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Generator Freq 50Hz v/s 60Hz

09/03/2007 12:47 AM

Hello Elect Engineers ,

Need your help here. We havea 500KVA Diesel Generator(60Hz) which is feed power to an USA Made machine which runs on 60Hz . All our other facilities and local/ country frequency is 50Hz and therefore we are using another 150KVA DG Set . In realaity the 500KVA DG dhould be sufficint to cater to entire machine and facilty power requirement. Please let me know how to eleminate the 150KVA Gen and use the 500KVA Diesel Generator(60Hz) both for the machine (60Hz) and rest of the faciltiy(50Hz).Huh!!! Did I explain it properly

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#1

Re: Generator Freq 50Hz v/s 60Hz

09/03/2007 4:42 AM

Try using some power frequency convertors perhaps?

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#2

Re: Generator Freq 50Hz v/s 60Hz

09/03/2007 6:33 AM

Firstly I'd check out what other plant is using 50 Hz and whether it can be used at 60 Hz.... if its just lights or motors a small frequency change may have no or little effect...

So I would first do an inventry of what equipment is being used and whether it can be used at 60 Hz...

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#3
In reply to #2

Re: Generator Freq 50Hz v/s 60Hz

09/03/2007 7:15 AM

Well except the 500KVA DG and the M/c Unit , complete area lighting, camp facilties , ACs, Fridges, Firewater Pumps, Coolres, refrigerators , RO Plant Pumps , etc are 50Hz

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#4

Re: Generator Freq 50Hz v/s 60Hz

09/03/2007 10:44 PM

Might I suggest that you contact the manufacturer of the 500KVA DG Set and inquire whether conversion to 50 Hz. is possible.

It might just be a matter of a speed change and de-rating.

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#5

Re: Generator Freq 50Hz v/s 60Hz

09/03/2007 11:44 PM

Title: Generator Freq. 50Hz v/s 60Hz

You only mentioned the kVA rating of the alternator,but did not tell the 3 phase voltage rating.You mentioned that you have two groups of loads one operates at 50Hz and the other at 60Hz.Do they operate on the same voltage? ie. 400 volts 3 phase.If loads are resistive or for lighting,they can operate on both frequencies.Then you may operate loads on 60Hz,or 50Hz.....Types of loads and their tolerences can tell you wheather they can be operated parallel or not....You may use frequency converter which could be an expensive option....

THANKS

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#7
In reply to #5

Re: Generator Freq 50Hz v/s 60Hz

09/04/2007 12:18 AM

Well except the Diesel Generator ( Aircooled) nd the Machine Unit all other area lighting, resident camp lighting , electrical ovens, coolers, frifges, water pumps, etc are all 50Hz .

Now we cannot upgrade this to 60Hz neither we can change the machine frequency. What I am looking for is to use the 60Hz 500KVA Generator to cater to both 50 & 60Hz .is it possible to have to covert the outp put to 50Hz by some means after the Generator DB

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#6

Re: Generator Freq 50Hz v/s 60Hz

09/03/2007 11:52 PM

Change the 60 Hz load (single machine) to 50 Hz noting the torque and power deduction possible for an electric motor around ratio 5/6. See if machinery manufacturer has a suggestion to change it to 50 Hz. The generator and engine manufacturer can give you a new nameplate for both, de rated to 50 Hz (around 5/6 ratio also) and take note that generator fan will be slower so the generator people will need the altitude and ambient temperature to calculate the new temp rise. The engine people will likely change turbo chargers and injector nozzles only. It is NOT as simple as just slowing it down to 50 Hz. I have done 50 or so conversions this way in my career. take note the radiator cooling fan will de rate also 9if radiator cooled).

Other wild ideas are, if not radiator cooled,a nd you can get a shaft on the nose of the engine crankshaft, drive the 50 Hz generator from as gear box connected to the front of the engine (I've done this also). For more wild ideas email me direct. Too late tonight to think.

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#8
In reply to #6

Re: Generator Freq 50Hz v/s 60Hz

09/04/2007 12:23 AM

Well except the Diesel Generator ( Aircooled) nd the Machine Unit all other area lighting, resident camp lighting , electrical ovens, coolers, frifges, water pumps, etc are all 50Hz .

Now we cannot upgrade this to 60Hz neither we can change the machine frequency. What I am looking for is to use the 60Hz 500KVA Generator to cater to both 50 & 60Hz .is it possible to have to covert the outp put to 50Hz by some means after the Generator DB

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#9
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Re: Generator Freq 50Hz v/s 60Hz

09/04/2007 12:51 AM

You continually repeat the same question so either your keyboard is broken, or you think that we are all stupid.

If you are asking if it is possible to have a single generator (alternator really) provide two separate outputs of different frequencies, then the answer is a simple no. Output frequency is a function of both the windings and the speed of the prime mover (in this case the diesel engine). Unless you put a transmission on that engine with two separate output shafts spinning at different speeds via gearboxes, you will only be able to attain one frequency at a time from an alternator.

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#10
In reply to #9

Re: Generator Freq 50Hz v/s 60Hz

09/04/2007 1:26 AM

Hello all,

Thank you all for various inputs . Well i am quite new to this and never realised that my answer to every individual will be posted here. ...So I am learning now. I am now in touch with the Caterpillar DG Experts and hope to solve this out..Looks like nothing much can be done except running both the Generators.......because we can neither change the Imported Machnine (60Hz) nor the local Approved Electrical Setups ( 50Hz)

Thanks guys

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#11
In reply to #10

Re: Generator Freq 50Hz v/s 60Hz

09/04/2007 3:31 AM

Thank you for raising a very good question - provided a case study - in this CR4 forum.
Glad that you will refer the matter to Caterpillar DG Experts and hope to solve this out.

Will appreciate, if you will share with CR4 members, the solution / views offered by Caterpillar DG Experts, regarding the question raised.

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#12

Re: Generator Freq 50Hz v/s 60Hz

09/04/2007 5:19 AM

Putting all your eggs in one basket (on one Generator!) produces a single point of failure for everything.

May I suggest that you organize some lighting and other stuff on the 60Hz, and vice versa, so that you can continue with most things even if one generator fails.....

If it is the motor only on this machine that needs 60Hz, you could of course have a spare motor that uses 50Hz......then either generator can be used for all!!! Keep the other as backup spare....

Not knowing all your requirements and voltages, precludes a better more accurate answer.....

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#13

Re: Generator Freq 50Hz v/s 60Hz

09/04/2007 7:05 AM

I don't think it is possible. if you try to run the 50HZ designed mechines in 60HZ then the life will be reduced.

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#14

Re: Generator Freq 50Hz v/s 60Hz

09/04/2007 8:41 AM

I've had similar problems with european generators brought to the USA. Changing the generator frequency brings in a host of problems with auxiliaries (such as potential transformers and relay coils) due to the change in the inductive reactance. We learned the hard way by burning up a metering transformer from excessive heating.

Depending on the load to be supplied, a solid-state converter may work. However, electronic devices are not very good at supplying the starting current required by motors, which is usually 3-5 times the running current. If the motor starts under load (such as a refrigerator compressor), the starting current can be considerably higher and last 5-10 seconds. You would need to significantly oversize a solid-state converter to make it work.

The easiest way to accomplish your goal is to use a motor-generator for the loads currently supplied by the 150 KVA diesel. Take a 60Hz motor (powered by the 500KVA 60Hz genset) and couple the output shaft to a 50Hz generator. It will take some custom design to get the shaft speeds right. The 60Hz motor will rotate at some multiple of 120 less the slip, while a 50Hz generator will need to run at some multiple of 100. The required speed for each machine should be stated on the nameplate. The best option I've found to match the speeds is to use a belt & pulleys to couple the motor & generator. The pulley sizes can be selected to give the optimum speed ratio.

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#15
In reply to #14

Re: Generator Freq 50Hz v/s 60Hz

09/04/2007 9:38 AM

That would do it!!

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#16
In reply to #15

Re: Generator Freq 50Hz v/s 60Hz

09/04/2007 10:00 AM

Yeah sure .it has done a lot.........thanks guys. Hope we all benifit from this knowledge.

Remember .....knowledge grows when it is ............shared

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#18
In reply to #16

Re: Generator Freq 50Hz v/s 60Hz

09/06/2007 1:53 AM

Did you receive the views from Caterpillar?

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#17

Re: Generator Freq 50Hz v/s 60Hz

09/04/2007 5:01 PM

There are 2 possibilities:

1) Or you use a 60/50 Hz Converter with some few losses(+- 3%) of the converter(but higher price)

2) Or you adapt the diesel engine to run at for exemple 1500 rpm instead of 1800 rpm with some regulation to perform on the governor(depending the type of governor) and to change the diesel injectors into each cilinder with probably some regulations to be done on the timing.Be aware that you will lose some 10 percent KVA or having 450KVA.But before doing this,consult the diesel motor manufacturer.This could be cheaper to do and perhaps,depending the engine make could give you same power.

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