G343 INDUSTRIAL ENGINE Caterpillar

Multiple Units

Usage:

STARTING - Units are started the same as single units. See page 5, steps 1 - 3.

Paralleling

Units may be paralleled at no load or paralleled with units under load. To parallel two or more units the following conditions must be met:

1. Same phase rotation.

2. Same voltage level.

3. Same voltage droop.

4. Same frequency.

5. Voltages must be in phase.

The first three conditions have been met in the parallel operation. See page 5.

1. Start the unit to be paralleled according to the procedure in the engine operation section.

2. Turn the synchronizer lights on.

3. After the engine has run long enough to warm up, bring it up to synchronous speed (the same frequency as the unit on the line). The synchronizing lights will begin to blink.

4. Using the governor control adjust the speed until the lights blink very slowly.

5. The lights are off when the voltages of the two units are in phase. At this point very quickly close the breaker while the lights are out.

NOTE: The frequency of the incoming unit should be slightly greater than the line frequency. This will allow the incoming unit to assume some of the load rather than add to the system load.

Circulating Currents

When two units are paralleled there will be circulating currents. These currents are not doing useful work, but are flowing between the generators. By determining the total generator amperage and subtracting the amperage going to the load, the amount of circulating current can be determined.

Circulating currents are caused by voltage differences between the two units. As the oncoming generator warms up the circulating current will be reduced.

In a cold unit, circulating current may be as high as 25% of rated amperes without being considered harmful. Circulating current is part of the total generator current which must not exceed the rated amperage.

Load Division

Once two units have been paralleled their share of the load is determined by the governor control setting. If two units of the same capacity and the same governor characteristics have the same governor control settings they will share the load equally.

To transfer the load from one engine to the other follow this procedure:

NOTE: The total load must not exceed the capacity of the engine, or the engine will be overloaded.

1. Increase the governor speed control of the unit to the high idle position to assume the load.

2. Reduce the governor speed control of the outgoing unit until the generator amperage is at a minimum. (The amperage may never be zero due to circulating currents.) At this point transfer the load.