GE Type kV2c Meter Current Sensing

July 2003 A new version of the GE type kV2 meter, kV2c, incorporates a different current sensing technique. Novel, high performance current transformers are used in this design. Characteristics of the new sensor design The new CT used in the GE type kV2c meter has the following characteristics: Advanced core material and construction Similar structure for transformer rated and self contained meters Embedded burden resistors One piece primary conductor Molded body and sleeved leads The current transformer designed for the type kV2c meter uses an advanced core material providing high stability with mechanical stress and temperature variation, enhanced linearity in ratio and phase over a wide range of operating conditions, and excellent magnetic properties including low losses. These characteristics provide the basis for excellent metering performance. The physical construction of the family of current sensors is structured for rationalized production, high quality and long life. Similar structures are used for all ratings of self contained and transformer rated devices. Burden resistors unique to each rating are embedded into the CT further simplifying the product family structure. A robust one piece primary conductor is used. Finally, a high level of insulation integrity is provided by the molded enclosure and sleeved leads.

CT assembly with primary conductor

CT sensors in base

Previous type sensors Why change? Previous versions of GE type kV and kV2 meters have used a GE proprietary current sensor design. This sensor was based on a resistive current divider and active feedback current comparator. It is referred to as a null flux sensor. This technically sophisticated sensor structure provides excellent accuracy over a wide range of operating conditions, including the presence of half wave rectified loads which can create high levels of DC current in the load. This immunity to the presence of DC current, while an excellent characteristic in principle, has not been a general requirement in commercial application. From a production standpoint, the sensor does require management of multiple suppliers and processes for its component parts. Further, advances in current transformer core technology have enabled development of current transformers with enhanced characteristics. The evaluation of these combined evolving trends has led GE to decide that a transition to high performance CTs is the best course for this revision of the kV2 meter.

GE null flux sensor

Detecting the presence of DC current High performance current transformers have the characteristic of saturation when the primary current includes a high level of DC. This could be induced by the presence of half wave rectified loads, but is not generally found in commercial metering applications. The kV2c meter provides a mechanism to detect this condition, should it occur, and alert the user. Typical meter loads do not contain waveforms with significant even harmonics. Rectified loads however do contain large amounts of second harmonic. The relative magnitude of these harmonics is further enlarged should saturation occur. So, it is possible to infer likely DC presence by measurement of the second harmonic content in the measured current waveform. Detection of this condition causes the meter diagnostic condition, d5, distortion, to be set. D5 is set when the total current level and second harmonic level are high enough for saturation to be possible, and the ratio of second harmonic current to total current exceeds 20%. The chart below shows the high percentage of second harmonic to total current in a half wave rectified waveform. Also shown is the phase shift in the CT associated with the progressive saturation condition at higher rectified currents. Due to this shift, these loads do not necessarily mean under registration, as this positive phase shift can cause over registration of lagging loads.

Rectified load - phase and 2nd Harm 200 amp CT meter

80.00 70.00 60.00 50.00 40.00 30.00 20.00 10.00 0.00 1 3 10 30 100 141 200

Fund phase shift 2nd Harm %