Neutral Earthing Aggregates (NEAs) are devices used in power distribution systems to ensure safety and reliability while minimizing costs. They house a neutral coupler and arc suppression coil in a common oil-filled tank. NEAs provide a low impedance path for zero-sequence currents while presenting a high impedance to positive- and negative-sequence currents. Their compact design reduces installation space and costs compared to separate components. Trench is a leading supplier of NEAs and complementary equipment like earthfault compensation controllers.
Neutral Earthing Aggregates (NEAs) are devices used in power distribution systems to ensure safety and reliability while minimizing costs. They house a neutral coupler and arc suppression coil in a common oil-filled tank. NEAs provide a low impedance path for zero-sequence currents while presenting a high impedance to positive- and negative-sequence currents. Their compact design reduces installation space and costs compared to separate components. Trench is a leading supplier of NEAs and complementary equipment like earthfault compensation controllers.
Neutral Earthing Aggregates (NEAs) are devices used in power distribution systems to ensure safety and reliability while minimizing costs. They house a neutral coupler and arc suppression coil in a common oil-filled tank. NEAs provide a low impedance path for zero-sequence currents while presenting a high impedance to positive- and negative-sequence currents. Their compact design reduces installation space and costs compared to separate components. Trench is a leading supplier of NEAs and complementary equipment like earthfault compensation controllers.
Neutral Earthing Aggregates (NEAs) are devices used in power distribution systems to ensure safety and reliability while minimizing costs. They house a neutral coupler and arc suppression coil in a common oil-filled tank. NEAs provide a low impedance path for zero-sequence currents while presenting a high impedance to positive- and negative-sequence currents. Their compact design reduces installation space and costs compared to separate components. Trench is a leading supplier of NEAs and complementary equipment like earthfault compensation controllers.
confronted with various divergent requirements. On the one hand, continuity of supply and a high degree of personel safety must be ensured. On the other hand, the capital costs as well as operating and maintenance costs of the apparatus, substations and networks must be minimised. To meet these requirements,
the method of high impedance
earthing, where necessary through a Neutral Earthing Aggregate (NEA), has proved an optimum solution in electric power systems. As a consequence, more and more utilities are implementing this type of neutral earthing technique in their distribution networks. The high reliability of our products, and our field-proven
Fig. 1 20 kV / 433 A Neutral Earthing Aggregate
designs, have positioned
Trench Austria as a leading supplier wherever electric energy is transmitted and distributed. Tailor-made solutions, including composite Neutral Earthing Aggregates, complete with associated control and protection devices, make up our well-proven product range for earthing of power systems.
Application areas for NEAs
Environmental concerns and
issues of reliability and operational safety of power systems, increasingly result in network designs using underground cables. Consequently the earthfault currents in the distribution networks may increase, which in some cases may overload the neutral connection of the power transformer, to which the correspondent arc suppression
coil (ASC) is connected. In
these cases, as well as in the absence of a power transformer with a readily available neutral/ star-point (e.g. where there is a delta connected supply transformer winding), the connection of the ASC is accomplished via a Neutral Coupler (Earthing transformer) which creates an artificial neutral/star-point connection. NEAs are devices, housing a
Neutral Coupler with an
appropriate zig-zag winding which provides a low zerosequence impedance and high positive- and negativesequence impedances and an Arc Suppression Coil of various designs in a common oil-filled tank. If required, a low voltage shunt resistor for earthfault detection can also be integrated.
Neutral Earthing Aggregates are noted
for the following advantages: Space-saving construction Considerably reduced installation area compared to other solutions. Applicable for compact substations.
Lower installation costs
Saving of one transformer cubicle or transformer bay, including an oil catchment pit.
Simplified layout and interconnection
The external connection between Neutral Coupler and ASC can be dispensed with.
Avoids duplicate monitoring and protection devices
Reduction of signals and control/signal cabling.
Technical Data
Technical Data Power range
100 kvar 10000 kvar
Voltage range
up to 52/3 kV
Rated frequency
50 Hz (16 2/3 Hz and 60 Hz on request)
Duty
2 hours short time
continuous
Neutral Coupler
ASC
fixed, step, sliding or plunger core coil design
current regulating range depending on core type from 1 : 2.5 to 1 : 10 tap changer, hand drive or motor drive
Cooling method
ONAN (self cooling)
Installation
indoor or outdoor
main winding (ZN)
secondary winding (yn or zn on request) equalizing winding (on request) primary voltage regulation (on request)
Fig. 2 Electrical diagram of a Neutral Earthing Aggregate (Earthing transformer, ASC and shunt resistor)
Principle Construction
Fig. 3 Sectional drawing of a Neutral Earthing Aggregate
Standard Design and
Fittings
Oil-filled corrugated steel
tank with detachable conservator Mobile base with bidirectional rollers Neutral Coupler: optional with secondary winding ASC: iron-cored reactor coil with continuously variable on-load air gap adjustment by means of a plunger core Suitable for automatic earthfault compensation via the Trench Austria earthfault compensation controller EFC50/EFC50i
Routine Tests
Porcelain bushings as per
DIN, or optional dead-front construction by means of plug-in cable termination system Protective cap over low voltage bushings Voltage measuring winding 100 V/3 A Auxiliary power winding (500 V, 5 % of coil power, 30 s short time duty) for connection of diverse secondary devices
Motor drive unit: Trench
Austria model DMA2, 230/400 V, 50 Hz, mounted on top of the tank, with hand-crank for emergency service
Measurement of current over the whole adjustment range Measurement of no-load losses and current Measurement of voltage ratio between main and secondary winding Operating tests of the core air gap mechanism of the ASC
Magnetic oil gauge
Silica-gel dehydrating breather
The connection between
Neutral Coupler and ASC is done internally
with final grey finish, RAL 7033
Measurement of winding resistance
Drive monitoring devices
on request Oil-filling: non-PCB mineral oil with naphtenic base, accord. to IEC 60296 : 2003 Surface treatment with zinc primer and multiple coating,
Seperate-source power frequency over-voltage test Induced over-voltage test
Type Tests/ Special Tests On request or as per agreement
Special Designs Sliding Core ASC Simplified design for a power range of 100 1250 kvar, current regulation range 1:5, with hand drive or motor drive
Step Core ASC
Iron-cored reactor coil
with taps, adjustable by
means of an off-load tap changer, current regulating range 1:2.5 Fixed Core ASC Iron-cored reactor coil with multiple sub-divided air gaps, for compensation of fixed
(non-varying) network sections,
without adjustment device Dry Type Design Design with cast resign impregnated windings for indoor installation
Accessories
Earthfault Compensation Controller EFC50 When changes in the network topology occur, the ASC must be immediately adjusted to
the actual network parameters.
This task is achieved by the Trench Austria earthfault compensation controller EFC50, through adjustment of the inductive reactance of the
ASC resonate with the actual
system earth capacitance. For a detailed description, refer to our brochure Earthfault Compensation Controller EFC50/EFC50i.
Fig. 4 Earthfault Compensation Controller EFC50
Shunt Resistor In order to eliminate earthfaults rapidly, the faulty feeder has to be detected quickly and selectively. One approach for detection of low-magnitude resisitive earthfaults is by means of directional power relays. When this approach is used, it is sometimes necessary to increase the residual earthfault current via a low voltage shunt resistor connected to the power auxiliary winding of the ASC.
Electronic Resistor Control EZA3 The electronic resistor control EZA3 is used for controlling a low voltage shunt resistor, which is connected to the power auxiliary winding of the ASC. It, in addition protects the resistor and the power auxiliary winding of the ASC from thermal overload.
