Mains Decoupling

DSE5500 series controllers include Mains decoupling detection that is configured using the PC
configuration software.
This is intended to be used with generating sets paralleling with the mains (utility) supply.
When the generator set is in parallel with the mains supply it is important that failure of the mains is detected as soon
as possible otherwise problems will arise. It is not possible to simply monitor the mains voltage and frequency as the
sensing of this is now being fed by the generator itself!

For example. A generator is in parallel with the mains supply. In the UK the mains supply has automatic reclosers on
the supply line. Should a network fault occur (such as power surge due to a lightning storm), the reclosers will open,
removing the supply to the consumers. The generator drifts randomly so it is now out of phase with the grid supply. A
short time later, the recloser automatically operates, resupplying mains power to the load. In all likelihood, the
generator and mains supply are no longer in phase, causing an out of sync situation that could cause damage to the
generator and other equipment.

Because of this and other possible dangerous situations, the power supply companies impose regulations when
generators are in parallel. This is to detect mains failure during parallel operation and to remove the generator from
the grid in this situation. In the UK a common regulation requirement is G59. Other countries have different names for
these regulations.

Cause
o

Many situations can cause mains failure when in parallel including the lightning scenario detailed above.
Whatever causes the mains failure is not important, the effects are the same.

Effect
o

o
o

The generator feeds the site load and attempts to feed the load of the grid. Depending upon the generator
size and the location of the network fault, this will cause problems to the generator in terms of capacity
and stability.
If the generator is able to supply the load, Engineers working on the supposedly dead network would be in
fact working on live cables, supplied by the generator set. This is potentially fatal.
Should the mains supply be reconnected when the generator is still connected to the grid, the network
would be connected to a generator not synchronised with it, with damaging results (mechanical failure,
rotating diode failure, overloaded cables, pole slip etc)

056-021 Mains Decoupling Issue 1 ADM

 Detection
o

Depending upon the application of the parallel running generator, it may be possible to detect mains
failure when in parallel by sensing generator voltage and frequency changes. As the mains supply is
typically more stable than a generator, changes of this nature are usually associated with an islanded
generator, not a generator in parallel with a mains supply. However if the generator set is lightly loaded,
looking for changes of this nature is not sufficient.
Accepted methods for detection of loss of mains during parallel operation Rate Of Change Of Frequency
(R.O.C.O.F) and Vector Shift. For some applications, under/over voltage and under/over frequency is
required instead or as well as R.O.C.O.F / Vector Shift. All these are included in the DSE5500 series
controllers.
Under/Over voltage and Under/Over frequency detection relies on the premise that the generator
voltage/frequency will drift more when not in parallel, than it does when it is in parallel with the mains
supply. This may not be true if the generator is only lightly loaded upon the failure of the mains
supply.

Vector Shift detection measures the length of each cycle of the voltage wave. When the mains fails in
parallel with the generator, the sudden change in load creates a change in the length of the cycle
length.
R.O.C.O.F. detection senses sudden, fast changes in the frequency of the waveform. During the
failure of the mains supply when in parallel with the generator, the frequency will change faster than is
usual by either the on load generator, or by the mains supply.
If loss of mains during parallel is detected, regulations require that the generator is removed from the grid.
However most countrys regulations do not state whether it should be the mains or the generator load
switch that is opened.
If the generator is capable of supplying the whole site load, it is desirable to open the mains load
switch, leaving the generator supplying the load.
If the generator is a smaller capacity than the load requirements (for instance the generator is merely
supplementing the mains supply) then the generator load switch should be opened to prevent over
load of the generator.
Either of these two scenarios will result in the generator being removed from the grid and are selectable
within the DSE5500 series controllers.
As the DSE Mains Decoupling features are integrated into the generator controller, they are automatically
enabled when the generator is paralleled with the mains supply and disabled when not in parallel.

Typical settings

Auxiliary mains fail Open mains

load switch, leave the generator on
load.
Electrical Trip open the generator
load switch, remove power to the load

Typical settings screenshot taken from DSE 5xxx for Windows Configuration Software
Further details of configuration can be found in the relevant PC software manuals.

056-021 Mains Decoupling Issue 1 ADM