In case the power transmission and distribution the transformer plays a major role, so the transformer protection is really important. The operation of the transformer takes place day and night, so during the operation, there is a chance that the load on the transformer could be increased more than the transformer rating. So during this time the transformer will be overloaded and overheated and this could affect the insulation and thus there would be an interruption of the power supply. So in order to avoid this, the transformer can be connected to another transformer which is called a paralleling of the transformers and during this, the transformer would share the load. Load sharing is the process in which the active and reactive power will be equally shared.
What is automatic load sharing?
The automated load share system is inevitable in many industries, where power is really important to do the industrial process. The major part of an automated load share system would be a microcontroller, load sharing relay, load sensor, etc. So in case if there is any overload in a system then the load sensor would detect it and the signal processor would transfer this signal and the microprocessor would sense the load. The load sharing relay would distribute the load.
How load sharing is done in a transformer?
Automatic load sharing of transformer
The secondary of both the transformer will be connected to the load directly, one of the transformers is connected to a sensor circuit and this transformer will be the main transformer. So in case if there is an over-voltage then the sensor would detect it and the secondary transformer or the slave transformer will be connected to the main transformer very quickly and the load will be shared. In order to do the transformer paralleling the ratings of the transformer must be the same, so both these transformers are connected parallel with the help of the relay.
Advantages of transformer load sharing
- Continuity of power
- Less transformer loss
- The transformer will be protected from overload
- Accidents can be prevented
- There won’t be any circuitry damage
How load sharing is done in a generator?
The load sharing of the generator is pretty much the same as in the case of the transformer, a load sharing relay is used. The load-sharing relay will be placed in the generator feeder. So by this, the power created by the generator can be determined and this value will be compared with a predetermined value. So if the relay measures the power which is above the set value then the relay would provide a decrease pulse to the governor. In case if the measured power is below the set value then the relay would give an increased pulse to the governor.
If the generator needs to be operated properly while the generator paralleling then the active power and the reactive power of the load should be shared equally. If not there could be power factor problems.
Why synchronizing is important for load sharing?
The load sharing would only be started after the synchronizing, there won’t be any load sharing during the synchronizing process. During synchronizing the magnitude of the voltage will equalize, equalizing both the voltage phase and also the frequencies will be made equal. So in case if a generator is connected to a system or to another generator this will be done. So after this process, the load sharing process will be started.
What are the advantages of load sharing?
- Load sharing would protect the transformer and system from destroying or malfunctioning
- Over-heating of the equipment can be prevented
- Good sensitivity
- Reliability
- We can prevent overload and stability problems
What are the applications of load sharing?
- Power generation and distribution system
- Process industry
- Uninterrupted power supply
- Transformer protection
