Nidec R250 Automatic Voltage Regulator Installation Guide

June 3, 2024
Nidec

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Nidec R250 Automatic Voltage Regulator

This manual concerns the alternator AVR which you have just purchased. We wish to draw your attention to the contents of this maintenance manual.

SAFETY MEASURES

Before using your machine for the first time, it is important to read the whole of this installation and maintenance manual. All necessary operations and interventions on this machine must be performed by a qualified technician. Our technical support service will be pleased to provide any additional information you may require.

The various operations described in this manual are accompanied by recommendations or symbols to alert the user to potential risks of accidents. It is vital that you understand and take notice of the following warning symbols.

WARNING

  • Warning symbol for an operation capable of damaging or destroying the machine or surrounding equipment.
  • Warning symbol for general danger to personnel.
  • Warning symbol for electrical danger to personnel.

All servicing or repair operations performed on the AVR should be undertaken by personnel trained in the commissioning, servicing, and maintenance of electrical and mechanical components. When the generator is driven at a frequency below 28 Hz for more than 30 seconds with an analogue AVR, its AC power supply must be disconnected.

WARNING
This AVR can be incorporated in an EC-marked machine.

This manual is to be given to the end user.
© 2022 Moteurs Leroy-Somer SAS
Share Capital: 38,679,664 €, RCS Angoulême 338 567 258.

We reserve the right to modify the characteristics of this product at any time in order to incorporate the latest technological developments. The information contained in this document may therefore be changed without notice. This document may not be reproduced in any form without prior authorization. All brands and models have been registered and patents applied for.

The R250 is an IP00 product. It must be installed inside a unit so that this unit’s cover can provide IP20 minimum total protection (it must only be installed on our alternators in the appropriate location so that when viewed externally, it has a higher degree of protection than IP20).

SUPPLY

SHUNT excitation system
The alternator with Shunt excitation is self-excited with an R250 voltage regulator.

The regulator monitors the exciter excitation current as a function of the alternator output voltage. Very simple in design, the alternator with shunt excitation has no sustaining short-circuit capacity.Nidec-R250-Automatic-
Voltage-Regulator-fig- \(1\)

R250 AVR

Characteristics
  • Storage: -55°C; +85°C
  • Operation: -40°C; +70°C
  • Voltage regulation: around ± 0,5 %
  • Supply range/voltage detection 85 to 139V (50/60Hz).
  • Rapid response time (500 ms) for a transient voltage variation amplitude of ± 20 %.
  • Voltage setting P1
  • Stability setting P2
  • Power supply protected by 8 A fuse, replacement product: Ferraz-Shawmut T084013T fast-blow fuse, 8 A FA 250 V, breaking capacity 30 kA.

U/F function and LAM
The threshold position (50 Hz – 60 Hz) to action the U/F function as well as the LAM setting type is selected using the potentiometer.

WARNING:
The jumper settings must correspond to the rated operating frequency (see the nameplate on the alternator).

Risk of destruction for the alternator.

The threshold position and LAM function settings are done with the jumper.

Operating at 50 Hz: (U/F gradient)

  1. threshold at 48 Hz without LAM for impacts between 30 and 40% of the rated load.

  2. threshold at 48 Hz with LAM 13% for impacts between 40 and 70% of the rated load.

  3. threshold at 48 Hz with LAM 25% for impacts > 70% of the rated load.
    Operating at 60 Hz: (U/F gradient)

  4. threshold at 58 Hz without LAM for impacts between 30 and 40% of the rated load.

  5. threshold at 58Hz with LAM 13% for impacts 40 and 70% of the rated load.

  6. threshold at 58Hz with LAM 25% for impacts > 70% of the rated load.
    Specific operating

  7. threshold at 57Hz without LAM for speed variations at a steady state > 2 Hz

  8. threshold at 65Hz without LAM for variable speed and tractelec/gearlec (U/F gradient).

  9. special: the factory setting 48Hz 2U/F gradient; a special program is possible on request. This program must be specified before ordering, during the project study.

  10. threshold at 47.5 Hz without LAM for speed variations at a steady state > 2 Hz.

For hydraulic applications, it is advisable to select:

  • position 0 for 50 Hz
  • position 3 for 60 Hz

AVR options
Potentiometer for remote voltage adjustment, 1000 Ω / 0.5 W min: adjustment range ± 5%.

  • Remove the ST4 jumper.

For wiring up the external potentiometer; the “earth” wires must be isolated as well as the potentiometer terminals (wires at the same voltage as the power).

LAM characteristics (Load Acceptance Module)

Voltage drop
The LAM system is integrated in the AVR It is active as standard. It can be adjusted to 13% or 25%.

Role of the «LAM» (Load Adjustment Module):
On application of a load, the rotation speed of the generator set decreases. When it passes below the preset frequency threshold, the LAM causes the voltage to drop by approximately 13% or 25% and consequently the amount of active load applied is reduced by approximately 25% to 50%, until the speed reaches its rated value again. Hence the “LAM” can be used either to reduce the speed variation (frequency) and its duration for a given applied load, or to increase the applied load possible for one-speed variation (turbo-charged engines). To avoid voltage oscillations, the trip threshold for the “LAM” function should be set approximately 2 Hz below the lowest frequency in the steady state.

It is advised to use the “LAM” at 25% for load impacts > at 70% of the Genset- rated power.

Gradual voltage return function During load impacts, the function helps the genset to return to its rated speed faster thanks to a gradual increase in voltage according to the following principles:

  • if the speed drops between 46Hz and 50Hz, the rated voltage follows a fast gradient as it is restored.
  • if the speed drops below 46 Hz, since the engine needs more help, the voltage follows a slow gradient as it returns to the reference value.

Typical effects of the LAM with a diesel engine or without a LAM (U/F only)

Voltage

Frequency

Power

INSTALLATION-COMMISSIONING

Electrical checks on the AVR

  • Check that all connections have been made properly as shown in the attached wiring diagram.
  • Check that the position of the jumper corresponds to the operating frequency.
  • Check whether the ST4 jumper or the remote adjustment potentiometer have been connected.

Settings
The different settings made during the trial are to be done by qualified personnel. Respecting the load speed specified on the nameplate is vital in order to start a settings procedure. After operational testing, replace all access panels or covers.

The only possible settings on the machine are to be done with the AVR.

R250 settings (SHUNT system)
Initial potentiometer positions

  • voltage setting potentiometer P1 for the AVR: full left
  • remote voltage setting potentiometer: in the middle.

Operate the alternator at its rated speed: if the voltage does not rise it is necessary to re-magnetise the magnetic circuit.

  • slowly adjust the voltage potentiometer of the AVR P1 until the output voltage reaches its rated value.
  • Stability setting with P2.

Special type of use

Warning
Excitation circuit E+, E- must not be left open when the machine is running: AVR damage will occur.

R250 field weakening (SHUNT)

The exciter is switched off by disconnecting the AVR power supply (1 wire – 0 or 110V). Contact rating: 16A – 250V AC. Do not reclose the power supply until the voltage has reached a value ≤15% of the rated voltage (approximately 5 seconds after opening).

R250 field forcing

  • Battery must be isolated from the earth.
  • Exciter field may be at line potential.
Electrical faults
Fault Action Effect Check/Cause



No voltage at no load on start-up

| ****



Connect a new battery of 4 to 12 volts to terminals E- and E+, respecting the polarity, for 2 to 3 seconds

| The alternator builds up and its voltage is still correct when the battery is removed| ****

– Lack of residual magnetism

The alternator builds up but its voltage does not reach the rated value when the battery is removed| – Check the connection of the voltage

reference to the AVR

– Faulty diodes

– Armature short-circuit

The alternator builds up but its voltage disappears when the battery is removed| – Faulty AVR

– Field windings disconnected

– Main field winding open circuit

– Check the resistance




Voltage too low

| ****




Check the drive speed

| ****


Correct speed

| Check the AVR connections (AVR may be faulty)

– Field windings short-circuited

– Rotating diodes burnt out

– Main field winding short-circuited

– Check the resistance


Speed too low

| Increase the drive speed

(Do not touch the AVR voltage pot. (P1) before running at the correct speed)

Voltage too high| Adjust AVR voltage

potentiometer

| Adjustment ineffective| – Faulty AVR

– 1 faulty diode



Voltage oscillations

| ****


Adjust AVR stability

potentiometer

|  | – Check the speed : possibility of cyclic irregularity

– Loose connections

– Faulty AVR

– Speed too low when on load (or U/F bend set too high)


Voltage correct at no load and too low when on load (*)

| ****

Run at no load and check the voltage between E+ and E- on the AVR

|  | – Check the speed (or U/F bend set too high)
– Faulty rotating diodes

– Short-circuit in the main field

– Check the resistance

– Faulty exciter armature

*() Caution :** For single-phase operation, check that the sensing wires coming from the AVR are correctly connected to

the operating terminals.

Voltage disappears during operation| Check the AVR, the surge suppressor, the rotating diodes and replace any defective components| ****

The voltage does not return to the rated value

| – Exciter winding open circuit

– Faulty exciter armature

– Faulty AVR

– Main field open circuit or short-circuited

SPARE PARTS

Designation
Description Type Code
AVR R250 AEM 110 RE 019

Technical support service
Our technical support service will be pleased to provide any additional information you may require.

For all spare parts orders or technical support requests, send your request to service.epg@leroy-somer.com or your nearest contact, whom you will find at www.lrsm.co/support indicating the type and the code number of the AVR. To ensure that our products operate correctly and safely, we recommend the use of original manufacturer spare parts. In the event of failure to comply with this advice, the manufacturer cannot be held responsible for any damage.

Disposal and recycling instructions
We are committed to limiting the environmental impact of our activity. We continuously monitor our production processes, material sourcing, and product design to improve recyclability and minimize our environmental footprint. These instructions are for information purposes only. It is the user’s responsibility to comply with local legislation regarding product disposal and recycling.

Waste & hazardous materials
The following components and materials require special treatment and must be separated from the alternator before the recycling process:

  • electronic materials found in the terminal box, including the automatic voltage regulator (198), current transformers (176), interference suppression module and other semiconductors.
  • diode bridge (343) and surge suppressor (347), found on the alternator rotor.
  • major plastic components, such as the terminal box structure on some products. These components are usually marked with information concerning the type of plastic.

All materials listed above need special treatment to separate waste from reclaimable materials and should be entrusted to specialist recycling companies.

Service & Support
Our worldwide service network of over 80 facilities is at your service. This local presence is our guarantee for fast and efficient repair, support and maintenance services. Trust your alternator maintenance and support to electric power generation experts. Our field personnel are 100% qualified and fully trained to operate in all environments and on all machine types.

We have a deep understanding of alternator operation, providing the best value service to optimise your cost of ownership.

Where we can help:

Nidec-R250-Automatic-Voltage-Regulator-fig- \(10\)

Contact us:
Americas: +1 (507) 625 4011
Europe & rest of the world: +33 238 609 908 Asia Pacific: +65 6250 8488
China: +86 591 88373036
India: +91 806 726 4867
service.epg@leroy-somer.com.

Scan the code or go to: www.lrsm.co/support.

Linkedin.com/company/leroy-somer. Twitter.com/Leroy_Somer_en. Facebook.com/LeroySomer.Nidec.en. YouTube.com/LeroySomerOfficiel.

References

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