Modeling and simulation of internal short circuit faults in large hydro generators with wave windings

Abstract

When an internal fault occurs in the wave-connected windings of salient-pole synchronous generators, the symmetry between the parallel windings is broken, and different currents flow in them since unsymmetrical magnetic linkage exists between the stator windings. The aim of this article is to present a model to investigate the internal fault currents in large hydro generators with wave windings. This model is based on a modified winding function approach, where the machine inductances are calculated directly from the machine winding distribution, and the space harmonics produced by them are also taken into account. By using the simulated internal fault data, suitable numerical protection schemes for hydro generators can be developed.