Low(ish) profile 'off the shelf' CBCT

R

Roger Hamlett

Guest
Hi,
I have an application, where I need to sense AC current imbalance between
two lines. Perfect application for a CBCT. The wires themselves carry a
reasonably high voltage (at moments, in excess of 3KV), so my 'prototype',
has a Teflon block going through the transformer, with the two wires
positioned in this (giving both good position stability, and insulation).
Now, my problem is the size of the CBCT. There are readily available
toroids, with hole sizes from perhaps 35mm and up. However I have a height
limit over the board, which is making this unuseable. What I'd like to
find, is something like a rectangular CBCT, with a central hole perhaps
25mm wide, and a relatively low total height (not exceeding 50mm to the
top of the winding), that is available 'off the shelf' (the run size is
small, so doesn't warrant a custom transformer). Perhaps 500:1 ratio
(though the circuit can be adjusted to handle a wide tolerance here), and
peak current rating doesn't need to exceed 1A.
I am in the UK, so a UK source would be preferred.
Searches of the normal component manufacturers find lots of larger
toroids, and a few rectangular designs, and a general Google search, gives
lots of companies able to make custom units, but nothing visible 'off the
shelf'.
So, has anyone any pointers to a supplier stocking items like this?.

Many thanks in advance.
 
On Fri, 08 Jun 2007 08:40:35 GMT, "Roger Hamlett"
<rogerspamignored@ttelmah.demon.co.uk> wrote:

Hi,
I have an application, where I need to sense AC current imbalance between
two lines. Perfect application for a CBCT. The wires themselves carry a
reasonably high voltage (at moments, in excess of 3KV), so my 'prototype',
has a Teflon block going through the transformer, with the two wires
positioned in this (giving both good position stability, and insulation).
Now, my problem is the size of the CBCT. There are readily available
toroids, with hole sizes from perhaps 35mm and up. However I have a height
limit over the board, which is making this unuseable. What I'd like to
find, is something like a rectangular CBCT, with a central hole perhaps
25mm wide, and a relatively low total height (not exceeding 50mm to the
top of the winding), that is available 'off the shelf' (the run size is
small, so doesn't warrant a custom transformer). Perhaps 500:1 ratio
(though the circuit can be adjusted to handle a wide tolerance here), and
peak current rating doesn't need to exceed 1A.
I am in the UK, so a UK source would be preferred.
Searches of the normal component manufacturers find lots of larger
toroids, and a few rectangular designs, and a general Google search, gives
lots of companies able to make custom units, but nothing visible 'off the
shelf'.
So, has anyone any pointers to a supplier stocking items like this?.

Many thanks in advance.
Roger:

Does your 'CBCT' relate to a standard Current Transformer?

We have got some small CT's at work, I am working at home on a PCB today but can
pop round lunchtime and see what size and spec they are.

Peter
--
Peter & Rita Forbes
Email: diesel@easynet.co.uk
Web: http://www.oldengine.org/members/diesel
 
"Peter A Forbes" <diesel@easynet.co.uk> wrote in message
news:l68i63tifriipasj9rlia1uu1lrnar9o0e@4ax.com...
On Fri, 08 Jun 2007 08:40:35 GMT, "Roger Hamlett"
rogerspamignored@ttelmah.demon.co.uk> wrote:

Hi,
I have an application, where I need to sense AC current imbalance
between
two lines. Perfect application for a CBCT. The wires themselves carry a
reasonably high voltage (at moments, in excess of 3KV), so my
'prototype',
has a Teflon block going through the transformer, with the two wires
positioned in this (giving both good position stability, and
insulation).
Now, my problem is the size of the CBCT. There are readily available
toroids, with hole sizes from perhaps 35mm and up. However I have a
height
limit over the board, which is making this unuseable. What I'd like to
find, is something like a rectangular CBCT, with a central hole perhaps
25mm wide, and a relatively low total height (not exceeding 50mm to the
top of the winding), that is available 'off the shelf' (the run size is
small, so doesn't warrant a custom transformer). Perhaps 500:1 ratio
(though the circuit can be adjusted to handle a wide tolerance here),
and
peak current rating doesn't need to exceed 1A.
I am in the UK, so a UK source would be preferred.
Searches of the normal component manufacturers find lots of larger
toroids, and a few rectangular designs, and a general Google search,
gives
lots of companies able to make custom units, but nothing visible 'off
the
shelf'.
So, has anyone any pointers to a supplier stocking items like this?.

Many thanks in advance.


Roger:

Does your 'CBCT' relate to a standard Current Transformer?

We have got some small CT's at work, I am working at home on a PCB today
but can
pop round lunchtime and see what size and spec they are.

Peter
Sorry, 'CBCT', standard abbreviation, for 'core balance current
transformer'. They differ slightly from the normal current transformers,
being designed to give relatively high gains from the imbalance of current
in two (or more) wires. Generally they give high outputs, for small
imbalances, against a normal 'current transformer', which usually gives
quite a low output current for a large input. :)
They standard application, is the RCCB, which is normally based on these.

Best Wishes
 
On Fri, 08 Jun 2007 12:44:15 GMT, "Roger Hamlett"
<rogerspamignored@ttelmah.demon.co.uk> wrote:

Sorry, 'CBCT', standard abbreviation, for 'core balance current
transformer'. They differ slightly from the normal current transformers,
being designed to give relatively high gains from the imbalance of current
in two (or more) wires. Generally they give high outputs, for small
imbalances, against a normal 'current transformer', which usually gives
quite a low output current for a large input. :)
They standard application, is the RCCB, which is normally based on these.

Best Wishes
OK, many thanks for the clarification. I think the ones we have are standard,
but there are also some LEM/HEME types as well. I'll still have a dig through
and report back.

Peter
--
Peter & Rita Forbes
Email: diesel@easynet.co.uk
Web: http://www.oldengine.org/members/diesel
 

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