To the Problem of Protection of Medium Voltage Instrument Transformers with Fuses: Analytical Research

Introduction. In the medium voltage power grid of 6–35 kV, there is a problem of protecting voltage instrument transformers. This is due to the insufficiently effective level of their protection with fuses. Recently, there have been more and more reports of accidents associated with the failure of voltage instrument transformers not only in Ukraine, but also abroad. The issue of conducting an analytical study of the problem of protection of medium voltage instrument transformers by fuses is relevant. Goal. Investigation of designs and characteristics of fuses for medium voltage instrument transformers to improve the efficiency of their protection. Results. The article shows that protection of medium voltage instrument transformers with epoxy insulation is often provided by fuses, in which the nominal current of the fuse-link is significantly higher than the maximum permissible long-term current of the primary winding of the instrument transformer. A comparative analysis of the current values of the primary winding of medium voltage instrument transformers with the values of the rated currents of the fuse-links of fuses of various manufacturers presented on the Ukrainian market is carried out. The design features and technical characteristics of fuses for medium voltage instrument transformers have been investigated in order to increase the efficiency of their protection. The advantages and disadvantages of the designs of fuses from various manufacturers have been investigated and it has been established that the design of fuses requires further improvement in order to increase the efficiency of protection of medium voltage instrument transformers. Discussion and prospects for further development. Since in Ukraine, the need for fuses to protect medium voltage instrument transformers is provided mainly by supplies abroad, a promising direction for further development in this direction is the creation of a domestic competitive design of a fuse and its introduction into production.

Estimation peculiarities of external polymer insulation reliability of gas-filled instrument transformers

In the article, the authors propose a method for estimating the parameters of theoretical distributions for calculating the indicators of operational reliability. In the article, the authors propose a method for estimating the parameters of theoretical distributions for calculating the indicators of the operational reliability of a solid insulating structure of high-voltage devices, which is a supporting insulating cover for high voltage instrument transformers filled with gas as an insulating liquid. This technique makes it possible to estimate the parameters of a new distribution law, which is chosen on the condition that it does not contradict the existing distribution law with its known parameters. The developed technique makes it possible to obtain the values of the indicators of the operational reliability of high-voltage equipment by determining the parameters of theoretical distributions, if the developer is the data of experimental studies or statistical information as a result of monitoring the operation of insulating structures, taking into account the actual operating conditions of such high-voltage devices. This makes it possible to take into account the influence of external factors and performance characteristics inherent in instrument transformers, both current and voltage. In the proposed methodology, as an example, a supporting insulating casing is considered, which is during operation in the most unfavorable conditions, such as external pollution, humidification, overvoltage, etc. The theoretical conclusions are confirmed by the results of calculations using the example of the design of a current transformer of the ТОГ-362 series. A more accurate determination of the effectiveness of the proposed method for predicting the parameters of theoretical distribution laws can be achieved by performing an additional series of calculations and experimental tests of specific insulating structures. Thus, it was concluded that it is possible to use the results obtained to assess the operational reliability of both gas-filled instrument transformers and similar high-voltage equipment.

Reducing the Dimensions of the Ship’s Main Switchboard—A Contribution to Energy Efficiency

Energy efficiency generally implies the efficient use of energy in all sectors of final consumption—industry, services, agriculture, households and transport. Shipping accounts for nearly 3% of global greenhouse gas emissions, making it the sixth largest CO2 producer in the world. This is a result of inefficient ship design, lack of planning and optimal use of resources. As the transport sector expands, so does the pressure for a greener and cleaner maritime industry. Reducing fuel consumption is a major driver of the need for energy efficiency on ships. In this paper, due to the importance of maritime transport, we observed the impact of reducing the dimensions of the main switchboard as a contribution to energy efficiency. This contribution is not of great importance as is the case with the optimization of the navigation route, etc., but it certainly affects the weight and, thus, the fuel consumption, which contributes to energy efficiency in the designed system. The aim of this paper is to optimize the design of the main switchboard by using 2D simulations of possible bus topologies, in order to develop six different busbar models and find one that best meets the requirements. The simulation results indicate the optimal location and dimensions of the busbars in the main switchboard in accordance with the switchgear parameters. Apart from the change in layout and dimensions of the busbars, the replacement of conventional instrument transformers with new current/voltage sensors contributes to a significant reduction in the weight and size of the switchboard, which ultimately benefits energy efficiency.

Calibration of a Digital Current Transformer Measuring Bridge: Metrological Challenges and Uncertainty Contributions

In this paper, we consider the calibration of measuring bridges for non-conventional instrument transformers with digital output. In this context, the main challenge is represented by the necessity of synchronization between analog and digital outputs. To this end, we propose a measurement setup that allows for monitoring and quantifying the main quantities of interest. A possible laboratory implementation is presented and the main sources of uncertainty are discussed. From a metrological point of view, technical specifications and statistical analysis are employed to draw up a rigorous uncertainty budget of the calibration setup. An experimental validation is also provided through the thorough characterization of the measurement accuracy of a commercial device in use at METAS laboratories. The proposed analysis proves how the calibration of measuring bridges for non-conventional instrument transformers requires ad hoc measurement setups and identifies possible space for improvement, particularly in terms of outputs’ synchronization and flexibility of the generation process.

Impact of optical current transformer on protection scheme of hybrid transmission line

Continuity of power transmission is important to ensure the reliability of the electricity supply. As most system faults are temporary, the auto reclose (AR) scheme has been used extensively to minimise the outage duration, prevent widespread outages, thus increase system stability. Meanwhile, the hybrid transmission line (HTL) combining overhead line (OHL) and high voltage cable has been introduced to provide an inexpensive solution for an urban power grid. Protecting HTL with a conventional protection system would forbid the operation of the AR scheme due to difficulty to ensure whether the fault occurred on the OHL or cable section. Therefore, the circulating current protection (CCP) scheme is used in the cable section to ensure the fault location and block the AR scheme. The technology of an optical current transformer (OCT) as one of the non-conventional instrument transformers (NCIT) has emerged to provide a solution to drawbacks on the conventional current transformer (CCT). Consequently, this paper investigated the impact of using OCT over the CCT for CCP of the HTL. The result shows that OCT could be used for CCP on much longer cable sections thus increase its reliability as the AR scheme can be used on longer or multiple cable section.

Why Should We Test the Wideband Transformation Accuracy of Medium Voltage Inductive Voltage Transformers?

In this paper the results of the tests of the wideband transformation accuracy of medium voltage (MV) inductive voltage transformers (VTs) in the frequencies range from 50 Hz up to 5 kHz are presented. The values of voltage error and phase displacement for transformation of the harmonics of distorted primary voltages are determined. In the case of a typical 50 Hz-type inductive VT with a rated primary voltage equal to (15/Ö3) kV and (20/Ö3) kV manufactured by an international company the limiting values of the accuracy classes extension for quality metering required by the standard IEC 61869-6 for the Low Power Instrument Transformers (LPIT) were not exceeded. While, in the same test other MV inductive VTs show poor accuracy and even resonance at multiple frequencies. Unfortunately, this problem also arises from nonlinearity of the magnetization characteristic of their magnetic core. Therefore, for transformation of the sinusoidal voltage in the secondary voltage significant but not easily detectable values of the low order higher harmonics are present. Moreover, for transformation of harmonics of distorted primary voltage the influence of connected capacitance on the obtained values of voltage error and phase displacement was tested.