INSTRUMENT

TRANSFORMERS
 Types of Instrument transformers:

1. Voltage (Potential) Transformer VT

2. Current Transformer CT
 Voltage
Transformer
 Purpose

To transform currents or voltages from usually a high

value to a value easy to handle for relays and
instruments.

To insulate the relays, metering and instruments from the

primary high-voltage system.

To provide possibilities of standardizing the relays and

instruments, etc. to a few rated currents and voltages.
 Basic theory of operation
A transformer comprises of two windings, primary and
secondary coupled through a common magnetic core.
A transformer comprises of two windings, primary and secondary
coupled through a common magnetic core.

When the primary winding is connected to a source and the

secondary circuit is left open, the transformer acts as an inductor
with minimum current being drawn from the source.

At the same time, a voltage will be produced in the secondary open-

circuit winding due to the magnetic coupling.

When a load is connected across the secondary terminals, the current

will start flowing in the secondary, which will be decided by the
load impedance and the open-circuit secondary voltage. A
proportionate current is drawn in the primary winding depending
upon the turns ratio between primary and secondary.
 Vector Diagram

The vector diagram for a

single-phase voltage
transformer is as follows.

The primary parameters

are suffixed with p.
The secondary parameters
have suffix s.
Notice the difference between the Ideal
transformer relation and the practical
transformer relation
 Accuracy of voltage transformers

Voltage transformers are required to maintain reasonably

good accuracy over a large range of voltage.

The close accuracy is more relevant for metering purposes,

while for protection purposes the margin of accuracy can
be comparatively less.

Permissible errors vary depending on the burden and

purpose of use and typical values as per IEC are as
follows (see Table 6.1).
 Voltage transformers Types
There are basically, two types of VT:
1. Electromagnetic type (commonly referred to as a VT)
The electromagnetic type is a step down transformer whose primary (HV) and
secondary (LV) windings are connected as below (see Figure 6.1).
This type of electromagnetic transformers are used in voltage circuits up to
180 kV.

2. Capacitor type (referred to as a CVT).

Here the primary portion consists of capacitors connected in series to split the
primary voltage to convenient values.

The capacitor VT is more commonly used on extra high-voltage (EHV)

networks.

The capacitors also allow the injection of a high-frequency signals onto the
power line conductors to provide end-to-end communications between
substations for distance relays, telemetry/supervisory and voice
communications. Hence, the CVTs are commonly used for both
protection and communication purposes.
Capacitor-type VT Electromagnetic type
1. Capacitor Voltage Divider (CVD)

2. Electromagnetic unit (EMU)

3. Carrier Connection Terminal (L)

 Connection of voltage transformers
Electromagnetic voltage transformers may be connected interphase or
between phase and earth.
Capacitor voltage transformers can only be connected phase-to-earth.
Voltage transformers are commonly used in three-phase groups, Typical
connection is as starstar Configuration.
With this arrangement, the secondary voltages provide a complete replica of
the primary voltages.
It is common to detect earth faults in a three-phase system using the
residual voltage.
The residual voltage (neutral displacement voltage, polarizing voltage) for
earth fault relays can be obtained from :

A VT between neutral and earth, at a power transformer neutral.

A three-phase set of VTs, which have their primary winding connected phase to earth
and one of the secondary windings connected in a broken delta.
Voltage transformers connected Vector diagram for VTs in
in starstar configuration starstar configuration
Connection to source residual voltage
 Secondary earthing of voltage
transformers

To prevent secondary circuits from reaching dangerous

potential, the circuits should be earthed.
Earthing should be made at only one point of a VT
secondary circuit.
A VT with the primary connected phase-to-earth shall have the
secondary earthed at terminal n.
A VT with the primary winding connected across two-phases, shall
have that secondary terminal earthed which has a voltage lagging
the other terminal by 120.
Windings not under use shall also be earthed.
A set of VTs with one Y-connected and one broken delta secondary circuit

VTs connected between phases

 Voltage Transformer Burden
The circuit connected to the secondary winding is termed as burden of the voltage
transformer.

Burden is expressed in terms of impedance of the circuit connected to the secondary

and its resistance and reactance.

The method is to specify the burden on VT in volt-amperes at rated secondary

voltage. Thus we may express the burden in the following two forms:
-e.g. 200 impedance or 750 VA at 400 volt.
Voltage Transformer Troubleshooting and
Protection
6.1 Short Circuits Overloading:
Higher thermal overloading occurs, when the secondary winding is subjected to short
circuit or increasing in loads across its terminals.
6.2 Ferro resonance:
Ferro-resonance in a CVT is an internal oscillation between the capacitor and the
magnetic IVT, while the Ferro-resonance in a magnetic voltage transformer is an
oscillation between the magnetic voltage transformer and the network.
The oscillation can only occur in a network having an insulated neutral.
The oscillation can be triggered by a sudden change in the network voltage.

6.3 Over voltages:

The highest r.m.s. phase-to-phase voltage is the maximum operating voltage for
which the instrument transformer is designed in respect of its insulation. This level
should not be exceeded continuously.
The instrument transformer shall show the capability to withstand the over-voltages
that can occur in the network for specific duration.
 Overcoming Overloading Problem:
1) Fuses on primary (for voltage up to 66 kV) and secondary winding.
2) M.C.B. on secondary winding.
3) Thermal ratings considered in design for specific periods.

Ferro-resonance Protective Methods:

1) Ferro-resonance Suppression Circuit
Active Circuit, No Affect of Fundamental Voltage, Low Impedance path for
Off-Nominal Frequencies, Attenuates Off-Nominal Frequency Voltages.
Passive Circuit, High Secondary Voltage, Flash Gap to Loading Resistor,
Saturatable Inductor will Saturate to Remove the Oscillations.

2) Using relays, meters, instruments with low enough flux density to make
their burden sufficient linear.

3) Avoid using of auxiliary VT.

Over voltage Protective Methods:

1) Apply surge diverters to point before transformer primary winding
(external).
2) Gap during transients over voltages is installed due to short time arcing
duration, in order not to interfere proper operation of protective relay.
3) Consider over voltages in design for short time duration.
Damping of Ferro-resonance
 Voltage drop in Voltage Transformers

The voltage drop in the secondary fuses and long connection wires
can change the accuracy of the measurement.
It is especially important for revenue metering windings of high
accuracy (class 0.2, 0.3). The total voltage drops in this circuit must
not be more than 0.1%.
This is the one that separates the metering circuits (with low burden)
from protective circuits (with higher burdens).
 Voltage Transformer Testing

Equipments required:
Single-phase supply 220V.
Megger (550V).
Voltmeter.
Ohmmeter.

* Note:
Use the electronic AVOmeter Fluke to check the winding
resistance for each tap.
(1) A visual inspection of transformer:

The first test that should be performed on a VT is a visual inspection. This means looking at the
transformer for any obvious defects that it might have ( oil leak -burn marks , etc. ). The next step
is to record any information that is on the device. Most VTs will have a metal nameplate that
shows the manufacturer model, rating... etc. This information may be extremely difficult to get
once the device in service.

The voltage transformers at your laboratory bench do not have nameplates, but they do have
voltage taps marked on them. Perform a visual inspection of the transformers and record the
available taps. Use a multimeter to measure each winding's resistance, to verify that the windings
are as labeled, and none of them are open.

Primary: Full winding voltage = v, R =

Tap at v, R = .

Secondary: Full winding voltage = v, R =

Tap at v, R = .
(2) An insulation test:

The insulation should be tested next using an insulation tester, or Megger. This devices measure
insulation resistance at about 1000 V D.C. and give a reading in M. If the VT not able to
withstand 1 kV, it certainly will not work at 220kv.

Obtain an insulation tester from the instructor, and test the insulation between windings and from
each winding to the frame ( the case ). Record your result.

First test between high voltage and low voltage:

.. M

Then test between the high voltage winding and the case ( with the low voltage winding shorted to the
case) :
M

Finally , test between the low voltage winding and the case ( with the high voltage winding shor1ed to the
case) :
.. M
(3) A ratio and polarity test:
Polarity and ratio are final tests that are usually
performed. These tests verify that the transformer
will operate with the polarity and ratio that is
expected.

Polarity and ratio can both be tested in the next

step. The method is to apply a low voltage on the
primary and measure the resulting voltages on the
primary tap and secondary windings.

Connect the following circuit, using one of your

potential transformers , and 220V A.C. supply as a
source :

Record the following voltages:

Hl - H3 = .. V
H2 - H3 = .. V
Hl - H2 = .. V
Xl - X3 = .. V
X2 - X3 = .. V
X1 - X2 = .. V
Hl - Xl = .. V

From the above results calculate the voltage

transformer ratio :
(Voltage measured / voltage applied).
 Are the ratios (voltages) correct as marked?
Calculate the Ratio Error of the transformer = %
 The voltage between H1 and X1 was
measured to determine polarity of the
overall windings when terminals H3 X3
are shorted.
If the voltage at HI H3 is in phase with
voltage between Xl - X3 then the voltage
between H1 and X1 will be smaller than
either of the voltages.
If the two voltages are not in phase, the
voltage between H1 and X1 will he equal
to the sum of the two voltages.

Are the voltages in phase with each other,

or out of phase? .
Example of the rating plate of a voltage
transformer used for measurement