MODEL PC-171 – Transformer Temperature Indicator –

Oil & Winding Temperature Indicator (with Micro Switches)

1. Description:
PC 171 is a Liquid-in-Metal expansion type Self powered Oil/ Winding Temperature Indicator for
Power transformers.

PC 171 is Approved & Used by all reputed customers in India & Globally including NTPC, Power
Grid Corp., Nuclear Power Corp of India, BARC, various State Electrical utilities & SEBs etc.

2. Features:
• Can be used as Oil Temperature Indicator and Winding Temperature Indicator
• Specially designed to protect large power transformers
• Proven Reliability in field for over 35 years.
• Liquid-in-metal expansion type
• Self Powered operation
• Ergonomically designed 270° part circular scale
• No periodic site adjustments
• Up to four electrically isolated heavy duty MICRO SWITCHES
• Winding temperature indication by thermal image device
• Various Remote Signal transmission options for Display, SCADA etc
• RS 485, MODBUS RTU Protocol Digital Communications option
• Integrated Signal Transmitter design option with / without Input/Output Isolation.
• Complete ambient temperature and head compensation for bellows & capillary line
• Switch & Circuit testing facility from outside the case
• All circuits to ground tested at 2500 Volts a.c. 50 Hz for 60 seconds
• Maximum temperature indicating pointer
• Suitable for mounting directly on the transformer
• Ventilated weather-proof case (Protective Class IP 55 of IEC 529)
• Air vent is provided

3. Measuring System
When heated, volumetric expansion of a liquid will be proportional to the rise in temperature. A
sensing bulb, measuring bellows and a small bore capillary tube connecting the two form the
measuring system which is filled with liquid. When the bulb is exposed to a rise in temperature, the
liquid inside the measuring system expands proportionately causing corresponding volumetric
changes in the bellows. Since one end of the bellows is anchored, it will move linearly in proportion
to the measured temperature

4. Temperature Compensation
A second bellows (compensating bellows) and capillary terminated at the head of the bulb provide
complete compensation of ambient temperature changes on the measuring bellows and capillary.
The volume changes are identical in the twin systems for any ambient temperature change. The two
bellows are linked in such a manner that these volume changes are cancelled out. Thus, the
measuring bellows output is related directly to the temperature being measured by the bulb.

5. Head Compensation
The head pressure will have no effect on the bellows since the systems are sealed under initial
pressure which is greater than the head pressure.

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171M-D-001-00
MODEL PC-171 – Transformer Temperature Indicator –
Oil & Winding Temperature Indicator (with Micro Switches)

6. Operating Mechanism
The movement of the bellows is amplified by a gear mechanism that drives the indicating pointer
over the 270° part circular scale. Also, a Link and lever mechanism amplifies the movement of the
measuring bellows and drives directly a rotating disc actuating the controls switches.

7. Switching
Electrically isolated heavy duty Micro switches which are independently adjustable to operate at
pre-set temperature are provided to actuate Control Circuits.

8. Quality Components
• Bulb: Brass with silver joints-natural finish.
• Bellows: Phosphor Bronze
• Capillary : Copper with stainless steel armour sheathing.
• Case: Die Cast Aluminium housing with Powder coated Siemens grey or Polyurethane finish
painted.
• Viewing Window: Clear transparent polycarbonate.
• Switch: Snap action Micro switches.
• Other Parts: ONLY Non ferrous metals or other non-corrosive materials are used.

9. Technical Specification:
• Dial: 150mm segmental scale 270° part circular scale marked boldly for rapid reading with 2°C
division.
• Control Switches: Upto 4 numbers, electrically isolated Normally Open SPST M.B.O
(Magnetic Blow out) microswitches or Standard (Miniature) microswitches are independently
adjustable to make contacts at preset temperature.
• Capillary: Standard lengths 5m, 6m, 10m and 12m stainless steel armour sheathed.
• Case Mountings: Projection mounting with back straps. Weather-Proof case (Protective class
IP55 of IEC529) is suitable for directly mounting on transformer. However, a canopy type
weather shield will improve visibility under tropical conditions.
• Capillary entry: Bottom or Top of case vertical.
• Electrical Entry: Bottom of case – vertical through 2 holes (19mm or 26mm)
• Maximum Pointer: Resettable from outside by means of screwdriver is fitted to the instrument
window. A special damping device ensures accuracy of readings even under operating
conditions.
• Switch Testing : A switch testing knob is fitted on the instrument lid to facilitate checking of the
switch settings from outside, without removing the instrument lid.
• Electrical Connections are made to the terminal blocks, suitable for 2.5 Sq.mm wire inside the
instrument case. Approved insulating material are used and all circuits to ground tested at 2500
Volts, ac 50 Hz for 60 seconds. A wiring diagram is fixed inside the instrument case.
• Thermal Image Device for WTI: An electrical heater coil, fitted around the measuring bellows,
simulates the winding to top oil temperature differential in addition to the top oil temperature
being measured by the instrument bulb. The temperature in the hottest part of the winding or
hotspot temperature is displayed directly by the instrument. Thus, the instrument functions as a
winding temperature indicator.

Precise thermal image is obtained by shunting a portion of the heater coil current through an
adjustable shunt resistor mounded inside the instrument case.

Since the thermal time constant of the heater coil is nearly the same as the transformer winding,
the instrument simulates closely the actual temperature of the winding in relation to time.

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MODEL PC-171 – Transformer Temperature Indicator –
Oil & Winding Temperature Indicator (with Micro Switches)

10. Measuring Range , Accuracy table:

Indicator Switching
Range Accuracy Type Range Accuracy Differential
(to close) (close to open)
Standard 30-150°C ±4°C 6-8°C – Fixed
±3°C between (Miniature)
0-150°C
40-140°C M.B.O (Magnetic 30-150°C ±4°C 10-14°C – Fixed
Blow out)

11. Micro switch Rating:

Switch Type Rated Voltage Rated Current

(Non- inductive)
Standard 125V ac 15 A
(Miniature) 250 V ac 10 A
125 V dc 0.50 A
250 V dc 0.25 A

Switch type Rated Voltage Rated Current

Resistive Inductive Motor
Load Load Load
M.B.O (Magnetic 125 V ac/dc 10 A 6A 2.5 A
Blowout) 250 V ac/dc 3A 1.5 A 1.5 A
Note:
1. Inductive load ac power factor 0.4 min, and dc L/R time constant 7 ms max.
2. Motor load inrush current 6 times steady state current.

12. Additional options:

• Precision Potentiometer:
A precision potentiometer (2800Ω or 440Ω), mounted inside the instrument case converts the
movement into a resistance signal corresponding to the measured temperature.

• Integrated Transmitter Monitor ITM909 / ITM369 / ITM639 / ITM27

Model PC-171 can be fitted with a rugged reliable integrated transmitter that produces a standard
2 wire, 4-20mA dc output corresponding to the measured temperature. The various
combinations of digital indicators that can be used with ITM for remote display are tabulated
below:
Model No Analog User Digital Communication Mounting Data Sheet
Output configurable Reference
Alarms
iDisp 909 4-20 mA Two alarms RS 485 MODBUS RTU Panel 171ITM909
iDisp 369 Nil Two Alarms Nil Panel 171ITM369
iDisp 639 4-20 mA Two Alarms RS 485 MODBUS RTU DIN Rail 171ITM639
Mounting
iTD 27 Dual 4-20 mA Nil RS 485 MODBUS RTU Panel 171ITM27

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MODEL PC-171 – Transformer Temperature Indicator –
Oil & Winding Temperature Indicator (with Micro Switches)

• Integrated Transmitter with Input / Output Isolation IST909 / IST369 / IST639 / IST27
Model PC-171 can be fitted with a rugged reliable integrated transmitter with Input to Output
Electrical Isolation that produces a standard 2 wire 4-20mA dc output corresponding to the
measured temperature. The various combinations of digital indicators that can be used with IST
for remote display are tabulated below:
Model No Analog User Digital Communication Mounting Data Sheet
Output configurable Reference
Alarms
iDisp 909 4-20 mA Two alarms RS 485 MODBUS RTU Panel 171IST909
iDisp 369 Nil Two Alarms Nil Panel 171IST369
iDisp 639 4-20 mA Two Alarms RS 485 MODBUS RTU DIN Rail 171IST639
Mounting
iTD 27 Dual 4-20 mA Nil RS 485 MODBUS RTU Panel 171IST27

• Resistance to Current Converter

The resistance signal from the precision potentiometer is converted into a robust standard
4-20mA dc single or dual output that is reliable and less prone to Electromagnetic Interference
(EMC) compared to a Voltage mode measurement (refer our data sheet RCXT or RT36)

• Temperature Transmitter
The resistance signal from the precision potentiometer can also be connected to our compact
(17.5mm width) DIN Rail mounted Programmable Universal Temperature / Signal
Transmitter models as listed below. These models provide Input to Output Electrical
Isolation apart from a full 3-port High Voltage electrical isolation between Input/output/power
supply. This prevents ground loops and other signal noise interference caused by grounded
sensors or cables.

Model No Type Power Supply Isolation Data sheet

Reference
iTT108 1 Input/ 1 Output 24 V dc 3 port – Input –Output iTT108-D-001
– Power supply of
2500V ac, 1 min
iTT207 1 Input/ 2 Output 24 V dc 3 port – Input –Output iTT207-D-001
– Power supply of
2500V ac, 1 min
iTT405 1 Input/1 Output 85-230V ac/dc 3 port – Input –Output iTT405-D-001
– Power supply of
2500V ac, 1 min
iTT504 1 Input/2 Output 85-230V ac/dc 3 port – Input –Output iTT504-D-001
– Power supply of
2500V ac, 1 min

These models also have various other very Unique features as listed in the respective data
sheets of iTT108 or iTT207 or iTT405 or iTT504.

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MODEL PC-171 – Transformer Temperature Indicator –
Oil & Winding Temperature Indicator (with Micro Switches)

• Digital Indicator
The 4-20mA dc output signal from Resistance to Current converter or Temperature Transmitter
can be connected to a remotely mounted Digital Indicator Model iDisp909 for display, 4-20mA
retransmission output, with 2 user configurable Alarms and RS485/MODBUS RTU Digital
communication interface (or) iDisp369 for remote display of measured temperature with 2
user configurable Alarms. The various unique features are listed in their respective data sheets.
(refer our data sheet iDisp909 or iDisp369-D-002)

• Digital Repeater
The resistance signal from the precision potentiometer fitted inside PC-171 can be directly
connected to remotely mounted iDisp369 for remote display of measured temperature with 2
user configurable Alarms (or) iDisp909 for display, 4-20mA retransmission output, with 2
user configurable Alarms and RS485/MODBUS RTU Digital communication interface (or)
DI36 for remote display with upto 2 Analog outputs. While this scheme saves cost, it is not as
robust as the Resistance to Current Converter option listed above as signal transmission is by
voltage mode which is more susceptible to Electromagnetic Interference (refer our data sheet
iDisp909-D-004 or iDisp369-D-004 or DI36-D-001)

13. Case Dimensions and Fixing Details:

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171M-D-001-00
MODEL PC-171 – Transformer Temperature Indicator –
Oil & Winding Temperature Indicator (with Micro Switches)

ORDER FORM

171

Instrument Type Case finish

OTI – only OTI S- Powder coated Siemens grey
WTI – only WTI L- Painted - Polyurethene light grey
OTP – OTI with Potentiometer
WTP – WTI with Potentiometer Capillary Entry
OTR – OTI with Repeater B – Bottom of Case Vertical
WTR – WTI with Repeater T – Top of Case Vertical

Temperature Range Transmitter (Optional)

015- 0 to 150°C P2 – 2800 Ω
214 – 20 to 140°C P4 – 440 Ω
315 – 30 to 150°C
Other range on special order

No of Switches Bellows Heater Graph for WTI only

2 – 2 switches Specify your C.T.secondary current at
4 – 4 switches transformer rated load and the
corresponding winding gradient.

Switch Type Sensing Bulb Type

ZS – SPST Miniature Micro switch 01 – 9092 (F)
ZD – SPDT Miniature Micro switch 02- 9093 (M)
MS – SPST MBO Micro switch Other as specified.
MD – SPDT MBO Micro switch

Length of the Capillary

03- 3 mtrs
05 – 5 mtrs
06 – 6 mtrs
10 – 10 mtrs
15 – 15 mtrs upto 25 mtrs
xx - upto 25 mtrs

171M-D-001-00 Subject to Change without Notice