GE Energy
Digital Energy
Zenith Energy Commander
Paralleling Switchgear
PB-2102 • Page 2
Paralleling Switchgear (PSG)
Paralleling is an operation in which multiple power
sources, usually two or more generator sets, are
connected and synchronized to a common bus
(same parameters in regards to frequency, phase
angle, etc.).
Why Parallel?
There are several advantages to be realized when
employing paralleling switchgear in an electrical
design such as increased reliability, flexibility, ease of
uninterruptible maintenance and application/operation
cost savings. It is because of these advantages that
paralleling switchgear has become one of the best
choices for meeting today’s power requirements.
Why GE Zenith Energy Commander?
GE’s Zenith Energy Commander has been providing
customer facilities with reliable power switching systems
for many years and continues its excellence today.
Since the inception of paralleling switchgear, many
successful Energy Commander installations have
been supplied with a focus on providing reliability.
GE’s Zenith Energy Commander has become the
leader in supplying solutions to simple and very
complex systems due to its design flexibility.
GE’s Zenith Energy Commander has evolved and
adapted to the changing technologies in engine
generator design, switchgear controls and monitoring
systems. It reflects GE’s continuing commitment to
reliable solutions for critical power applications.
Uptime
Systems in which part of the load is very critical may
be best served by paralleling one or more generator
sets. Under parallel operation all the generator sets
are started at once. The first set to reach the proper
parameters will assume the most critical portion of
the load, with the remaining sets picking up lower
priority loads. In addition, by using a load shedding
application, the failure of one generator set will not
interrupt power to the critical loads, as less important
loads can be dropped off the line.
Flexibility
Paralleling power sources allows for a wide variety
of choices in the generation, distribution and utilization
of the system’s power.
Capital Cost Savings
Savings can be realized on the application when a
number of smaller generator sets would be less
expensive than one large set or when the load
makes it impractical to divide into several sections,
each with it’s own generator.
Operational Cost Savings
Savings can also occur on the operation side when
generator set life is extended from being used only
when needed to support the load. Also, when it is
anticipated that the load will grow significantly in the
future, the capital investment can be reduced by
starting with small sets and paralleling additional
units as load increases dictate.
Uninterruptible Maintenance
When one engine - generator set is out of service for
maintenance or repair, having others synchronized
on the same bus can provide the needed back-up
power, should an outage occur.
PB-2102 • Page 4
System Reliability
GE’s Zenith Energy Commander Paralleling Switchgear
product has several hardwired features which ensures
trouble-free operation and maximum reliability.
Annunciator panels, load control switches and meters
are all hardwired components. Upon the unlikely failure
of the master control, a back-up engine start operation
is hardwired into the system. Also the programmable
logic controller (PLC) which runs automatic operations
is backed up with a true hardwired manual control.
Finally, as a leader of paralleling switchgear technology,
Zenith Energy Commander has an extensive array of
successful, trouble-free installations around the globe.
The breadth of experience and system complexity all
make Zenith Energy Commander second to none in
the industry.
Outside
1 GE Multilin
Protective Relays
2 Annunciator Boxes
3 Metering
4 GE Fanuc Operator
Interface Panel
5 Control Switches &
Breaker Status
Indicators
GE Power Breakers
6 Utility
7 Feeder
8 Generator Main
9 Generator
Inside
1 Engine Generator Controller
2 GE Fanuc Programmable
Logic Controller
3 Wire Hiding Raceways,
Relays, Terminal Blocks
and Power Supply
1
System Benefits
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
2
3
1
Page 5 • PB-2102
Ease of Use & Operations
A Master HMI panel can be useful to paralleling
switchgear systems for user access and monitoring.
The key control and monitoring functions in these
systems include metering, annunciation, controlling
breakers and engine generators in automatic operations,
as well as manual.
This monitoring and control should be carefully considered
when selecting which type of
HMI is best suited for the
operator and his facility. The greatest reliability in monitoring
and control functions is realized with hardwired analog
meters, switches and annunciation indicators, with
very limited
HMI access needs by the operator.
In some cases, critical facilities may be suitable for
additional system monitoring, trouble-shooting and
remote access ability. Operators in this case will require
a more advanced Master
HMI in addition to the system
hardwired meters, switches and annunciation. The
Energy Commander
ACS “Advanced Control System”
is recommended for these cases.
The Energy
Commander
Operator Interface
Panel (
OIP) is ideal
for simpler systems.
Since status of the
system can be viewed
in front of the line-up,
including all source metering, alarm, shutdown and
status annunciation, the operator is not required to
utilize the
OIP to cycle through any screens for the
system control and monitoring. The user is only required
to use the touch panel for system testing purposes,
non-critical settings and timing adjustments, and limited
manual control redundant to the hardwired switches.
System Benefits
Standard Operator Interface Panel (OIP)
> Intuitive interface makes operation simple. Little or
no learning curve is required to operate the system.
> A main screen with navigation buttons and
non-system critical button/switches.
> System testing screen allowing the operator to
manually initiate automatic system testing operations.
> Generator interface settings latched into the
PLC
control system upon entry.
> System load add/shed manual control redundant to
hardwired manual control switches in master control.
> Generator optimization settings latched into the
PLC control system upon entry.
Optional Advanced Control System (ACS)
for Special Applications
> Full functions of OIP with the addition of
SCADA capabilities.
> Optionally Internet capable - allows remote
access via web.
> Online controllable / programmable (behind
customer’s own firewall).
> Advanced Event Logging & Source Trending
allows statistical root cause analysis.
> Duplicates System & Generator Annunciation.
> Remote system diagnostics.
> Alarm and maintenance messaging, including
predictive maintenance.
> Graphical user interface. Intuitive and user-friendly.
Requires
NO computer experience.
> Password protection. Capable of hundreds of
levels of authority.
PB-2102 • Page 6
Emergency or Standby Power
> Features
The emergency system is used to supply power
to building loads during a power failure.
Paralleling switchgear controls the system
transfer to generators and return back to
normal sequences of operations.
Paralleling switchgear controls the addition of
load on/off generators (load add/shed).
Transfers between utilities and generators occur
in open transition or passive momentary closed
transition (no active synchronization of sources).
> Components
System typically consists of paralleling switchgear
product and automatic transfer switches of which
GE has a wide variety for many applications.
Generator Generator
Loads
Utility
ATS
Loads
ATS
Utility
Prime Power
> Features
On-site prime power systems are most often used
where there is no utility source available.
The required electricity is generated entirely on-site,
typically at facilities such as island resorts, mines,
mills or other remote locations.
Since utility is not available in prime power systems,
ATS’s/ATO ’s and utility/tie breakers are not required.
> Components
Generators are the only source of power. The system
typically consists of
PSG product with no ATS/ATO
products.
System Applications
> Configuration Example
> Configuration Example
Generator Generator
Loads Loads
Page 7 • PB-2102
> Peak Shave Example
A “Peak Shaving” application is sometimes used to transfer non-critical
loads onto generators during peak utility demand hours.
System Applications
Utility
Generator Generator
Feeders
Energy Commander
Utility Parallel System
>Configuration Example
Parallel with Utility application
Parallel with Utility
> Features
Parallel with utility systems are utilized whenever
generators are to be actively synchronized and
paralleled with utility sources for short or long
durations.
These systems are often also used for standby
use as well.
PSG controls the generators transfer operations
with the utility source(s) as well as the power
management (loading controls) to direct power
the appropriate direction.
Transfers may occur in short duration (momentary
closed transition), a somewhat longer duration
(softload/unload closed transition), or a sustained
duration (maintained parallel with utility).
Power management in maintained parallel situations
includes controlling import levels from utility, export
levels to utility, or base load levels where generators
are loaded to set amount disregarding the import
and export contribution from utility.
> Components
System combines generators with utility sources.
GE’s Zenith Energy Commander system controls
load feeder breakers and utility import/export
parallel loading.
kW
Generator
Non-Purchased Power
ON
OFF
kW Demand Threshold
Utility
Purchased Power
11 3 5 791
10 2 468812
Noon
Time
PB-2102 (10/10)
GE Energy – Digital Energy
830 W 40th Street , Chicago, IL 60609
USA
800 637 1738 www.gepowerquality.com
Information subject to change without notice. Please verify all details with
GE.
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