Optical CTs and VTs
email: info@[Link]
NxtPhase Corporation
[Link]
[Link]
Product specifications are subject to change without notice. © 2002 NxtPhase Corporation. All rights reserved. Printed In Canada 05/02
Optical CTs and VTs
B 69 kV to 765 kV
p.1 B About NxtPhase
p.2 + 3 B CT Technology
p.4 + 5 B VT Technology
p.6 B Optical CTs and VTs
p.7 B A Complete Solution
p.8 B Financial Considerations
About NxtPhase
Experienced Team
Our team combines extensive experience working in electric utilities with
optics and electronics experience. Some of the industry’s best and brightest
are dedicated to providing our customers with reliable products that meet
their needs.
Focused Market
Improving reliability of the power system, NxtPhase products will change the
way high-voltage electric power is managed in a competitive electric power
industry. Optical CTs and VTs offer more accurate digital information, broader
dynamic range, wider bandwidth, improved safety, and environmental
benefits compared with conventional technologies. Our relays and recorders
provide smart, easy-to-use protection, monitoring and control of electrical
power systems.
Proven Technology
NxtPhase technology is protected by over 25 international patents. Our CTs
incorporate the same technology proven in Honeywell’s fiber-optic gyro, a
system with a trusted reputation for accuracy and reliability, used successfully
in demanding navigational applications for the last ten years. Relays and
recorders are founded on a single, flexible platform based on extensive
development in advanced digital signal processing, microelectronics and
graphical user software.
Rich History
United by a shared vision, NxtPhase itself was formed from several well-
respected teams in the areas of: fiber optic measurement of current, fiber
optic measurement of voltage, and digital protection equipment. NxtPhase
acquired Honeywell current sensing technology, originally developed for use
in navigational gyro systems; several of the development team's engineers
and managers are now an integral part of the NxtPhase team. NxtPhase
voltage sensing technology has roots with a University of British Columbia
spin-off whose extremely accurate sensor avoids the environmental concern
of alternative optical or conventional technologies. The relay and recorder
product line, well-established in the digital protection and monitoring domain,
has been providing leading-edge, easy to use products for over 15 years.
p.1 B About NxtPhase
p.2 B CT Technology
CT Technology
NxtPhase current sensing technology is
based on the Faraday Effect. Magnetic
field created as current flows through a
conductor influences the polarization of
light on a path encircling that conductor.
The unique NxtPhase design results in superior accuracy over dynamic
range, over temperature, and during vibration. The sensor measures the
difference between the effect on 2 polarizations, rather the absolute effect
on a single signal.
conductor
3
Specialized NxtPhase opto-
electronics convert signals from a
conductor light emitting diode into two linearly
polarized signals, both sent through a
4 polarization maintaining optical fiber
to the sensing head.
2
5
Two linearly-polarized light signals.
At the top of the column there is a
circular polarizer that converts the
two linearly-polarized light signals into
right and left circular polarizations.
Circularly-polarized light.
The light signals travel around the
conductor many times. Magnetic field
6 created by the current flowing in the
conductor slows one signal and
accelerates the other (Faraday
effect).
As the circularly-polarized signals
complete their path around the
conductor, they are reflected by a
mirror and travel back through the
fiber, the direction of their polarizations
now reversed. Along this reverse path,
the effect is doubled.
Both signals make their way back to
the circular polarizer, which
converts them back into linearly
polarized light beams.
When there is no As current passes through the
current passing conductor, the magnetic field shifts
through the conductor, the light signals in opposite
the two light signals directions - putting them out of
travel in phase. phase.
Light travels back down the column to
the opto-electronics. The difference in
speed of propagation has translated
into a phase shift between the linear
signals. Since both signals have
traveled an identical path, vibration
and temperature changes have
affected them equally – the highly
accurate current measurement
remains unaffected.
Opto-Electronics
1
p.3 B CT Technology
p.4 B VT Technology
VT Technology
NxtPhase voltage sensing technology,
based on the Pockels Effect, yields highly
accurate measurements by using weighted
averages from multiple optical sensors.
conductor The voltage on a conductor creates
an electric field between line and
ground.
conductor
Specialized NxtPhase opto-
electronics send a light signal from a
light emitting diode, through an optical
fiber.
The light signal travels up the
unit’s column.
4 5
Light enters electro-optic
crystals (Pockels cells),
located at three strategic
points inside the high
voltage insulator column.
As the light passes through the
crystal, the electric field
changes its circular polarization
to an elliptical polarization. By
measuring the "ellipticity"
(relative output on each axis) a
precise measurement of electric
field at that point is derived.
Y Y
X X
Circularly-polarized light Elliptically-polarized light
enters the crystal. exits the crystal.
Data from the three strategically
located sensors is weighted and
combined to yield a highly
accurate voltage measurement.
This measurement is immune to
external influences such as the
presence of other high-voltage
structures or surface contamination.
6
Opto-Electronics
2
p.5 B VT Technology
p.6 B Optical CTs and VTs
Optical CTs and VTs
B 69 kV to 765 kV
A NXVCT Optical Voltage and Current Sensor
B NXVT Optical Voltage Sensor
C NXCT Optical Current Sensor
A B C D
D Bus-Mounted Optical Current Sensor
Optical sensing with maximum dynamic range. Accuracy redefined.
B current: for metering, exceeds IEC Class 0.2S and IEEE Class 0.3
for protection, exceeds IEC Class 5P and IEEE 10%
B High Accuracy
B voltage: for metering, exceeds IEC Class 0.2 and IEEE Class 0.3
for protection, exceeds IEC Class 3P and IEEE Class 0.3
B current: from under 1 Arms to 3600 Arms for metering
B Wide Dynamic Range up to 170 kApeak for protection
B voltage: from 2% to 200% of rated voltage
B current: 10 Hz to 6 kHz for current
B High Bandwidth B voltage: 10 Hz to 6 kHz for voltage
B wide separation of electrodes (avoids oil or SF6)
B Safe & Environmentally Friendly B no ferroresonance or open secondary concerns
B light weight for substation design flexibility
B Reduced Installation Costs B combined VT/CT suitable for both metering and protection
B user-friendly software interface to powerful electronics
B Flexible Interfaces B conventional high-energy analog, low-energy analog and digital interfaces
B common substation communication protocols
B nitrogen filled
B Low Maintenance B polymeric insulator
Installation Hydro Québec lineman
installs NxtPhase NXVCT
In many ways, installation of an optical system is relatively uncomplicated in comparison with commissioning of column at Rolls Royce
conventional instrument transformers. Small size and weight, combined with the absence of oil or SF6 gas, avoid substation on Montréal Island.
many of the difficulties encountered with traditional systems. A comprehensive installation manual instructs our
customers through the steps of unpacking the column and ancillary equipment, positioning the columns on substation
support structure, mounting electronics in control room cabinet, feeding cables to the control room and connecting
those cables to control room electronics. Once initial positioning is complete, users are guided through verifying each
subrack, energizing the high-voltage bus, and verifying overall system operation.
A Complete Solution
B NxtPhase ships a complete package including opto-electronics, fiber optic cable assembly, and high voltage sensing columns.
NxtPhase opto-electronics
subracks control current
sensing and voltage
sensing in the
Opto-Electronics substation yard.
An extremely flexible design, the opto-electronics subrack is easily configurable for a
variety of measurement or protection applications. Available with a range of interfaces,
the opto-electronics subrack supports existing analog connection to meters and relays,
as well as emerging digital protocols. The unit’s self monitoring capability eases
maintenance and its predictive diagnostics eliminate downtime. Our Control Panel
software allows users to manage everything from key settings such as "turns ratio" to in-
depth analysis of system health during installation and on-going operations. Users have
access to a complete log of system history, and at-a-glance system status information.
Fiber Optic Cabling
Factory pre-terminated for ease of installation, fiber optic cables are available in lengths
to suit your application. Cables themselves are suitable for trench installation, pulled
through conduit, or direct buried (rodent-proof option available). Our complete fiber
management system includes a fiber termination box to simplify connections and neatly
manage excess fiber.
High-Voltage Sensing Columns
Based on a completely passive design, NxtPhase optical sensing columns have no active
electronics components in the yard. Also designed for very low maintenance, the
nitrogen-filled units use no paper/oil or SF6 gas insulations.
NXVCT opto-electronics
subrack.
Control Panel, an intuitive Windows-based
configuration software, enables control of
the NXVCT system.
A fiber optic CT is located on
top of each column assembly,
connected to the high voltage
bus. From each column, fiber
cables lead to a cable
management box, and are
routed through cable trenches
to the control room cabinet.
Within the cabinet, subracks
AUX
SENSOR
ALARM COMBINER SENSOR SENSOR SENSOR PMB LIGHT SOURCE
receive and transmit optical
AUX
SENSOR
ALARM COMBINER SENSOR SENSOR SENSOR PMB LIGHT SOURCE
signals to and from the
columns, also providing high
and low energy analog outputs
AUX ALARM COMBINER SENSOR SENSOR SENSOR PMB LIGHT SOURCE
SENSOR
for interface with meters and
other secondary equipment.
p.7 B A Complete Solution
p.8 B Financial Considerations
Financial Considerations
B A look at the business case …
Capital cost is actually a small fraction of the overall cost of substation
equipment. NxtPhase optical CTs and VTs have the potential to reduce
initial substation costs, increase revenues, and decrease overall cost of
ownership over the entire life cycle.
Combined VTs and CTs suitable for both metering and protection:
B Fewer devices
B Reduced engineering and design costs
B Substation Costs B Simpler civil work and support structures
B Reduced real estate
B Elimination of low side metering
B Retrofitting flexibility without concern for seismic withstand
B
Light weight:
B Reduced foundations and steel
B Installation & Commissioning Costs
B Reduced installation equipment
B Reduced transportation and handling
B
Accuracy over a wide dynamic range:
B Greater revenue capture
B Improved line loadings
B Elimination of transformer loss estimation
B Operating Performance Improvements Intrinsically safe. No ferroresonance or open secondary concerns:
B Lower equipment damage costs
B Reduced risk of explosive failure
B Safer work environment
B Reduced risk of major outage
B
No oil or SF6 gas:
B Elimination of dissipation factor testing
B Elimination of SF6 gas management and reporting
B Maintenance & Overhaul Costs
B Elimination of explosive failure costs
Customer selectable turns ratio:
B Reduced inventory management of spare units
B
No oil or SF6 gas:
B No environmental costs to dispose of a device
B End of Life Disposal Costs
B
"Our experienced team is dedicated to
enhancing value for our customers
through the management and
measurement of electric power."
Richard MacKellar, President, NxtPhase Corporation
Optical CTs and VTs
[Link]
email: info@[Link]
NxtPhase Corporation
[Link]
Product specifications are subject to change without notice. © 2002 NxtPhase Corporation. All rights reserved. Printed In Canada 05/02
