Expert: cleggsan - 12/25/2006

Question
Generator as a motor.
Our generator is connected to 6kV busbar. Normal operation would be the generator will generate power and supply the power to the busbar. I read in a note the generator can behave/be a motor if the busbar supply power to the generator. In what conditions/situations can the busbar supply the generator and reversing the process. It sounds impossible.

Answer
Most generators have switching circuits that reconfigure the winding connections for motor use.  Some will, if the load is removed, become motors when they have no turning forces and they are idly connected to power.  But, you must know much more about the generator in question and its internal wiring and manufacturing scheme.

This question should really go towards the manufacturer of the generator in question.  The answer is model specific more than a generic answer.

Good Luck,
Cleggsan