CAPACITIVE VOLTAGE

TRANSFORMER

Prepared by,
N_Arc Consulting
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DEFINITION
• A capacitor voltage transformer (CVT), or capacitance coupled voltage
transformer (CCVT) is a transformer used in power systems to step
down extra high voltage signals and provide a low voltage signal, for
measurement or to operate a protective relay. In its most basic form the
device consists of three parts: two capacitors across which the transmission
line signal is split, an inductive element to tune the device to the line
frequency, and a transformer to isolate and further step down the voltage for
the instrumentation or protective relay. The tuning of the divider to the line
frequency makes the overall division ratio less sensitive to changes in the
burden of the connected metering or protection devices.
• The CVT is also useful in communication systems. CVTs in combination with
wave traps are used for filtering high frequency communication signals from
power frequency. This forms a carrier communication network throughout the
transmission network.
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 The device has at least four terminals: a terminal for connection to the high voltage
signal, a ground terminal, and two secondary terminals which connect to the
instrumentation or protective relay. CVTs are typically single-phase devices used for
measuring voltages in excess of one hundred kilovolts where the use of wound
primary voltage transformers would be uneconomical. In practice, capacitor C1 is
often constructed as a stack of smaller capacitors connected in series. This provides
a large voltage drop across C1 and a relatively small voltage drop across C2.

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OPERATION
Capacitor Voltage Transformers convert transmission
class voltages to standardized low and easily
measurable values, which are used for metering,
protection and control of the high voltage system. As
such, the need for accurate and reliable voltage
transformation is essential. Additionally, Capacitor
Voltage Transformers serve as coupling capacitors for
coupling high frequency power line carrier signals to
the transmission line.
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OPERATION
• Capacitor Voltage Transformers convert transmission class
voltages to standardized low and easily measurable values,
which are used for metering, protection and control of the high
voltage system. As such, the need for accurate and reliable
voltage transformation is essential. Additionally, Capacitor
Voltage Transformers serve as coupling capacitors for coupling
high frequency power line carrier signals to the transmission line.

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CVT as Coupling Capacitor for Carrier
Current Applications
• The carrier current equipment is connected to the power line via
coupling capacitor. The coupling capacitor voltage transformer
(CCVT) combines the functions of coupling capacitor and
Voltage Transformer.

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Testing of Voltage Transformer
 Error Measurements
 Core losses
 Insulation Tests
 High Voltage Tests
 Polarity Tests

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MAINTENANCE
 CVTs must have near-zero maintenance requirements: the oil is
hermetically sealed from the air by a stainless steel diaphragm
assembly and all external parts are of corrosion-resistant material.

 Before installation, routine tests are performed in accordance with

national and international standards. Each capacitor unit is routine
tested for lightning impulse, power-frequency withstand, partial
discharge, dissipation factor and capacitance. A routine rest report is
provided for each unit. Existing type test rep orts can be provided on
request.

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TESTS
• Following tests must be conducted:
Partial discharges
• For the capacitor units, the partial discharge intensity is less than 5
pC at 1.2 times maximum line-to-ground voltage and less than 10 pC
at twice the rated voltage after the power frequency voltage test.
Ferro-resonance check
• After routine accuracy tests, the unit is checked for ferro-resonance
suppression by applying secondary short-circuits. The secondary
voltage is monitored with an oscilloscope to ensure that the recovery
of normal waveform is satisfactory.
Dissipation factor or Tan δ
• Dissipation factor measured at the rated voltage is less than 0.06 %.

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