Capacitance Voltage Transformer

A capacitor voltage transformer (CVT) is a transformer

used in power systems to step down extra high voltage signals and
provide a low voltage signal, for measurement or to operate a
protective relay.
Capacitor Voltage Transformers also serve as coupling
capacitors for coupling high frequency power line carrier signals to
the
transmissionline.
CVTs in combination with wave traps are used for filtering high
frequency communication signals from power frequency. This
forms

carrier

communication

network

throughout

the

transmissionnetwork.
In an electrical power substation, Capacitor Voltage
Transformer in combination with Wave Trap is placed at
the sending and receiving ends of the substation. At the
receiving

end

arrester and

they

are

found

before

just
line

after lightening
isolator.

Another form of capacitor voltage transformer is one that

is either attached to or run in sequence with something called a
capacitance coupled voltage transformer, or CCVT. These types of
transformers are used in the same manner, however, they are able
to handle much higher amounts of input signal. They are also able
to distribute the lower amounts of output signal to multiple
locations

within

the

circuit

at

the

same

time.

Construction
Capacitor Voltage Transformers consist of two primary
assemblies,
1.

the high voltage capacitor sections and

2.

the base box, housing the electromagnetic

components.

General Arrangement of Capacitor Voltage Transformer

Series connected capacitor elements, housed in porcelain shells,

each hermetically (in airtight manner) sealed, are referred to as
capacitor sections. The dielectric of the capacitor elements is made
up of high quality polypropylene film/paper and impregnated with
highly processed synthetic fluid.
Each capacitor section is equipped with a stainless steel below
which will allow the synthetic fluid to expand and contract with
changes in ambient operating temperature while maintaining the
hermetic sealing. It is over these capacitor sections that most
of the high voltage will be dropped.

Schematic Diagram of CVT

A tap voltage (approximately 5-12 kV depending on type) is

taken from the lowest capacitor section and fed to an
electromagnetic circuit in the cast aluminum base box. The
base box contains the intermediatetransformer which will
provide the final output voltages via multiple tapped
secondary windings, series compensating reactor and
ferro-resonance control circuitry. The base box is filled with
dried

mineral

oil,

protecting

the

environmental

components

from

deterioration.

Ferro-resonance is simply and effectively controlled by

utilization of low flux density designed magnetic circuitry
and

saturable

reactor

controlled

connected across the secondary

damping

winding.

circuit

The ferro-

resonance suppression circuit does not adversely affect

transient

response.

Main applications of CVTs in HV

Networks
The

main

applications

of Capacitor

Voltage

Transformers in High Voltage Networks ( above 36 kV )

are given below
1.

Voltage

Measuring:

They

accurately

transform

transmission voltages down to useable levels for

revenue metering, protection and control purposes.
2.

Insulation: They guarantee the insulation between HV

network and LV circuits ensuring safety condition to
control room operators.

3.

HF Transmissions: They can be used for Power Line

Carrier (PLC) coupling.

4.

Transient Recovery Voltage: When installed in close

proximity to HV/EHV Circuit Breakers, CVTs own High
Capacitance enhance C/B short line fault / TRV
performance.