Power generation may have not been the same, if it wasn’t for brushless exciter, which is often used in hydro generators these days. However, when generators with brushes were already being used, why is it that the industry has decided to move to brushless excitation all of a sudden? To begin with, the latter lowers the maintenance costs; now, isn’t it undeniable that if there will be no brushes, no rings, and no sliding contacts, the need for maintenance can be eliminated with exemplary ease? Unfortunately, nothing of this sort can be done for the wound round motors, which may have a higher torque, but then, also command more maintenance.
Interestingly, if you avoid embracing the brushless exciter, you are likely to face one or more of these issues:
• Power generation can sometimes make you operate synchronous machines in hazardous environments; however, if brushes and collector rings are being used, you cannot operate the machines in such environments. Yes, there is a way out, but doesn’t it involve serious enclosure modifications? After all, operating the machines without achieving the requisite protection may not be your best bet.
• Furthermore, the control equipment cost can actually be a big concern especially when tens of kilowatts of direct current (DC) are involved. And of course, these kilowatts cannot be avoided as they are essential for the excitation of the field winding.
So, what all changes can brushless excitation bring?
• First of all, the changes would be only for good and the benefits which you may have reaped otherwise by using synchronous machines will continue to come your way. For example, high efficiency, which is often associated with synchronous machines, will remain enabled. What will actually change is that there will be no need for any type of additional bearings.
• Secondly, there will be a considerable reduction in the control equipment cost primarily because tens of kilowatts of DC are unlikely to be involved anymore.
Interestingly, if you avoid embracing the brushless exciter, you are likely to face one or more of these issues:
• Power generation can sometimes make you operate synchronous machines in hazardous environments; however, if brushes and collector rings are being used, you cannot operate the machines in such environments. Yes, there is a way out, but doesn’t it involve serious enclosure modifications? After all, operating the machines without achieving the requisite protection may not be your best bet.
• Furthermore, the control equipment cost can actually be a big concern especially when tens of kilowatts of direct current (DC) are involved. And of course, these kilowatts cannot be avoided as they are essential for the excitation of the field winding.
So, what all changes can brushless excitation bring?
• First of all, the changes would be only for good and the benefits which you may have reaped otherwise by using synchronous machines will continue to come your way. For example, high efficiency, which is often associated with synchronous machines, will remain enabled. What will actually change is that there will be no need for any type of additional bearings.
• Secondly, there will be a considerable reduction in the control equipment cost primarily because tens of kilowatts of DC are unlikely to be involved anymore.
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