regulate an excitation system concurrently with the automatic voltage regulator (AVR).

This includes implementing effective maintenance protocols, knowing what checks may be performed on-line and how to perform these checks without triggering an equipment shutdown, testing suspected faulty circuits, and recognising the obligatory calibrations after the faulty part has been changed.

This Zoe training course will empower you with comprehensive knowledge in excitation system design, commissioning, operation, maintenance, performance analysis, testing, tuning, repair, and troubleshooting.

Course Objectives

Upon completing this Generator Excitation Systems course successfully, participants will be able to:

• Gain a better understanding of generator principles
• Understand troubleshooting procedures as applied to generating equipment
• Choose, start, manage, maintain, test, and troubleshoot the generator excitation systems
• Apply the in-depth knowledge gained about major generator set components
• Demonstrate the proper operating procedures of the exciter and focus on the composition of an excitation system
• Discuss the excitation system performance including dynamic and transient stability
• Study and explain the hardware configuration of control electronics
• Enumerate the different software functions for AVR communication systems and hardware & software interfaces
• Employ proper commissioning, operation, troubleshooting, and maintenance procedures
• Utilize the theories behind failure modes and failure analysis
• Obtain a refreshed awareness of electrical safety concerns

Training Methodology

This collaborative Generator Excitation Systems training program will comprise the following training methods:

• Lectures
• Seminars & Presentations
• Group Discussions
• Assignments
• Case Studies & Functional Exercises

Similar to all our training programs, this course also observes the ‘Do-Review-Learn-Apply’ model.

Organisational Benefits

Companies who nominate their employees to participate in this Generator Excitation Systems course can benefit in the following ways:

• This training program will encourage its participants to update their technical skills and standards from previous learnings
• The workplace can be brought up to current standards by reviewing and updating the current practices
• Engineers and Technicians can gain knowledge to apply in their work roles so that they can understand current procedures and practices
• All participants will be made aware of any upcoming changes to the relevant practices and legislations so that they can be proactive and implement the changes in a swift and efficient manner
• The company will be able to ensure that the current work practices are compliant with regulatory laws

Personal Benefits

Individuals who participate in this Generator Excitation Systems course can gain from it in the following ways:

• Be aware of the importance of maintenance and safety procedures
• Create an organised approach and framework for the assembly and manoeuvring of a turbogenerator system
• Understand the controls and component features of a generator transformer
• Preserve an on-going understanding of the test equipment used for electrical assessments and repairing
• Utilise single-line diagrams and schematics for troubleshooting
• Recognise standard work practices and develop plans which assist in successful inspection and troubleshooting

Who Should Attend?

This Generator Excitation Systems course would be suitable for:

• Electrical Technicians
• Electrical Engineers
• Electrical Supervisors
• Electrical Power Engineers
• Electrical Project Engineers
• Anyone involved in the evaluation, use, maintenance, testing, or troubleshooting of generator excitation systems

Course Outline

MODULE 1: DEFINITIONS

• Generator systems (AC) and equipment
• Generator systems (DC) and equipment
• The operation, inspection, testing, control, maintenance, and troubleshooting
• Control systems

MODULE 2: INTERPRETATION AND USE OF DRAWINGS

• Single-line electrical drawings
• Control schematics
• Wiring lists
• P&ID’s
• Logic and standard symbols

MODULE 3: MAINTENANCE PLANNING

• Developing schedules and procedures
• Define operation requirements for parts and labour
• Define maintenance requirements for parts and labour
• Regular, preventative, predictive, and emergency maintenance

MODULE 4: THE USE OF TEST EQUIPMENT

• Digital voltmeter (DVM)
• Oscilloscopes
• Megger
• Frequency meter
• Temperature probes/pyrometers
• Ammeters
• Power meters
• Load banks
• Digital hydrometers
• Cable fault locators

MODULE 5: THE TECHNOLOGY OF GENERATORS 

• The theories of AC, DC, and Emergency electrical generation
• Power supplies (battery chargers, rectifiers, inverters)
• Batteries
• Generator Drivers (gas/steam/water turbine, diesel/gas engine)
• Governors (control systems)
• Programmable logic controllers (PLC)
• Synchronization
• Power grid and network considerations

MODULE 6: THE TECHNOLOGY OF GENERATORS 

• Increasing or decreasing the voltage (transformers)
• Neutral ground resistors (NGR)
• Switchgear
• Motor control centres (MCC)
• Disconnect switches
• Power monitoring
• Control relays/timers/switches
• Generator protective devices

MODULE 7: GENERATOR EXCITATIONS AND IMPORTANCE OF REACTIVE POWER

• Features and production of the Automatic Voltage Regulator (AVR)
• Digital voltage regulator for generators
• Functions and construction of the governors
• Permanent magnets generators
• Over fluxing and types of excitation systems
• Self-excitation vs. brushless
• Effects of over & under excitation
• Reactive power relationship to excitation

MODULE 8: ECONOMICAL AND MECHANICAL IMPACTS

• Control systems for excitation
• Impact of over & under excitation
• Significance of the capability curve and P-Q diagrams
• Interpreting the capability curve
• Capability curve software
• Generator stator thermal effects
• Generator rotor thermal effects
• Improvements of generators excitation systems

MODULE 9: INSPECTION AND TESTING OF GENERATORS

• Methods
• Terminology
• Principles
• Special techniques
• NEC checklists

MODULE 10: TROUBLESHOOTING OF GENERATORS 

• Methods
• Terminology
• Principles
• Special techniques
• Case studies/examples
• Single line drawings
• Group exercises

MODULE 11: THE DEVELOPMENT OF A JOB PLAN

• Identification of the troubleshooting step-by-step sequence
• Procedure preparation
• Documentation
• Follow-up
• Safety considerations and training

MODULE 12: A REVIEW OF SAFETY REQUIREMENTS

• Area classifications
• NEC electrical codes
• Safety information

MODULE 13: THE IDENTIFICATION AND RESTORATION OF SYSTEM FAILURES 

• Common mode failures
• Phase imbalance
• Contact pitting/arcing
• Electronic component failure
• Fusing
• Generator windings/bearings/brushes
• Excitation circuits
• Battery cells
• Inverters/rectifiers/battery chargers
• Bushings
• Switches
• Control circuits
• Ground faults