
2022.02 / l
4
Electric Power Generation Installation and maintenance
R120
AVR
5243 en -
1 - GENERAL DESCRIPTION
The R121 automatic voltage regulator
(AVR) is a compact, high-performance
encapsulated unit. It incorporates the latest
technology and efcient components to
achieve a high degree of miniaturisation
when used with 3-phase and 1-phase AC
brushless generators within its input and
output limits. The unit offers excellent
reliability.
The AVR provides DC excitation to the
exciter eld of a brushless generator to keep
the voltage within the approximate operating
limits from NO-LOAD to FULL LOAD.
The typical recovery time in the event of
sudden loading is around 0.5 sec. to recover
98% of the rated voltage. Transient
performance such as voltage dip and
recovery time is mainly determined by the
generator and exciter design parameters.
Optimum AVR performance can be
obtained by keeping full-load excitation to
around 60 VDC.
The generator uses a true average sensing
circuit, dV/dt snubber and special lter
circuits to manage NON-LINEAR loads
such as battery chargers, DC motors, etc.
Voltage regulation is only guaranteed for
linear loads. Severely distorting NON-
LINEAR loads can cause regulation
problems.
Each AVR is tested prior to dispatch as part
of a quality plan, for standard voltage and
frequency.
Asoft-start circuit is included which provides
smooth control of the build-up of generator
output voltage.
A frequency roll-off circuit continuously
monitors the generator underspeed
protection by reducing the generator output
voltage in proportion with the speed below a
threshold.
2 - OPERATION OF THE AVR
The AVR is powered by the line-to-neutral
terminal of the AC generator, with 240 VAC
rms at 50 Hz or 60 Hz. The sensing voltage,
which is the regulated voltage, is based on
line-to-line (for 3-phase) and line-to-neutral
(for 1-phase). The AVR forms an important
part of the closed loop system comprising
the generator eld, generator armature and
the AVR.
The AVR rst builds up the generator voltage
from its residual levels, to the rated value of
415 V for 3-phase and 240 V for 1-phase.
When the generator is loaded, the sensed
voltage decreases and generates an error
voltage, which is required in order for the
closed loop system to work.
The AVR contains a high gain amplier,
ramp and a pedestal circuit. Depending
upon the value of the amplier voltage
(either high or low) the ramp intersects the
amplied voltage at a point, which is either
early or late in the half-cycle. At this
intersection point a starting pulse is
produced to trigger the power device.
When the power device is triggered early in
the half-cycle, more voltage is transmitted to
the eld and when triggered late in the half-
cycle, less voltage is transmitted to the eld.
In order to reduce the generator voltage at
low speed, a signal inversely proportional
to the speed is generated as an extra input.
At higher speeds the voltage decreases at a
faster rate than in proportion with the speed.