Technical Data

Station Service Voltage Transformer (SSVT)

General protection information

CAUTION - Information contained in this technical

data sheet is intended as an aid to define what some
users have done relative to establishing a systemcoordinated primary protection scheme when installing
a Station Service Voltage Transformer (SSVT). Not all
methods shown are considered common practices
when applying the SSVT, nor is this list all-inclusive,
but is provided only for full disclosure information to
assist specific users course of action when applying
this transformer to their system. It is recommended to
follow official end-user company policy for applying such
devices on high voltage services.

Generally, the station service voltage transformer as applied in

electrical substations will be protected by the substation class
arresters and overhead shield/ground wires within the substation.
However, if they will not be installed into this environment, it is
recommended that the transformers be protected by properly sized
station class arresters mounted in close proximity to the unit. Along
with arrester protection, listed below are additional options relative to
SSVT coordinated protection that have been successfully applied on
prior applications.
Transformer impedance
The impedance of SSVT transformers is typically between 5% to
10% depending upon the design and other customer specified
requirements. This means the bolted secondary fault current varies
from 20x rated to 10x rated current based upon such an impedance
range.
A typical 100 kV, 120/240 VAC SSVT with 5% impedance would
source 8.34 kA current into a bolted secondary fault. Therefore,
10 kA short-circuit rated secondary equipment is adequate for most
SSVT applications.

Nature of the load

The nature of the load is a critical factor in determining how the
circuit should be protected. Large inductive loads may require a
time delay feature to cope with sizable inrush currents. Further, the
connected load may be of such critical nature that loss of power
must be avoided even approaching the thermal limit of the supply
transformer (SSVT).
The full load rated current in the case of a 100 kVA SSVT with
120/240 VAC output is 100 kVA = 417A RMS.
In accordance with the National Electrical Code (NEC), Article 450-3,
a transformer with less than 600 V rating shall be protected by 125%
over-current protection. However, exercise caution when applying
this, as mentioned above, as any motors may have in-rush concerns
requiring time-delay. It is recommended to consult a fuse supplier or
fused-disconnect supplier for their recommendations.

Customer specific standards

Commonly, utilities have standards that dictate circuit protection
philosophy. This may include the type of equipment (breakers
vs. fuses), their characteristics, and even preferred brands. For
these reasons, it is difficult to make a firm fusing recommendation.
However, consider these suggestions related to what is defined in
the NEC.

The SSVT requires secondary over-current protection. Generally,

this consists of a fused disconnect in the secondary circuit to
prevent a secondary short circuit from damaging the SSVT as
already described above. This should be located as close to the
SSVT secondary box as possible to prevent the transformer from
being damaged by secondary short-circuit or overload. Examples
of this type of protection are shown on this page. However, in
many applications, such as high voltage applications above 138
kV, users tend to direct connect to the primary conductor without a
disconnecting or fusing means.
The reason for this is that the primary winding of the SSVT has
sufficiently small copper wire size that will completely vaporize and
open the primary circuit in the event of a line to ground fault. And
just like the inductive VT counterpart, customers normally do not
fuse them due to this fact. The unit is not capable of drawing down
the system voltage and will quickly disconnect in the event of a fault
due to its small size primary winding.

2 | Station Service Voltage Transformer (SSVT) application - General protection information

Some users elect to install fused disconnects on the primary

circuit (when proper voltage rated equipment is available from the
industry) to supply protection for the system, against an internal fault
within the SSVT itself. Fused disconnect switches are generally
available at 138 kV and below and have been applied to the SSVT
installations shown in the adjacent photo.

Sudden Pressure Relay option

Also available as a factory-installed option on the SSVT is a
Sudden Pressure Relay (SPR) that can be mounted to the tank
wall of the SSVT to provide early warning of a fault by detecting
the pressure build up in the SSVT tank. The SSVT tank must
be factory adapted by adding a 2 gate valve in the tank wall
nearest the end of the HV winding. In this position, the valve is
most effective at detecting any pressure wave coming from the
transformers high voltage coil.

This option is suitable for monitoring the condition of the

SSVT and taking this resulting output for appropriate relaying
operation. To ensure the protection of the SPR during transit,
the relay is shipped separately from the transformer, and the
factory-installed gate valve is covered temporarily for shipment.
Once the transformer is installed, the valve is attached by the
end user to the transformer. Photos of the relay and the gate
valve (as shipped) are shown below.

Station Service Voltage Transformer (SSVT) application - General protection information | 3

Protective circuits using ground fault CTs

For secondary to ground fault monitoring and protection, a
window type GFCT can be placed on the H0 bushing, without
negatively impacting the SSVT operation. The customer can
route the H0 bushing leads through a CT to detect secondary
to ground fault referred to the primary. It is highly recommended
to select a ratio of 100:5 or higher, with a relay accuracy of C50
design that would maintain 4-5% accuracy or better at 5% of
ratio (5 ampere minimum).
From a current perspective, a SSVT-900 100 kVA model has
a normal operating current, 100,000 VA / 1.732 x 230,000 (at
unity pf) = 0.251 A at rated kVA rating flowing from the primary
winding to ground through the H0 bushing. Considering in-rush
levels, worst case, that would be 10x in-rush x .251 A = 2.51
A normal operating current, as this design typically has 10%
impedance. Using a 100:5, C50 CT will detect faults in the 5 A
or higher range. ABB Type SCT-983E, 3 ID Window CT having
a 100:5 ratio with C50 accuracy is recommended, equipped
with conduit box. This rating assumes a secondary relay circuit
connected to the CT with 0.5 ohms or less.

As to detecting line to ground fault, a H1 GFCT with 600:5

ratio with C200 relay accuracy can be used. This assumes
the relay burden level is 2 ohm or less. Most utility users that
monitor primary line to ground fault on the SSVT, do so on the
tank ground circuit, as all line to ground faults end up going to
ground through the tank wall. By placing a GFCT on the ground
conductor to monitor for primary and secondary line to ground
fault current, a smaller CT can be used and it can be mounted
away from the SSVT and not impact seismic withstand on the
SSVT. The ABB Type SCT-983, 600:5, C200 relay accuracy for
primary line to ground faults is recommended.
This CT can be located off the SSVT support stand and monitor
current flow to ground from the SSVT tank, through the stand
and into the substation ground grid. Assuming that the SSVT
stand anchor bolts are embedded in the concrete, connected to
the rebar, but not solidly grounded to the substation ground, the
primary path for any current flow from the tank through the stand
would be via the copper ground conductor used to connect to
the ground grid matt. This current flower from the SSVT tank to
the substation grounding grid can be monitored using the SCT983 small window CT. See the attached sketch.

SSVT FAULT PROTECTION

H0 Bushing
connection

SSVT

Eyebolt connectors attached

to steel support frame for
copper ground conductor

SSVT
Support
Stand
Foundation
GFCT, 100:5, C50, 3 window type
SCT-983E with conduit box, mounted
on side of steel stand or on separate
support supplied by others.
Application detect secondary faults
to ground. Check ratio needed and
verify the relay burden connection is
less than 0.5 ohms

4 | Station Service Voltage Transformer (SSVT) application - General protection information

GFCT, 600:5, C100, 5 window

SCT-983 with conduit box,
mounted on foundation or on
separate support supplied by
others. Application detect
primary line to ground faults.
Check ratio needed and verify
relay burden connection is less
than 1.0 ohm

ABB Kuhlman
High Voltage Instrument Transformers
3101 Beaumont Centre Circle
Suite 225
Lexington, KY 40513
Toll free: +1 800-950-6966
Phone: +1 859-219-6056
Fax: +1 859-223-2025
www.abb.com/highvoltage

Note:
We reserve the right to make technical changes or modify the contents of this
document without prior notice. With regard to purchase orders, the agreed
particulars shall prevail. ABB does not accept any responsibility whatsoever for
potential errors or possible lack of information in this document. We reserve
all rights in this document and in the subject matter and illustrations contained
therein. Any reproductionin whole or in partsis forbidden without ABBs prior
written consent.
Copyright 2012 ABB.
All rights reserved.

Document Number - PPHVITSSV0312TD / March 2012

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