Power systems and communications infrastructures for the future, Beijing 2002

An analysis for fuse blowing of potential transformers

in three-phase connection
Chen, Xianming

Xu, Heping

Wang, Xiaohong

Liu,Weiqun

Wang, Tong

Nanjing Automation Research Institute

P.O.Box 323,Nanjing ,210003, PRC
Email: ecti@nari-china.com
ABSTRACT
The paper describes the analysis results of the
influence about a fuse blowing on high voltage side of
potential transformer (PT) in three- phase group, or
in two serial connecting PT sets, which may be useful
to reduce the cost for protect from it and for some
equipments concerned. Besides, it is in favor of
reasonable selection of PT set with suitable
three-phase connection group.
Keywords: Fuse blowing, Potential transformer,
positive and negative sequence component, Connection
group.
INTRODUCTION
Usually PTs are used for voltage measurement in low
voltage level. Here PTs discussed in the paper are the
traditional PTs, based on transformer principle, such
as used for power grid or power system. Maybe they
can transform 500kv, 220kv,110kv,35kv and
10.5kv ,etc to 100v or 100/ 3 v. These PTs are
belonging to high voltage equipments, so they are
often installed outside door via high voltage fuses and
isolated switches. It should be noted that the high
voltage of PTs discussed here is no more than 35kv.
Generally speaking, the reliability of PTs is quite good.
However, the blowing of high voltage fuses caused by
deterioration under long time sunshine and rain wash
happens while PTs in normal operation now and then.
For certain equipment, the high voltage fuses of PTs
may be durable for several years, but fuse blowing of
PTs is not rare viewing from vast area, because of
their wide application.
The situation caused by fuse blowing of primary side of
PTs [ Hereafter for simplicity, call it line-broken of
PT (LBPT)] seems very simple, not worth discussing.
For instance, the voltage cannot be measured in case of

LBPT .
This is true for single phase measurement.
In practice PTs are always used for threephase
measurement. In the mean time in some equipments
output signals from PTs also used for synchronous
circuit, voltage zero crossing detector, positive and
negative sequence voltage identifier as signal sources.
Many equipments such as protection relay, excitation
system of synchronous machine, ac drive, and static var
compensator, etc. are also widely using PTs.
As an example, PTs are used for measuring terminal
voltage of ac generator for its excitation regulation. If
LBPT happened to one phase of PTs, then the
measured terminal voltage becomes low, that results in
mal-forced excitation of excitation system of the
generator, and normal operation of the generator
interrupted. Sometimes it may cause damage of the
equipment. In order to avoid such excitation
malfunction of ac generator, conventionally two sets of
PT are used simultaneously.
One set PT is used only for excitation, the other for
common measuring. The excitation system of ac
generator uses signals from both PT sets. If signals
of both PT sets vary in same way, that means PT sets
are normal, otherwise, there is a big difference between
signals of both PT sets.
Probably, the set of PT with lower voltage output is in
LBPT status.
In this way the excitation system of ac
generator can identify LBPT and prevent malfunction.
PT set outputs are also used for synchronous signals in
many equipments, for instance, in static excitation
system of ac generator, the power source usually is
obtained from ac generator terminals via a rectifier
transformer to provide to thyristor rectifier bridge,
which converts to dc excitation current.
As a rule, the synchronous signal should be adopted
from secondary sides of rectifier transformer. But
voltage waveforms of the latter are always distorted
seriously owing to the commutation of thyristors
between various phases of the rectifier bridge, so that to

cause malfunction of the synchronous circuit. That is

why sometimes the signals of PT sets are selected as
synchronous signals.
In this case if LBPT happens, the normal operation of
synchronous circuit will be influenced obviously.
Furthermore, the thyristor-switched capacitor (TSC)
and thyristor-controlled reactor (TCR) used for static
var compensator (SVC) need to use PTs for voltage or
reactive power measurement and for voltage zero
crossing point detection. In addition, in order to
regulating reactive power and maintain the voltage
level of power grid, Statcom also needs to measure the
voltage with PT set.

simultaneously. The situation of the latter is rare and so

simple that no need to discuss them.
When the measurement of three-phase with three PTs,
the analysis of fuse blowing is same in spite of which
phase is concerned. It is assumed that the load of PT
output is little so that the internal voltage drop in PTs
can be ignored. This is true, specially for the (next step)
lower PT set, which provides signals to
analog-to-digital converter or voltage zerocrossing
detector, etc.

Also, reactive power regulation of Statcom is fulfilled

by control phase angle between its output voltage and
power grid voltage. Apparently, it also needs to use
signals from PT set for synchronization and is an
equipment seriously depending on PT set .

Lets start discussing LBPT in phase A with star/star-12

connection group of PT set. Fig.2a shows the phasor
diagram of primary and secondary voltages of PT set
before and after fuse blowing in phase A. If fuse
blowing happens in phase A ,then the potential of
terminal A and the neutral point O move to the middle
of line-to-line voltage U BC in primary sides and so
does for secondary sides.

LINE-BROKEN OF HIGH VOLTAGE

A

PT

C
Isolated
switch
H.V.Fuse

P.T
Y/Y-12

Fig.1 Typical high voltage PT set connection

Fig.1 shows one of the typical high voltage PT sets,
which is common use for voltage measurement. It
consists of three PTs for three-phase, each PT connects
to power line via an isolated switch and a high voltage
fuse. Usually PTs are connected in star/star-12 group.
Of course, they can be connected to any other group as
desired such as: delta/delta-12, star/delta-11,or
delta/star-11,etc.
Usually for some important equipments, such as ac
generators, SVC, etc. three PTs are used for the purpose.
But in distribute network there are always using two
PTs for three phase measurement for saving, namely, to
connect them in V/V-12 group.
It is rarely to use
star/zigzag-11 group for PT set, because it is more
expensive
2.1. Three- phase PT set for measurement
As a rule, LBPT is only considered fuse blowing of one
phase PT, not 2 or 3-fuse blowing of PT set happened

(a)

LBPT in star/star-12 connection group of

set

PT

In order to compare the value of voltages before and

after fuse blowing, it is assumed lineto-line voltage in
primary side before fuse blowing equals 1, the turn
ratio between primary and secondary winding equals 1,
and the location of voltage phasor of A phase PT in
primary side is along vertical axis as a reference of zero
electrical degree (e.d.).
It should be noted that in star/star or delta/delta
connection groups the line to line voltage ratio between
secondary and primary sides is 1:1, but in delta/star
group the ratio is 1: 3 ,in star/delta group the ratio is
Obviously, before fuse blowing output
1:1/ 3 .
phase voltages of PT set
U a : U b : U c =1/ 3 :1/ 3 :1/ 3 becomes
0:0.5:0.5. while LBPT in phase A. In the meantime
line-to-line voltages
U ab : U bc : U ca =1:1:1 becomes 0.5:1:0.5.
For LBPT in phase A, positive and negative sequence
voltage components of phase A, A1,A2 (vectors) can be
obtained by symmetrical component method as
follows:

A1 =

1
U a + U b + 2U c = 3 0
3
6

(1)

1
U a + 2U b + U c = 3 180 (2 )
3
6
j ( 2 / 3 )
where =e
A2 =

The value of A1,A2 are same and they opposite each

other in phase. If LBPT happens in B or C phase,
output line-to-line voltages of PT set respectively

Y/ Y- 12
B
C

A
o
1

o
o

o'
a
c c
b
2b / - 12
A
B
C

pos.,neg.,seq.cmpt A1, 3-phase voltage ratio

A2 LBPT in phase,value if LBPT in phase A
A
B
C

A2

1
2

1
2
a

1
1
2 A 2

C
Ba
c
o'

B
1

1
2

( P) A1=A2=0. 5

(L)

1. 5

Uab:Ubc:Uca
=1.5:1.5:0

A
o
B

a
c

A1

A1

A
o

b
a
b
c c
2e Y/ zi gzag- 11
A
B
C

60

1
2

60

A2
A1
60

A2

Uab:Ubc:Uca
=0.5:0.5:0
[= 3/2:3/2:0
multiply by 3 ]

( L) A1=A2= 3/ 6

A
A
o

o
o
C

The same as i n 2c

( P) A1=A2= 3/ 6

a
o'

Ua:Ub:Uc
=0.5:1.0:0.5

[= 3/2:3/2:0
divided by 3 ]

A2

Uab:Ubc:Uca
=0.5:1.0:0.5

The same as i n 2b
but her e f or phase

o'

b ca

a
b
c c
2d Y/ - 11
A
B
C

30

60 A2

=0.5:1.0:0.5

( L) A1=A2=0. 5

o'

A2
A1

=0:0.5:0.5
Uab:Ubc:Uca

A2

C a

A2

30

30

(P)

A1
30

B
c

b
a
c c
2c / Y- 11
A
B
C

A2

60

( P) A1=A2=. 866/ 3

A1

A1

A1

b
C

Ua:Ub:Uc

A1

60

a
o
1

o'

U ab : U bc : U ca = 0.5:0.5:1

phasor diagram
LBPT in phase A
normal

Connection
group

2a
A

equal as follows: U ab : U bc : U ca = 0.5:0.5:1

a
c

o'
1
4

1
2

Ua:Ub:Uc
= 3/6:3/3:3/6
Uab:Ubc:Uca
= 3/2:3/2:0

Fig.2 LBPT in phase of primary side of high voltage PTs

(P),(L) means the quantities based on phase, line-to-line voltages

or

It means that they are the clockwise turn values of the

values for LBPT happens in phase A.
It can also be proved that in both situations, namely
LBPT happened in B or C phase, the values of A1, A2
and phase of A1 are the same as before, but the phase of
A2 is respectively lagging 60 or leading 60 e.d to
voltage phasor A of primary side of PT set.
(b ) LBPT in delta/delta-12 connection group of PT set
If LBPT happens in phase A of PT set with
delta/delta-12 group, then the output line-to-line
voltages are as shown in Fig.2b:
U ab : U bc :
And the formulas (1),(2) for
U ca =0.5:1.0:0.5
positive and negative sequence component are still
valid, but they belongs not to phase voltage of U a , but
line-to-line voltage of U ab .
If LBPT happens in phase A, or B, or C ,the value of
positive and negative sequence component of
line-to-line voltage A1,A2 equal 0.5. And A1 of all
phase are in phase of U ab before fuse blowing. Phase
of A2 is respectively 120 e.d. leading A1,120 e.d.
lagging A1and in phase of A1.
(c) LBPT in delta/star-11 connection group of PT set
As shown in Fig.2c, when LBPT happens in phase A, it
can be seen from the phasor diagram after fuse blowing
that phase voltages : U a : U b : U c =0.5:1.0:0.5
and line-to-line voltages U ab : U bc : U ca = 1.5:1.5:0.
If the latter compare the value before fuse blowing ,then
they should be divided by

3.

That means .

U ab : U bc : U ca = 3 /2: 3 /2:0
Positive and negative sequence component A1,A2 of
phase A equal 0.5. A1 is 30 e.d. leading A phase
voltage of primary side of PT . A2 is 120 e.d.
leading A1 e.d.
For LBPT in phase B or C, the value and phase of
positive sequence component A1 are the same as LBPT
in phase A , so does for the value of A2. The phase of
A2 is respectively lagging A1 120 e.d. or in phase of
A1.
(d) LBPT in star/delta-11 connection group of PT set
As shown in Fig.2d, when LBPT happens in phase A, it
is easy to know that output line-to-line voltages of PT
set are as follows: U ab : U bc : U ca = 0.5:0.5:0
If the latter compare to the value before fuse blowing,
they should be amplified to

3 times. That means

U ab : U bc : U ca = 3 /2: 3 /2:0
Positive and negative sequence component A1,A2 of

phase A of line-to-line voltages equal to 3 /6. A1 is

30e.d. leading line-to-line voltage between phase A
and B of primary side of PT . A2 is 60 e.d. leading A1.
For LBPT in phase B or C, the value and phase of A1 is
the same as above, so does for the value of A2. The
phase of A2 is respectively opposite to A1 or 60 e.d.
lagging A1.
(e ) LBPT in star/zigzag-11 connection group of PT set
As shown in Fig.2e, in this case the secondary winding
of each phase of PT consists of two identical sections.
From the phasor diagram of secondary sides of PT set
under normal operation, in order to keep the
transformation ratio equals 1,it can be proved turn ratio
between
secondary
and
primary
windings
0

w2/w1=1/(cos30 )= 2/ 3 =1.1547
From the phasor diagram with LBPT in phase A, it is
easy to know that output line-to-line voltages are as
follows: U ab :U bc : U ca =
=(3/4)*1.1547:(3/4)*1.1547:0= 3 /2: 3 /2:0
In addition, the values of positive and negative sequence
phase voltage A1,A2 with LBPT in all phase are the
same results as shown in Fig.2a . The phases of A1,A2
are the same as shown in Fig2c.
The
five
typical
connection
group,
e.g.
star/star-12,delta/delta-12,star/delta-11,delta/star-11,star/
zigzag-11 were discussed above.
In practice, other connection group such as :
star/star-4 ,delta/star-7,etc. may be used.
The
discussion above is still valid, except that phasors
A1,A2 should proper turn in phasor diagram.
For
instance, phasors A1,A2 of star/star-4 are the same as
A1,A2 of star/star-12 but turn clockwise 120 e.d.
2.2 V/V-12 connection group of PT set
PT set with V/V-12 connection group is widely used in
distribute network, so the analysis of this section may be
important.
Strictly speaking, PT with V/V-12
connection is unsymmetrical, so its analysis is a bit
troublesome.
Fig.3 shows V/V-12 connection group, it can be seen as
a star/star connection with short circuit of PT in phase B,
but traditionally it is treated as delta/delta connection
with no PT between phase A and C. That is why in
phasor diagram line-to-line voltage between phase A and
C denoted in dash line. If the load of PT set is not
large, V/V connection can provide good measurement
results as that of delta/delta connection.
LBPT in
V/V-12 connection group should be divided into two
case: LBPT in A or C phase with PT or LBPT in B
phase without PT.
Fig.3 shows the phasor diagram when LBPT in phase A
of PT set with V/V-12 connection. Apparently the

Connection
group
V/ V- 12
A B C

pos.,neg.,seq.cmpt
A1,A2 when
LBPT in phase A

phasor diagram
normal
A
A
B

C
C

Uab:Ubc:Uca
a
b

c
b c

A1

B
a

line-to-line
voltage ratio

A2
( L) A1=A2= 3/ 3

= 0: 1: 1

LBPT in phase C
A

( L) _means, A1A2
based on l i ne- t o
- l i ne vol t age

A2
60

60

Uab:Ubc:Uca
= 1: 0: 1

( L) A1=A2= 3/ 3

LBPT in phase B
A1

Fi g. 3 LBPT i n
phase of V/ V- 12
connect i on

A1

30

A2

C
60

Uab:Ubc:Uca
= 0. 5: 0. 5: 1

( L) A1=A2=0. 5

output line-to-line voltages are as follows:

U ab : U bc : U ca = 0:1:1
Positive and negative sequence components of
line-to-line voltage between phase A and B A1,A2 equal

3 /3,and A1 is in phase of primary side voltage of

phase A of PT set. A2 is opposite to A1. When
LBPT in phase C of PT set with V/V-12 connection,
output line-to-line voltages: U ab : U bc : U ca = 1:0:1
The value of A1,A2 is the same as before. And A1 is
60 e.d. leading primary side voltage of phase A of
PT set, A2 is in phase of the latter.
When LBPT happens in phase B, the output line-to-line
voltages: U ab :U bc :U ca = 0.5:0.5:1 Positive and
negative sequence components of line-to-line voltage
between phase A and B,A1,A2 equal 1/2,and A1 is 30
e.d. leading primary side voltage of phase A of PT set,
A2 is 90 e.d lagging the latter.
In essence, this situation is the same as LBPT in phase B
of star/star-12. The only difference is that in latter
A1,A2 belong to voltage phasor. and here line-to-line
voltage vector.
3. LBPT INFLUENCE OF HIGH VOLTAGE PT ON
LOWER PT SET
In practice, application of high voltage PT set serial
connecting with lower (next step) PT set, which is
common use in electric equipments or control
instruments, will be analyzed.
The star/zigzag
connection group will be ignored in hereafter study, due
to its more expensive and rarely used in practice.
Consequently, for LBPT studies with two PT sets in
serial connection there are 5 5=25 cases should be
discussed.
At first, lets use letters a,b,c,d,f
represent the five different connection groups of PT set
as star/star-12, delta/delta-12 , delta/star-11,

star/delta-11 and V/V-12 .

For PT sets with serial connection, two letter are used
such as: cf represents PT set in serial connection is
delta/star-11 to V/V 12 and so on. .
It should be noted that output line-to-line voltages in
secondary sides of star/star-12 and delta/delta-12 group
are same while LBPT happens, so as for delta/star-11
and star/delta-11 group.
Therefore, for the lower PT set , no difference is
between them.. So the effects of LBPT for serial
connection of PT sets: aa and ba, ab and bb, ac and
bc, ad and bd, af and bf, are same. This is true for ca
and da, cb and db, cc and dc, cd and dd, cf and df, as
well.
In addition, from Fig.2a the effect in secondary sides of
LBPT in star/star-12 connection group is just like that of
in primary sides, so the presence of upper PT set can be
ignored such as: aa=a, ab=b, ac=c, ad=d., except af
not equals f .
Furthermore, the effect of lower V/V connection group
of PT set is the same as that of delta/delta group.
Usually no LBPT happens in lower V/V group so it is
true that af=ab, bf=bb, cf=cb , df=db and ff=fb.
From discussion mentioned above it remains 8 cases in
totally 25 cases such as : da, db, dc, dd, fa, fb, fc, fd
needed to be studied further.
3.1
da, db, dc, dd serial connecting PT sets
It can be seen from Fig.2d when LBPT happens to
primary side of phase A of star/delta-11 connection (In
section2.1. of case d ) phase A and neutral point O
potentials move to the middle of line-to-line voltage
between B,C phase in primary sides. In the secondary
sides there is a relationship as:
U ab : U bc : U ca = 0.5:0.5:0
.Fig.4a to 4d shows when the latter applies to lower PT
sets, the phasor diagram, output voltage of lower PT set,
value and phase of positive and negative sequence
components of phase A or line-to-line voltage between
phase A and B, A1,A2. In order to avoid unnecessary
repeat, detailed description here is omitted.
3.2
fa, fb, fc, fd
serial connecting PT sets
From the discussion in section 2.2 that LBPT in phase B
of PT set with V/V-12 connection is the same as LBPT
in phase B of PT set with star/star-12 . So LBPT in
phase B of fa, fb, fc, fd is respectively the same as
LBPT in phase B of aa, ab, ac, ad.
Fig5a to 5d shows the output phasor diagram of fa, fb,
fc, fd serial connecting PT sets, when LBPT happens
in phase A, or C of primary side of PT set with V/V-12
connection. Obviously, the output line-to-line voltages

of fa, fb, fc when LBPT in phase A are as follows: U ab :

U bc : U ca = 0:1:1 and U ab : U bc : U ca = 1:0:1 when
LBPT in phase C.
For fd in above same situation: U ab : U bc : U ca =
0.5:1:0.5 and U ab : U bc : U ca = 0.5:0.5:1
In Fig. 5a to 5d also shows the value and phase of
positive and negative sequence components A1,A2 of
the output phase or line-to-line voltage while LBPT
happens in phase A or C of high voltage side of serial
connecting PT sets fa, fb, fc, fd.
It should be noted that PT sets ff, namely V/V-12 to
V/V-12 serial group, can be treated as fb.
4.
CONCLUSION
The paper discussed in detail about output voltages,
positive and negative sequence components A1,A2 ,etc
for 6 single connection groups of PT set and 25 serial
connection groups of PT sets while LBPT happens in
high voltage side of any phase. All these results were
confirmed by tests in a lab..
The results of LBPT study may be very useful. It may
be in favor of reducing cost for protection from LBPT or
for concerned equipments. This will be contemplated
further and discussed later.

Phasor digram when LBPT happend in phase A hi gher - st ep PT of Y/-11 connection

1
1
A
secondary side a 2
primary side C
B
b
c
o
serial connection
group (lower PTs)

4a

phase diagram
of lowre PTs

da
c

1
6

a
c

o'

o'
o"

a'

4b

1
3

A1

A1

( *)

30

A1
A2

30

30

A2

a'
c'

b'

o"

A2

db
c

A1
a'
c'

A1

A2

( *)

60

b'

A1

3 3
= 2: 2 : 0

60

Ua'b':Ub'c':Uc'a'
= 32: 32 : 0

( **)

1
( P) A1=A2= 6

b' c'

line-to-line
voltage ratio

pos.,neg.,seq,cmpt
A1,A2

60

A2 ( * * )

A2

( L) A1=A2= 3/ 6
a'

b'

4c
a

c'

dc
c

1
2

a
c
a'

o"

a'

b'

4d

The same as i n 4b

o"
b'
1 c" 1
2
2

c'

dd

( *)

b
o'

a'
a'

=1:0.5:0.5

( P) A1=A2= 3
6

b' c'

1
6

1
3
o'

1
6

1
3
o'

A2
b

A1
A1
A2

A1
30

A2

b'

30

( **)

=1:0.5:0.5

1
( L) A1=A2= 6

Fig.4 LBPT in phase A of primary side of higher PT of Y/-11 in serial PT sets

(*) for LBPT in phase B, (**) in phase C
(P),(L) means A1,A2 based on phase, line-to- line voltages

Phasor diagram when LBPT happend in phase A of higher-step PT of V/V-12 connection

LBPT in phase A
A
1
1
a
primary side C
secondary side c
b
B
serial connection
group (lower PTs)

5a

fa
b
c

phase diagram
of lower PTs

o'
1
2

1
2

b
a

o'

pos.,neg.,seq,cmpt
A1,A2
A1
30

A1

o"

c'

30

A2

( **)

( P) A1=A2= 31
a'

b'

5b

fb

A1

a
b
b'
a'

c'

A2 A1 ( * )
A1

A2

o"
c'

5d
a

a
b

a'
1 o"1
2
2

fd
c

1
2

1
2
o'

o'

Fig.5

b'

The same as i n 5b
but her e f or phase

= 0: 1: 1

( P) A1=A2= 33 ( P) A1=A2= 21

A1

A2 A1

30

b
a

A1

c'

a'

b'

A2

( *)

60

30

( **)
c'

b'

( L) A1=A2=12

c'

a'

= 0: 1: 1

fc
c
c

a' b'

A2

( **)

c'

a' b'
a

30

60

3
( L) A1=A2= 3

5c

( P) A1=A2= 36

c'

A2

60

b'
a'

Ua'b':Ub'c':Uc'a'
= 0: 1: 1

A1 ( * )

A2

30

o"

line-to-line
voltage ratio

A2

( L) A1=A2= 21 ( L) A1=A2= 36

LBPT in phase A of primary side of higher PT of V/V-12 in serial PT sets

(*) for LBPT in phase B, (**) in phase C
(P),(L) means A1,A2 based on phase, line-to- line voltages

= 0. 5: 1. 0: 0. 5