Brand: DEIF
Model: PPM-3
Type: Protection & Power Management System
Series: PPM-3
Core Function: Generator Control, Protection, Synchronization and Power Management
Country of Origin: Denmark
Condition: New / Used / Refurbished
Availability: In Stock / Contact Us for Availability
Warranty: 12 Months

 

Product Overview

The DEIF PPM-3 is a Protection & Power Management System designed primarily for marine and offshore power-generation applications. It combines generator control, supervision, protection and power management functions into a distributed control architecture for diesel generators and other power sources.

The PPM-3 is designed as a multi-master power management system, meaning that power management calculations are distributed across the connected generator units rather than being dependent on a single central controller. One generator controller is internally designated as the command unit, while another available controller can take over the power management calculations if the command unit fails.

This architecture makes the PPM-3 particularly suitable for marine electrical systems where continuity of power generation and reliable generator coordination are essential.

Main Functions

The DEIF PPM-3 combines several important functions within one power management platform:

1. Diesel generator control
2. Generator supervision
3. Generator protection
4. Automatic synchronization
5. Load sharing
6. Power management
7. Generator start and stop control
8. Priority management
9. Busbar control
10. Breaker control
11. Emergency generator management
12. Shore connection control
13. Shaft generator management
14. Bus tie breaker control

The exact functionality of an individual PPM-3 installation depends on the selected application, hardware configuration and software options.

 

Multi-Master Power Management

A major characteristic of the PPM-3 is its multi-master architecture.

In a conventional centralized power management system, the failure of the main controller can affect the overall power management function. The PPM-3 takes a distributed approach.

Power management calculations are performed by the connected diesel generator units. One unit is designated as the command unit, and if this controller becomes unavailable, the power management function can automatically transfer to another available unit.

This architecture provides an additional level of operational redundancy and is particularly valuable for marine applications where loss of electrical power can have significant operational consequences.

Generator Control and Protection

The PPM-3 provides the control and protection functions required to integrate diesel generator sets into a marine power plant.

Depending on the configuration, the system can monitor generator electrical parameters, control the generator breaker and coordinate generator operation with the rest of the power plant.

Protection functions can be configured to respond to abnormal generator or busbar conditions and help prevent equipment damage.

The PPM-3 therefore acts as both a generator controller and protection device, rather than simply a PLC-based monitoring unit.

 

Synchronization and Load Sharing

Synchronization is an important function in multi-generator marine power systems.

Before connecting a generator to a live busbar, the generator voltage, frequency and phase relationship must be brought into an acceptable range. The PPM-3 provides synchronization functions to coordinate generator connection with the electrical system.

Once generators are operating in parallel, load-sharing functions help distribute the electrical load between available generator sets.

This allows multiple diesel generators to operate together while maintaining stable power generation and avoiding unnecessary overload of individual generator sets.

 

Power Management

The PPM-3 can coordinate generator operation according to the actual electrical load.

Power management functions can determine when additional generator capacity is required and when generators can be stopped because available capacity exceeds the current demand.

The system can also manage generator priority and coordinate power availability with major consumers.

This helps marine operators achieve a balance between:

1. Electrical power availability
2. Generator loading
3. Fuel efficiency
4. Operating redundancy
5. Generator running hours
6. System reliability

 

System Capacity

According to DEIF’s PPM-3 documentation, the system can be configured for:

1. 1–16 diesel generator units
2. 0–1 emergency diesel generator
3. 0–2 shaft generators
4. 0–2 shore connection units
5. 0–8 bus tie breakers

The PPM-3 therefore supports relatively large marine electrical power systems rather than being limited to a single genset controller.

 

Communication

The PPM-3 uses an internal CAN bus for communication between PPM-3 units.

DEIF specifies that this internal CAN bus is intended for DEIF equipment and is not designed to be connected to an external CAN network.

For communication with external alarm, monitoring and automation systems, the PPM-3 can use interfaces including:

1. RS-485 Modbus RTU
2. Profibus DP
3. Ethernet TCP/IP Modbus

This allows generator and power-management information to be exchanged with higher-level vessel automation and monitoring systems.

 

Typical Marine Applications

The DEIF PPM-3 is primarily designed for marine and offshore electrical power systems.

Typical applications include:

1. Cargo vessels
2. Offshore support vessels
3. Passenger vessels
4. Marine power plants
5. Engine-driven generator systems
6. Offshore platforms
7. Hybrid marine power systems
8. Shipboard emergency power systems
9. Multi-generator installations
10. Marine retrofit and maintenance projects

The system can coordinate diesel generators with shaft generators, shore connections and bus tie breakers depending on the selected configuration.

 

System Architecture

A typical PPM-3 system can include multiple generator controllers connected through the internal DEIF communication architecture.

A simplified architecture can be represented as:

Diesel Generator → PPM-3 Controller → Generator Breaker → Main Busbar

Multiple generator controllers can then communicate with each other to coordinate:

Synchronization → Load Sharing → Generator Start/Stop → Power Management

Additional controllers can be incorporated for emergency generators, shaft generators, shore connections and bus tie breakers.

This distributed structure allows the PPM-3 to control the electrical power plant as an integrated system rather than treating each generator as an independent unit.

 

Configuration and Options

The PPM-3 is a configurable platform, and its exact functionality depends on the selected options.

Available documentation from DEIF includes dedicated option documentation for functions such as:

1. Voltage control
2. Reactive power control
3. Power factor control
4. Analog controller outputs
5. Transducer outputs
6. Modbus communication
7. Profibus DP communication
8. Application-specific power management functions

DEIF also provides dedicated application notes for configurations including DNV-approved systems, bus tie breaker applications and emergency diesel generator applications.

Therefore, when replacing an existing PPM-3 unit, the complete hardware configuration and software/application setup should be checked rather than treating every PPM-3 as an identical controller.

 

Replacement and Retrofit Applications

The PPM-3 is particularly relevant to legacy marine automation systems.

DEIF currently identifies the PPM-3 as “Not recommended for new designs” and states that it is being phased out in favor of the iE 350 Marine.

This does not mean that existing PPM-3 installations are immediately obsolete. Existing vessels and offshore installations can continue to require original or compatible spare parts for maintenance, repairs and system restoration.

For these applications, sourcing an original PPM-3 can be more practical than replacing the entire power-management architecture with a newer platform.

 

Replacement Considerations

When purchasing a DEIF PPM-3 replacement, customers should verify the existing system configuration carefully.

Recommended checks include:

1. Complete PPM-3 model identification
2. Hardware revision
3. Software/application version
4. Number of connected generator units
5. Generator controller configuration
6. Emergency generator configuration
7. Shaft generator configuration
8. Shore connection configuration
9. Bus tie breaker configuration
10. Communication interfaces
11. Existing I/O configuration
12. Vessel-specific power management settings

This information is especially important when the PPM-3 is being supplied as a direct replacement for an installed marine control system.

 

Related DEIF Components

Other DEIF products and components associated with PPM-3 systems can include:

1. AGI Displays – Operator interface and system visualization
2. AOP-1 – Additional operator panel
3. DEIF Multi-line controllers – Generator and power-management control
4. DEIF communication modules – External system integration
5. DEIF governor and AVR interfaces – Generator speed and voltage control

The exact component combination depends on the vessel’s electrical architecture and the specific PPM-3 application.

 

Verification & Quality Control

For a legacy marine power-management controller such as the PPM-3, correct identification is essential.

Before shipment, the unit can be checked for:

1. DEIF model verification
2. Nameplate inspection
3. Serial-number verification
4. Hardware revision verification
5. Display and keypad condition
6. Terminal and connector inspection
7. Housing condition
8. Signs of corrosion or moisture exposure
9. Evidence of mechanical damage
10. Functional testing where technically applicable

For replacement projects, customers can provide photographs of the existing PPM-3 nameplate and installation. This can help verify whether the available unit matches the original hardware configuration.

 

Product Summary

The DEIF PPM-3 is a marine Protection & Power Management System designed for generator control, protection, synchronization, load sharing and power management.

Its distributed multi-master architecture allows several generator controllers to participate in power-management calculations, with the command function capable of transferring to another available controller if required.

Although DEIF now recommends the iE 350 Marine for new designs, the PPM-3 remains an important legacy spare part for existing marine and offshore installations.

For maintenance and retrofit projects, an original PPM-3 can help vessel operators maintain their existing power-management architecture without undertaking a complete control-system modernization.

 

Related Tags

Type: Power Management System, Generator Controller, Protection Controller, Marine Controller
Function: Generator Control, Synchronization, Load Sharing, Power Management, Generator Protection
System: DEIF PPM-3, Marine Power Management System, Diesel Generator Control System
Field: Marine, Offshore, Ship Automation, Marine Power Generation, Vessel Electrical Systems
Procurement: DEIF Spare Parts, PPM-3 Replacement, Marine Automation Spare Parts, Generator Controller Spare Parts, Legacy DEIF Components