Soft Starting of a Single Phase Self-Excited Induction Generator (SEIG)

A small-scale wind turbine coupled single phase self-excited induction generator (SEIG) is an attractive choice for an isolated grid hybrid power system in remote areas because of its low cost, compactness, ruggedness, high reliability, low inertia and ease in control. In this paper, a power resistor based soft-starter for limiting the high inrush current during the connection of the small-scale wind turbine coupled single phase SEIG to an isolated weak grid has been proposed. A microcontroller based system controller is designed and experimentally implemented at the Energy System Lab of Memorial University. This strategy is better than the conventional power semiconductor based soft-starter for its cost effectiveness and simplicity. The proposed soft-starter was simulated and tested on a ¼ horsepower self-excited single-phase capacitor run induction generator. Experimental results show a significant reduction in high inrush current and smooth connection of the single phase SEIG to the grid with small impact on the power quality