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Measurement of residual currents on a distribution feeder


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Measurement of residual currents on a distribution feeder

Residual currents (earth fault)


The measurement of the earth fault or residual currents on a distribution system feeder can be done by the so-called
summation connection, where the three current transformers, one in every phase, are connected and the summated
current is brought to the inputs of an earth fault protection relay.

This is a convenient method for cases where the level of the earth fault current is relatively high, i.e.
directly earthed systems.

When the level of the fault current to be measured starts to decline heavily, the measurement sensitivity and accuracy
that can be reached with this summation connection is no longer sufficient. The measurement accuracy is affected
by the fact that the three different current transformers, even with similar core data, start to introduce different kind of
errors when it comes to ratio and phase displacement.

These errors are summated together in the summation


connection, and in the worst case they are cascading on
top of each other. The sensitivity is affected by the fact
that current transforming ratio of the phase current
transformers is mainly selected based on the maximum
load currents, whereas the anticipated earth fault currents
can be only some fractions of those.

To overcome the accuracy and sensitivity requirements


with low (earth fault) residual currents, a cable (or
busbar), also called a window-type, current transformer
can be utilized. Following figure describes the installation.

Window-type cable current transformer (photo credit: k-electric-gmbh.de)

Figure 1 Typical installation of cable current transformer

In the figure above, a cable current transformer is utilized for measuring the residual (earth fault) current of an
outgoing three-phase cable feeder. The CT type used is a one that can be installed even after the medium voltage
power cable installation is done, by opening the bolted connections and separating the CT into two parts.
It is important to notice that the medium voltage power cable screen earthings are drawn back via the CTs window
before connecting them to the earthing bar. Similarly, it is important to notice that if a separate escort earthing
wire is installed alongside the power cable, it may not pass through the CTs window.
The suitable current transforming ratio of the cable current transformer is depending on the actual anticipated earth
fault current levels.
As an example, the ratio of 70/1A is commonly used for earth fault protection in Finland with unearthed and resonant
earthed systems. The cable current transformer can also have several ratios by utilizing different tappings in the
secondary side, as shown below.

Figure 3 A cable CT with several ratio possibilities

When the earth fault protection relay is connected to a certain secondary tapping of the CT, the remaining tappings
should not be shorted. This applies also to the test winding tappings. On the other hand, if the cable CT has several
cores utilizing separate iron cores inside the CT, each of the cores has to either be connected to a secondary device or
short-circuited and earthed.
Download Schneider Electrics Current Transformers Selection Guide //
Download

Reference // Distribution Automation Handbook by ABB

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