Description
1. Product Overview
ABB UNITROL1020, part number 3BHE030579R0006, is a compact full digital AVR automatic voltage regulator of UNITROL 1000 series, the upgraded model of UNITROL1010. It is designed for excitation control of small & medium synchronous hydro, steam, gas and diesel generators below 80MVA, as well as high-power synchronous drive motors in industrial processes.
Integrated with digital main control, IGBT power excitation output, local HMI, multi-channel isolated I/O and multi-protocol communication interfaces, it supports three standard regulation modes: constant terminal voltage, constant reactive power and constant excitation current. Equipped with IEEE PSS2A/2B power system stabilizer and complete graded excitation limit & fault protection logic, it features standard grid FRT fault ride-through capability. The unit supports vertical cabinet embedded and generator side wall mounting, with wide-temperature industrial hardware, full-channel electrical isolation and high EMC immunity. Matched with CMT1000 dedicated excitation commissioning software, it is widely applied in self-owned power plants, distributed power stations, marine power systems, chemical synchronous motor transmission, and digital replacement projects of old analog excitation systems.2. Hardware Structure and Composition
2.1 Floating-point Digital Main Control Unit
2.2 IGBT High-power Excitation Output Unit
2.3 Isolated Analog/Digital I/O Acquisition & Control Unit
2.4 Local HMI Human-Machine Interface & Commissioning Unit
2.5 Multi-protocol Redundant Communication Unit
2.6 Metal Shielded Mechanical Protection Unit

3. Technical Specifications
3.1 Electrical Control Performance Specifications
- Applicable unit capacity: ≤80MVA synchronous generator / synchronous motor
- Rated excitation output: 10A DC continuous, 10s short-time overload 20A DC (55℃ ambient)
- Steady-state voltage regulation accuracy: ≤±0.5% rated terminal voltage
- Step response time: ≤80ms
- Sampling cycle: high-speed synchronous AD sampling, millisecond-level closed-loop regulation cycle
- Auxiliary power supply: AC 90~300V / DC 18~420V wide-range AC/DC universal power supply
- Measurement input: three-phase PT voltage 0~500V AC, single-phase CT current 1A/5A universal
- Communication ports: 2×10/100M Ethernet, isolated RS485, front USB debug port
- Supported protocols: Modbus TCP/RTU, CAN, SNTP network time synchronization
- Built-in protection functions: instantaneous/inverse time over-excitation limit, under-excitation limit, stator overcurrent, rotor overcurrent, loss of excitation protection, over/under terminal voltage, PSS system stabilization, FRT grid fault ride-through
3.2 Environmental Protection Specifications
- Operating temperature: -40℃ ~ +70℃; max heat sink temperature 90℃
- Storage & transportation temperature: -40℃ ~ +85℃
- Relative humidity: 5%~95% RH, non-condensing, no acid/alkali corrosive gas
- Vibration standard: DNV Class B, IEC 60068-2-6, suitable for unit side wall mounting vibration conditions
- EMC compliance: IEC 61000-4 series industrial Class A power anti-interference standard
- Protection class: IP20, only for indoor control cabinets or equipment rooms
- Operating altitude: ≤2000m, customized derating scheme for high altitude
3.3 Mechanical Installation Specifications
- Mounting method: vertical embedded cabinet mounting, generator side wall mounting
- Housing material: flame-retardant engineering plastic + integrated aluminum heat dissipation substrate, metal shielding backplate
- Net weight: approx. 3.6kg
- Required ventilation clearance: 50mm above, 20mm below, 10mm left & right
- Supporting software: CMT1000 excitation commissioning & configuration software
- Optional accessories: dual-unit redundant CAN synchronization cable, shielded PT/CT secondary cable, 24V redundant auxiliary power supply
4. Product Functions and Features
Graded multi-layer excitation limits & full-dimensional unit protection
Integrated instantaneous/inverse time over-excitation limit, low under-excitation limit, stator current limit, loss of excitation protection, rotor overheating protection, terminal over/under voltage protection. Faults trigger three graded actions: alarm, automatic excitation reduction and trip excitation lock, accurately distinguishing transient grid disturbance and permanent equipment fault, preventing generator out-of-step and rotor winding burnout.High-speed IGBT power output with standard grid fault ride-through capability
High-speed IGBT power loop responds to voltage fluctuation within milliseconds, rapidly boosts excitation to support terminal voltage during grid short-circuit and voltage drop, meeting FRT fault ride-through requirements of distributed self-owned power plants and new energy supporting units, greatly reducing unit off-grid trip risks caused by grid disturbance.Dual on-site & remote operation & maintenance channels for efficient commissioning
Local HMI supports basic parameter viewing and fault reset; USB port matched with CMT1000 software enables batch parameter import/export, fault waveform reading and control logic simulation test. Dual redundant Ethernet realizes real-time remote background monitoring and remote parameter modification without on-site cabinet opening.Full-channel electrical isolation & metal shielding adapts to complex electromagnetic environments in power plants
Voltage, current, I/O and communication channels adopt independent isolation. The metal backplate equipotential grounding shielding resists high-frequency electromagnetic interference from high-voltage switch operation, high-power frequency converters and motor start-stop, ensuring long-term stable continuous operation in dusty and high-temperature workshops.Standardized mounting dimensions facilitate replacement and renovation of old excitation systems
The installation hole size and terminal definition are fully compatible with UNITROL1010 series. Old analog excitation and early digital excitation devices can be directly replaced on site without large-scale modification of original PT/CT secondary cables and control loops, greatly shortening unit shutdown renovation period.5. Applicable Working Conditions and Application Scenarios
- Core AVR control unit for excitation control cabinets of small & medium hydro, steam, gas and diesel synchronous generator sets, used for voltage and reactive power stabilization regulation in hydropower plants, self-owned power plants and island microgrid power stations.
- Excitation systems for marine generator sets and offshore platform small synchronous generators, adapting to harsh marine vibration and wide temperature environments.
- Constant power factor excitation control devices for large synchronous drive compressors, fans and steel rolling motors in chemical and mining industries.
- Digital upgrading replacement projects of old analog excitation regulators and early digital excitation equipment, expansion renovation of excitation system measuring points.
- Excitation stability control scenarios for backup diesel generators supporting distributed PV and synchronous phase modifiers for energy storage.
