Real Time PID Control Application of a Single Machine Laboratory Scale Power System

In this study, by establishing a synchronous generator excitation control system in a laboratory environment, exciter, prime mover and loading controls were applied through the Matlab real time control system. A 0.8kVA synchronous generator was coupled to a 1kW DC motor used as a prime mover. In order to control these machines, feedback signals were transferred by using the encoder and voltage probe to the Matlab real time toolbox by means of the data acquisition card (DAQ) card. After PID control method applied for dc motor and exciter controllers using real time toolbox in PC, control signals obtained were transmitted to the dc motor and exciter control cards again by means of the DAQ card. Different load combinations obtained by using resistive, inductive and capacitive load banks were applied to the generator output with a relay card controlled by the real time toolbox depending on a time chart. With the PID coefficients adjusted by trial-and-error, it was ensured that the speed and voltage, an indicator of stability under different loading conditions, remained constant and oscillations were damped in an acceptable time period