Why are electronic governors used instead of mechanical?

Why are electronic governors used instead of mechanical?

• A. Easier to tune and change preselected speeds
• B. More rugged
• C. Cheaper
• D. Require less maintenance

Answer: (A)

Electronic governors control speed through a digital, feedback-based system. The controller reads the turbine’s speed, compares it to a desired value, and adjusts fuel or steam input to keep the speed where it should be. Because the setpoint is stored in software, you can easily tune the control and switch between multiple preselected speeds without swapping mechanical parts. You can also store different speed presets and change them quickly in response to changing operating needs, which is much faster and more flexible than adjusting springs or weights in a mechanical governor. This ability to precisely and rapidly set and switch speeds is why electronic governors are preferred. In contrast, mechanical governors require physical alterations to change the setpoint, and their flexibility and precision are limited by those moving parts.

Electronic governors control speed through a digital, feedback-based system. The controller reads the turbine’s speed, compares it to a desired value, and adjusts fuel or steam input to keep the speed where it should be. Because the setpoint is stored in software, you can easily tune the control and switch between multiple preselected speeds without swapping mechanical parts. You can also store different speed presets and change them quickly in response to changing operating needs, which is much faster and more flexible than adjusting springs or weights in a mechanical governor. This ability to precisely and rapidly set and switch speeds is why electronic governors are preferred. In contrast, mechanical governors require physical alterations to change the setpoint, and their flexibility and precision are limited by those moving parts.