Generator magnetic center offset.

Hi, my query is regarding assembly of power plant generators. I wish to know details of problems associated with leaving the magnetic center offset i.e. the offset between the stator and rotor on the higher side or more than design value. Also how is this design value decided upon? 2 months ago

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PhaniUnfollow Follow Phani Phani Kiran I mean the offset between the center lines of stator and rotor. 2 months ago Unlike Like

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BrianUnfollow Follow Brian

Brian Hulse There are a couple of issues here, and I'm not entirely sure I'll be addressing your question, but I'll try to cover what I can. The magnetic centering of the rotor is buried in the generator design calculations. Rotor speed, stator flux density, mass, specified bearing dimensions, specified oil and many other details play into the magnetic centering of the rotor. This is not usually a concern in the O&M field, because about the only time it's affected is when a bearing is worked or the rotor is pulled and replaced. Most O&M companies or third-party vendors try to get everything back into place as closely as possible to it's "as-found" condition to avoid positional issues. If there is a problem, it is usually an out-of-level scenario, where one end is high. The problem can present as excessive vibration, high thrust bearing temps or damage, arc flashing and corona damage to end-turn insulation, uneven stator winding temps, noticeable positional anomalies at known points (brushes tracking differently, vibration prox probes sitting at different penetration depths, etc.), or alignment/coupling problems. During construction, most O&M groups want to do a sign-off on the bearing covers before they're set for the final time, and the end covers as well. The person doing this sign-off is usually an acceptance specialist - perhaps an EE - and will be checking both the mechanical and electrical aspects of the machine. Both rotor gaps and bearing clearances would be looked a closely at this time. I hope some of this helps. 2 months ago Unlike Like

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MichaelUnfollow Follow Michael Michael Kurbesov What type of generator? How many poles? 2 months ago Unlike Like

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JaswantUnfollow Follow Jaswant Jaswant Grover I think Brian has summed up the issue in very simple way , in most of the generators due to constructional features there is normally no such problem in O&M. 2 months ago Unlike Like

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ManishUnfollow Follow Manish Manish Shastri One need to be sure as after every 48K, during generator overhauling, rotor is pulled out. 2 months ago Unlike Like

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JaswantUnfollow Follow Jaswant Jaswant Grover Normally bearing positon does not get changed, after completion of overhauling works ,since all the measurements are verified prior to &after o/h 2 months ago Unlike Like

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PrakashUnfollow Follow Prakash Prakash Surana Magnetic centre off set would result in harmonic curren flow in stator and rotor winding resulting in additional heating. It will also increase eddy curren flow in generato rotor shaft and result in pittings on the bearings if the current is allowed to circulate (improper insulation of generator NDE bearing). This will also result in increased vibrations due to un-even magnatic pull. These will happen only if the off-centre is significant. 2 months ago Unlike Like

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SuperUnfollow Follow Super Super Dave Rettke The stator will move due to magnetic charges in operation. Usually the OEM has designed and allowed for this movement. The unit as mentioned above by Jaswant, normally has the bearings and thus the location of the rotor is pretty much set as far as the magnetic center is concerned. Changes in the magnetic center can create vibration issues due to end windings and other electrical parts trying to 'relocate' to a better place inside the unit...but they are fixed in position. 2 months ago Unlike Like

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JamesUnfollow Follow James James Clark Magnetic "off set" is also referred to as "cold set". It's a purely axial data point. That is, the cold, axial position of the prime mover (Gas or Steam Turbine) and the connected generator field is in one position. As the prime mover warms up, it then "pushes" or moves the generator field INTO it's final, axial, magnetic center relative to the generator stator. Being out of tolerance of the cold set value is not a huge deal, but if significant, can lead to a) additional axial load on the thrust bearing (the magnitude of which is dependant upon the unit rating, excitation levels, etc.). If way out of tolerance, when the unit warms up, it could, theoretically, push the rotating generator field into stationary components (never heard of that ever happening, though). As others have posted, the source of this data point is in the design and construction of the ENTIRE power train (prime mover AND generator). It is based upon the thermal expansion properties of the train, and the relative location of the train's "fixity point" (ie - thrust bearing, etc.). So it's important to know, if ever replacing a generator stator and/or field, that the cold set value is understood for the prime mover.