Thursday, November 8, 2012

Instrument Transformers: CT and PT


Fig :1: (A) The current transformer is designed to connect in series with the line to transform the line current to the standard 5 amperes suitable for the meter or relay. The voltage transformer is designed to connect in parallel with the line to transform the line voltage to 115 or 120 volts suitable for the meter or relay. To keep the voltage at the meters and relays at a safe value, the secondary circuit must be grounded. (B) The polarity markers indicate the relative instantaneous directions of current in the windings. The polarity, or instantaneous direction of current, is of no significant difference for current-operated or voltage-operated devices. Correct operation of current-current, voltage-voltage, or current-voltage devices usually depends on the relative instantaneous directions.

Instrument Transformer :


The name instrument transformer (IT) is a general classification applied to current and voltage devices used to change currents and voltages from one magnitude to another or to perform an isolating function, that is, to isolate the utilization current or voltage from the supply voltage for safety to both the operator and the end device in use. Instrument transformers are designed specifically for use with electrical equipment falling into the broad category of devices commonly called instruments such as voltmeters, ammeters, wattmeters, watt-hour meters, protection relays, etc. Instrument transformers (ITs) are designed to transform voltage or current from the high values in the transmission and distribution systems to the low values that can be utilized by low voltage metering devices. There are three primary applications for which ITs are used: metering (for energy billing and transaction purposes); protection control (for system protection and protective relaying purposes); and load survey (for economic management of industrial loads).

Depending on the requirements for those applications, the IT design and construction can be quite different. Generally, the metering ITs require high accuracy in the range of normal operating voltage and current. Protection ITs require linearity in a wide range of voltages and currents. During a disturbance, such as system fault or overvoltage transients, the output of the IT is used by a protective relay to initiate an appropriate action (open or close a breaker, reconfigure the system, etc.) to mitigate the disturbance and protect the rest of the power system. Instrument transformers are the most common and economic way to detect a disturbance. Typical output levels of instrument transformers are 1-5 amperes and 115-120 volts for CTs and VTs, respectively. There are several classes of accuracy for instrument transformers defined by the IEEE, CSA, IEC, and ANSI standards. Figure 1 shows how the polarity markers are used to keep the direction of current flow in 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.




Current Transformer (CT) :

These can be used to supply information for measuring power flows and the electrical inputs for the operation of protective relays associated with the transmission and distribution circuits or for power transformers. These current transformers have the primary winding connected in series with the conductor carrying the current to be measured or controlled. The secondary winding is thus insulated from the high voltage and can then be connected to low-voltage metering circuits. Current transformers are also used for street lighting circuits. Street lighting requires a constant current to prevent flickering lights and a current transformer is used to provide that constant current. In this case the current transformer utilizes a moving secondary coil to vary the output so that a constant current is obtained.



Potential Transformer (PT) :


Potential transformers, are also known as voltage transformers, are instrument transformers. They have a large number of secondary turns and a fewer number of primary turns. Potential transformers are used to increase the range of voltmeters in electrical substations and generating stations. The potential transformer converts voltages from high to low. It will take the thousands of volts behind power transmission systems and step the voltage down to something that meters can handle. These transformers work for single and three phase systems, and are attached at a point where it is convenient to measure the voltage. These transformers are required to provide accurate voltages for meters used for billing industrial customers or utility companies.



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