DIGITAL INSTRUMENT TRANSFORMERS

COSI-NXCT
Optical Current Transformer

Our comprehensive COSI range (Compact Optical Sensor Intelligence) includes innovative
digital instrument transformers for AC and DC applications.
The COSI-NXCT optical current sensor brings a new level of accuracy to sensing over the
range between 1 A rms and 63 kA rms.
The reduced size and weight are attractive benefits compared to conventional
oil-filled equipment, allowing placement
in compact substations or in retrofit applications where space may be limited.
A lightweight dry-type insulator and
window head design allow pedestal
mounting or suspension from a rigid bus.
Its broad dynamic range makes this CT
particularly suited for both high-precision
metering and protection applications at
the same time.
The accurate measurement of DC and AC
to the 100th harmonic and the measurment of phase angle is a must for new
Smart Grid applications.
The standard digital interface will ensure
smooth integration of COSI-NXCT in the
digital substation application.

Performance features

Accuracy exceeds ANSI/IEEE Class

0.15S/IEC Class 0.2S for metering and

IEC Class 5P/IEEE 10% for protection

Wide dynamic range

Bandwidth from DC to 100 harmonic
No magnetic core saturation
Excellent phase accuracy
Digital Interface and analog output
th

Intrinsically safe, environmental friendly

No oil, gas or SF
No hazardous open secondaries
No violent failure
6

Customer Benefits
Improved measurement
performance
Significant system cost
reduction
Environmentally friendly
World-wide standard for
Interconnection
Reliability, availability,
safety
Light weight

GRID
1

Optical Current Transformers COSI-NXCT

Smart Solutions for Smart Grid

Basic Faraday effect
Light

In Faraday Effect current sensors; the current

flowing through a conductor induces a
magnetic field that affects the propagation
of light traveling through an optical fiber
encircling the conductor.

Polarized Light
Rotation Angle
Polarizer

A linear state of polarization rotates in the

presence of a magnetic field because the field
produces a circular birefringence in the glass.
Birefringence refers to an optical material
with two indices of refraction.

Faraday Materials
Magnetic Field

Polarization Detector

Metering and protection accuracy

Fast fault response

Extreme fast and accurate response

COSI-NXCT actually measures the

40 000
20 000

S013 10/24/01 15:40

C phase

dynamic current

No distortion due to core saturation, no

need for TPY - TPZ specs, yet no danger

for secondary equipment.

-20 000
Current (A)

The COSI-NXCT design permits

measurements to be made with the highest
possible accuracy and stability. To address
stringent revenue metering applications, its
performance exceeds IEC Class 0.02S and
IEEE Class 0.3 accuracy (optional 0.15%)
with a dynamic range that extends from 1 A
to 4800 A.

-40 000
-60 000

The COSI-NXCT has ultra-accurate and stable

phase measurement, which is critical for
intertie metering. For protection applications,
the COSI-NXCT exceeds IEC Class 5P
accuracy ratings and IEEE 10% accuracy
ratings.

-80 000
-100 000
-120 000

1200

1600
Time (arb.)

CT

Ref

2000

2400

Optical Current Transformers COSI-NXCT

Wide dynamic range

Choice of connection option

Accuracy specification is maintained over a

broad dynamic range - from 0.2% to 150% of
rated current (extended metering range sensor)
and up to 171 kA (protection range sensor).
Broad dynamic range allows elimination of
separate high and low range CTs.

New window head design allows a variety of connection options

including standard NEMA pads, up to 300 mm rigid bus, or flexible
cable pass thru, allowing optimal selection for ease of installation and
reliability.

Wide bandwidth
Accurate waveform reproduction up to 6 kHz
allows full power quality analysis of harmonics and
transients with no sensor-imposed limitations.

Dry type insulator seismic stable

Green design

Field-proven lightweight composite

insulator reduces transportation costs,
substation support structure requirements,
and installation equipment demands.
The lightweight design also allows location in
seismically active areas.

The COSI-NXCT insulator contains no oil, SF6 or other gas. There is

no internal mechanism for violent failure to endanger personnel or
adjacent equipment. There are no environmental concerns or gas
to recycle. With an optical design there are also no open secondary
concerns.

Low maintenance
The COSI-NXCT has no active components at line potential, eliminating
the need for costly outages to maintain the electronics. Since there
is no insulating oil or paper there are no complex maintenance
procedures. The polymeric insulating column employs silicone rubber
sheds that do not require liveline washing.

Smart grid ready with digital interface

The standard digital interface will ensure smooth integration of COSINXCT into digital substation applications the accurate measurement
of harmonics and phase angle
is a must for new Smart Grid
applications.

Generating 250 MW
Current of 1000 A

Auxiliaries feeding 225 kW

Current of 0.95 A

BI-DIRECTIONAL METERING APPLICATION IN WIND FARM

Specifications
Column mechanical & electrical ratings
NXCT Type

72.5

123

145

245

362

420

550

Maximum system Voltage (Um)

kV

72.5

121

145

245

362

420

550

800

Impulse test voltage (BIL)

kV

350

550

650

1050

1300

1550

1800

2100

Minimum creepage distance

Height
Weight
Static Withstand

800

in

57

115

115

193

285

562

562

562

mm

1400

2900

2900

4900

7240

14280

14280

14280

in

54.7

54.7

77.91

107.44

127.13

204.71

204.71

204.71

mm

1389.4

1389.4

1978.9

2729

3229.1

5199.6

5199.6

5199.6

Ibs

75

88

88

111

124

177

177

177

kg

34

40

40

50

56

80

80

80

Ibs

675

675

675

900

900

Suspension application only

3000

3000

3000

4000

4000

Suspension application only

Ratings and dimensions for IEC pollution Class 2. Other ratings are available.

Environmental
Operating Temperature Range

- 40 C to 55 C (- 40 F to 131 F) Outdoor Service Conditions

Opto-Electronic Module

- 5 C to 40 C (23 F to 104 F) Indoor Service Conditions

Seismic Capability

0.5 g

mechanical
Standard Pollution Withstand

IEC Level II, other ratings available

Insulation

Solid composite insulator

Electronics Dimensions

19 x 18 x 8.75 (482 mm x 457 mm x 222 mm)

(includes high energy metering interface)

Electronics
Packaged in 2 modules:

Low Energy Analog Interfaces1

4 Vrms metering
200 mVrms protection
< 0.2% error at rated current for 4V output,

NXVCT

Optical Voltage & Current Sensor

Port 1

Dynamic Range

< 0.5% error at rated current for 200 mV output

Bandwidth

0.5 Hz to 6 kHz DC available

High Energy Analog Interfaces1

1 Arms [2 ohm burden] or 5 Arms [B0.1 (2.5 VA) burden]

nominal at power 0.9 for metering

Dynamic Range

< 0.2% error from 1 A to 4000 A (using extended metering range sensor)

Bandwidth

10 Hz to 6 kHz for 1 A metering output

< 2% error at 108 kApeak (using protection sensor)

Sensor Electronics
NXVCT

Optical Voltage & Current Sensor

Metering Current Amplifier /

Power Supply
Port 1

Metering Current Amplifier /

Power Supply

Current Amplifier/Power Supply

Input Power Requirements

70 Vdc to 150 Vdc

Typical power 60 W

Electronic Turns Ratio

User selectable

Alarms Contacts

Data invalid / Maintenance required

Electrical Performance
Type I3:
Type II3:

Type III3:

Metering Accuracy

IEC Class 0.2S, IEEE Class 0.3, 0.15S

Protection Accuracy

IEC Class 5P, IEEE 10%

Extended Range Std Metering Accuracy

0.2% (0.2% to 150% of rated current)2

Extended Range High Metering Accuracy

0.15% (0.2% to 150% of rated current)2

Continuous Current

4800 A Max (4800 A, RF = 1; or 3000 A, RF = 1.33; or 2500 RF = 1.5)

Rated Current

User specified for up to 4000 A

Short-time Thermal Current

63 kArms for 1 s

Scales linearly with primary voltage and current. / 2 Accuracy window moves with selected ratio. / 3 Other ratings available, consult Alstom Grid.

Alstom Grid Worldwide Contact Centre

www.grid.alstom.com/contactcentre
Tel.: +44 (0) 1785 250 070
www.grid.alstom.com

To contact the manufacturer:

Digital Instrument Transformers - Phoenix site
23616 N. 19th Avenue Suite 16,
Phoenix, AZ 85085.
Tel.: 602-331-8000
DITSales@alstom.com
GRID
www.nxtphase.com

Grid-Products-L3-NXCT-71991-V2010-EN - Alstom, the Alstom logo and any alternative version thereof are trademarks and service marks of Alstom. The other names mentioned, registered or not, are the property of their respective companies. The technical and
other data contained in this document are provided for information only. Neither Alstom, its officers nor employees accept responsibility for or should be taken as making any representation or warranty (whether express or implied) as to the accuracy or completeness of
such data or the achievements of any projected performance criteria where these are indicated. No liability is accepted for any reliance placed upon the information contained in this brochure. Alstom reserves the right to revise or change these data at any time without
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Optical Current Transformers COSI-NXCT