What Is a High Voltage Isolation Transformer?
A high-voltage isolation transformer is a device that protects precision electrical equipment and the human body from abnormal voltage caused by large current inflows (lightning surges) due to lightning strikes and power line accidents.
A lightning arrester (SPD) is also used to protect equipment from abnormal voltages. While surge arresters protect electrical equipment by discharging lightning surges to the ground, high voltage isolation transformers protect equipment from lightning surges by insulating it with a transformer while discharging lightning surges to the ground.
Uses of High Voltage Isolation Transformers
High-voltage isolation transformers are used in a variety of locations. The following are examples of applications.
- Power supplies used in radio relay stations and substations
- Power supplies for computers and telemeters
- Security systems such as surveillance cameras
- Traffic communication and control equipment for railroads, aircraft, and roads
- Equipment that is particularly important in lightning-prone areas to protect precision equipment from abnormal voltages
High voltage isolation transformers are also installed between the power line and the protected equipment to protect the equipment from abnormal voltage.
Principle of High Voltage Isolation Transformers
There are two main types of high voltage isolation transformers: isolated and ground-separated, each with different principles.
1. Isolated Type High Voltage Isolation Transformers
In an isolated type high voltage isolation transformers, an abnormal voltage caused by lightning surges entering from the power supply side is released to the ground by a lightning arrester, while the voltage difference between the ground and the power supply is reduced by the isolation transformer.
2. Ground Isolation Type High Voltage Isolation Transformers
The ground isolation type high voltage isolation transformers reduce the inflow of lightning surges between lines and between lines and ground with multiple surge arresters, and further protect the equipment by providing high insulation with an isolation transformer. The ground isolation type is also called a surge shelter.
In both cases, the protected device side is completely insulated against lightning surges by high voltage isolation transformers, and no lightning surges flow into the device. The high-voltage isolation transformers reduce the surge transfer rate from 1/100 to 1/10,000, which is more effective than the installation of surge arresters alone. In addition, the withstand voltage to abnormal voltage is extremely high at several tens of kilovolts, providing excellent protection.
Other Information on High Voltage Isolation Transformers
1. Difference Between High Voltage Isolation Transformers and Surge Arresters
High voltage isolation transformers and surge arresters are both devices used to protect equipment from lightning surges. However, there are structural differences between high-voltage isolation transformers and surge arresters.
A lightning arrester is connected in parallel with the device to be protected, and the arrester itself is grounded. Under normal conditions, the surge arrester acts as an insulator, but when surge voltages such as lightning occur, the surge arrester becomes conductive and releases the surge voltages to the ground. ZnO (zinc oxide) is often used as a material for surge arresters.
High voltage isolation transformers are similarly grounded by ZnO on the power supply side. However, high-voltage isolation transformers have a structure in which the primary and secondary sides are insulated by a transformer. Therefore, the limiting voltage can be significantly reduced. Due to the difference in the above structures, the high voltage isolation transformers are superior to the transformer against lightning surge.
2. Demerits of High Voltage Isolation Transformers
High voltage isolation transformers are superior to lightning arresters in terms of lightning protection. However, there are three disadvantages as follows.
- Compared to lightning arresters, the number of parts increases.
- An increase in the number of parts not only increases the risk of failure but also tends to increase maintenance costs.
- Installation space is also larger and installation costs are higher.
- Transformers reduce the upper power factor.
Transformers are inductive loads, so the reactive current increases. As a countermeasure, it is possible to connect power capacitors in parallel, but the cost will still increase. The grounding pole must be separate from the load. Most loads must be grounded to the chassis, etc., but high-voltage isolation transformers require an additional grounding pole for lightning surges. If the grounding pole for lightning surges and the load side grounding pole are combined, the potential between the load wire and the ground will also rise during lightning surges. Separating the grounding poles has the disadvantage of increasing the amount of grounding burial work and complicating the system. Based on the above merits and demerits, decide whether to use a lightning arrester or high voltage isolation transformers.