LOW POWER
INSTRUMENT
TRANSFORMER KITS
FOR MEDIUM VOLTAGE DISTRIBUTION
AUTOMATION APPLICATIONS
1. Introduction
Nowadays the operational management of
electricity distribution network is evolving
due to the increase of distributed generation
resources, more demanding quality of service
/ grid code requirements and the injection
of new loads like electrical vehicles. High
performance monitoring, automation and
remote control are required closer to the grid
edge, reaching new nodes and introducing
new challenges for system operators.
In distribution feeders, those critical functions
hinges on medium voltage sensors, as key
components to obtain reliable measurements
of voltage and current RMS values. With the
use of sensors, utilities are getting actionable
data to improve planning, enhance incidence
response, integrate distributed generation
and optimize system maintenance.
Taking advantage of more than 70 years of
experience in manufacturing high and medium
voltage instrument transformers up to 800
kV, we have developed a wide range of low
power instrument transformers and sensors to › Installing a new a GIS compact substation equipped with voltage and current sensors
enable Distribution System Operators (DSO)
and Medium Voltage (MV) power equipment
manufacturers (OEM) to deploy modern
distribution automation functionalities over
power grids. Nowadays more than 54.000
Arteche’s low power instrument transformers
(LPIT) or sensors and couplers are installed
worldwide helping utilities to take advantage
of Information technology and Operational
technology convergence.
Operation in a wide dynamic range, ensuring
accuracy in protection and measurement
range, allows low power instrument
transformers (LPIT) installation for protection
or fault indication applications but also for
grid power flow management, enhancing the
smart operation of the grid.
Arteche offers comprehensive sensor solutions
for varied topologies, both for underground
and overhead power networks. Arteche low
power instrument transformers and sensors,
combined with modern intelligent electronic
devices, improve system visibility and enhance
grid operation management. This document
shows some application examples based on
our experience for inspirational purposes. We › UNDERSENS voltage sensor installed in Air insulated secondary substation
develop custom sensing solutions and tailor
made sensors to meet the requirements of
existing and new applications.
2 Medium Voltage Sensors
Advantages
› Standardization: A single reference covers
a wide range of voltage levels and applica-
tions.
› Interchangeability: Sensors and low power
instrument transformers does not require
on site calibration.
› Safety and security: User has not access to
dangerous voltage levels, secondary out-
puts has low power.
› Maintenance: The standardization of sen-
sors ease stock and replace.
› Compact and lightweight: New installation
options.
› Ideally suited for large deployment: Sen-
sors are cost effective than instrument
transformers and guarantees an excellent
performance, with up to 0.5P accuracy
class.
Distribution automation
applications
› Measurement of current and voltage. › PLUGSENS voltage sensor and PLUGCAP capacitive coupler (BPL/PLC), indoor
› Advanced Directional Fault detection. installation (GIS RMU)
› Fault Location, Isolation and Service Resto-
ration (FLISR).
› Integration of distributed generation.
› Power quality analysis.
› Technical and non-technical losses analysis.
› Multilevel feeder reconfiguration.
› Distribution operation model analysis.
› OVERCOMB combined sensor installed in overhead line
Medium Voltage Sensors 3
2. Voltage and current sensors for gas insulated
switchgears (GIS)
Arteche sensors are ideally suited for sensing voltage and current
in gas insulated new ring main units (a.k.a. secondary substation or
transformer substation) or retrofit existing ones with a single reference,
in heterogeneous cubicles with different designs and environments
where space is constrained.
› PLUGSENS: With up to 0.5P accuracy class, PLUGSENS is a voltage
sensor based on resistive divider technology. It is designed to be
plugged into DIN-C symmetric connectors. Optionally, PLUGCOM is
a voltage sensor combined with a BPL-PLC coupler, can be used to
measure voltage and inject PLC/BPL signal over the power cable in
case of use of BPL-PLC technology for communication purposes or
communicating network deployment.
› Voltage and current RMS values are provided over a single ethernet
cable, easing wiring to IED and avoiding mistakes.
› According to IEC 61869-11 and IEC 61869-10 standards.
› Without onsite calibration.
› Current measurement based on Rogowski coils
Current measurement based on Rogowski coils
› Accuracy Cl 1/5P 100.000 A.
› Sensors based on Rogowski coils offer linearity and excellent per-
formance over a wide dynamic range. With a split core design, sen-
sART RWG offers an excellent combination of performance and
lightweight installation.
Current measurement based on toroidal sensor
or low power current transformer
› Accuracy Cl 0.5S/5P 10.000 A.
› Sensors based on toroidal current or Low Power Current Transform-
ers (LPCT) offers a wide dinamic range using the same current sen-
sor for measuring and protection pusposes.
Zero-sequence ground current sensor or low
› Current measurement based on toroidal sensor
power current transformer
› Accuracy C/ 3% - 2ᵒ.
› Sensors for zero-sequence ground current measuring over under-
ground MV shielded cable.
Cl 1P
2 2 Cl 0.5P
1 1 1 1 1
Error (%)
0,5 0,5 0,5 0,5
0% 20 % 40 % 60 % 80 % 100 % 120 % 140 % 160 % 180 % 200 %
Voltage (% of rated)
› Low power voltage transformers accuracy › PLUGSENS voltage sensors installed in a GIS cubicle
4 Medium Voltage Sensors
3. Voltage and current sensors for
air insulated switchgears (AIS)
and air insulated installations
For Air insulated applications, Arteche sensors offer a simple and
cost effective option for measuring voltage and current in all kind of
environments, for indoor and outdoor applications. Our comprehensive
range of sensors allow their installation in almost every location.
› UNDERSENS: With up to 0.5P accuracy class, UNDERSENS is a
lightweight voltage sensor based on resistive divider technology
specially designed for air insulated installations. Only requires a con-
tact with live wire. When PLC/BPL coupling is required a UNDER-
› With current measurement based on Rogowski coils
CAP (BPL capacitive coupler) can be installed in the same phase for
communication purposes or communication network deployment.
› Voltage and current RMS values are provided over a single ethernet
cable, easing wiring to IED and avoiding mistakes.
› According to IEC 61869-11 and IEC 61869-10 standards.
› Without onsite calibration.
Current measurement based on Rogowski coils
› Accuracy Cl 1/5P 100.000 A.
› Sensors based on Rogowski coils offer linearity and excellent per-
formance over a wide dynamic range. With a split core design, sen-
sART RWG offers an excellent combination of performance and
lightweight installation.
› Current measurement based on toroidal sensor
Current measurement based on toroidal sensor
or low power current transformer
› Accuracy Cl 0.5S/5P 10.000 A.
› Sensors based on toroidal current or Low Power Current Transform-
ers (LPCT) offers a wide dinamic range using the same current sen-
sor for measuring and protection pusposes.
Zero-sequence ground current sensor
› Accuracy class 3% - 2ᵒ.
› Sensors for zero-sequence ground current measuring over under-
ground MV shielded cable.
› Voltage sensors in Air Insulated Switchgears
Medium Voltage Sensors 5
4. Voltage and current sensors
for outdoor applications
› OVERSENS: Ultra compact and lightweight voltage sensor for
overhead lines. Due to his design, can be installed virtually everywhere,
in pole mount or fixed to any kind of structure or equipment.
› OVERCOMB: Current and voltage combined sensor, specially
designed for outdoor measurement applications.
› OVERSENS
Current measurement based on toroidal sensor
or low power current transformer
› Accuracy Cl 0.5S/5P 10.000 A.
› IEC61869-10.
› Current measuring over switch bushing for smart grid applications.
› OVERCOMB
5. Block type combined sensors
for indoor applications
Arteche manufacture combined sensors (voltage, current) for their
application in metal-clad type switchgear and other indoor medium
voltage applications. Our deep experience in instrument transformers
allow us to offer a wide range of solutions according the requirements
of each manufacturer.
› Low power current transformer
6 Medium Voltage Sensors
6. Customized medium voltage
sensors
Nowadays the evolution of IT technology offers new options to
improve system operation and equipment lifecycle management. Our
wide experience in measuring voltage and current, a deep knowledge
in power grids and our manufacturing capabilities enable us to design
and supply voltage and current sensors to be installed in new locations
or with special characteristics to meet new applications.
Voltage sensor BARSENS, with up to 0.5P accuracy class, has been › Voltage sensor BARSENS
specially designed for voltage measurement in OEM busbar systems in
gas insulated switchgears.
7. Sensors connection solutions
Arteche sensors can provide a wide range of installation solutions.
Voltage sensors can be connected to current sensors (as described
in schemes above), to another intermediate element or directly to the
IED, among other options.
Through the voltage measurement adapter VMAC, voltage sensors
can be connected to IEDs with conventional inputs. This solution can
replace conventional voltage transformers. › Voltage measurement adapter VMAC
8. PLC/BPL Couplers
The PLC / BPL couplers allow to carry data on
a conductor that is also used simultaneously
for medium voltage AC distribution. They
enables an IP broadband network over
existing power lines, an inexpensive way to
deploy advanced services over power cables
for last mile nodes without broadband
access. › comART PLUGCAP › comART UNDERCAP › comART OVERCAP
Medium Voltage Sensors 7
Moving together
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