×
INTELLIGENT WORK FORUMS
FOR ENGINEERING PROFESSIONALS

Log In

Come Join Us!

Are you an
Engineering professional?
Join Eng-Tips Forums!
  • Talk With Other Members
  • Be Notified Of Responses
    To Your Posts
  • Keyword Search
  • One-Click Access To Your
    Favorite Forums
  • Automated Signatures
    On Your Posts
  • Best Of All, It's Free!
  • Students Click Here

*Eng-Tips's functionality depends on members receiving e-mail. By joining you are opting in to receive e-mail.

Posting Guidelines

Promoting, selling, recruiting, coursework and thesis posting is forbidden.

Students Click Here

Jobs

Heaters for standby generator windings

Heaters for standby generator windings

Heaters for standby generator windings

(OP)
I am trying to find some information about winding heaters. I need to know if it is worthwhile installing some on a generator at work. I would appreciate it if someone could please point me in the right direction.

RE: Heaters for standby generator windings

A lot has to do with your area and the space the generator is in.  If you are in a dry area don't bother.  If you are in a humid area then you may well need heaters.

Keith Cress
Flamin Systems, Inc.- http://www.flaminsystems.com

RE: Heaters for standby generator windings

(OP)
Thank you. I live in the Cayman Islands and it really is humid. Could you direct me to some literature on this topic. Maybe some brochures etc. Once again thank you.

RE: Heaters for standby generator windings

As always its based as Keith Cress says:

Site knowlege

Cost benefit.... What rating is the set?  What does it support?  An office or your hospital's operating theater?

Heaters cost say $500 (ask your supplier)

Is this a worthwhile investment at this specific site to ensure that mosture does not cause a problem and result in a flashover in the alternator?

RE: Heaters for standby generator windings

It is a good idea. In the high humidity of the tropics condensation can form at almost any temperature when the temperature is rising.
A common installation is half voltage on the heater for dependability and long life. The heaters are placed low in the alternator and often heat the stator by convection rather than direct conduction.
For condensation protection forget the thermostat. Use a heater rated at twice the available voltage and leave it on. Use a relay to cut off the relay when the generator is running.
Search this site for more information.
respectfully

RE: Heaters for standby generator windings

Islands = Heaters

Usually you want to get the heater built into the generator to save the hassles.

Can you get a heater from the maker?  Then you know it will fit easily.

Keith Cress
Flamin Systems, Inc.- http://www.flaminsystems.com

RE: Heaters for standby generator windings

Space heaters for electrical machines is a good idea.

I normally use the formula - space heater wattage = 13DL where D&L are the diameter and length of rotor in cm.

I use two single phase heaters (one on each side of the core and below the end winding) connected in series.

This produces a wattage= 1/4th of the total of the two heaters wattage.

e.g. 2 nos. 200 V, 200 W heaters connected in series and supplied with 200 V, will produce 100 watts.

Connecting two heaters in series will ensure

1. least heater failure (because of reduced voltage and current)
2. No red-hot operation of the heaters (due to less watts/surface area)

Red Flag This Post

Please let us know here why this post is inappropriate. Reasons such as off-topic, duplicates, flames, illegal, vulgar, or students posting their homework.

Red Flag Submitted

Thank you for helping keep Eng-Tips Forums free from inappropriate posts.
The Eng-Tips staff will check this out and take appropriate action.

Reply To This Thread

Posting in the Eng-Tips forums is a member-only feature.

Click Here to join Eng-Tips and talk with other members!


Resources