Frequency Measurement using Magnetostrictive Amorphous Wire (MAW) Sensor and Investigation of Electrical Parameter Variations on a Micro Hydro Power Plant (MHPP) under Various Consumer Load Conditions
Keywords:
Magnetostrictive Amorphous Wire Sensor, Micro Hydro Power Plant, Microcontroller, Synchronous generatorAbstract
This paper presents frequency measurement of Micro Hydro Power Plant (MHPP)generator using Magnetostrictive Amorphous Wire (MAW) sensor and investigation of the variations of various electrical parameters under various consumer loads.The purpose of the study is to
determine how the electrical parameters such as frequency, power, current and voltage of a balanced 3-phase synchronous generator
for a MHPP varies under a purely resistive balanced load. In essence, the operation of the frequency sensor is based on Large Barkhausen Jump (LBJ) which refers to the sudden reversal or change of magnetization when the magnetic flux reverses. Due to LBJ, MAW generates very sharp and stable voltage spikes which are induced in a pickup coil wound around the MAW. The frequency measured is basically the number of voltage spikes recorded per second. The other parameters are measured with a 3- phase meter.It is observed that as the consumer load decreases in a typical MHPP, there is a corresponding increase in frequency and voltage, and a decreasein current as the power factor remains unity for a purely resistive balanced 3-phase loads. The results from this study clearly show the necessity of an Electronic Load Controller
(ELC) to divert excess load to a damper load when the consumer load varies in a MHPP. This will avert the problems encountered in a MHPP such as damaging of the generator due to overheating of the windings and dimming of light due to frequency variation which directly affects the system voltage and current and the consequent damage to electrical appliances connected to the load.
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Copyright (c) 2022 R. A. Ofosu, J. N. Nderu, K. K. Kaberere, S. I. Kamau

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