Application of The Pillar Type Magneto-optical

Glass Optical Current Transformer

ZHANG Wu-yang1,TIAN Peng2,Liu Sheng-qian2,WEN Xiao-long3,Zheng Jian3,Tian Zhi-guo3
1.Liaoning Electric Power Research Institute, Shenyang 110006, Liaoning Province, China;
2.State Grid Yingkou Electric Power Supply Company, Yingkou 115000, Liaoning Province, China;
3.XJ Group Corporation, Xuchang 461000, Henan Province, China

Abstract—In the field of current measurement under high By doing the line integral of the magnetic field intensity
voltage, the Optical Current Transformer (OCT) shows signif- around the measured current, the rotation angle of the polar-
icant and unique technical advantages. In order to better re- ization plane can be calculated when linear polarized light
flect the current status of the magneto-optic glass OCT, sum-
pass through the magneto-optical material under the action
marize the experiences and lessons of OCT operation and pro- r
vide experience for OCT application, the engineering applica- of magnetic field H , which can be described in formula
tion structure of the pillar type OCT based on magneto-optical (1):
glass principle and the on-site operation experience of 220kV
substation in Liaoning province are introduced emphatically.
0DJQHWLF Faraday
The application prospect of magneto-optic glass OCT is shown RSWLFDO
in the final. ,QFLGHQW PDWHULDO OLJKW
SRODUL]HG
M GHIOHFWL
OLJKW RQ$QJOH
Index Terms—Magneto-optic glass; Pillar optical current
transformer; Optical path stability Self-healing Optical pa-
rameters. (OHFWULFFXUUHQWVFUHDWH H
HOHFWURPDJQHWLFILHOGV
(PLWWHGSRODUL]HGOLJKW
I. INTRODUCTION Fig. 1. The measurement principle of Faraday's rotation angle
As a key equipment of high voltage power grid, the r r
transformer is directly related to the safety and stability of M =V ³ P H ˜ dl VKi (1)
power system and economic operation. Optical current l

transformer (OCT) has the advantages of wide dynamic
range, no magnetic saturation and simple insulation struc-
ture. It shows great significant technical advantages over the
tradition electromagnetic ones in the field of measurement
under high voltage[1-3]. As a result, the electromagnetic cur-
rent transformer (ECT) will be certainly substituted in the
220kV and above voltage levels applications[4-6]. Just like
the other products, OCT also need to experience the process
from technical advantages to product advantages, especially
the trial of the project operation[7-8]. After gaining the expe-
rience from the commissioning test by running of the
OCT[9-10], a total of 99 Pillar OCTs were applied to the
220kV substation in October 2010, of which, 220kV used 28
dual-configuration OCTs, and 66kV used 71 OCTs. Through
the engineering practice, it not only perfects the quality
guarantee system of OCT engineering design, manufactur-
ing, on-site construction, field test, operation and mainte-
nance, but also accumulated rich experience for running and
maintaining OCT, and laid a solid foundation for the popu-
larization and promotion of OCT.
II. OPTICAL SENSOR
Based on Faraday effect[11], as show in Fig. 1, OCT can
measure accurately the current from the high voltage side by
the interaction between polarized light and a magnetic field
in magneto-optical glass.
Where: μ is the permeability of the medium; V is the
Verdet constant of magneto-optical materials; l is the path
length of the light; K is the ratio between the magnetic inte-
gral and the measured current.
Therefore, when the path length of the light, the Field
constants of magneto-optical materials, and the relative po-
sition between the light path and the magnetic field pro-
duced by the current are determined, the measured current
is:
i M / (V ˜ K ) (2)
If the φ is accurately measured, we can get the instanta-
neous value of the measured current i. However, whether
direct method or interferometry, the optical detector cannot
measure the deflection angle directly. Hence, an unmeasura-
ble deflection angle must be converted to a measurable light
intensity.
It can be obtained by Malus’s law that after the linear po-
larized light with incident beam intensity of J0 passing
through the polarizer, the intensity of the emergent beam
(not considering absorption) is:
J J 0 cos2 (D  M )
(3)
J 0 (1  cos(2D  2M )) / 2
Where, α is the angel between the vibration direction of
the incident beam and the polarizing direction of polarizer.
When α=π/4, φ obtains the maximum sensitivity, and the
rotation angle caused by current is: φ;

POWERCON2018 Paper NO. 201805280000375 Page1/5 3997

978-1-5386-6461-2/18/$31.00 ©2018 IEEE
 2018 International Conference on Power System Technology (POWERCON 2018)
The structure of magneto-optic glass sensor is shown in
Fig. 2. As a detector, polarization beam splitter (PBS) split
the incident beam into two orthogonal beams of differing
linear polarization, and one of intensities is J1 and the other
is J2, both of which are expressed as:
­ (1  sin(2M ))
° J =J
° 1 0 2 (4)
®
° (1  sin(2M ))
J 2 =J 0
°̄ 2 self-healing is used only for precision correction and tem-
From (4), we can get:
J1  J 2
sin(2M ) (V ˜ K ) ˜ i (5)
J1  J 2
Since the deflection angle is small ( M | 0 ), so
2M | sin(2M ) | 0 . Therefore, the primary current i(t) can be
calculated by the magneto-optical glass sensor.
i | 2M / (V ˜ K ) (6)
According to Ampere’s circuit law, the early magne-
to-optic glass sensor uses the ring path structure formed by
multiple reflection [12]. When the temperature changes, the
phenomenon of strain and birefringence appear in the mag-
neto-optic glass materials. Besides, the stability of the opti-
cal path using adhesive is poor, which make the dots re-
ceived by the receiver shift and lead to the failure[13]. The
facts show that more complex structure and more reflector
in the optical path, the standards of the processing precision
and the stability of material are higher, but the sensing pro-
cess in the optical path is more likely to fail.
Based on the high reliability requirement of engineering
application, the sensor with the simplest straight-through
optical path is applied in engineering, as shown in Fig. 2.
Compared with the early optical path, the new is easy to
meet the requirements of high machining precision and ma-
terial temperature characteristic. So not only the precision
and dynamic range of optical measurement but also the
long-term stability can be ensured. Without any temperature
compensation, its measuring accuracy can also meet the
requirement of 5TPE protection level in the operating tem-
perature range. The accelerated test of the optical sensor
proves that the service life is more than 25 years, which
show that it can fully meet the requirements of engineering
reliability and stability.
3ULPDU\
x FRQGXFWRU
z is similar to that of the traditional transformer, but the
y DQDO\]HU A
VHQVLQJPDWHULDO C
LQFLGHQW
OLJKW
LED H PIN
HPHUJHQW
SRODUL]HU P
OLJKW
PIN
Fig. 2. Magneto-optical glass sensor structure diagram
III. STRUCTURE OF OCT
To achieve the measurement accuracy of 0.2S level in
-40~+70°C operating temperature, the real-time parameter
correction method must be used [14,15]. The method is that
using the LPCT coil and the mature voltage-frequency con-
version technology to convert the primary current signal into
POWERCON2018 Paper NO. 201805280000375
Guangzhou, 6-8 Nov. 2018
an optical pulse, which is sent to the low-voltage side
through the optical fiber for collection and as a
high-precision reference source to calibrate the optical pa-
rameters measured in real time. Owing to the slow changes,
usually in the order of tens of seconds or longer, setting a
correction every 10 seconds is enough to ensure the stability
of optical sensing parameters. When the system is disturbed,
the correction is suspended. Since the parameters
perature compensation[16], even if there is no self-healing, it
can still meet the accuracy requirements of the protection
level. This method not only improves the temperature stabil-
ity of optical parameters, but also ensures the dynamic ad-
vantage of optical sensing, so then improving the long-term
stability of the operating equipment.
Due to the high sensitivity to environmental disturbance,
the optical sensor is highly susceptible to interference from
external environmental factors[17]. To reduce the common
mode interference factors such as vibration, the structure of
the whole measurement system uses two sets of symmetric
independent optical path systems. The symmetrical installa-
tion structure of the dual sensing module, which is shown in
Fig. 3, can effectively eliminate the common mode interfer-
ence caused by vibration and external magnetic field. When
the vibration causes common mode interference, the com-
mon mode increment caused by the spatial symmetric dis-
placement or the change of the magnetic field of the two
sensing modules can cancel out one another's among the two
optical path systems relative to the primary conductor, it is
very important to improve the overall stability of the meas-
urement system.
Fig. 3. Measurement structure of dual sensing module
The structure of the pillar-type magneto-optic glass OCT
dry-type insulator is different from the traditional electro-
HPHUJHQW
OLJKW magnetic transformer. Its internal has sealed the optical fiber
with natural insulation characteristics and its external is
fixed with a high-voltage insulating sleeve. Therefore, this
structure not only serves as an insulating support for the
primary conductor, but also protects the internal optical fi-
bers. The whole optical path is composed of optical sensor,
optical fiber insulator, connecting optical cable on the
high-voltage side, and optical cable, light source, optical
inspection on the low-voltage side. The optical circuit of the
OCT is shown in Fig. 4, in which the optical sensor is com-
posed of magneto-optic glass materials, polarizers and ana-
lyzers, and is the most critical optical measurement unit.
Both the self-healing signal and the sensing signal are
transmitted to the low-voltage side through the optical path
Page2/5 3998
 2018 International Conference on Power System Technology (POWERCON 2018) Guangzhou, 6-8 Nov. 2018
composed of optical cable. The light source and the light recording is shown in Fig. 5, and during the internal fault
detection device in the sensor are electric-optic and op- the fault current waveform and protection action infor-
tic-electric converters respectively. mation are shown in Fig. 6 and Fig. 7. These recorded
'XDO
waveforms indicate that the dynamic current waveform
3ULPDU\ 6HOI
+LJK +HDOLQJ 2SWLFDO 3ULPDU\ measured is complete, no current saturation occurs, and
&XUUHQW &RQGXFWRU
9ROWDJH 6LJQDO
6HQVRU the relay protection action is correctly.

RSWLFDOFDEOH

6HFRQGDU\
RXWGRRU /DVHU3RZHU 6HFRQGDU\
FDELQHW 'HYLFHV &RQYHUW
Fig. 4. The schematic diagram of the optical path of the magneto optic
glass pillar type optical current transformer

The optical pathˈoptical sensor and optical transmission,

has series coupling characteristics. The stability of optical
path involves all of parts from incident beam to emergent
beam. Therefore, it is necessary to protect the simulated
optical path from vibration, stress and other factors. Not
only to ensure the reliable connection of the detachable
connector, but also to protect it from the dust. Fig. 5. The external faults recorded diagram

IV. LIGHT INTENSITY OF OCT

Light intensity is the carrier of measuring signal and
the key factor to realize optical current measurement. It is
affected not only by the change of light sensing and opti-
cal transmission parameters, but also by the intensity of
the light emitted from the light source. The sensing pa-
rameters of the optical path are influenced by the wave-
length of polarized light and the change of temperature,
and the transmission parameters are also influenced by
the temperature change and the stress. The parameters of Fig. 6. The waveforms of the internal faults and the protection action
recorded diagram
the light source, including the wavelength of light and the
intensity of light, vary with temperature[18]. The light
source is transmitted through the optical cable to the op-
tical sensor, and then to the photodetector to demodulate
the measurement signal. According to formula (5), as
long as the optical path parameters are stable, the slow
change of J0 in a certain range will not affect the meas-
urement accuracy. According to the intensity data, the
software of acquisition device can automatically config-
ure the lower limit of alarm and invalid signs. When the
light intensity exceeds the alarm setting value, the acqui-

Fig. 7. The internal faults protection action information
sition device will report self-inspection information. At
this time, The accuracy of the output sampling data can The acquisition device of OCT, having the function of
meet the requirements of the operation, but it also needs optical power monitoring and state parameter early
to arrange the maintenance plan. When the light intensity warning, can ensure the sample data safely and reliably
exceeds the invalid setting value, the collector reports the by monitoring the optical intensity of the optical path and
invalid information of the sampling data. meanwhile, it the self-healing link in real time. Therefore, though the
needs to shut down the power transmission line in time early products have a little experienced fiber breakage
and serviced immediately. and the phenomenon of light intensity in optical path is
below the monitoring threshold alarm, but the acquisition
V. PERFORMANCE OF OCT device can report the invalid information of sampling
data and lock protection in time. So far these problems
During the operation of OCT, there are many internal
and external faults in power grid. The output data of OCT have been solved with strengthening production quality
can accurately describe the complete waveform of fault control and configure reasonable setting value.
current. During the external fault the waveform of the

POWERCON2018 Paper NO. 201805280000375 Page3/5 3999

 2018 International Conference on Power System Technology (POWERCON 2018)
After several years of operation in power grid, the cor-
rectness of the optical measurement principle design and
the feasibility of engineering application are fully verified.
At the same time, it also demonstrates the effectiveness
of technical support and measures guarantee in engineer-
ing construction, field test and operation maintenance.
With improved the engineering construction and the con-
nection process of optical fiber. In particular, there is a de-
tachable link in the optical path which must be chosen the
FC parts, The fiber connection should be taken the fused
fiber technology.
In order to achieve the purpose of shock absorption, the
secondary local cabinet of optical transformer should also
be different from the traditional substation. It must be in-
stalled according to the technology of the optical fiber
communication cabinet to strengthen its anti-seismic per-
formance.
In order to keep the stability of the light intensity, it is
necessary to maintain the relatively stable ambient tempera-
ture in the outdoor cabinet.
VI. CONCLUSION
Since the operation of OCT in the 220kV transformer
substation, the pillar-type magneto-optic glass OCT has
gone through many internal and external faults of the power
grid. The fault recording of power line shows that the cur-
rent waveform is complete and the protection is correct. The
correctness of the principle and the feasibility of the tech-
nology of the OCT have fully verified.
The secondary current circuit uses optical cable instead of
metal cable, which not only eliminates the electromagnetic
coupling and overvoltage problem of the metal cable, but
also avoids the opened secondary current circuit and im-
proves the safety of the OCT operation.
The parameters of the optical transformer and the stability
of the optical path are the necessary conditions to ensure the
stable operation. When the temperature and humidity of the
operating environment in the collecting device keep stabi-
lized, the stable operation of the optical transformer can be
ensured.
For the dual configuration OCT, the power-off replace-
ment plug-in and configuration parameters can be realized,
so as to realize the uninterruptible maintenance of the sec-
ondary acquisition device.
The communication protocol used at present is still a
fixed length frame format with reference to the FT3 of GB/T
18657.1. The frame format defined cannot satisfy the upload
of the light intensity and the fault information, so the frame
format and state monitoring content should be systematical-
ly perfected.
After decades of operation, especially the application of
the 220kV substation in Liaoning province, it not only pro-
motes the improvement of the processing quality and the
theoretical level of the magneto-optic optical glass optical
sensor, but also strengthens the construction of the guarantee
system in production, construction, field test and operation
maintenance[19,20]. With the development of theoretical level
and production technology, magneto-optical glass OCT, as
POWERCON2018 Paper NO. 201805280000375 Page4/5
Guangzhou, 6-8 Nov. 2018
an engineering practical OCT, will also be applied and pop-
ularized with its unique performance.
REFERENCES
[1] BYOUNGHO Lee. Review of the present status of optical fiber sen-
sors[J]. Optical Fiber Technology, 2003, 9(2): 57-79.
[2] Guo Zhizhong. Comment on the research of electronic current trans-
formers [J]. Relay, 2005, 33(14): 11-14, 22.
[3] Wan Wei, Zhang Zhixin, Yang Yisong. The Fiber Optical Current
Transformer (FOCT) Technology and It’s Engineering Application[J].
Distribution & Utilization, 2009, 26(1): 45-48.
[4] Zhu Yong, Ye Miaoyuan, Xu Yan, et al. Design of 220kV Combined
Optical Voltage and Current Transformer[J]. High Voltage Engineer-
ing, 2000, 26(2):34-36.
[5] Luo Sunan, Ye Miaoyuan, Xu Yan, et al. Research on Optical Com-
bined Transformer[J]. Transactions of China Electrotechnical Society,
2000,15 (6): 45-49, 74.
[6] Liu Qing, Wang Zengping, Xu Yan, et al. Research on the Influence
of Optical Current Transformer on Protection Relaying System[J].
Power System Technology, 2005, 29 (1): 11-14, 29.
[7] Li Ying. Application of Electronic Current Transformer and Digital
Generator Protection in Giant Hydro Generating Units[J]. Electrical
Engineering, 2017(07): 65-67.
[8] Liu Jianli. Application of Optical Transformer in the Power System
Fault Protection [J]. Scienfic Technical Information of Gansu, 2008,
37(06):38+117.
[9] Lu Zhongfeng, Guo Zhizhong. Evaluation of Operational Stability on
Magneto-optical Optical Current Transformers[J]. Electric Power
Automation Equipment, 2007(10):38-43.
[10] Li Yansong, Guo Zhizhong, Yang Yihan, et al. Research on the Basic
Theory of Adaptive Optical Current Transducer[J]. Proceedings of the
CSEE, 2005(22):24-29.
[11] Cai Wei, Xing Junhui, Yang Zhiyong, et al. Mechanism Analysis of
Faraday Effect Based on Magneto-optical Coupling[J]. Laser & Op-
toelectronics Progress, 2017, 54(06):258-266.
[12] Tang Puhua, Huang Xiuxiang, Zhou Zhijin. Design of Optical Current
Transducer[J]. Instrument Technique and Sensor, 2006(10):6-7+10.
[13] Yu Wenbin, Yang Yihan, Guo Zhizhong, et al. Influence of Optical
Path Structure Parameters on Operation Stability of Optical Current
Transformer[J]. Power System Technology, 2008(20):68-72.
[14] Yu Wenbin, Jiang Bo, Zhang Guoqing, et al. Experiment on Site
Operational Stability of Optical Current Transformer[J]. Electric
Power Automation Equipment, 2012, 32(04):44-48+53.
[15] Xiao Zhihong, Yu Wenbin, Zhang Guoqing, et al. A method to Im-
prove Temperature Stability of Optical Voltage Sensor[J]. Transac-
tions of China Electrotechnical Society, 2015, 30 (4): 106-112.
[16] Chen Jinling, Li Hongbin, Liu Yanbing, et al. A Novel Method to
Improve the Temperature Stability of Optical Current Transformer[J].
Transactions of China Electrotechnical Society, 2009, 24 (4): 97-101
[17] Yu Wenbin, Zhang Guoqing, Lu Zhongfeng, et al. Analysis of Re-
sistance Disturbance Capability of Optical Current Transformers[J].
Power System Protection and Control, 2012, 40 (12): 8-18.
[18] Li Hongbin, Wang Benjin, Liu Yanbing. Study on Temperature Per-
formance and Improvement Method of Secondary Part of Optical
Current Transformer[J]. Electrical Measurement & Instrumentation,
2004, 41 (457): 13-16.
[19] Xiao Zhihong. Study and Comment of the Optical Transformers in
Power System[J]. Power System Protection and Control, 2014, 42
(12): 148-154.
[20] Xiao Zhihong, Guo Zhizhong, Zhang Guoqing, et al. The Faraday
Rotation Effect for Non-uniform Magnetic Field[J]. Proceedings of
the CSEE, 2017, 37 (8): 2426-2435.
First ZHANG Wu-yang (1981-), Senior Engineer, mainly engaged in
electric power system intelligent substation electronic transformer research.
E-mailφzhang_wuyang@126.com
Second TIAN Peng (1979-), Engineer, mainly engaged in power system
intelligent substation electronic transformer research. E-mail φ
tianpeng79514@126.com
Third LIU Sheng-qian (1982-), Engineer, mainly engaged in the power
system substation operation and maintenance management technology
research. E-mail˖76364539@qq.com
Fourth WEN Xiao-long (1985-), Assistant Engineer, mainly engaged in
the OCT research and test. E-mail: 315042258@qq.com
Fifth ZHENG Jian (1963-), Senior Engineer, mainly engaged in the OCT
research and development. E-mail: zj_bjxj@aliyun.com
4000
Sixth TIAN Zhi-guo (1972-), Senior Engineer, mainly engaged in the OCT
research and development. E-mail: 1786081472@qq.com

POWERCON2018 Paper NO. 201805280000375 Page5/5 4001