GE

Grid Solutions

OTCF
Capacitor Voltage Transformers Quality Product Design
72.5 kV to 800 kV High quality film / paper-oil insulation
Oil expansion by stainless steel bellows
In high and extra high voltage transmission systems, capacitor voltage transformers (CVTs) Superior transient response
are used to provide potential outputs to metering instruments and protective relays. In
addition, when equipped with carrier accessories, CVTs can be used for power line carrier Porcelain or composite insulator
(PLC) coupling.
Seismic Withstand
Designed for Long Service Life Capability
Decades of experience have resulted in strong and reliable units, able to meet the highest The standard OTCF resists medium
standards. These units are manufactured using the most modern insulation impregnation intensity seismic events
technology and equipment.
Applicable for highly seismic regions
GE's CVTs provide excellent reliability because the major insulation of the CVT, the Compliance with ANSI / IEEE, IEC or
capacitor stack, comprised of homogeneously assembled capacitor elements, is extremely equivalent standard
surge resistant irrespective of the waveform of the surge voltage.

CVT insulation integrity is assured by the fact that a metallic bellows assembly Key Benefits
hermetically seals the oil from the atmosphere. Conservative and safe design
Extensive field and extreme climate
All external parts are made from marine grade aluminum and stainless steel hardware is
experience, including high seismic regions
used, no painting is required.
Operation as coupling capacitor for power
Applications line carrier
Rugged, leak-proof design
For revenue metering and protection in high voltage networks
Maintenance-free
PLC application
Easy transport and installation
Performance
Vn: 36 to 800 kV
Cn: from 1,750 to 37,500 pF
Accuracy classes from 0.15 % to 1.2 %

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OTCF Capacitor Voltage Transformers

Reliable Design for High Life Expectancy

Insulating Systems Typical Section

The external insulation is provided by the
porcelain or composite housing and
coordinated with the capacitor stack,
consisting of virtually identical elements
so that the axial voltage distribution
from the line terminal to ground is
essentially uniform.

The capacitor elements have a mixed

dielectric material consisting of
alternating layers of polypropylene film
and kraft paper. The kraft paper layers
serve as a wicking agent to ensure
homogenous synthetic oil impregnation
1 Primary terminal
and stabilize capacitance over a wide
2 Cast aluminum bellow housing
temperature range. 3 Stainless steel expansion bellow
4 Compression spring
The electromagnetic unit (EMU) is housed 5 Insulated voltage connection
in an oil-filled tank at the base of the 6 Capacitor elements
capacitor stack. Mineral oil is employed as 7 Insulator (porcelain or composite)
the insulating medium instead of air 8 Voltage divider tap connection
because of its superior insulating and 9 Cast-epoxy bushing
heat transfer properties. The use of an 10 HF terminal connection
11 Ferro-resonance suppression device
oil-filled base tank removes the need for
12 Secondary terminals
space heaters in the secondary terminal 13 Oil level sight-glass
box as this area is warmed by heat 14 Aluminum terminal box
transfer from the insulating oil, but is 15 Intermediate transformer
available on request. This results in a 16 Oil/air block
more reliable, compact and cost effective 17 Oil drain plug
design. 18 Compensating reactor
19 Aluminum cover plate

Insulating Oil
We use insulating oils with excellent
dielectric strength, aging, and gas
absorbing properties. The synthetic oil
used for the capacitor units possesses
superior gas absorption properties
resulting in exceptionally low partial
discharge with high inception/extinction
voltage ratings. The oil used for the EMU
is premium mineral oil. The oil is filtered,
vacuum dried and degassed with in-
house processing. It contains no PCB.

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 OTCF Capacitor Voltage Transformers

Capacitor Stack
The capacitor stack is a voltage divider which provides a reduced voltage at the
intermediate voltage bushing for a given voltage applied at the primary terminal.

The capacitor stack is a multi-capacitor-unit assembly. Each unit is housed in an individual

insulator. A cast aluminum cover is on top of the upper capacitor assembly and is fitted
with an aluminum terminal. An adapter for mounting a line trap on top of the CVT can be
provided with an optional (and removable) HV terminal.

The capacitor units are mechanically coupled together by means of stainless steel
hardware passing through the corrosion resistant cast aluminum bellows housing. The
mechanical connection also establishes the electrical connection between capacitor
units. This facilitates field assembly of the CVT.

Each capacitor unit is hermetically sealed; a stainless steel diaphragm (expansion bellow)
preserves oil integrity by maintaining the hermetic seal while allowing for thermal
expansion and contraction of the oil. The capacitor units operate in a practically pressure-
free mode over a very wide ambient temperature range

The capacitor stack consists of a series of capacitor elements. The dielectric spacers are a
combination of kraft paper and polypropylene film. The ratio of paper/film is carefully
determined to provide constant capacitance for a wide range of operating temperature.
The aluminum electrodes capacitor elements are precision wound by microprocessor
controlled machinery. The capacitor elements are connected with low inductance tinned
copper tabs.

The stack assemblies are hydraulically compressed and bound with epoxy fiberglass tape
to obtain the optimum space factor for capacitance requirement and oil circulation. This
capacitor design results in stable accuracy performance over time and temperature.

After assembly in the insulator, capacitor units are individually oven dried under vacuum
and then impregnated with the processed synthetic oil.

Thousands of installed units to attest

to their reliability

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OTCF Capacitor Voltage Transformers

Electromagnetic Unit (EMU)

The EMU steps down the intermediate voltage provided No field adjustment of the unit is necessary.
by the voltage divider to values suitable for relay and metering
applications. The EMU is housed in a cast aluminum base tank with a cast
aluminum cover. Ground pads are located on both sides of the
A compensating reactor cancels the phase shift introduced by the tank to provide flexibility for connections. These pads can
capacitor voltage divider. A set of internal taps is used for factory accomodate either NEMA / IEC 2 hole or customer specified
accuracy and phase angle adjustments to provide optimum grounding connection. The base tank is filled with treated mineral
performance. Over-voltage protection is provided by a protective oil and hermetically sealed from the environment and from the
gap connected in parallel to the series reactances. synthetic oil in the capacitor units. A sight glass at the rear of the
tank provides for easy oil level monitoring. No oil maintenance is
The inherent capacitance of the divider and the inductances in the necessary throughout the service life of the unit. An oil drain plug
EMU of a CVT require the suppression of ferro-resonance. or oil sampling valve is provided on the base tank.

The passive ferroresonance suppression device (FSD) contains a External potential grounding switch (PGS) is installed on all ANSI /
saturable reactor, which acts like a switch. It presents a very high IEEE units for safety purposes. A ground shield is provided
impedance under normal conditions and switches on a damping between the intermediate voltage winding and the secondary
resistor across the secondary at a prescribed voltage. When the windings, in the event of insulation failure, the voltage on the
voltage has normalized it switches off the damping load. The secondary circuits is reduced. It also protects the secondary from
voltage sensitive switching strategy effectively suppresses voltage transients. PGS and CGS (Carrier Grounding Switch) ice
ferroresonance without imposing a heavy permanently connected shields available as option.
stabilizing burden on the unit, significantly improving the accuracy
and the transient response performance of the CVT.

Typical Schematic Diagram

1 High voltage terminal

2 Compensating reactor
3 Intermediate Transformer
4 Ground terminal
5 Ferroresonance suppression device, location might vary
6 Damping resistor
7 Carrier (HF) terminal
8 Overvoltage protective gap
9 Choke coil and gap (optional)
10 Potential grounding switch
11 Secondary terminals
12 Carrier grounding switch (optional)
13 Carrier drain coil and protective gap (optional)

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 OTCF Capacitor Voltage Transformers

Carrier Accessories Secondary Windings

When the CVT is equipped with carrier accessories for PLC service, an external carrier To meet the requirements for measuring
grounding switch (CGS) and carrier entrance bushing are provided in the terminal box. The and protection, generally two secondary
carrier accessories include a carrier drain coil with protective spark gap. A choke coil and a windings are provided with an option of
protective spark gap are installed in the base tank when a potential ground switch (PGS) is up to four windings, including the ground
provided to prevent the loss of the carrier signal when the PGS is in the closed position. fault winding. The maximum burdens can
be seen on page 7.
Secondary Terminal Box
The terminal box is spacious and can accommodate all required connections. The
secondaries of the EMU are brought out of the base tank through an oil/air seal block
assembly and terminated on separate terminal blocks with 8-32 screws. Other terminal
blocks available on request. The secondary terminal box area is warmed by heat transfer
from the oil filled tank. This prevents condensation in the terminal box and removes the
need for a space heater in service, but is available on request. An aluminum gland plate is
provided to accommodate customer conduit hubs. The door can be made lockable on
request. An interlock with the PGS can be provided on request.

Corona Suppression
Corona suppression is considered in the design and construction of every part of the CVT.
Designs requiring corona suppression are supplied with an aluminum corona ring to
ensure insulation performance.

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OTCF Capacitor Voltage Transformers

Insulator Inquiry Check List

Gray (ANSI 70) or brown (RAL 8016). High creepage distances are available as standard Applicable standards
according to the dimension tables. GE also offers CVTs with extra high creepage insulators Rated frequency
in porcelain and composite material. Composite insulators are made of an epoxy resin
fiberglass tube with silicone sheds. Highest system voltage
Power-frequency withstand test
Ambient Conditions voltage

All OTCF are designed to operate in ambient temperature from - 40 °C to + 45 °C, Lightning impulse test voltage
withstand wind speeds of 100 mph, site location up to 3,300 ft and 0.2 g lateral force. Switching impulse test voltage, if
GE can design to meet unusual site conditions when specified. applicable
Rated capacitance Cn in pF
Service Life and Maintenance Overvoltage factor (ex. 1.5 Un 30 s)
OTCF have been designed for a 30 years plus lifetime. They have near-zero maintenance Voltage ratio
requirements: the oil is hermetically sealed from the air by a stainless steel diaphragm
Number of secondaries
assembly and all external parts are of corrosion-resistant material.
Accuracy class and rated burden for
Tests each secondary winding
Transient response
Routine tests are performed in accordance with national, international and internal
quality standards. Each capacitor unit is routine tested for lightning impulse, power- Thermal burden
frequency withstand, partial discharge, dissipation factor and capacitance. A routine test Environmental conditions (altitude,
report is provided for each unit. Existing type test reports can be provided on request. temperature, site pollution, seismic
conditions…)
Partial discharges Required creepage distance in mm or
For the capacitor units, the partial discharge intensity is less than 5 pC at 1.2 Um / 3 and in mm/kV
less than 10 pC at Um after the power frequency voltage test. Options as required:HV terminal
(material and dimensions)
Ferro-resonance check Carrier accessories
After routine accuracy tests, the unit is checked for ferro-resonance suppression by Composite insulator (light grey)
applying secondary short-circuits. The secondary voltage is monitored with an Suspension mounting
oscilloscope to ensure that the recovery of normal waveform is satisfactory. Secondary terminal box heater
HV and ground connectors
Dissipation factor or Tan Line trap adapter

Dissipation factor measured at the rated voltage is less than 0.08 %. If a line trap is to be mounted on the CVT,
please specify the weight and overall
dimensions and load conditions.

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 OTCF Capacitor Voltage Transformers

Easy Transport and Installation

CVTs must be transported and stored in
the upright position. Multi capacitor unit
assemblies are delivered with the upper
capacitor units packed in the same crate.

The base unit and upper stack elements

can easily be assembled by following the
instruction manual (IBCVT01). No special
tools are required.

Ratings
Capacitive voltage transformers can be rated for metering and/or protection purposes.

Base Tank Dimensions

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 For more information please contact
GE Power
Grid Solutions

Worldwide Contact Center

Web: www.GEGridSolutions.com/contact
Phone: +44 (0) 1785 250 070
Phone: +1 (0) 706-554-8800 (Factory Waynesboro, GA, USA)

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GE and the GE monogram are trademarks of General Electric Company.

GE reserves the right to make changes to specifications of products described at any time without
notice and without obligation to notify any person of such changes.

OTCF-ANSI-Brochure-EN-2018-02-Grid-AIS-0031. © Copyright 2018, General Electric Company.

All rights reserved.

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