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Introduction to instrument transformers

Edvard

Instrument transf ormers (ITs) are designed to transf orm voltage of current f rom the high values in the transmission and distribution systems to the low values that can be utilized by low voltage metering devices. T here are three primary applications f or which ITs are used: metering (f or energy billing and transaction purposes); protection control (f or system protection and protective relaying purposes); and load survey (f or economic management of industrial loads). Depending on the requireinents f or those applications, the IT design and construction can be quite dif f erent. Generally the metering ITs require high accuracy in the range of normal operating voltage and current. Protection ITs require linearity as a wide range of voltages and currents. During a disturbance, such as system f ault or overvoltage transients, the output of the IT is used by a protective relay to initiate an appropriate action (open or close a breaker, reconf igure the system, etc) to mitigate the disturbance and protect the rest of the power system.

Ins trume nt trans fo rme rs - ABB

Instrument transf ormers are the most common and economic way to detect a disturbance. Typical output levels of instrument transf ormers are 1-5 amperes and 115-120 volts f or CTs and VTs, respectively. T here are several classes of accuracy f or instrument transf ormers def ined by the IEEE, CSA, IEC, and ANSI standards.

Figure 1 presents a conceptual design of CTs and VTs. Figure 2 shows how the polarity markers are used to keep the direction of current f low as the meters exactly the same, as if the primary circuit was carried through the meters. Grounding of the secondary circuit is most important, but in complicated three-phase connections, the best point to ground is not always easily determined. A T he current transf ormer is designed to connect in series with the line to transf orm the line current to the standard 5 amperes suitable f or the meter or relay. T he voltage

Fig ure 1: Curre nt and Vo ltag e Trans fo rme r Symb o ls and Simp lifie d Co nc e p ts

Fig ure 2: Ins trume nt Trans fo rme r Co nne c tio ns

transf ormer is designed to connect in parallel with the line to transf orm the line voltage to 115 or 120 volts suitable f or the meter or relay.

To keep the voltage at the meters and relays at a saf e value, the secondary circuit must be grounded. B T he polarity markers indicate the relative instantaneous directions of current in the windings. T he polarity, or instantaneous direction of current, is of no signif icant dif f erence f or current-operated or voltageoperated devices. Correct operation of current-current, voltage-voltage, or current-voltage devices usually depends on the relative instantaneous directions.

Instrument Transf ormers

The main tasks of instrument transformers are: To transf orm currents or voltages f rom a usually high value to a value easy to handle f or relays and Instruments. To insulate the metering circuit f rom the primary high voltage system. To provide possibilities of standardizing the instruments and relays to a f ew rated currents and voltages. Instrument transf ormers are special types of transf ormers intended to measure currents and voltages. T he common laws f or transf ormers are valid.

Current t ransf ormers

For a short-circuited transf ormer the f ollowing valid: T his equation gives current transf ormation in proportion to the primary and secondary turns. A current transf ormer is ideally a short-circuited transf ormer where the secondary terminal voltage is zero and the magnetizing current is negligible.

Volt age t ransf ormers

For a transf ormer in no bad the f ollowing is valid: T his equation gives voltage transf ormation in proportion to the primary and secondary turns. A voltage transf ormer is deally a transf ormer under no-load conditions where the load current is zero and the voltage drop is only caused by the magnetizing current and is thus negligible.

Types of Instrument Transf ormer Construction

Typ e s o f Ins trume nt Trans fo rme r Co ns truc tio n

Resources: ABB Instrument Transf ormers - Technical Inf ormation and Application Guide INSTRUMENT TRANSFORMERS PART-1 CURRENT & VOLTAGE TRANSFORMERS (FOR ELECTRIC T&D, POWER PLANTS &, INDUSTRIAL APPLICATIONS)