Instrument transformer components and detectable faults

Component Detectable faults

Partial discharges
Moisture in paper insulation
Insulation
Aging, moisture, contamination of insulation fluids

Defects in the capacitive layers of the potential grading

Short circuits (interturn shorts)

Windings Open circuits

Contact problems

Mechanical deformation;
Floating core ground;

Core Loose clamping structure

Magnetic short circuits

Pre-magnetization / residual magnetism

Capacitive
voltage Partial breakdown of single capacitive layers
divider

Compensation
reactor Shorted turns
(CVTs only)

Accuracy (ratio error and phase displacement)

Whole Ratio error (composite error)
electromagnetic
Polarity
circuit
Wrong rating of IT

Wrong rating
Burden
Wrong or faulty connection between IT and meter / relay

■1: Faults lead to changes of the

IT's accuracy

■2: Often these faults cannot

be clearly identified but
comparisons to previous data
help to find the failures.