Analyzing Upcoming Trends in Development of Current Transducers for Automatic Equipment and Relay Protection: a Review

Abstract

The present article dwells upon the modern stage in development of current transducers which are a link between controlled (protected) multi-motor drive system on the one side, and its protection, control and automation systems, on the other side. Conducted research makes it possible to demonstrate, on reasonable grounds, main disadvantages of using current transformers, Hall effect sensors and optical transformers of new designs as primary current transducers. Based on the information provided in the article, one can conclude that in the nearest future the most promising type of primary current transducer for relay protection and automation systems (including control systems) are Rogowski coils. Design peculiarities and various implementation schemes of such coils make it possible to greatly extend the application field of diagnostic and protection systems in multi-motor drive applications. The concluding section of the article contains analysis of widely used software for mathematical modeling of primary current transducers. Main advantages of using Micro-Cap program in modeling of current transformers and Rogowski coils are investigated.