I work at a hydro plant. Some of the folks want to run the unit at Speed No Load and not connected to the grid with unit protection disabled for some testing (not exactly sure of what type of testing). Since the unit breaker will be open anyway, could the unit be operated at SNL with no protection? What would be some of the risks? Should a unit never be on without protection?

Thanks.

 

"Don't do it" Remember the 2009 Russian Hydro-plant failure!