الوصف

To control the output of generators (as seen in ships and power stations, or on oil rigs, greenhouses and emergency power systems) automatic voltage regulators are used. This is an active system. While the basic principle is the same, the system itself is more complex. An automatic voltage regulator (or AVR for short) consists of several components such as diodes, capacitors, resistors and potentiometers or even microcontrollers, all placed on a circuit board. This is then mounted near the generator and connected with several wires to measure and adjust the generator.

How an AVR works: In the first place the AVR monitors the output voltage and controls the voltage for the exciter of the generator. By increasing or decreasing the generator control voltage, the output voltage of the generator increases or decreases accordingly. The AVR calculates how much voltage has to be sent to the exciter numerous times a second, therefore stabilizing the output voltage to a predetermined setpoint. When two or more generators are powering the same system (parallel operation) the AVR receives information from more generators to match all output.