ELECTRO

PRELIM
AC GENERATOR
Use Flemings hand rules to determine the directions of magnetic field, motion and
current.

On an actual machine, by using a given diagram that show the arrangement of a

simple generator, identify and explain the function of:
Armature - Stationary cutting conductor
Slip rings - transfer power to and the rotor
Brushes - collects current from the stator delivering it to the slip ring
springs - exerts pressure to the carbon brush to maintain its contact to slip ring
Field poles - mounting for field winding
Field coils build up magnetic field
Sketch a graph showing the variation of a simple loop generator coil is rotated
between two poles

 State the range of voltage and frequency at which ships electrical power is generated

MAIN GENERATOR
Electrical power: 100KW - 3MW
Voltage & Frequency: 440V at 60Hz or 380V at 50Hz
OFFSHORE VESSELS:
Voltage & Frequency: 3.3KV, 6.6KV & 11KV at 60Hz
EMERGENCY GENERATOR
Electrical power: 20KW - 200KW
Voltage & Frequency: 440V - 220V at 60Hz
State that the A.C. Voltages normally given are root mean square values and that all

equipment is rated in these terms

RMS voltage (effective value) is absolutely the most common way to
measure/quantify AC voltage. It is also the most useful. Because AC voltage is
constantly changing and is at or near the highest and lowest points in the cycle for
only a tiny fraction of the cycle, the peak voltage is not a good way to determine
how much work can be done by an AC power source.
State that peak values are

2 times larger than r.m.s. Values

Vpeak = Vrms( 2 )
Describe in simple terms an A.C. Generator with three-phase windings, stating the

phase difference
AC Generator has 3 sets of coil called phase winding located in slots in the
stator surrounding the rotating field. The emf induced in each phase is 120deg out of
phase with the other phase. Phase winding is labeled as R-S-T or U-V-W coded in
Red-Yellow-Blue

Sketch a schematic arrangement of a three-phase alternator with star connection

Vph (Phase Voltage) voltage between the winding.

Vl = Square root of 3 x Vph
In the terminal box of the stator field winding, identify the outlets of the three phases
and the common neutral connection

Explain how excitation of the rotor is produced and supplied

The excitation of the rotor is produced by the current passing through its winding
which is supplied exciter.
Residual current self excited
Battery/small gen separately excited
Describe how a generator is cooled

AIR COOLER- delivers pressurized air by means of a fan on the rotor shaft forcing it
through ventilation ducts in the stator core, between rotor poles and through the
air gap between stator and rotor
WATER COOLING- the one that cools the circulating air if the generator has large
power rating
Lists the parts of a generator fitted with temperature alarms

Stator windings
Bearings
Cooling air/water of the generator

Explain why heaters are fitted to a generator

To prevent internal condensation forming on the winding insulation during

standby or maintenance period.
Explain the function of an Automatic Voltage Regulator

To govern or regulate excitation supplies, either static or rotary

Sketch a block diagram of an AVR, naming the main components and explain the

purpose of the hand trimmer

Manual/ Hand trimmer - fitted in the generator control panel to set the voltage level.
Explain such sources of supply can be run in parallel and those which cannot

Main Generator Units (steam, turbo, diesel & shaft) - have to run in parallel to
share a total load that exceeds the capacity of a single generator for simplicity &
security.
Emergency generator & Shore supply- cannot be shunted to Main Generator Units
for it circuit breaker interlocks which are arranged to prevent such. Emergency
Generator low capacity. Shore supply High capacity.
Perform and describe the synchronizing sequence to bring a generator into service in

parallel with a running generator, using both synchroscope and lamps

MANUAL SYNCHRONIZATION
1. Set the incoming generator voltage manually by hand trimmer or automatically by
its AVR to be equal to the bus-bar voltage.(Fine tuning of the speed can now be

observed on the synchroscope or synchronising lamps.)

2. Adjust the incomer frequency by a governor (or together with running for fast
tuning) so that the synchroscope indicator rotates slowly clockwise (fast direction) at
about 4 seconds per indicator revolution.
3. Close the circuit breaker as the indicator approaches the 12 o'clock (in-phase)
position (Breaker closing between 5-to and 5-past the 12 o'clock synchroscope
position is satisfactory as long as the pointer rotation is fairly slow)
4. Switch off the synchronizing equipment after synchronizing.
AUTO-SYNCHRONIZATION
1. Adjust the incomer frequency until the synchroscope indicator rotates slowly
clockwise.
2. Press auto-sync button
3. Switch off the synchronizing equipment after synchronizing.
Adjust, or describe how to adjust, the load sharing of two generators running in

parallel
Manual load sharing- achieved by raising the governor setting of the incoming
generator and lowering the setting of the running generator until balance of power is
dictated by the governor droop of each generator.
Either perform the procedure, or describe how to reduce the load on a generator and

takes it out of service.

In taking out a generator of service, reduce the governor setting of the generator you
are going to take out. Reduce it until it automatically trips off from the Main Circuit
Breaker.
State that the load sharing can be automatically controlled

Autoload Sharing Equipment- Its circuits compare the kW loading of each

generator via Current Transformer and Voltage Transformers that provides error signal in
any difference it detects to raise/lower the governor setting of each prime mover as
necessary for their load sharing.
State that the emergency generator feeds its own switchboard and that both are

usually installed in the same compartment above the waterline

An emergency generator is connected to its own switchboard thats why it feed its
own switchboard. Their located together in the same compartment above the waterline
such us boat deck.
Describe the connections between the emergency and main switchboards and the

necessary safeguards
The emergency board in normal operation is supplied from the main board by a
cable called interconnector or bus-tie. The necessary safeguard are the special interlocks
in the control circuit of the circuit breakers at each end of the interconnector to prevent
parallel running.
Describe the situation where the emergency generator would be started up

automatically and the methods of starting

Starting of the emergency generator prime mover is automatic. The run up is
initiated by an electrical relay which monitors the normal voltage supply situation in
which the automatic start up would activate in cases like when the main and auxiliary
generator fail to supply to consumers. The emergency generator supplies its generated
power to the vital consumers only.
Methods of manual starting :
In manual start up can be initiated by push buttons in the main control room and
in the emergency generator room.
Describe the regular no load running and the occasional on load running of the

emergency generator
The rotor will slip causing the shaft speed to be about 25 rev/s or 1440 rpm no-load.
While on on-load running condition a single-phase induction motor will run with greater
slip and operate with less efficiency than a three-phase version.

DC GENERATOR
Sketch, in diagrammatic form, the basic circuit for a D.C. Generator

On a given drawing or an actual generator, identify the field poles, yoke, shoe, field

windings and interpoles

 Describe the difference in appearance of shunt coils, and series coils

 On a given drawing or an actual generator, identify the windings, commutator,

commutator insulation, laminations, clamping arrangement, ventilation holes, coil

retaining arrangement, brushes, tails, brush loading arrangement and bearings

Name two types of winding used on armatures

LAP WINDING
#Parallel Paths = #Poles = #Brushes
For High Current, low Voltage Machines
WAVE WINDING
#Parallel = 2
For High Voltage, Low current
On an actual machine or by using a given diagram that shows the arrangement of a

simple DC generator, identify and explain the function of:

 Armature - rotating cutting CONDUCTOR

Commutator - facilitates the collection of current from the armature. Converting
AC to DC current
Brushes - collects current from commutator
springs - exerts pressure to the carbon brush to maintain its contact to
commutator
Field poles - mounting for field winding
Field coils - provides magnetic field
BASIC ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING
Explain the basic purposes of switches, circuit breakers and fuses
Switches to open and close the circuit
Circuit breaker and Fuses automatically disconnect a faulty circuit within
the network
Describe briefly the principle of the various types of closing mechanism of circuit
breakers
Independent Manual Spring the spring charge is directly applied by manual
depression of the closing handle. The last few centimeters of handle movement
releases the spring to close the breaker. Closing speed is independent of the
operator
Motor Driven Stored Charge Spring (most common for marine application)
closing springs are charged by a motor gearbox unit. Spring recharging is
automatic following closure of the breaker which is initiated by a push button.
This may be a direct mechanical release of the charged spring, or more usually it
will be released electrically via a solenoid latch.
Manual Wound Stored Charge Spring similar to motor driven stored charge
spring but with manually charged closing springs.
Solenoid The breaker is closed by a d.c. solenoid energized from the generator
or bus bars via a transformer/rectifier unit, contactor, push button, and sometimes
button and, sometimes, a timing relay.
List the ways in which a circuit breaker can be tripped.
Manually a push button with mechanical linkage trips the latch
Undervoltage trip coil or relay (trips when de-energised).
Overcurrent/short-circuit trip device or relay (trips when energised).
Solenoid trip coil when energised by a remote push-button or relay (such
as an electronic overcurrent relay).