Turbine Controls Limited

SMARTStart Gas Turbine Soft Start System

Digitally controlled gas turbine starter system to provide soft

start to DC powered starter motors

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SMARTStart Gas Turbine Starter

The TCL SMARTStart system for gas turbine DC starter motors is

designed to address the issue of aging starter systems which rely

on electro-mechanical timers and DC contactors.

Over time and continued operation these electrical devices

become unreliable causing:

• Increased start fails

• Reduced component life

• Increased down time as spares are difficult to source; particularly

those requiring 120V.dc operating voltages

Functions

The SMARTStart system includes an integrated micro-controller

to provide:

• Programmable current profile during start up

• System diagnostics, to detect starter motor faults

• Interface with the existing control system

• via hardwired inputs & outputs

• Serial communications interface, via Ethernet

System Design

In a traditional DC starter electro-mechanical contactors control

the motor speed by switching resistors in and out. This causes

high current peaks and mechanical stress during the start cycle.

The TCL SMARTStart system uses solid state components to

control the current through the starter motor and provide a more

progressive increase in the current). This soft start greatly reduces

the stresses on the starter motor, increasing life and reliability.

To provide an operator interface with the equipment a HMI is

mounted on the front panel, providing the following features:

• Monitoring of system parameters

• Adjustment of set-points, ramp rates, etc.

• Graphical indication of motor current

• Real time trending of motor current

• Status of digital and analogue signals

• Alarm indication

• Viewing of PID loop

The SMARTStart system provides a reliable and cost effective

solution for gas turbine DC starter systems, increasing starter

motor life and improving system reliability.

Pulse Width Modulated Start Cycle

Installation

The SMARTStart system is assembled in a cubicle sized

1,200x800 and is designed to occupy a smaller footprint than

the existing starter controls. The cubicle includes termination

points for all field cables and can be installed in a floor or wall

mounted position.

Digital Inputs & Outputs

Pre-programmed

Digital Inputs Digital Outputs

Start Remote Enable

Stop Remote Charge By Pass

Start Permissive Ready

Start Local Ignition Permissive

Stop Local Fire Permissive

Remote Selected Tripped

Local Selected

Emergency Stop

Reset

16 inputs & outputs for user configuration

Quality Control

TCL have the following quality control accreditations

• ISO 9001:2008

• ISO 14001:2004

• BS OHSAS 18001:2007

• CSA Z299.2-85 Quality control developed for CANDU

nuclear plant

The system software is produced using rigorous quality control

procedures developed during TCL’s experience with developing

software for nuclear power plants.

Specification

Operating temperature -20oC to 70oC

Storage temperature -40oC to 85oC

Heat dissipation 3.1kW max

Weight 7.7kg

Shock operating 30g

Shock not operating 50g

Turbine Controls Limited

52, Kenilworth Drive T +44 (0)116 271 7248 Oadby, Leicester F +44 (0)116 271 7250 LE2 5LG UK sales@tcluk.net

Or visit us at www.tcluk.net