When to use OLTC?
When to use OLTC?
(OP)
What criteria do you use to decide whether to include an On Load Tap Changer (OLTC or LTC), Deenergized Tap Changer (DETC), or Fixed Tap on the main power transformers? In which applications are OLTCs typically used? In which applications are DETCs typically used?
Is it entirely dependent on the incoming voltage fluctuations from the grid?
Some specifications state that,
- OLTC shall be provided for transformer intakes from Utility supplies at 33kV and above.
Is it entirely dependent on the incoming voltage fluctuations from the grid?
Some specifications state that,
- OLTC shall be provided for transformer intakes from Utility supplies at 33kV and above.
RE: When to use OLTC?
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Ohm's law
Not just a good idea;
It's the LAW!
RE: When to use OLTC?
The secondary terminal voltage will drop significantly if the transformer impedance is high and the load power factor is relatively low. The incoming voltage will fluctuate with load if the grid is weak, small, and less interconnected.
With a solid interconnected grid in India, we are now avoiding on-load tap-changers in 765/400 kV and 400/220 kV auto-transformers. Tap changing on the HV side has no effect, as the incoming grid voltage is constant. Line-end OLTC is a weak link in auto-transformers, as the tap-changer will be at high potential. The secondary voltage dip, if any, is taken care of by the downstream transformer primary neutral-mounted OLTC.
DETC is used when individual tap changing in a large population of units is complex (e.g. Distribution transformers) or when tap changing is required very rarely ( large GSUs).
The above are views from a transformer manufacturer's angle.
RE: When to use OLTC?
If this were in NA, for a step-down from HV to MV in a distribution substation, some form of automatic voltage regulation would normally be used. It could be OLTC on the power transformer, a separate bus regulator, or regulators on each MV feeder.
RE: When to use OLTC?
- in substations the OLTC is common in order to regulate the low voltage system, particularly distribution substations (at least at my company). Almost every distribution substation has a OLTC or a separate regulator to regulate the distribution sub voltage and ensure customers are getting good voltage at all load levels.
- In generating stations, At least in the US OLTCs are rarely applied to conventional machines and the de-energized tap changer is used. The generators perform the voltage control on the low voltage side.
- in older type I and type II wind farms an OLTC was used to regulate the voltage on the 34.5kV bus as the generators did not provide voltage control.
- for new inverter based distributed generation, it’s common to specify an OLTC and I have no idea why. The IBR plants all perform voltage control like a synchronous machine. At our current IBR wind farm the OLTC is in manual and the taps are never changed (and there’s no issues operationally) so it seems pointless.
RE: When to use OLTC?
RE: When to use OLTC?
RE: When to use OLTC?
As the current increases, the tap changer increases the voltage to compensate for downstream voltage drop.
You may be able to do this with inverters by using a current derived signal to vary the output voltage.
--------------------
Ohm's law
Not just a good idea;
It's the LAW!
RE: When to use OLTC?