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Why Split Core Current Transformer

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Why Split Core Current Transformer

Why Split Core Current Transformer

1. What is Split Core Current Transformer?

The split core current transformer is designed for electrical metering applications specifically designed to be installed around primary current-carrying conductors without disconnecting wires or breaking the monitoring circuit. These current transformers are the best solution for applications in energy measurement and management.

They contain a transformer in which one of the cores to position around the conductor can be opened or moved and then locked with a latch or some other sort of flange. It can mount these in electrical control panels to remotely track devices that occasionally monitored in inaccessible or harsh conditions while avoiding complex wiring. The working principle of Split core current transformer is the same as normal current transformers. When the flow of AC current in the primary winding generates an alternating magnetic field in the magnetic core which then mutually induces an alternating current in the secondary winding.”

The advantage of the split-core is that they can be retrofitted without disrupting it into a live network, which often makes them the unique alternative for engineers designing power meters. Split-core, or clamp-on, CTs provide an alternative to directly wiring to measurement or relay CTs in substation upgrade or retrofit applications when it is desired to add monitoring and SCADA data. This noninvasive approach provides for quicker installation with no disruption of service.

2. Applications of Split Core Current Transformer

· Sub-metering

· Power factor correction devices

· Metering (electrical energy meters)

· Active power filter

· Power measurement device for PLC

· Sensing Overload Current

· Ground fault detection

· Digital fault recorder

· In-factory display or in-home display

· Inverters for solar and wind turbine systems

· Electrical testing equipment and relay protection

· Current, power, energy monitoring devices

3. Advantages and Benefits of Using Split Core Current Transformer

The major advantages of split core CT over closed CT is

Split core allows you to directly monitor AC current without breaking or interrupting supply.

Easy to remotely monitor devices that place in inaccessible or harsh environments.

They are easy to install

Easily snapped over pre-existing wires

Ideal for Portable electricity monitoring devices

4. Split Core Current Transformers Key Specifications

Current Sensor Requirements and specifications you must know before selecting one for your application

Accuracy

In most applications, measurement accuracy directly affects the efficiency of an overall system. The accuracy of the power calculation depends on the accuracy of the current sensors. A class 1 power meter requires current sensors with accuracy much better than 1%.

Drift

The drift of a sensor is related to the sustainability of a reading over time. Some variations of its characteristics may be caused by changes in the ambient humidity and temperature, component aging, and so on.

Linearity

The linearity of the sensor refers to the stability of its characteristics within the full operating mode. A high linearity of the analog-sensing part is essential to measure a wide range of primary currents accurately, especially at low current levels.

Phase shift

The accuracy of the true active power or energy calculation is not only related to the accuracy and linearity of the AC current and voltage sensors in terms of amplitude, but also to the phase shift that may occur between the measurement of these correlated values. The phase shift should be as low as possible.

Integration

Being self-powered, the CTs do not require any other wiring than a 2-wire output connection to the main power monitor unit. The typical 1-A and 5-A or 333-mV outputs are compatible with most standard power meters on the market. Current outputs are also almost insensitive to interferences and are preferable to voltage outputs when long cables are required to connect the sensors to the power meter.

5. Types of split core CT

Depends on core material there are several different types of split core current transformer are available in the market that can be used in different applications.

FeSi split core CT

FeSi split core current transformer is the most affordable option. but, it have poor linearity, especially at lower currents.It is better suited for high current measurements only where precision is not as important as getting a rough figure for electricity consumption. Such CT are also large and weighty, so it has specific physical limits for use.

FeNi split core CT

If you’re searching for something more precise,a FeNi split core CT does a great job. Those provide a better measuring performance, including low current conditions. They’re also more expensive though. FeNi split core CT struggle with linearity and take up more space in your panel.

Ferrite split core CT

The modern ferrite core transformers have increased permeability and can be used in a wide variety of power monitoring applications, replacing both FeSi and FeNi transformers, even with low magnetic saturation. It provides an affordable alternative to transformers from FeSi and FeNi.

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