2100INS324A

Reformatted, March 1999 with

Permission of Electric Machinery

GE Power Systems
Generator

Field Ground Detection System

Description D Installation D Operation
Adjustments D Maintenance
Renewal Parts Ordering Information

These instructions do not purport to cover all details or variations in equipment nor to provide for every possible
contingency to be met in connection with installation, operation or maintenance. Should further information be desired or
should particular problems arise which are not covered sufficiently for the purchasers purposes the matter should be
referred to the GE Company.
1999 GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY

2100INS324A

Field Ground Detection System

NOTICE
It is our sincere hope that this publication will help you to get your new
EM equipment unloaded, installed, and operating promptly and successfully. To insure future success, please read this manual carefully. Observe
all notes, cautions, and warnings.
Do not use this equipment for any purpose other than that for which it was
intended, nor operate it in excess of its rated capacity nor otherwise than
in accordance with the instructions contained in this manual.
This equipment, or a prototype, has been tested to prove satisfactory for
the conditions for which it was sold. Operation in excess of these conditions
may subject the equipment to stresses and strains which it was not designed to withstand.
Failure to heed this warning may, result in damage to the equipment or in
an accident causing personal injury.

Field Ground Detection System

2100INS324A
TABLE OF CONTENTS

I. INTRODUCTION AND DESCRIPTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

A. Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
B. Scope . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
C. General Description . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

4
4
4
4

II. INSTALLATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
A. General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
B. Inspection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
C. Mounting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

5
5
5
5

III. OPERATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
A. Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
B. Initial Startup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

5
5
6

IV. MAINTENANCE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
A. Field Testing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
B. Periodic Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

7
7
9

V. RENEWAL PARTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
A. Parts Ordering Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
B. Renewal Parts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 1.
Figure 2.
Figure 3.
Figure 4.
Figure 5.
Figure 6.
Figure 7.

Field Ground Detection System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Field Ground Detection System Schematic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Transmitter Schematic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
LED Ground Detector Sensitivity Curve . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Receiver Schematic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Relay Alarm Panel Schematic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Field Ground Detector Renewal Parts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

2100INS324A

Field Ground Detection System

I. INTRODUCTION AND DESCRIPTION

A. Introduction
This manual describes the field ground detection system designed by Electric Machinery Mfg. Company
for use with large, turbinedriven synchronous generators. This system detects a possible ground in the
generator field circuit when the generator is in operation and carrying load.
B. Scope
Individual sections of this manual cover: description, installation, operation, maintenance, and renewal
parts information.
C. General Description
The field ground detection system, pictured in Figure 1, consists of a rotormounted transmitter (unit A),
a stationary receiver (unit B) and a relay alarm panel (unit C).
A typical schematic of the complete system is shown in Figure 2. The transmitter uses solid state, light
emitting diodes which produce a highly visible source of light. When incorporated with a transistor circuit and assembled in the shaft of the brushless exciter field, the unit emits a visible ring of light that is
on for a normal condition and is off for an abnormal field condition. By using additional sensors,

Unit A. Rotormounted Transmitter

(Model used Depends on Diode Wheel Diameter)

Field Ground Detection System

2100INS324A

an automatic alarm will trip if the lightemitting diodes (LEDs) go off. The fact that the LEDs go out
for an abnormal condition makes the transmitter portion of the system failsafe, since the LEDs could
possible go out due to a circuit malfunction, a build up of dirt on the emitters, or an excessive leading
power factor load on the generator forcing exciter voltage below power supply limits on the transmitter.
Light information conveyed by the transmitter is sensed and interpreted by optical phototransistors in
the receiver. Loss of LED light to the receiving unit will actuate the ground relay unit. The ground relay
has an adjustable time delay to prevent false trips.
II. INSTALLATION
A. General
Refer to instruction manual 100INS200 for general information on receiving, care, and handling of
EM equipment.
B. Inspection
Upon receipt of the equipment, the components of the field ground detection system should be examined
for obvious indications of damage. Check for loosely mounted components, broken or loose leadwires,
and other visual evidence of deficiency.
C. Mounting
The rotating transmitter is mounted between two fuses on the diode wheel of the brushless exciter. A
balance weight is mounted directly opposite the transmitter on the diode wheel.
The stationary receiver is mounted on the housing of the brushless exciter in place of the access cover.
It uses the same clip arrangement as the access cover to facilitate installation.
The stationary receiver should be spaced 3/8 to 1/2 from the rotating transmitter, and the maximum axial displacement limited to 1 inch.
III. OPERATION
A. Operation
As seen by the transmitter schematic in Figure 3, the transmitter requires an isolated power supply
through T1. The source of power is the ac brushless exciter system. Two leads are connected to the diode
bridge circuit of the rotating rectifier to provide this power. The black lead of the transmitter is attached
to the negative bus of the field rectifier, and the white ground lead is attached directly to the shaft. This
connection puts the field rectifier in series with the voltage of rectifier X1 in the transmitter which includes the base of circuit Q2. Base current in Q2 is determined by the field ground resistance and the
location of a fault with respect to the positive and negative bus.
With a high field ground resistance and no fault, there is no Q2 base current, Q2 is off and Q1 is saturated
keeping the LEDs on. If base current flows in Q2 due to a low resistance path external to the transmitter,
transistor Q1 and the LEDs are turned off, indicating the presence of a possible ground fault.
The receiving unit, using infrared phototransistors, senses the passing pulse of infrared energy. The pulse
period is on the order of 0.05 millisecond each revolution for an 11inch radius at 3600 rpm. The period

2100INS324A

Field Ground Detection System

Unit C Relay alarm panel

Figure 1. Field Ground Detection System

is lengthened in the receiver by a monostable flipflop to provide sufficient signal to the ground relay
alarm panel.
The ground relay unit, mounted at the control center, requires single phase, 120V ac input power. The
ground relay output contacts are normally open and rated at 240 volts, 10 amps. The alarm delay is set
at 10 seconds. For detailed instructions on the timing relay, see EM instruction sheet 6200INS319.
B. Initial Startup
Before the initial startup of the generator, normal precautions should be taken to make sure connections
to the rotating apparatus and system components are secure.
Since the power supply voltage of the transmitter is designed to operate from 0.4 per unit to 6.5 per unit,
based on noload exciter voltage, the resistance sensitivity curve (Figure 4) should be consulted. The
lower exciter voltage threshold of 0.4 per unit means the LEDs can go out due to an abnormal underexcited transient condition which is taken care of by a time delay in the ground relay. If the underexcitation
is considered normal, steps are then necessary to override the alarm.

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2100INS324A

With a ground on the negative bus, the pickup point is determined by the internal voltage of the transmitter, independent of field voltage. With a ground on the positive bus, the pickup point is related to the
exciter voltage since it adds to the transmitter voltage.
IV. MAINTENANCE
A. Field Testing
1. Transmitter
The rotating transmitter, mounted and wired on the diode wheel, can be subjected to two field tests.
a. Circuit Test
Connect the positive (+) lead of a 12V dc supply to the transmitter test point, a short red or
orange lead. Connect the negative () lead of the test voltage to the rotor ground. Two red lights
should appear. If the machine field terminals or the black lead is shorted to ground or to the white
lead, the lights will go out. Refer to transmitter schematic, Figure 3.

Brushless Excitation System

Ac Generator
+

Exciter
Field

Mounted on
Diode Wheel

AC

AC

Rotating
Transmitter
(Unit A)

Stationary
Receiver
(Unit B)

Rotates at
Shaft Speed

Generator
Junction Box
Relay Alarm Panel
(Mounted at Control Center)
(Unit C)

18AWG450V
Shield

18AWG600V
Single Phase
120 Vac
Power Supply
Input

N.O. Output
Contacts Rated
240 Volts,
10 Amps ac

Figure 2. Field Ground Detection System Schematic

2100INS324A

Field Ground Detection System

Generator Field
+
Brushless Exciter
Yellow

R1

Yellow
X1

T1
Black

Orange

PRI.

R5

R3

R6

Z1

Q1

Q2
D1

Z2
R2
Leds

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8

R4

C1

White

Figure 3. Transmitter Schematic

Resistance to
Ground

6.5
6.0
Per Unit
Exciter 3.0
Volts

Ground on
Negative Bus

Ground on
Positive Bus

1.0
0.4

Threshold
0

1k

10k

100k

1M

Figure 4. LED Ground Detector Sensitivity Curve

b. Megger Test
This test is limited to a maximum of 500V dc. The recommended megger is a James Biddle,
Series 1, 500V dc model. Attach the earth lead (+) to the field of the generator. The line lead

Field Ground Detection System

2100INS324A

is connected to the ground of the rotor. If these leads are reversed, the megger will show 10000
ohm to ground. If the megger is connected properly, it should read about 250 megohms at 25
C or a value equal to the resistance to ground of the rotating system.
2. Receiver
The stationary receiver, mounted on the housing of the exciter enclosure, can be tested either In
System or Bench Checked.
a. InSystem
During field testing, refer to Figure 5 the receiver schematic.
The chart below shows the test points and normal or fault conditions.

Pin A + B
120V
YES
Normal Condition

Fault Condition

Fault Condition

NO

Transmitter
LED Emission

Pin C and D*
+ on Pin C
Normal 0.7V

YES

YES

NO

YES

X
X

NO

Alarm
NO
X

*InSystem, the load on pin C and D is the base to the emitter of Q2 in the alarm panel.

b. Bench Check
1. Apply 120V ac to Pin A + B.
2. Connect a Triplett Analyzer to pins C and D (+ to pin C).
3. Aim the phototransistors in the receiver at a fluorescent lamp. Output voltage across
C and D will rise to approximately 9 volts, with no other load on C and D.
Another method is to flick a flashlight in front of the phototransistors. A pulsing of output will
appear.
3. Relay Alarm Panel
The relay arm panel can be tested either InSystem or BenchChecked. The procedures and normal
or fault conditions for both tests are the same.
Refer to Figure 6, the relay alarm panel schematic, when performing field tests.
InSystem or Bench Check:
(see Chart A)
B. Periodic Maintenance
Whenever maintenance or cleaning is performed on the exciter, the LEDs on the transmitter should be
inspected for dirt build up. In addition, all lead wires should be in good condition and tightly fastened.

2100INS324A

Field Ground Detection System

CHART A
Terminals 3 & 2
+ 0.7V dc
to Terminal 3

Terminals 4 & 5
120V ac
YES
Normal Condition

Fault Condition

NO

YES

Alarm *

NO

YES

NO

Fault Condition

Fault Condition

X
X

*With no power to terminals 4 and 5, the Agastat Relay Contact should be open.

D31

+
D11
C1

R25

T1

D21

+
C2

D41
SEC

PRI

R26

B
R27

Z1

R18 R19
3
R3

R8

R12

R13
C5
C4

R2

R7

C3
R11

Q1

Q2

7
+
C6
IC1

D2

R20 R
22

D3

C8
R14

D4
C

D1

Q3
Q4

Z3

R23

R24

Q5
C7

Z2
R1

R4

R5

R6

R9

R10

R15

R
16

R17

R21
D
E

Figure 5. Receiver Schematic

V. RENEWAL PARTS
A. Parts Ordering Information
When ordering spare or replacement parts, always include the name of the part and the part number as
given on the parts list, the number of parts required, and the serial number of the generator.

10

Field Ground Detection System

2100INS324A

B. Renewal Parts
ITEM

NOMENCLATURE

PART NO.

Transmitter*

375C735G01
375C992G01

Receiver Assembly

375C800G01

Transformer

368B890G01

Resistor

800A180F15

P.C. Board

375C777G01

Alarm Panel

368B940G01

Time Relay

800A939F17

Transformer

368B892G01

P.C. Board

375C838G01

Wire Harness

368B900G01

*When ordering a transmitter, the serial number of the generator must be given.
TB
8
1
TIR

TIR

TB

1
D5

TB
5

D2
X1

H2

R1

Q1

7
6
D1

TB
4

D3

Q2

D4

3
R2

X2

H1

TB

TB

T1

Printed Circuit Board

Figure 6. Relay Alarm Panel Schematic

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2100INS324A

Field Ground Detection System

Figure 7. Field Ground Detector Renewal Parts

12

Field Ground Detection System

2100INS324A

Pioneering Progess in Design, Application and Maintenance of Electrical Equipment

EM EXPERIENCE
EM has extensive experience in the design, application and maintenance of electrical power apparatus. Our
experience extends to all industries and virtually all areas where motors and generators are in use. From tropical regions to the tundra, from plains to mountains, from deserts to steamy jungles, EM has literally hundreds
of successful motor, generator and variable speed installations. We know how these different environments
affect the operation of electrical equipment. And we know how to meet your needs for installation and maintenance after youve purchased the equipment. Weve been providing service with skill and integrity for over
threequarters of a century and we plan to continue.

13

GE Power Systems
General Electric Company
One River Road, Schenectady, NY 12345
518 385 2211 TX: 145354