Magnetic Voltage Transformers
Magnetic voltage transformers are used to provide a secondary signal that is proportional to the actual prevailing primary value. These signals are used to supply measuring instruments, meters, relays and other similar apparatuses.
The primary values measured are system currents and voltages. The secondary signal available has to fulfil the following criteria:
Standardized nominal value
Minimum ratio and phase displacement errors
Capability to supply the power needed by the secondary protection and measurement devices
Necessary insulation level against the primary circuits
Predictable performance under primary system normal conditions and especially under abnormal conditions
The primary winding is affected by the actual network voltage at every instant of time. This primary voltage value is then converted to a secondary voltage value based on the rated voltage-transforming ratio of the voltage transformer.
!!! The most common connection of the voltage transformer is between each phase and the ground separately (single pole), thus the value measured is the phase-to-earth voltage value.
In certain applications, the connection between phases (double-pole) is also used. The third variant would be a three-phase unit where the three-phase units are in one physical enclosure and the phases are star-connected against the earth.
Like with the current transformers, a number of separate secondary cores are used for measuring and protection purposes. It is also possible to use one core for both measuring and protection.
Unlike current transformers, the voltage transformers normally cater for one fixed transforming ratio, and special designs with double transforming ratios can be employed based on the individual application needs.
!!! The rated secondary AC voltage levels are usually either 100 V or 110 V, though also others exist, mainly in countries under the ANSI standard influence
The most common type of a voltage transformer on the distribution side is a set of three single-pole ones having two separate cores, namely the star-connected one for measuring purposes and the broken-delta-connected one for residual voltage measurement
The secondary circuits of a voltage transformer have to be protected with fuses or miniature circuit breakers. These protection devices should be mounted as close to the voltage transformers as possible.
If there is a load resistor connected to the open-delta core of the voltage transformer for damping oscillation caused by the ferroresonance phenomenon, the resistor has to be connected to the voltage transformer side of the secondary circuit protection device.
The ferroresonance phenomenon is due to the resonance circuit formed by the single-pole VT inductance to earth and the unearthed system capacitance to earth. This resonance circuit can cause oscillations resulting in heating, and finally damaging, the voltage transformers. To damp down these oscillations, a load resistor is connected across the open-delta winding.
These problems are most likely to occur in un-earthed systems with minimum feeder length connected.
66 kV oil-insulated outdoor-type one-pole magnetic VT
Where:
Primary terminal
Oil level sight glass
Oil
Quartz filling
Insulator
Lifting lug
Secondary terminal box
Neutral and terminal
Expansion system
Paper insulation
Tank
Primary windingGround connection
12 kV indoor epoxy resin-cased one-pole magnetic VT
Where:
Medium voltage terminals
Primary coil
Magnetic circuit
Secondary winding
Epoxy body
Secondary outlets
Base plate
Cover of secondary terminals used for outlet sealing
Nameplate
With an ideal voltage transformer, the ratio between the primary and secondary voltage always equals the ratio between the primary and secondary winding turns.
The behaviour of voltage transformers and the conformities to basic electrical laws can be demonstrated by the use of the equivalent circuit shown below.
From the above equivalent circuit, it can be seen that with a non-ideal transformer there are always some errors included in the measurement. These errors are mainly caused by the excitation current (Io) and the load current (I2), which introduces both ratio errors and angle errors between the reduced primary voltage and the actual secondary voltage
!!! The detailed core data describes the core performance with respect to the intended application. This data can be expressed according to the guidelines of one of the several international standards, like IEC, British Standards or IEEE. The following is based on the standards provided by IEC.
The issue is approached through an example. It is assumed here that a three-phase set of one-pole voltage transformers, having the below-shown data labels, is used for energy measurement and residual overvoltage protection.
Example of Reading Voltage Transformer Data
Let’s take a look at this example of VT:
6600:√3/100: √3/100:3V
a – n 30VA cl.0.5
da – dn 100VA cl.6P 50Hz 400VA
7.2/20/60kV
1.9xUn 8h
6600:√3/100: √3/100:3V
These values determine the rated voltage ratio. The voltage transformer is a single-pole one intended for phase-to-ground voltage measurement. The rated primary voltage is 6600:√3V and the rated secondary voltages are 100:√3V and 100:3V
!!! The first secondary core is intended for a star connection giving out the phase-to-ground voltage signal on 100: √3V (approximately 57.7V) bases. The second secondary core is intended for a residual voltage measurement utilizing open-delta connection on 100:3V (approximately 33.3V) bases
Under a full (fault impedance is zero) earth fault situation in unearthed systems, the measured value from an open-delta connection would be approximately 100V.
a – n 30VA cl.0.5
The marking a – n 30VA cl.0.5 is the detailed data for the first secondary core intended for measurement. The rated secondary burden is 30VA and the accuracy class is 0.5.
The markings “a” and “n” refer to the secondary terminal markings on the voltage transformer secondary connection box. To comply with the stated accuracy class, the voltage transformer has to fulfil certain requirements regarding voltage and phase displacement errors as shown below.
These limits apply to the secondary burdens between 25-100% of the rated burden.
da – dn 100VA cl.6P
The marking da – dn 100VA cl.6P is the detailed data for the second secondary core intended for protection. The rated secondary burden is 100 VA and the accuracy class is 6P.
!!! The markings “da” and “dn” refer to the secondary terminal markings on the voltage transformer secondary connection box. To comply with the stated accuracy class, the voltage transformer has to fulfill certain requirements regarding voltage and phase displacement errors as shown below.
These limits apply to the secondary burdens between 25-100% of the rated burden. If the open-delta-connected secondary protection winding is used only for ferroresonance damping resistor, it does not have to comply with accuracy requirements.
Accuracy requirements of the voltage transformers’ protection classes
50Hz 400VA
Voltage transformers’ rated frequency is (50 Hz). The stated thermal-limiting output is 400 VA. This refers to an apparent power value at the rated secondary voltage that can be taken from a secondary winding under rated primary voltage conditions, without exceeding the limit of temperature rise (classes specified by the standard).
In this condition, the limits of error may be exceeded. If the voltage transformer has more than one secondary winding, this value is to be given separately, as an addition to the secondary core’s specific data.
7.2/20/60 kV
7.2 kV is the highest voltage for the equipment (RMS value). 20 kV is the rated power frequency withstanding voltage (rms test value). 60 kV is the rated lightning impulse withstanding voltage (peak test value).
1.9xUn 8h
The rated voltage factor (1.9) is the multiple of the rated primary voltage to determine the maximum voltage at which the transformer must comply with the relevant thermal requirements and the stated accuracy requirements for a specified (8 h) rated time. The voltage factor is determined by the maximum operating voltage in a specific system.
The maximum operating voltage is on the other hand affected by the voltage transformers’ primary winding connections and system earthing conditions.
The following table demonstrates the dependencies.
Document: | Distribution Automation Handbook by ABB |
Format: | |
Size: | 6.01 MB |
Page: | 120 |
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