ABSTRACT
Thermal generating plants are designed and constructed to convert energy from fuel into electric power. The actual conversion is accomplished by a turbine-driven generator. Thermal generating plants differ from industrial plants in that the nature of the product never changes. Transformers supply lower level buses which supply smaller motors and transformers which supply lower voltage buses. The power sources for a generating plant consist of one or more off-site sources and one or more on-site sources. The on-site sources are the generator and, in some cases, a black start diesel generator or a gas turbine generator which may be used as a peaker. Low-resistance grounding systems are used at 2400 V and more. This system provides enough ground fault current to allow relay coordination and limits ground fault current to a value low enough to prevent equipment damage. Essential services such as critical control required for plant shutdown, fire protection, and emergency lighting should be supplied by a battery-backed inverter.
