Voltage versus var/power-factor regulation on synchronous generators

When paralleled to the utility bus, synchronous generators can be controlled using either terminal voltage or var/power factor (PF) control. Selection is dependent upon the size of the generator and the stiffness of the connecting utility bus. For large generators where the kVA is significant, these machines are usually terminal voltage regulated and dictate the system's bus voltage. When smaller terminal voltage regulated generators are synchronized to a stiff utility bus, the system voltage will not. change as the smaller generator shares reactive loading. However, if the system voltage changes significantly, the smaller generator, with its continuous acting terminal voltage regulator, will attempt to maintain the voltage set point. As the voltage regulator follows its characteristic curve, it may cause either over or under excitation of the smaller generator. Excessive system voltage may cause a small generator to lose synchronizing torque, while low system voltage may cause excessive heating on the generator or excessive overcurrent operation of the excitation system. Maintaining a constant reactive load on the smaller generating unit can reduce the generator field current variations and, thus, reduce the maintenance of the collector rings and brushes. This paper illustrates the effect of changing system bus voltage on small generators utilizing voltage versus var/PF regulation.