Method Statement

Line parameter Measurement with CPC 100 + CP CU1

Author
Anas Abdulkhader [email protected]
Mob: +97333626420

Notes
General purpose method statement describing procedure and safety related to Line Impedance Testing with
CPC 100 + CP CU1 + CP GB1

© OMICRON Page 1 of 14
 Content

1 Equipment list ........................................................................................................................................3

2 Safety Instructions ................................................................................................................................3
2.1 Safety Standards ............................................................................................................................3
2.2 Safety Rules ...................................................................................................................................3
2.3 Instruction for safe operation of CP CU1 ........................................................................................3
3 Working Principle of CP CU1 ...............................................................................................................4
4 Connecting CP CU1 to a Power line ....................................................................................................5
4.1 Line Length .....................................................................................................................................6
4.2 Estimated open- line voltage Fig 4: Estimating the open line voltage ............................................6
4.3 Measured Open line voltage ...........................................................................................................7
5 Line impedance measurement on single-circuit lines .......................................................................8
6 CPC 100 Sequencer Test Card .............................................................................................................9
7 CPC excel File Loader for reporting ................................................................................................. 10
8 Line impedance measurement on double-circuit lines (mutual coupling) ......................... 10
8.1 Using the CPC 100’s Sequencer test card to perform the line impedance measurement on a
double-circuit line .................................................................................................................................. 13

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 1 Equipment list
Sr. Model Name Quantity Remarks
1 CPC 100 1 Box
2 CP CU1 + CP GB1 + accessories 1 Box
3 CPC 100 cables and accessory 1 Box
4 Safety accessories – SAA2 1 Box optional
5 Laptop 1 Unit For report generation
6 Basic tools, multimeter, clamp meter Should be arranged at
earthing rods, connection cables site by customer

2 Safety Instructions

2.1 Safety Standards

Testing and measuring with the CP CU1 must comply with the relevant national and international safety
standards listed below:
• EN 50191 (VDE 0104) "Erection and Operation of Electrical Equipment"
• EN 50110-1 (VDE 0105 Part 100) "Operation of Electrical Installations"
• IEEE 510 "IEEE Recommended Practices for Safety in High-Voltage and High-Power Testing"
• LAPG 1710.6 NASA "Electrical Safety"

2.2 Safety Rules

Always observe the five safety rule

Recommended additional safety:

Wear personal protective equipment
Use the “ties” to fix cables to avoid them falling down during measurement by any reason.

2.3 Instruction for safe operation of CP CU1

• Do not touch any terminals without a visible connection to ground.
• Before handling the CP CU1 or CPC 100 in any way, connect them with a solid connection of at
least 6 mm2 cross-section to ground. Ground the CP CU1 as close as possible to the CPC 100.
• Use the CP GB1 grounding box to connect the CP CU1 to overhead lines and power cables.
• When using the CP GB1, ground it near the place where the connection to the test object is made.
• Make sure that the grounding stud is in good condition, clean and free of oxidation.
• Make sure that all studs and cables of the CP GB1 are screwed tight.
• Do not open the CP CU1’s or CP GB1’s housing.

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 • Do not repair, modify, extend, or adapt the CP CU1, CP GB1 or any accessories.
• Use only original accessories available from OMICRON.
• Use the CP CU1, CP GB1 and their accessories only in a technically sound condition and when its
use is in accordance with the regulations. In particular, avoid disruptions that could in turn affect
safety.
• Do not use the CP CU1 if you have a cardiac pacemaker. Before operating the CP CU1 make sure
that there is no person with a cardiac pacemaker in the immediate vicinity of the measurement
setup.
• Life threatening voltages up to 600 V can appear on all CP GB1’s contacts and on all clamps and
cables connected to the CP CU1 during the test. Keep safe distance from them.
• Use a grounding set to ground the power line at the near end whenever you handle the
measurement setup inside the danger zone (for example when changing connections at the CP GB1
between measurement loops).
• Power the CP CU1 only from the CPC 100’s EXT. BOOSTER output. Use only booster cables
supplied by OMICRON.
• Ensure that the short-circuit bar is always plugged in the CP CU1’s I AC output whenever the output
is not connected to the I AC input of CPC 100.
• Connect the CP CU1’s I AC output exclusively to the I AC input of the CPC 100.
• Before connecting the CP CU1 with the CPC 100, turn off the CPC 100 either by the POWER
ON/OFF switch or the Emergency Stop button.
• Set the current range switch on the CP CU1’s front panel only when the CPC 100 is turned off and
the test object is grounded.
• Measure the circulating current and calculate the open circuit voltage before you connect GB1 and
CP CU1 to line.
• Power up CPC 100 with a proper supply (generator with enough power and not fluctuating the
frequency)

3 Working Principle of CP CU1

The CP CU1 has been designed for measurements on overhead transmission lines and power cables.
In order to provide safety, the CP CU1 comes with a matching transformer, a CT and a VT which provide
galvanic insulation between the operator and the line under test (marked by the orange dashed line in
Figure 2-12 below). Furthermore, the CP GB1 protects the CP CU1 and the operator from unexpected
events on the line by being capable of diverting high short-circuit currents. The insulation of the CP CU1
is designed to withstand far higher voltages than the CP GB1’s surge arrestors do.
Note: This is only guaranteed if the danger zone is respected by the user!

Fig 1: Test setup consisting of CPC 100, CP CU1 and CP GB1.

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 4 Connecting CP CU1 to a Power line
For a reliable and accurate measurement, it is however also required to facilitate a rather high signal to
noise ratio. Therefore, in order to inject maximum power, the CP CU1 comes with a switchable matching
transformer with four different current ranges, which allow impedance matching for short and long power
lines.

Fig 2: Loading diagram of the CP CU1

In order to estimate the interference and find an adequate current range on the CP CU1, the following
steps are recommended for preparation of the measurement four criteria have to be checked:

Fig 3: Four Criterion for connecting CP CU1 to Line

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 4.1 Line Length
Select the CP CU1’s current range by following the assignment in below table

Table 1: Selection of current Range according to line length

4.2 Estimated open- line voltage

4.3
Fig 4: Estimating the open line voltage

This is the most important criteria to select the range. To perform the check, please follow below steps.
1. Switch off, short-circuit and ground the power line on both sides, using an installed grounding switch
or, if no grounding switch is available on site, using grounding cables
2. Make sure that the connection to ground at the far end of the power line is not removed during the
complete test procedure.
3. In addition to the grounding switch, ground the line at the near end, using a grounding set consisting
of three cables rated for the maximum short-circuit current possible on the line.
4. Open the near grounding switch in order to measure the entire circular current via the grounding set.
5. Then measure the current in each of the three phases of the grounding set with a common current
clamp and note the values. Depending on the geometry of the line the values for the currents could slightly
differ.
6. Close the grounding switch again.

The estimated voltage can now be calculated according to below equation by using the highest of the three
measured currents.
Note: If line length is measured in kilometres

Selection of current range, according to estimated voltage as per below table.

table 2: Selection of current range according to estimated voltage

► Select the CP CU1’s current range according to this Table 2 Do not select a higher current range than
selected according to line length! Only select a lower range if necessary.

Note: If the calculated voltage exceeds 500 V, the measurement cannot be performed, since the
CP CU1 is designed for a maximum working voltage of 500 V! If this is the case, please consider the

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 following options:

• Try to reduce the interference from parallel lines by

a) reducing the load flow on parallel lines,
b) de-energizing parallel systems.
• Perform the measurements at another time, when load flow is lower (early morning).
• For overhead lines: Perform measurement on the most remote phase of the parallel system if the
coupled voltage is lower than 500 V.

4.4 Measured Open line voltage

After the estimation of the open-line voltage, the CP CU1 can now be connected to the line under test,
in order to measure the actual open-line voltage and verify the estimation.

► Set up the CP CU1 and the CP GB1 according to Figure below. The Kelvin clamps on the
grounding box must be connected to the phase where the highest circular current has been
measured and ground.

Fig:5 Measuring open line voltage

To measure the open-line voltage, perform the following steps:

1. Make sure the grounding switch is closed.
2. Connect the CP GB1 to ground near the place where the connection to the power line is made. Use
the cable delivered with the CP GB1 and the proper grounding socket clamp.
3. Connect the cables of the grounding set used for estimating the open-line voltage to the GB1.
4. Connect the other ends of the grounding set to the three phases of the power line.
5. Ground the CP CU1, using a cable of at least 6 mm2 cross-section, close to the position of the
operator.
6. Connect the CP CU1 with the CP GB1 as shown in Figure 3-2: on page 28.
7. Select the 10 A range (500 V) on the CP CU1 and shorten the I AC output.
8. Leave the danger zone and open the grounding switch.
9. Read the voltage at the voltmeter of the CP CU1 from outside the danger zone.
10. Close the grounding switch again!

Note: If the measured voltage exceeds 500 V, the measurement cannot be performed, since the
CP CU1 is designed for a maximum working voltage of 500 V! If this is the case, please consider the
options given in the previous section Please use the same table 2 for selection of current range.

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 If all the above 3 criterions are ok, it is not required to check the 4th criteria, More details are available in the
manual.

5 Line impedance measurement on single-circuit lines

Please note that this measurement only applies to a single-circuit line where no mutual coupling to
parallel lines must be considered.

Fig: 6 Line Impedance measurement set up

• Connect the CP CU1 to the power line under test and after checking at least 3 criteria
• Use the Sequencer card or line impedance card depending on the license available. Detailed
procedure for using the sequencer card is available on the next section.
• Change the connection accordingly for all other test loops as shown in above figure
• Before changing the connection, please ensure that CPC 100 stopped injection, press emergency
button and ground the transmission line.
• In all the cases remote end remained connected to earth.
• Open the nearby end earth for injection only and should close immediately after the injection.

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 • Use the three-lead cable to shorten the three phases for the last test loop L1L2L3-E.
• Always measure impedance under real operational conditions. Do not disconnect voltage
transformers, ground wires, cable shields, surge arrestors (at cables)

Settings of
Measurement

6 CPC 100 Sequencer Test Card

Fig: 7 Genaral setup for Line impedance template with sequencer card.

In the CPC 100 settings, Device setup, please ensure the external booster is CU1 and the clamp and input
transformer setting is same as below picture

This must be checked

on CPC 100 settings

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 Fig :8 CPC 100 settings

1. use the dedicated template on the CPC 100 by following this path in the file operations view
CPC >> Templates >> Cables and Transmission Lines >> Old line impedance >> Line Imp
CU1 10A 50Hz
2. Choose the template matching the current range selected on the CP CU1.
3. The Schema test cards are comment test cards, which show how to connect the clamps to the CP
GB1.The measurement is then performed in the sequencer test card which is following the Schema
(L1-L2, L1-L3, L2-L3, L1-E, L2-E, L3-E, L1L2L3-E)
4. Press the I/O Button on the CPC 100’s front panel to start a measurement after you have
connected the clamps to the CP GB1 according to the respective Schema test card as well as
Figure 6.
5. The measurement is stopped automatically after the sequence has terminated.

Note: The near end of the line must not be grounded during the injection of the test current! Ground the
line immediately after the measurement!

It is recommended to save the test file on the CPC 100 after each individual test loop to prevent loss of
data in the event of an unexpected outage.

6. After all tests have been performed, open the CPC 100 file (xml-file) with the corresponding Excel
template (Line Imp.xlt) from the CPC 100 Start Page in the section Test Templates. Check the test results
carefully. The cell comments in the test report sheet help you to assess the test results.

7 CPC excel File Loader for reporting

The results are extracted from CPC 100 and Copy in to your computer. When you are using external USB
disk, don’t connect more than 1 GB. Otherwise it will hang the system.
Use CPC Start page and on templates use the dedicated template excel file loader.
Example for 10A setting, Templates >> Cables and Transmission Lines >> Old line impedance >> Line
Imp CU1 10A 50Hz >> Open Line impedance.xlt

Load the xml file that is copied from CPC 100 generate the report.

Fig 9 General report

8 Line impedance measurement on double-circuit lines (mutual

coupling)
If mutual coupling to a parallel line must be considered, the test described in this section must be

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 performed. Follow the instructions in chapter 4 "Connecting the CP CU1 to a power line" in order to connect
the CP CU1 to the power line under test.

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 Fig 10: Mutual Coupling Impedance measurement

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 1. Change the connection accordingly for all other test loops as shown in Figure 10. Also note the
state of the parallel system’s grounding switches at the near end of the line.
2. Use the three-lead cable to shorten the three phases for the last two test loops Syst II grounded
(ABC-G) and Syst II open (ABC-G).

8.1 Using the CPC 100’s Sequencer test card to perform the line impedance
measurement on a double-circuit line
1. Use the dedicated template on the CPC 100 by following this path in the file operations view
CPC >> Templates >> Cables and Transmission Lines >> Old mutual coupling >> Mutual
coup. CU1 10A 50Hz
2. Choose the template matching the current range selected on the CP CU1.

The template contains the following test cards:

• Schema A-B (comment test card, showing the necessary connections)
• A-B (sequencer test card - the actual measurement)
• Schema A-C
• A-C
• Schema B-C
• B-C
• Schema A-G
• A-G
• Schema B-G
• B-G
• Schema C-G
• C-G
• Schema Syst II grounded (ABC-G)
• Syst II grounded (ABC-G)
• Schema Syst II open (ABC-G)
• Syst II open (ABC-G)
• Version (version check for Excel template)

3. The Schema test cards are comment test cards, which show how to connect the clamps to the CP
GB1. The measurement is then performed in the sequencer test card which is following the Schema
test card.
4. Press the I/O Button on the CPC 100’s front panel to start a measurement after you have
connected the clamps to the CP GB1 according to the respective Schema test card as well as
Mutual coupling measurement loop Figure 10. The measurement is stopped automatically after the
sequence has terminated.

Note: The near end of the line must not be grounded during the injection of the test current! Ground the
line immediately after the measurement!

It is recommended to save the test file on the CPC 100 after each individual test loop to prevent loss of
data in the event of an unexpected outage.

4. After all tests have been performed, open the CPC 100 file (xml-file) with the corresponding Excel
template (Mutual Coupling.xlt) from the CPC 100 Start Page in the section Test Templates. Check
the test results carefully. The cell comments in the test report sheet help you to assess the test results.

The results are extracted from CPC 100 and Copy into your computer. When you are using external USB
disk, don’t connect more than 1 GB. Otherwise it will hang the system.

Use CPC Start page and on templates use the dedicated template excel file loader.
1. Example for 10A setting, Templates >> Cables and Transmission Lines >> Old mutual coupling
>> Mutual coup. CU1 10A 50Hz >> Open Mutual Coupling.xlt

© OMICRON 2021 Page 13 of 14

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