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.

On single pole instrument voltage transformer overheating

The paper deals with calculation of overheating of a voltage instrument transformer used in medium voltage substations. Calculation of the primary and secondary windings is compared with measured values. These values are evaluated according to IEC 618691:2007, IEC 61869-3:2011 and IEC 60085:2007. In evaluation we focused on the state 1.9 × nominal voltage and thermal limiting output state. The article also compares the results for various parameters of instrument transformers that are necessary for clarification of calculation.

Toward a Substation Automation System Based on IEC 61850

With the global trend to digitalize substation automation systems, International Electro technical Commission 61850, a communication protocol defined by the International Electrotechnical Commission, has been given much attention to ensure consistent communication and integration of substation high-voltage primary plant assets such as instrument transformers, circuit breakers and power transformers with various intelligent electronic devices into a hierarchical level. Along with this transition, equipment of primary plants in the switchyard, such as non-conventional instrument transformers, and a secondary system including merging units are expected to play critical roles due to their fast-transient response over a wide bandwidth. While a non-conventional instrument transformer has advantages when compared with the conventional one, extensive and detailed performance investigation and feasibility studies are still required for its full implementation at a large scale within utilities, industries, smart grids and digital substations. This paper is taking one step forward with respect to this aim by employing an optimized network engineering tool to evaluate the performance of an Ethernet-based network and to validate the overall process bus design requirement of a high-voltage non-conventional instrument transformer. Furthermore, the impact of communication delay on the substation automation system during peak traffic is investigated through a detailed simulation analysis.

Optimised calibration programmes for comparators for instrument transformers

Traditionally, instrument transformers are calibrated using bridges. By definition, bridges use the null method of measurement. The traditional calibration programme for instrument transformer bridges characterise namely this null measurement. Many new commercial comparators for instrument transformer use a very different method. They sample the secondary signals of reference and device under test (dut) transformer independently. Based on the samples, magnitude and phase of both signals are determined. Ratio error and phase displacement are calculated. Consequently, the significance of their calibration using the traditional calibration programme is limited. Moreover, the operating range of modern comparators is much larger than that of bridges. The additional versatility cannot be used without an adapted calibration programme. This article analyses the calibration programmes for both technologies. An experimental study confirms both the suitability of the new calibration programme and the need to chose the calibration programme depending on the technology of the device to be calibrated. The conclusion is very general and applies to all measurement problems where an operating principle is replaced by another – when changing the operating principle, it is important to check the calibration programme and adapt it if necessary.