1.1.

Workshop III of SLPA and UCT

1.1.1.
Introduction
Workshop III is situated at the far north corner of the Colombo harbor. The Electrical field
III carried all the maintenance and repairing of DC motors, generators, transformers. The
workshop is also responsible for all electrical maintenance of Unity Container Terminal
(UCT). Motors and generators are rewind and repaired at this workshop. Any work
relating to motors and generators which cannot be done by the other workshops are sent to
the electrical field III work shop as there are well practiced and skilled technicians
available in this section.

1.1.2.

Operation of an AC generator

This is an interesting topic where electronics and power electrical have met each other to
satisfy the need of controlling output voltage of an AC generator.
AVR's are normally used in the Diesel Generators. They are used to control the output
voltage depending upon load connected, such that, the load will not cause any voltage
fluctuation and damage to the DG. It is important part in Synchronous Generators; it
controls the output voltage of the generator by controlling its
excitation current. Thus it can control the output Reactive Power of the Generator. AVR
increases or decreases excitation voltage for linear voltage. Frequency depends on prime
mover speed. It is a device used to maintain a constant voltage at the alternators terminals.
It functions by maintaining the excitation required to maintain the terminal voltage of the
alternator with change in the load.

AVR circuit from an AC generator

The engine governor controls engine speed, and in some generator applications, generator
load. To select correct governors for particular applications, governor capabilities must be
understood. The following terms are commonly encountered when describing governors:
Droop, Speed Droop and Regulation are terms used interchangeably to describe the
relationship of engine speed change from no load (high idle) to full load (rated) in steady
state operation. Expressed as a percentage age, droop is calculated as follows:
% Droop = (Speed at no load - Speed at full load) x 100 Speed at full load
The graph below illustrates various degrees of droop for both generator and industrial engine
applications.

Transient Response is the time interval required for engine speed to recover from a sudden
load change. Overshoot is the maximum momentary increase in frequency on sudden load
removal. The transient response graph below shows how an engine reacts to sudden load
changes.

1.1.3. Tachometer

Tachometer generators (or tachogenerators) are electromechanical devices which output a

voltage proportional to their shaft speed. In cranes, these devices measure the speed of
motors. They are used to power tachometers and to measure the speed of motors, engines,
and other rotational devices.

The majority of modern tachogenerators are permanent magnet types. These devices use a
rotating armature, one end of which is attached to a machine shaft, to measure rotational
speed. The armature rotates within a fixed magnetic field, so that its rotation
induces electromotive force (voltage) proportional to the shaft's speed. The armature contacts
are connected to a voltmeter circuit, which converts the voltage into a speed value.

1.1.4. Encoders
:

Encoders are found in transfer crane hoist drums where the PLC needs to know the
height of the spreader at the moment. An encoder is a device which converts a
mechanical information of a shaft or position into an electrical signal

Incremental

In SLPA I came across absolute rotary encoders. Incremental encoders produce electrical
pulses or increments with linear or rotary motion. Signals start over at power up, or after
a power failure. In other words, an incremental encoder does not retain position after a
power cycle.
In the other hand absolute encoders provides a unique value for every shaft or linear
position. Absolute encoders retain their position after a power cycle.