Immunity of current-to-voltage transducer, with coils manufactured by means of multilayered PCB technology, to external magnetic fields

Abstract

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to discuss the operation of new generation electromagnetic current-to-voltage transducer. The aim of research was analysis of behaviour of considered current-to-voltage transducers during operation. The main problem was to estimate whether the external fields are able to change the value of the secondary voltage and that the replacement of the casing material by a conductive or ferromagnetic material will increase the immunity of the transducer to external magnetic fields. The immunity of current-to-voltage transducers to the external fields is very important because it influences the proper functioning of the protection system. Design/methodology/approach – The use of analytical methods to assess the influence of external fields was impossible due to the complexity of the geometry. The 3D computations were necessary because of different cross sections of circuit boards at different heights. Therefore the numerical 3D field-and-circuit method based on finite element method was applied. The wide range of dimensions in computation system, ranging from 0.15 mm (print paths) to 0.22 m, made it necessary to use the mesh of millions of elements. The division of this type of system into elements requires a diverse and extremely dense mesh in the area of printed circuits board (PCBs). Findings – The 3D analysis of magnetic field distribution was performed for different external field effect upon a current-to-voltage transducer. The magnetic field distributions and the induced secondary voltage for several different cases were presented. As a conclusion it can be said that in this particular case the magnetic shield is most effective. The influence of external magnetic fields caused by currents passing through the other neighbouring phase bars near are insignificant for the transducer with non-magnetic core. Practical implications – Commonly used in measuring and protection systems of the transmission lines are induction instrument transformers. The instrument transformers are very precise devices and their errors are counted in tenths of a per cent, and phase displacement of signals in minutes. Especially in HV systems they are very big and their cores are heavy. Replacement of instrument transformers by the current to voltage transducers cooperating with electronic measuring systems will reduce the size and cost of devices. Originality/value – The requirements set for protective current transformers concern the transformation of currents, with high accuracy, especially at transient states. Therefore magnetic characteristics of their cores should be linear. It causes that cores are large and have some air gaps. Current-to-voltage transducers based on Rogowski coil are particularly suitable for the replacement of the protective current transformers because of their linearity. The traditional technologies used for making Rogowski coil consisted in winding a wire on a non-magnetic carcass. The development of technology has enabled the use of new technologies PCB high density interconnect in the production of Rogowski coil.