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Considerations for Paralleling Dissimilar Equipment

General Considerations
You can parallel anything to anything, BUT:
Genset dissimilarities may result in poorer load sharing performance or, Potential for some nuisance tripping of protection Some problems can be resolved with modifications in the system sequence of operation

Switchgear to genset incompatibility can normally be resolved with the cooperation of the parties.
Paralleling Dissimilar Equipment (2)

GenSet Compatibility Engine Compatibility Alternator Compatibility Control Compatibility


Governor/kW Load Share System Voltage Regulation/kVar load share system Miscellaneous Controls
Paralleling Dissimilar Equipment (3)

Core Compatibility Point


When two or more machines are paralleled: Instantaneous differences in voltage will cause current (kVar) flow. Instantaneous differences in frequency will cause kW flow.

Paralleling Dissimilar Equipment (4)

GenSet Compatibility
Engine Compatibility
Not a big issue for prime power
High speed engines are generally compatible with each other on a steady state basis.

Review steady state frequency regulation


Typical: plus or minus 0.25% from no load to full load Look at steady state values

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Steady State Frequency Regulation


Frequency vs Time
60.3 60.2
frequency

60.1 60 59.9 59.8 59.7 25 26 27


tim e

DQKC DFLE

28

29

30

FAE engines tend to have faster, more complex governing systems than hydro-mechanically fueled engines. Paralleling Dissimilar Equipment (6)

Engine Compatibility
Not a big issue for prime power
High speed engines are generally compatible with each other on a steady state basis.
Review steady state frequency regulation Typical: plus or minus 0.25% from no load to full load

Transient Performance Issues


Dissimilar machines accept and reject load at different rates Sudden load changes to paralleled machines may cause load sharing disturbance. Reverse power on load rejection
Extend time delay on reverse power trip Smaller load steps each load step the smallest genset rating

Paralleling Dissimilar Equipment (7)

GenSet Compatibility:
Impact of Harmonics

All Alternators have imperfect sinusoidal waveforms Different alternators have different harmonic content
Paralleling Dissimilar Equipment (8)

GenSet Compatibility:
Impact of Harmonics

Differences in harmonics cause different waveform shapes Difference in instantaneous voltage cause current flow
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A B C N G

CIRCULATING NEUTRAL CURRENTS

If there is a current path between dissimilar alternators, current will flow


Paralleling Dissimilar Equipment (10)

Physical Impact of Pitch


(Stator Coil Slot Span)/(# Slots/Pole)

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Alternator Compatibility
Compatible alternators have similar harmonics
3rd Order and multiple harmonics most problematic 2/3 Pitch machines, which have no 3rd order harmonics, are universally compatible with each other

Deal with Dissimilarities by:


Block flow of neutral current
3-wire (no neutral) connection on one or all machines be careful of neutral connection through ground path for solidly grounded machines.

Neutral reactors Replace alternator


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GenSet Compatibility
Control Compatibility
Load Sharing (kW &kVar) Load Govern Master Synchronizer

Paralleling Dissimilar Equipment (13)

PowerCommand Compatibility
PCC Compatible with all that use analog load sharing lines
Woodward 2301 Barber-Colman Governors America

AVR Interface
All PCC, or Reactive Droop

Paralleling Dissimilar Equipment (14)

Genset Paralleling Compatibility


Compatible Engines
Similar Transient Performance Equal Frequency Regulation

Compatible Alternators
Same Pitch (2/3 most compatible) Can Solve Incompatibility with Compromise

Compatible Controls
Load Sharing is Key Issue
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Conventional Paralleling Architecture


ALARM
DISCRETE SIGNALS

ALARM METER PLC


PROTECTION

ALARM METER PLC


PROTECTION

METER PLC
PROTECTION

SYNC ILS
LOAD SHARE LINES

SYNC ILS

CB EC AVR GOV GENSET


GOVERNOR BIAS SIGNAL

CB EC AVR GOV GENSET

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PowerCommand Systems
ALARM METER PLC

LOAD SHARE LINES

CB

CB

PCC GENSET GENSET

PCC

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PowerCommand Differences
No Remote Paralleling Control METER PLC Necessary Genset Control Operates Breaker No Governor/Speed Bias Available CB CB Load Sharing Lines Connect GenSet to GenSet PCC MasterControl Could Be the Same PCC
LOAD SHARE LINES

ALARM

GENSET

GENSET

Paralleling Dissimilar Equipment (18)

Situations
Using All New PCC GenSets with Switchgear by Others New PCC GenSet with Existing Cummins/Onan GenSets (Detectorstyle Controls) Using a New PCC GenSet with Existing Switchgear and GenSets by Others
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Typical Isolated Bus Interface


(PCC to Conventional Gear)
ALARM DISCRETE SIGNALS METER PLC
PROTECTION

ALARM METER PLC


PROTECTION

ALARM METER PLC


PROTECTION

CB

CB

PCC

PCC

GENSET LOAD SHARE LINES

GENSET

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ILSI: Isochronous Load Sharing Interface


ALARM Optional Components METER PLC
PROTECTION

ALARM METER PLC


PROTECTION

ALARM METER PLC


PROTECTION

NEW SWGR

SYNC
LOAD SHARE LINES

ILSI
SECTION

ILS
GOVERNOR BIAS SIGNAL

CB

CB EC AVR GOV GENSET

PCC GENSET

Converts PCC Load Sharing Lines


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ILSI Compatibility
Woodward 2301 Barber Colman Analog GAC (Governors America) Others
using analog load sharing lines NOT CAN

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Paralleling Compatibility
Genset Paralleling Compatibility
Compatible Engines
Similar Transient Performance Equal Frequency Regulation

Compatible Alternators
Same Pitch (2/3 most compatible) Can Solve Incompatibility with Compromise

Compatible Controls
Load Sharing is Key Issue

Switchgear Compatibility is Non-Issue


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Specifications
New Systems:
2/3 Pitch Alternators Analog kW Load Sharing Signals

Old Systems
Deal with Odd Pitch Alternators
Floating Neutral on odd machine, or Reactors, or Replace Alternator

Control Upgrades might be best choice


Paralleling Dissimilar Equipment (24)

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