Presentation 08.

1
OMICRON 2013 Instrument Transformer Measurement Forum
The Importance of Testing Coupling Capacitor Voltage Transformers
(CCVTs)
Mary Foster, OMICRON, USA

Abstract
This presentation will provide a comprehensive
review of power factor and capacitance field testing
of CCVTs. A CCVT is a coupling capacitive voltage
transformer that steps down extra high voltage and
provides a low voltage signal for either
measurement or for operation of protective relays.
CCVTS are used in applications of higher voltages
where it would become costly to use an inductive
voltage transformer.
The typical failure modes of a CCVT include: a
failure of one or more capacitance elements in a
stack, moisture ingress, failure of the Ferro-
resonance suppression circuit, failure of the
potential transformer, or failure of the protective
gaps.
A power factor and capacitance test is an
established test in the industry for determining the
insulation quality of the CCVTs. This test aids in
identifying two common failure modes: failure of
one or more capacitance elements in a stack, and
moisture ingress. An increase in power factor
measurements may be an indication of moisture or
contamination. An increase in capacitance may be
due to short-circuited capacitance layers in the
stack.
This presentation will discuss different
configurations of the CCVT design and provide test
procedures on older CCVTs in which the potential
terminal is accessible and newer CCVTs in which
the potential terminal is not accessible. Nameplate
nomenclature will be reviewed and
recommendations given regarding how to correlate
these nameplate values to measured field test
values. Finally, the labeling of the test points of
different types of CCVTs will be differentiated so
that the field tester can easily identify the test
points regardless of the type of CCVT encountered
to perform power factor and capacitance tests
properly.
About the Author
Mary Foster joined OMICRON in
April of 2010 as Primary Manager
of Bushings/Instrument Transfor-
mers (North America), and is
working out of the Waltham office
in Massachusetts. Mary also
specializes in the dielectric
frequency response technology, which offers a
diagnostic technique to identify moisture content in
oil-paper insulation. Previously, Mary was
employed at Doble Engineering Co., as a Principal
Engineer, and served as an Officer of the
Bushings, Insulators, and Instrument Transformers
Committee. She brings more than 14 years of
primary experience including transformer
diagnostics, and has published numerous technical
papers. The industry regards her as one of the
leading authorities on bushings. Mary's work
experience also includes 10 years in the power
systems group at General Dynamics/Electric Boat
Corporation where she worked on submarine
design. She is active on key IEEE Transformer
Committees related to her area of expertise and
received a BSEE degree from Clarkson University
in 1988.