Digital Front End (DFE) Excitation Retrofits

Digital Front End (DFE) Excitation Systems

Cost Effective Controls-Only Excitation Retrofits

If your problem is just the controls front-end of your exciter, then choose the optimum solution with GE's Digital Front End (DFE) Retrofit and avoid the cost and time of replacing the whole system.

  
Overview
The EX™2100 Digital Front End (DFE) offers a new control solution for customers with a variety of vintage exciters, including the GE potential source (bus fed) or shunt SCR analog exciters, the GE SILCO V, portions of the EX2000 product line, and some non-GE platforms. Whether driven by parts obsolescence, analog control performance, or a desire for the latest advances in software tools, customers can now update their excitation control for lower cost and in less time than ever before.
Control Platform
Product Description

The EX2100 DFE is a controls-only retrofit package that provides all the power of the EX2100 control platform in a retrofit kit designed to meet specific system needs. This scalable solution is compatible with up to six bridges and can be provided in simplex or redundant configurations. The retrofit provides access to a wide array of new software-based sequencing, protection, and control functions such as a power system stabilizer. The Toolbox software suite provides advanced diagnostics and trending to quickly identify faults and minimize mean-time-to-repair.

The new Digital Front End includes a selection of local and remote operator stations on modern Ethernet based networks for ease of operation and can be fully integrated with Mark™ VIe controls and HMI. The DFE can also support the reuse of existing controls and meters to reduce installation and operator training expenses

Because GE understands that a successful retrofit is more than just hardware, each retrofit is engineered to maximize benefit, reduce installation cost, work in the space available, and get the unit back into service in shifts, not weeks.

New control and protection functions
  • Auto-tracking regulators
  • PT failure throw-over
  • Temperature biasing
  • Volts per Hertz limit
  • Over excitation limit
  • Under reactive current limit
  • Under excitation limit
Value
An EX2100 DFE upgrade provides a cost effective and scalable solution for aging controls. It delivers improved performance, reliability and protection, eliminating the need for recurring tuning due to thermal drift and providing access to readily available spare parts and service. The DFE retrofit enables modern control and protection algorithms and access to data anywhere in the plant. Most importantly, you now have a clear upgrade path for improved generating asset performance and life-cycle support.

Related Links