Combined Instrument Transformer (CIT) Solution for Economic & Space Optimization

Challenge: Substations, especially aging facilities requiring retrofit (including Gas-Insulated Substations - GIS) or new installations in space-constrained urban environments, face significant pressure to minimize footprint and control costs. Traditional separate Current Transformers (CTs) and Voltage Transformers (VTs) contribute to space inefficiency, higher material/installation costs, and complex maintenance.

Our Solution: Implement a purpose-designed, compact Plug-and-Play Combined Instrument Transformer (CIT) solution. This innovative approach integrates CT and VT functionality into a single, optimized device, delivering substantial benefits from both an economic and spatial perspective.

Core Features & Economic/Space Optimization Strategy

1. Radical Footprint Reduction (Space Optimization):

• Single Unit Design: Replaces the traditional, spatially separated CT and VT units with one integrated device.

• Compact Enclosure: Engineered specifically for tight spaces, ideal for congested substations, brownfield site retrofits (especially within existing GIS bays), and greenfield projects where land is expensive or scarce.

• Result: Achieves a 50-70% reduction in the required installation footprint compared to conventional separate units. This frees up valuable real estate for other critical equipment or future expansion.

2. Lightweight Composite Materials (Cost Optimization - CapEx):

• Material Innovation: Utilizes advanced composite polymers or hybrid composites instead of traditional porcelain or heavy metal housings.

• Significant Weight Reduction: Dramatically lowers the overall unit weight.

• Foundation & Structural Cost Savings: Reduced weight translates directly to simpler, lighter, and less expensive support structures and foundations. This lowers both material and civil engineering costs during installation or retrofit.

3. "Plug-and-Play" Installation (Cost & Time Optimization - CapEx & OpEx):

• Pre-Integrated Design: Factory-assembled and tested CIT unit ensures core CT/VT alignment and calibration are complete.

• Simplified Site Work: Reduces on-site assembly complexity and installation time.

• Reduced Labor Costs: Faster installation translates to lower labor expenses.

• Minimized Downtime (Critical for Retrofits): Especially vital in GIS retrofits or live substation upgrades, where minimizing outage windows is paramount for grid reliability and operator revenue.

4. Standardized High-Utility Ratio Designs (Cost Optimization - CapEx & OpEx):

• Limited Range of Optimized Types: Instead of stocking a vast array of separate CTs and VTs, standardize on a curated portfolio of CIT designs covering the most common voltage levels, current ratings, and accuracy classes (e.g., covering 80% of typical substation requirements).

• Streamlined Inventory Management: Utilities and suppliers benefit from drastically reduced SKU counts for instrument transformers.

• Reduced Initial CapEx:

• Fewer Units: One CIT replaces two devices, lowering the unit purchase count.

• Smaller Structures: See Point 2 (Lightweight Materials).

• Bulk Procurement Savings: Standardization allows for larger volume purchases per CIT model, leveraging economies of scale.

• Reduced Long-Term OpEx:

• Simpler Maintenance: Only one unit needs inspection, cleaning, and physical checks instead of two. Access points are consolidated.

• Reduced Testing Time & Cost: Only one unit requires primary and secondary injection testing during commissioning and routine maintenance, effectively halving the testing time and associated labor/resource costs compared to separate CTs and VTs.

• Optimized Spare Holding: Lower SKU count means fewer different spares required in inventory, reducing tied-up capital and storage space.