Chapter 5

Modeling of Excitation Systems

Important Reference (required for all students)
IEEE Recommended Practice forExcitation System Models for
Power System Stability Studies, 2006

Detail of the model required depends on the

purpose of study:
the control and protective features that impact on
transient and small-signal stability studies are the
voltage regulator, PSS and excitation control
stabilization
the limiter and protective circuits normally need to
be considered only for long-term and voltage
stability studies

Modeling - Excitation System Components

The basic elements which form different types of excitation
systems are the dc exciters (self or separately excited); ac
exciters; rectifiers (controlled or non-controlled); magnetic,
rotating, or electronic amplifiers; excitation system stabilizing
feedback circuits; signal sensing and processing circuits

Separately excited dc exciter

Fig. 8.26 Block diagram of a dc exciter

Self-excited dc exciter
The block diagram of Fig. 8.26 also applies to the selfexcited dc exciter. The value of KE, however, is now
equal to Ref/Rg-1 as compared to Ref/Rg for the
separately excited case.
The station operators usually track the voltage
regulator by periodically adjusting the rheostat
setpoint so as to make the voltage regulator output
zero. This is accounted for by selecting the value of
KE so that the initial value of VR is equal to zero. The
parameter KE is therefore not fixed, but varies with
the operating condition.

AC Exciter and Rectifier

Figure 8.28: Block diagram of an ac exciter

Figure 8.30: Rectifier regulation model

Windup and Non-Windup Limits

Representation:

System equation:

Limiting action:

Figure 8.34: (a) Integrator with windup limits

Representation:

System equation:

Limiting action:

Figure 8.34: (b) Integrator with non-windup limits

Modeling of Complete Excitation Systems

Figure 8.39 depicts the general structure of a detailed excitation
system model having a one-to-one correspondence with the
physical equipment. While this model structure has the advantage
of retaining a direct relationship between model parameters and
physical parameters, such detail is considered too great for general
system studies. Therefore, model reduction techniques are used to
simplify and obtain a practical model appropriate for the type of
study for which it is intended.
The parameters of the reduced model are selected such that the
gain and phase characteristics of the reduced model match those
of the detailed model over the frequency range of 0 to 3 Hz. In
addition, all significant nonlinearities that impact on system
stability are accounted for. With a reduced model, however, direct
correspondence between the model parameters and the actual
system parameters is generally lost.

Figure 8.39: Structure of a detailed excitation system model

Standard IEEE Models

IEEE has standardized 12 model structures
for representing the wide variety of
excitation systems currently in use (see
IEEE Standard 421.5-1992):
these models are intended for use in
transient and small-signal stability studies
Figures 8.40 to 8.43 show four examples

1. Type DC1A Exciter model

Figure 8.40: IEEE type DC1A excitation system model. IEEE 1991[8]
The type DC1A exciter model represents field controlled dc
communtator exciters, with continuously acting voltage
regulators. The exciter may be separately excited or self
excited, the latter type being more common. When self
excited, KE is selected so that initially VR=0, representing
operator action of tracking the voltage regulator by
periodically trimming the shunt field rheostat set point.

2. Type AC1A Exciter model

Figure 8.41: IEEE type AC1A excitation system model. IEEE 1991[8]
The type AC1A exciter model represents a field controlled
alternator excitation system with non-controlled rectifiers,
applicable to a brushless excitation system. The diode rectifier
characteristic imposes a lower limit of zero on the exciter
output voltage. The exciter field supplied by a pilot exciter,
and the voltage regulator power supply is not affected by
external transients.

3. Type AC4A exciter model

Figure 8.42: IEEE type AC4A excitation system model IEEE

1991 [8]

The type AC4A exciter model represents an alternator

supplied controlled rectifier excitation system - a high initial
response excitation system utilizing full wave thyristor bridge
circuit. Excitation system stabilization is usually provided in
the form of a series lag-lead network (transient gain
reduction). The time constant associated with the regulator
and firing of thyristors is represented by TA. The overall gain is
represented by KA. The rectifier operation is confined to
mode 1 region. Rectifier regulation effects on exciter output
limits are accounted for by constant KC.

4. Type ST1A exciter model

Figure 8.43: IEEE type ST1A excitation system model IEEE 1991 [8]

The type ST1A exciter model represents potential-source controlled-rectifier

systems. The excitation power is supplied through a transformer from
generator terminals; therefore, the exciter ceiling voltage is directly
proportional to generator terminal voltage. The effect of rectifier regulation
on ceiling voltage is represented by KC. The model provides flexibility to
represent series lag-lead or rate feedback stabilization. Because of very
high field forcing capability of the system, a field current limiter is
sometimes employed; the limit is defined by lLR and the gain by KLR.

Modeling of Limiters
Standard models do not include limiting circuits;
these do not come into play under normal
conditions
These are, however, important for long-term
and voltage stability studies
Implementation of these circuits varies widely
models have to be established on a case by
case basis
Figure 8.47 shows as an example the model of a
field current limiter

(a) Block diagram representation

(b) Limiting characteristics

Figure 8.47: Field-current limiter model