Power Generation: Sustainability

[kostheofilou]

Hello all,

I work over 3 3516E gas engines (preciously mentioned by the user chatzargyros in this forum... you can see details over the specs there).

After a few months that the engine has been idle for policy and maintenance reasons we tried to start the engine and synchronize it to the network. Even if the engine seemed to start without problem and after a few minutes managed to synchronize, while the load reached about 500 KW, it stop giving us message of ''(4) Generator Asymmetry >50%''.

I don't know if anyone has experienced the same problem however I would be glad if someone has any ideas or recommendations to share.

thanx

[mikel]

Watch your voltage and current readings as you apply load, you appear to have an imbalance that is the root cause of the message, normally due to a current imbalance.

Check you phase voltages, phase currents, kW, kVAR and power factor.  If you do see an imbalance check your system to see if you can identify the root cause.

Hope that helps,

Mike L.

[see-deif]

Assymetery is a result of the load, not the genset UNLESS something is wrong. Be careful because this can destroy the generator. It could be something as simple as a loose connection or open winding, but if you continue it could cause several thousand $$ damage if not fixed..  

I would suggest you get out the test equipment an check out the genset completely before continuing. Megger, HiPot, Ductor (low resistance) the windings, check winding connections,  AC induced voltage and polarity check the windings, ohm check the field, check out the breaker and calbes, ground connections, if any...just any and all electrical tests you can think of.

Then check out the load: are you using a load bank or paralleling with the grid. If load bank, does it have an open resistor? 

All you need is a battery, analog VOM, DVOM, megger, variac, maybe hipot. You can make your own reasonably-accurate ductor with a battery, shunt, and DVOM.

Hollar if you want any suggestions on how to do these tests. Or any good motor rewind shop should have the tools and talents to do all these.

Good luck,

Steve

[kostheofilou]

Initially I would like to thank you for the interest and  time to post. Thankfully the problem was not as important as it seamed after solved. The recent  upgrade of the electronic system that controls the engine was the main cause of the problem. Some minor adjustments in software level, that refered to the readings taken from the engine's ECM and processed by the supporting electronic system brought an end to this seeming big problem.

Thanx all,

Kostas