MX341 AUTOMATIC VOLTAGE

REGULATOR (AVR)
SPECIFICATION, INSTALLATION AND ADJUSTMENTS
General description Technical specification
MX341 is a two phase sensed Automatic Voltage SENSING INPUT
Regulator and forms part of the excitation system for a Voltage 190-264V ac max, 1 phase, 2 wire
brush-less generator. Excitation power is derived from a Frequency 50-60 Hz nominal
POWER INPUT (PMG)
three-phase permanent magnet generator (PMG), to
Voltage 140-220V ac max, 3 phase, 3 wire
isolate the AVR control circuits from the effects of non- Current 3A/phase
linear loads and to reduce radio frequency interference on Frequency 100-120 Hz nominal
the generator terminals. Sustained generator short circuit OUTPUT
current is another feature of the PMG system. Voltage max 120V dc
Current continuous 2.7 A
The AVR senses the voltage in the main generator Intermittent 6A for 10 secs.
winding and controls the power fed to the exciter stator Resistance 15 ohms minimum
REGULATION
and hence the main rotor to maintain the generator output
+/- 1% (see note 1)
voltage within the specified limits, compensating for load, THERMAL DRIFT
speed, temperature and power factor of the generator. o
0.03% per C change in AVR ambient (note 2)
SOFT START RAMP TIME
Soft start circuitry is included to provide a smooth 3 seconds
controlled build up of generator output voltage. TYPICAL SYSTEM RESPONSE
AVR Response 10 ms
A frequency measuring circuit continually monitors the Filed current to 90% 80 ms
shaft speed of the generator and provides under-speed Machine Volts to 97% 300 ms
EXTERNAL VOLTAGE ADJUSTMENT
protection of the excitation system by reducing the +/-10% with 1 k ohm 1 watt trimmer (see note 3)
generator output voltage proportionally with speed below UNDER FREQUENCY PROTECTION
a pre-settable threshold. A further enhancement of this Set point 95% Hz (see note 4)
feature is an adjustable volts per Hertz slope to improve Slope 170% down to 30 Hz
engine recovery time on turbo charged engines. Soft start UNIT POWER DISSIPATION
circuitry is included to provide a smooth controlled build 12 watts maximum
up of generator output voltage. ANALOGUE INPUT
Maximum input +/- 5V dc (see note 5)
Sensitivity 1v for 5% Generator Volts (adjustable)
Uncontrolled excitation is limited to a safe period by
Input resistance 1k ohm
internal shutdown of the AVR output device. This QUADRATURE DROOP INPUT
condition remains latched until the generator has 10 ohms burden
stopped. Max. sensitivity: 0.07 A for 5% droop 0PF
Max. input: 0.33 A
Provision is made for the connection of a remote voltage OVER EXCITATION PROTECTION
trimmer, allowing the user fine control of the generator's Set point 75 V dc
output. Time delay 10 seconds (fixed)
ENVIRONMENTAL
Vibration 20-100 Hz 50mm/sec
An analogue input is provided allowing connection to a 100Hz – 2kHz 3.3g
Newage Power Factor controller or other external devices Operating temperature
o
-40 to +70 C
with compatible output. Relative Humidity 0-70 C
o
95% (see note 6)
o
Storage temperature -55 to +80 C
The AVR has the facility for droop CT connection, to allow
parallel running with other similarly equipped generators. NOTES
1. With 4% engine governing.
2. After 10 minutes.
3. Applies to Mod status D onwards. Generator de-rate may
apply. Check with factory.
4. Factory set, semi-sealed, jumper selectable.
5. Any device connected to the analogue input must be fully
floating (galvanically isolated from ground), with an
insulation strength of 500V ac.
6. Non condensing.

TD_MX341.GB_05.03_02
 DESIGN DETAIL

Stator Voltage
Sensing
PMG

Droop Potential Low Hz Synchronising

Divider & Detection Circuit
Hand Rectifier
Trimmer
Reference Power
Voltage supply

Analogue Level Power

DC Ramp Detector & Control
Input Amp
Mixer Generator Driver Devices

Over
Stability Excitation
Circuit Detector

Exciter
Field

The main functions of the AVR are:

The Low Hz Detector measures the period of each
Potential Divider and Rectifier takes a proportion of the electrical cycle and causes the reference voltage to be
generator output voltage and attenuates it. The reduced approximately linearly with speed below a
potential divider is adjustable by the AVR Volts presettable threshold. A Light Emitting Diode gives
potentiometer and external hand trimmer (when fitted). indication of underspeed running.
The output from the droop CT is also added to this A further enhancement of this feature is the variable
signal. An isolating transformer is included allowing DIP adjustment, which provides greater voltage roll off
connection to various winding configurations. A rectifier to aid the recovery of turbo charge engines taking large
converts the a.c. input signal into d.c. for further impact loads.
processing.
The Synchronising circuit is used to keep the Ramp
The DC Mixer adds the Analogue input signal the Generator and Low Hz Detector locked to the
Sensing signal. Permanent Magnet Generator waveform period.

The Amplifier (Amp) compares the sensing voltage to Power Control Devices vary the amount of exciter field
the Reference Voltage and amplifies the difference current in response to the error signal produced by the
(error) to provide a controlling signal for the power Amplifier.
devices. The Ramp Generator and Level Detector and
Driver infinitely control the conduction period of the The Over Excitation Detector continuously monitors the
Power Control Devices, and hence provide the exciter field voltage and provides signals, to shut down
excitation system with the required power to maintain the power device if an over excitation condition persists
the generator voltage within specified limits. for the specified time period.

The Stability Circuit provides adjustable negative ac The Power Supply provides the required voltages for
feedback to ensure good steady state and transient the AVR circuitry.
performance of the control system.

TD_MX341.GB_05.03_02
 FITTING AND OPERATING

K1 K2 P2 P3 P4 XX X 3 2 2 1
REFER TO GENERATOR WIRING DIAGRAM
FOR CONNECTION DETAILS
Trim A1
K1-K2 A2
Power isolation link S1
(normally fitted)
Droop
S2

1
Volts 2
3 Sensing
MX341 4 links
5 standard
Frequency EXC. 6
TRIP positions
DIP Selection 7
Stability 8
Selection
No link 6P50Hz
Indicator 6P60H > 550kW
LED z
4P50H
Stability
90-550kW
UFRO z
4P60H < 90kW
z
3 2 1 CBA

SUMMARY OF AVR CONTROLS

CONTROL FUNCTION DIRECTION

Volts To adjust generator output voltage Clockwise increases output voltage

Stability To prevent voltage hunting Clockwise increase the damping effect
Ufro To set the ufro knee point Clockwise reduces the knee point frequency
Droop To set the generator droop to 5% at 0pf Clockwise increases the droop
Vtrim To optimise analogue input sensitivity Clockwise increases the gain or sensitivity
Exc trip To set the over excitation cut off level Clockwise increase the cut off level
Dip To set the frequency related voltage dip Clockwise increases the voltage dip

ADJUSTMENT OF AVR CONTROLS

CAUTION!
VOLTAGE ADJUSTMENT 1. Before running generator, turn the VOLTS control
fully anti-clockwise.
The generator output voltage is set at the factory, but can 2. Turn remote volts trimmer (if fitted) to midway
be altered by careful adjustment of the VOLTS control on position.
the AVR board, or by the external hand trimmer if fitted. 3. Turn STABILITY control to midway position.
Terminals 1 and 2 on the AVR will be fitted with a shorting 4. Connect a suitable voltmeter (0-300V ac) across
link if no hand trimmer is required. line to neutral of the generator.
5. Start generator set, and run on no load at nominal
CAUTION! Do not increase the voltage above the rated frequency e.g. 50-53Hz or 60-63Hz.
generator voltage. If in doubt, refer to the rating plate 6. If the red Light Emitting Diode (LED) is illuminated,
mounted on the generator case. refer to the Under Frequency Roll Off (UFRO)
CAUTION! Do not ground any of the hand trimmer adjustment.
terminals, as these could be above earth potential. 7. Carefully turn VOLTS control clockwise until rated
Failure to observe this could cause equipment damage. voltage is reached.
8. If instability is present at rated voltage, refer to
If a replacement AVR has been fitted or re-setting of the stability adjustment, then re-adjust voltage if
VOLTS adjustment is required, proceed as follows: necessary.
9. Voltage adjustment is now completed.

TD_MX341.GB_05.03_02
 FITTING AND OPERATING
STABILITY ADJUSTMENT Clockwise increases the amount of C.T. signal injected
into the AVR and increases the droop with lagging
The AVR includes a stability or damping circuit to power factor (cos Ø). With the control fully anti-
provide good steady state and transient performance of clockwise there is no droop.
the generator.
TRIM ADJUSTMENT
The correct setting can be found by running the
generator at no load and slowly turning the stability An analogue input (A1 A2) is provided to connect to the
control anti-clockwise until the generator voltage starts Newage Power Factor Controller or other devices. It is
to become unstable. designed to accept dc signals up to +/- 5 volts.

The optimum or critically damped position is slightly CAUTION! Any devices connected to this input must be
clockwise from this point (i.e. where the machine volts fully floating and galvanically isolated from ground, with
are stable but close to the unstable region). an insulation capability of 500 Vac. Failure to observe
this could result in equipment damage.
OPTIMUM RESPONSE SELECTION
The dc signal applied to this input adds to the AVR
The stability selection ‘jumper’ should be correctly sensing circuit. A1 is connected to the AVR 0 volts.
linked, A-B, B-C or A-C at the bottom of the board for Positive on A2 increases excitation. Negative on A2
the frame size of the generator, (see drawing). decreases excitation.

UNDER FREQUENCY ROLL OFF (UFRO) The TRIM control allows the user to adjust the
ADJUSTMENT sensitivity of the input. With TRIM fully anti-clockwise
the externally applied signal has no effect. Clockwise it
The AVR incorporates an underspeed protection circuit has maximum effect.
which gives a volts/Hz characteristic when the
generator speed falls below a presettable threshold Normal setting is fully clockwise when used with a
known as the "knee" point. Newage Power Factor Controller.

The red Light Emitting Diode (LED) gives indication that DIP ADJUSTMENT
the UFRO circuit is operating.
The DIP adjustment allows some control over the
The UFRO adjustment is preset and sealed and only generator voltage dip upon the application of load. This
requires the selection of 50 / 60Hz, 4 pole / 6pole using feature is mostly used, when the generator is coupled to
the jumper link (see diagram). Adjustment of the UFRO turbo charged engines with limited block load
potentiometer will only be necessary if the AVR is being acceptance and operates only when the speed is below
fitted to a 6 pole generator to replace an AVR of an the UFRO knee point, (LED illuminated).
earlier type.
With the DIP potentiometer fully anticlockwise, the
For optimum setting, the LED should illuminate as the generator voltage characteristics will follow the normal
frequency falls just below nominal, i.e. 47Hz on a 50Hz V/Hz line as the speed falls below nominal. Turning the
system or 57Hz on a 60Hz system. DIP potentiometer more clockwise increases the V/Hz
slope, providing a greater voltage dip and aiding engine
DROOP ADJUSTMENT recovery. The DIP potentiometer can be set at any
desired position to suit a particular engine type.
Generators intended for parallel operation are fitted with
a quadrature droop C.T. which provides a power factor OVER EXCITATION (EXC TRIP) ADJUSTMENT
dependent signal for the AVR. The C.T. is connected to
S1, S2 on the AVR. The adjustment is set and sealed in the works and
should not be altered.
The DROOP adjustment is normally preset in the works An over excitation condition is indicated on the common
to give 5% voltage droop at full load zero power factor. LED which also indicates under speed running.
The generator must be stopped to reset an over
excitation condition.

PO Box 17 • Barnack Road • Stamford • Lincolnshire • PE9 2NB

© 2003 Newage International Limited. Tel: 00 44 (0)1780 484000 • Fax: 00 44 (0)1780 484100
Reprinted with permission of N.I. only. Website: www.newage-avkseg.com
Printed in England. TD_MX341.GB_05.03_02