SKVA and MOTOR STARTING

The following was paraphrased from Engine Data Sheet 70.0.5, (LEKX8524), dated
October 1988. Although much of the material presented therein is dated, the core
information remains valid and correct.

Motor Starting Capability

Generator sets are typically evaluated on the basis of their ability to start electric motors and
accelerate them to full speed. Regardless of whether the motor has a load on it or not, starting it
requires kVA far in excess of the motors normal running kVA demand. The motor starting
capability, measured in terms of starting kilovolt-amperes (SKVA), is an indication of a generator
sets ability to start motors with minimal drop in voltage. When a generator is coupled to a
synchronous driver (i.e., a nonslip motor tied to utility power), a generator voltage dip of 30%
maximum is generally acceptable. The voltage will recover to within 2% of normal voltage as
soon as the motor has accelerated to full speed normally about 1 second. Due to engine lug,
diesel-powered recovery is longer but still occurs within seconds. The higher a generators SKVA
for a given voltage dip, the better the generator for motor starting.

There is no consistent industry

standard on how motor starting
capability is measured. That said,
some manufacturers refer to a
"sustained voltage dip" value,
which they explain as being the
undervoltage which occurs for
some period after motor starting
commences. However, this value
fails to quantify the absolute
instantaneous voltage dip
experienced during motor starting.
Further, the method of calculating
the value of sustained dip is largely
undefined and does not account for
the fact modern voltage regulators will most always return a generator to rated voltage after
motor starting (assuming the engine can overcome the load).

Other industry leaders measure the minimum voltage immediately after the motor is switched on
the instantaneous voltage dip. This method assures that the actual absolute value of voltage
dip is presented and generator starting capability is truly understood.

This matter is further complicated as there is not likely to be a direct relationship between a
sustained and instantaneous voltage dip, so a simple comparison between the two may be
misleading. The difference in the methodology used for presenting motor starting capability
between various manufacturers of generator sets must be considered when developing
specifications. Simply specifying an SKVA value may no longer be enough to preclude
misapplication in the field. Therefore absolute instantaneous voltage dip values should be utilized
to ensure adequate support of sensitive loads.

Caterpillar Confidential: Green

Reprinted 6 Jun 2002