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Burnout of Reactor and PCT For Self-Exciting Shunt Type Exciter

During a voyage, the V-phase coil of the reactor and V-phase voltage coil of the PCT for an exciter burned out, likely due to an inter-phase short circuit caused by aged deterioration of insulation materials and a change in the gap width due to long-term vibration and electromagnetic action. To prevent future issues, the exciter cubicle should be inspected bimonthly to check for problems like abnormal odors, discoloration, loose or damaged parts. Special attention should also be paid if the AVR unit requires frequent adjustment or shows large differences compared to other units.

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37 views

Burnout of Reactor and PCT For Self-Exciting Shunt Type Exciter

During a voyage, the V-phase coil of the reactor and V-phase voltage coil of the PCT for an exciter burned out, likely due to an inter-phase short circuit caused by aged deterioration of insulation materials and a change in the gap width due to long-term vibration and electromagnetic action. To prevent future issues, the exciter cubicle should be inspected bimonthly to check for problems like abnormal odors, discoloration, loose or damaged parts. Special attention should also be paid if the AVR unit requires frequent adjustment or shows large differences compared to other units.

Uploaded by

Rani Nouman
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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ME149
Burnout of Reactor and PCT for Self-Exciting Shunt Type Exciter
Technical committee

1. Outline of breakdown

During voyage, the V-phase coil of the 3-phase reactor of the self-exciting shunt type exciter for No.1
generator burned out entirely, its terminal dropped off, and the surrounding area of terminals of 2 other
phase coils were burned. Furthermore, the V-phase voltage coil of PCT (Potential Current Trans-
former) burned out entirely, with terminals burned and 2 other coils partially burned out.

2. Probable cause

(1) An inter-phase short circuit occurred to the reactor or PCT voltage coil (1-phase) causing
them to burn out due to excessive current, destroying their terminal blocks.
(2) Under no load, reactor current exceeded rated current, thermally destroying the terminal
blocks.
(3) The lead wire of the voltage coil of the reactor or PCT was not fastened firmly to the termi-
nal block, causing a spark or a drop off due to vibration, short-circuiting with adjacent terminals.
(4) Current leakage occurred from the voltage coil terminal block due to unexpected cause (wa-
ter/oil/dust adherence, etc.), resulting in a short circuit.
(5) In the coil fixation part of the reactor, a gap opened between iron cores or between iron
cores and coils due to thermal deformation of a gap spacer (made of bakelite) as well as a fixing
wedge (made of fiber). Due to long term exposure to vibration and electromagnetic action, the
coil shifted position, damaging its edges, finally exposing its internal wire, resulting in an in-
ter-phase short circuit.
With regard to the abovementioned causes, a risk of occurrence of (1) and (2) is very small as ade-
quate margins have been included in design in view of both insulation processing and thermal re-
quirement. There is a risk of occurrence of short circuit which was synergistically caused by aged de-
terioration of insulation material other than coils, change in gap width due to long-term exposure to
vibration or loosening, and accompanying electromagnetic action. It is presumed that the major cause
for this case also lies here.

3. Repair and Countermeasures

The AVR is a unit of the exciter which needs to be adjusted on board. If this unit does not enable sta-
ble voltage without consistent adjustment, or a large difference with other units is observed, special
attention is required.
Furthermore, the inside of the exciter cubicle shall be inspected bimonthly according to the following
items:
(1) Check, when opening the cubicle, if there is any abnormal odor of burnt varnish.
(2) Check for blowout/discoloration of varnish.
(3) Check for any peeling of wire covering.
(4) Check for any loosened screw or cuts at the foot clip terminals.
(5) Check for any discoloration of insulation support (made of bakelite).

1
(6) Check for any humming of coils, etc.
(7) Check for any change in vibration.

[Reactor Structure]

[Exciter of subject vessel]

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