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Thread: Compete Melt down of the damper winding in a synchronous generator

  1. #1
    Associate Engineer
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    Compete Melt down of the damper winding in a synchronous generator

    During comissioning of a small 1000 KW synchronous generator a failure occured in the Damper winding.
    The customer supplied the following info. The stator breaker was open and the diesel was up to speed
    When the operator pressed the button to start excitation the unit failed. The aluminum Damper winding completely melted. Damper winding failure are rare. Unclear what caused the failure? Anyone able to explain?
    Unit destroyed.

  2. #2
    Technical Fellow Kelly_Bramble's Avatar
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    Well, the obvious observation is that there was a large amount of current flowing through the damper winding.

    The reason for the excessive current lays the answer to your question. You need to look at the unit and do some testing…

  3. #3
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    Quote Originally Posted by Kelly Bramble View Post
    Well, the obvious observation is that there was a large amount of current flowing through the damper winding.
    ...and you should first have a qualified Electrical/Electronic Engineer validate the Schematic, then see if the wiring matches the Schematic. Sounds like and incorrect connection to me.

    Dave

  4. #4
    Associate Engineer
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    thanks

    Dave your are exactly right. It is In process. Prelimanary testing on the generator show no defects in the Main stator winding or main rotor windings or exciter winding. The only way to get current flow in the damper winding is thru induction. With the stator winding breaker open induction does not seem likely.

  5. #5
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    ...and the culprit was???

    Nerdy minds need to know.

    Dave

  6. #6
    chempro
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    can you further explain the situation

  7. #7
    nicengineer
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    Reason of Melting down of Damper windings

    Collapse of excitation may result into Generator pole slipping. If the synchronous generators are loaded in this condition , pole slipping may result into overheating of damper winding. and possible breakdown of rotating diodes/surge suppressors in case of brushless excitation syste. Pole slippage or field excitation failure is generally caused by faulty AVR System or due to exciter. Excitation failure is normally detected by Loss of filed protection on generator.

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