Application Limitation of Electronic Current and

Voltage Transformers in Digital Substations

Li Weifeng, Zhang Shuangle
Department of Electrical Engineering
North China Electric Power University
Baoding, China
yangyang0530@gail.com
Ma Weiping, Ao Ming
Department of High Voltage
Jilin Electric Power Research Institute
Changchun, China
maweiping@vip.sina.com

AbstractElectronic voltage transformer (EVT) and
electronic current transformer (ECT) are important
equipments in smart grid. In order to meet the
requirements of power reliability in the grid, the annual
failure rate of EVT and ECT should be less than 0.2%
during normal operation. Power transformer is the
electrical device, its annual failure rate is only 0.01%, and
the comprehensive reliability of secondary relay
protection devices can be improved to more than 99.8%
by redundancy design. EVT and ECTs reliability can be
hardly improved to 99.8% due to the limit of failure
relevance, unless designed and manufactured according to
aerospace standards. EVT and ECTs utilization is limited
in the digital substation considering of reliability and
economy. In the digital substation, Non-traditional
transformer is an economical and rational design, because
the reliability of 99.8% can be guaranteed by sending
analog small-signals from non-traditional transformers to
the relay unit. Non-traditional transformer s analog
output is sent to the merged cell of transformer, and a
digital signal is converted into the data bus serving for
substation monitoring and control systems, so the
reliability can reach 99%. Thus non-traditional
transformers analog output and merged cells output can
respectively meet the reliability requirements of relay
protection and monitoring systems informatization in the
digital substation.
Keywords-EVT; ECT; Digital substation; Non-traditional
transformer; Failure rate
I. INTRODUCTION
At present, China has fully carried out pilot projects of
digital substation construction, the digital model substations at
110kV and above voltage level in more than 10 provinces and
cities have already been completed and under construction.
Digital substation makes it possible to protect and control
intelligently, meet the requirements of power efficiency and
compatibility and provide a material basis for building of the
future smart grid. Using of open communication protocols,
unified data model, information sharing and exchanging opens
the door for new equipment and new technologies in the
application of power. For example, the access to on-line
monitoring system of the primary and secondary equipments is
more flexible, and processing of condition-based maintenance
is more comprehensive and economical. Digital substation
uses network-based and digital equipments, so it can save a
large number of secondary signal cables and connections, and
improve the efficiency of the design and construction, and help
to reduce the project cost. Open communication protocol helps
to achieve substation operations programs and networking,
and information sharing and exchange reduce misuses
happening.
The industrial countries began to research digital substation
two decades ago. Germany suggested developing common
standard for substation automation in 1994, then, IEC TC57
set up three working groups (WG10, WG 11, WG 12) to
develop IEC61850 standard Communications networks and
systems in substations in 1995. Professionals from Europe,
North America and Asian in power dispatch, computer
protection, power plants, operation and power enterprises, took
part in the standardization work. Standards of IEC 61850
series were completed in June 2005.
The standard specifies communication networks and
systems of the substation automation system in order to
achieve interoperability of IED devices from different
manufacturers. It used hierarchical distributed architecture,
object-oriented modeling techniques, independent of network
and abstract communication interface, open self-description
and the Unified Modeling data objects, which make the self-
describing of data objects possible. It also provided a platform
for different manufacturers to achieve IED interoperability and
seamless integration. China also issued related standard
equivalent to IEC 61850. It was DL/T 860 Substation
Communication Network and System Agreement. In 1990s,
IEC TC57 and IEC TC95 set up a joint working group to
develop the IEC61870-5-103 Matching criteria of information
interface in protective relaying equipment. While the U.S.
Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) developed a utility
communication system standards UCA2.0. In order to adapt to
developments of substation automation technology IEC
promulgated the IEC 62271-3 high-voltage switches and
control devices Part III: Digital Interface based on IEC 61850
and IEC 60044-7 Electronic Voltage Transformers and IEC
60044-8 Electronic Current Transformers.
II. POWER TRANSFORMER AND ELECTRONIC TRANSFORMER
IN A SUBSTATION
Currently Chinas Integrated Automation System of
Substation in use includes relay protection and automatic

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978-1-4244-9690-7/11/$26.00 2011 IEEE

safety device. It functions with the main transformer
protection, feeder protection and monitoring and
management. Energy information collection system is the
intelligent system developed in the past decade. And it is key
equipment used in power dispatching and electricity billing
independent of the protective relaying. A typical main
transformer protection includes differential protection, over-
current protection started by recombination current, overload
protection, zero-sequence over-current protection and zero-
sequence over-voltage protection and so on; typical feeder
protection includes instantaneous protection, over-current
protection, reclosing, power direction, low-frequency load
shedding, over voltage, low voltage, zero-sequence voltage
protection and so on; monitoring system functions with data
acquisition and recording, running surveillance and alarm.
Power transformer installed in the substation includes
electromagnetic voltage transformer, current transformer and
capacitor voltage transformer. The rated voltage output of the
secondary side is 100V and 100V/ 3 (in the system neutral
point non-effectively grounded), or 100V/ 3 and 100V (in
the system neutral point effectively grounded); and rated
current output is 5A (in grid of 110kV and below level) and
1A (in grid of 220kV and above level). Usually, power output
of each voltage winding is from 15VA to150VA while power
output of each current winding is from 15VA to 60VA. If you
need to drive more electromagnetic equipments, you should
appropriately increase the output capacity of transformer.
Before 1990s, large-scale use of electromagnetic devices in
substation automation system needed to have great power
output. From 1990s, electronic and digital substation
automation system started to be applied, and now the
traditional electromagnetic automation systems have been
eliminated. Electronic equipment uses electronic circuits
while digital equipment uses digital circuits. Signals typical
voltage used in both circuits is only 5V and the size of power
is almost no limited. After upgrading the secondary
equipment, production of power transformer was still based
upon the original standard, so it requires a conversion
interface. The conversion interface used currently is low-
power transformer (LPT) or micro-transformers. Their rated
voltage and current of the primary side are consistent with
traditional power transformers, while rated voltage and
current of the secondary are consistent with electronic circuits
and digital circuits. So the problem that secondary equipment
does not match the primary equipment as a result of upgrades
is solved.
The electronic transformer was first reported in 1967. It is
an electronic transformer installed by the United States Aris
Corporation in the 230kV power grid with the accuracy of 3,
and in the high-voltage side the signal pulse can be received
through the electronic circuits by V/F conversion, then the
signal was converted into light pulse through the GaAs diode
and transmitted to the ground. In 1980s Europe, North
America and Japan have been actively developing electronic
transformers, for example, the United States put 765kV
prototype into operation in 1971, using pulse width
modulation and ultrasonic transducer power, with the
accuracy of 0.5. This trend had aroused the concern of CIGRE
Institute. In order to make a summary of the use of this new
conversion device in power and make the right assessment,
International Society of Grid commissioned experts of related
countries to set up working group 34.03 on non-traditional
transformer, and conducted a two-year investigation. In 1978,
CIGRE working group 34.03 presented a technical paper on
non-traditional transformer Non-conventional current and
voltage transformers. Non-traditional transformer referred to
the transformer whose structure and output were different
from traditional transformer, that was the transformer that did
not use three standards of IEC 60044-1 current transformer
Current Transformers, IEC 60044-2 voltage transformer
Voltage Transformers, IEC 60044-5 capacitor voltage
transformers Capacitor Voltage Transformers. Research
report summarized the experience in the use of non-traditional
transformer in power. And it proposed technical requirements
that need to meet in use of non-traditional transformer in the
power grid, especially in large power grid. However, many of
these requirements have not yet been adopted and written into
IEC 60044 standard by IEC. The good news is that currently
electricity transformers produced according to IEC standards,
have been able to satisfy the protection requirements of
modern power grid. So it does not need to introduce a
particularly high demand.
III. RELIABILITY AND FAILURE OF POWER TRANSFORMER
Power transformers are electrical devices in structure made
up from the ferromagnetic materials, insulation materials and
metal material. From the theoretical analysis of reliability, its
failure characteristics that the curve shape of the failure rate
changing over time is broadly in line with the usual electrical
equipment namely bathtub shape. The first phase of operation
is early failure stage and the reason for failure is design errors,
manufacturing defects, improper storage and transportation,
installation errors and so on. It is characterized by a high
failure rate, failure curve decreasing gradually over running
times increasing and finally joining with the second stage.
The second phase of operation is the occasional failure
stage, and the reason for this is the materials, technology,
dispersion of assembly, over-voltage, over-current,
mechanical damage in operation and so on. The failure rate
has no change and approach to the level.
Examples of manufacturing defect, such as a OSKF-500
current transformer put into operation exploded after five
months because of insulation wrapping defects; a group of
LB-110-type current transformer devices were found with
metal powder tablets, charcoal powder, fine sand,
misalignment on capacitance screen and so on, after less than
six months put into operation, the oil content of hydrogen and
methane increased dramatically, some explosions have taken
place; a LCLWD-220-type current transformer exploded in
operation, the autopsy showed insulation of capacitance
screen is packed too loose inside but too tight outside
,forming a large number of grooves, producing partial
discharge in the running, leading to thermal insulation
breakdown; a LCWB-220-type current transformer exploded,

the autopsy showed the foil on capacitor screen had burr hole
and the main insulation was wrapped unevenly and misplaced.
a LCWB2-220-type current transformer, the second outlet of
the winding was not strong, the internal line end of the second
terminal dropped, leading to discharge; a WVB-220 capacitor
voltage transformer, insulating paper used on electromagnetic
unit was too brittle, the layout of the cable was unreasonable
when set up; while installing electromagnetic cover, lines
became folding and contacted electromagnetic unit, leading to
insulation damage to discharge after shocking for a long time.
A group of LB-110-type current transformer exploded many
times running for less than a year, the autopsy showed the
inside had a large number of X wax, paper insulation had
become darker in color indicating incomplete drying, coupled
with no vacuum oiling, the internal gas can not be discharged
and so on.
Examples of improper operation and maintenance are: the
connector between the primary and the second wire is not
strong or even loose, so that the primary conductor is too hot,
resulting in high temperature and insulation damage; oiling
process is bad and the transformer of 110kV and above has no
vacuum oiling, so partial discharge lead insulation to failure;
the secondary winding of current transformer is open-circuit
while the secondary winding of current transformer is short-
circuit, leading to over-voltage of the transformer winding or
overheating to failure; The current transformer using capacitor
screen insulation has bad grounding at the end of screen, the
connection is loose, so the end screen is in the floating
potential, resulting in discharging and burning screen; some of
CVT need to install the damper in the secondary circuit
during the installation process, but actually damper is not
installed in place, so that when the capacitor voltage
transformer is put in the grid ,electromagnetic unit is
damaged; some CVTs J terminals at the end of the capacitor
used to distribute voltage are not connected to the ground
through the plug board when made over and is not added
when installed, leading to the damage soon after put into
operation.
Under normal circumstances the design life of the power
transformer like transformer is 20 to 25 years. Power
transformers structure is simple, the severe heat stress is less
serious than transformers in operation. If the manufacturing
process is good, the operation and maintenance is proper,
lifetime should be over 25 years in terms of the materials
reliability. It can be concluded that during the occasional
failure power transformers fault mainly is caused due to
operating conditions beyond the design level. Power
transformers are industrial products, so its structure, process
and materials design need to consider limiting the
manufacturing costs and operating costs to a minimum, and
the technical standard for power transformers is prepared to
adapt to this need. Before determining the standard insulation
level it is required to count economic losses and social
impacts caused by the accident rate. And it is necessary to
compare it with the manufacturing costs increased to raise
insulation level. Therefore, the reliability index of the power
transformer is impossible and unnecessary to rise too high.
According to the data submitted by networks and Provincial
Power Company of State Grid Corporation, in 2004 there
were 185, 296 units transformers in operation at 110kV and
above voltage level (including current transformer 130123
units, 25683 units of electromagnetic voltage transformer,
capacitor Voltage Transformer 29490 units). Five current
transformers were damaged, the accident rate was 0.0038%;
Two capacitor voltage transformers were damaged, the
accident rate was 0.0078%; Five electromagnetic voltage
transformers were damaged, the accident rate was 0.0170%;
the average accident rate was 0.0065%. In comparison, the
accident rate in 2003 was: current transformer 0.0026%;
capacitor voltage transformer 0.0132%; electromagnetic
voltage transformer 0.0152%; the average 0.0060%.
IV. RELIABILITY MEASUREMENT OF ELECTRONIC
TRANSFORMER
Electronic Transformer is called e-type, for it uses the
electronic components in the structure. The simplest
electronic transformers have to use digital merged unit.
Electronic Transformers can be divided into the primary
current and voltage sensors, primary converter, transmission
system, the secondary analog converter and merged cells
according to the structure. Most of the primary current sensors
use low-power transformer and Rogowski coil, and the
primary voltage sensors use resistors and capacitor divider.
They all belong to electrical equipment, and the reliability has
no substantial difference with traditional power transformer,
but their reliability in general is better than the power
transformer because of the improvement of working
conditions. Electronic transformers transmission system
mostly uses optical fiber whose reliability life is normally 20
years, so it will not affect the electronic transformers failure
rate. In addition, the primary converter, the secondary analog
converter and merged cells all belong to the electronic
equipment, so the discussion must be transferred to the
reliability of the electronic equipment.
According to the characteristics of random life, more than
one can be allowed to join in the trial at the same time, and
the random reliability index is equal to the total test time T
divided by the reliable life of . And like power transformers,
the electronic equipment installed in the substation actually
carries out regular maintenance, so aging equipment can be
promptly detected and quit running, namely the effect that
products life has on the failure can not be considered, then in
the running the failure can also be regarded as accidental
failure. From this point of view, Reliability Verification Test
can be done in the case of more than one put into operation
simultaneously, but there is still a problem that the test
conditions are not consistent with the operating conditions,
only the test under the reference condition, so failure rate
received from test should be the lower limit of the actual
failure rate, lower than actual operation.
As the actual operation conditions can not be simulated in
the laboratory, the relation between the results obtained from
Reliability Verification Test and actual reliability cant be
expressed by mathematical relations. So far electronic

transformer is no large-scale usage, it is impossible to receive

actual statistical failure rate from a large number of running
data like the power transformer. But it is not impossible to
estimate electronic transformers failure rate. Because in the
substation there are a large number of electronic devices in
operation, according to their failure rate the failure rate of
electronic transformer may be inferred.
First, analyse the reliability design of electronic
equipment-made factory. Electronic devices compose of many
electronic components, so the reliability of components has a
direct impact on the device reliability. For practical
convenience, the United States and our military standard will
divide components into five levels, as shown in Table 1.
Assuming that electronic transformer uses qualified
electronic components whose service life is ten years, it
simply states that within ten years you need not consider the
replacement of aging equipment, do not mean failure rate can
meet the requirements because the failure is accidental and the
failure rate can not be calculated by life.
The reliability of electronic equipment having been used
in the substation can be used as the reference in assessing the
failure rate of electronic transformer, for example XWJK
Substation Integrated Automation Monitoring System, the
qualified quality level given by the manufacturing plant is that
MTBF is greater than or equal to 10000 hours.
According to the importance of the substation, select AQL
= 1. If substation monitoring systems MTBF is set up hours,
so
99 . 0
10000
=

e
,
99 10000/ln0. =
6
10
(hours), about 114 years.
From the above examples, we can know the annual failure
rate of the electronic devices would still achieve
% 1 1
01 . 0


e

even achieving 100-year reliable life in randomized trials
which has difference of two orders of magnitude compared
with the failure rate of 0.01% for current power transformer.
Another fact is that the damages of electronic equipments
installed in the same location are relevant and the program by
using redundant equipment as hot standby mutually can not
effectively improve reliability. Thus, there exists a question
whether it is necessary for the substation to risk reducing the
reliability to use electronic-type transformer. Throughout four
decades development of electronic transformers, electronic
components progress from discrete components to large-scale
integrated circuits, the signal conversion progresses from the
voltage-controlled oscillator to 16 or even 24-bit high speed
analog digital conversion, transmission channel progresses
from the gallium arsenide diodes to the optical fiber and laser.
This can show that today the technological development of
electronic transformer is already very mature, equipment and
technology related to electronic transformers almost all
develop to the extent of General Technology, and they can be
gotten in the market. But one thing has not changed, for
electronic transformer the reliability of electronic devices has
progress in four decades but very little.
V. PROSPECTS OF DIGITAL POWER TRANSFORMERS
Smart grid involves the modernization of the power
supply system, it can monitor various parts forming the grid,
carry out protection and automatic optimization which
involves power plants located in grid center and outside, all
the high-voltage power grid and distribution network,
industrial users and automatic device in the building, energy
storage facilities, end users and their air-conditioning
machines, electric vehicles, electrical facilities, and household
appliances and so on. Smart grid is characterized by a dual-
channel flow of power and information, and establishes an
automated transmission networks covering a wide range of
energy. Smart grid uses distributed computing and effective
communications technology to provide real-time information
so that the power supply and demand on the device level can
achieve instantaneous balance.
Digital Substation is an important component of smart
grid, digital substation needs collection and transmission of
the primary current and voltage information through
transformers, there is no doubt that the digital transformer is
essential for the digital substations and it can be concluded
that the transformer must have a digital output.
At present, some digital substation has been used digital
methods on power transformer, namely inserting micro-
current and voltage transformers on secondary output terminal
of the traditional power transformer and receiving current and
voltage signals suitable for electronic circuit from the
transformer secondary. Then through the A/D chip A/D
conversion can achieve to realise digital power transformer. In
fact, twenty years ago when the relay protection device was
computerized, this innovation had been launched and the
purpose of converting digital signal was not information
sharing, but supplied for microcontrollers of relay protection
devices as control signal input ,it is different today.
VI. CONCLUSIONS
According to reliability analysis of electronic equipment
used in the existing substation, it can be inferred that the
annual failure rate of the electronic transformer is roughly
1%.
The effect to improve the reliability is not large by using
redundancy design, due to the limit of the primary equipment
failure correlation.
This makes the reliability levels of relay protection in the
digital substation drop from the current 0.02% to 1%, which is
difficult to guarantee reliability requirements of 99.8%.
Non-traditional transformer, made by the electromagnetic,
resistive and capacitive electrical device, can be used to
construct the digital substation. It is an economic and reliable
program, deserves attention and study.
ion. Now she is studying at Jilin University for doctor degree at off hours.
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