Current Transformer-Based System for Measuring Leakage Current

Insulators are crucial components in high-voltage electrical systems, and their failure can result in substantial economic losses exceeding acquisition and installation costs. Failures can also overload transmission lines and cause power outages in large areas. Pollution, particularly in coastal regions, is a leading cause of insulator failure. Soluble salts like NaCl and Na
2
SO
4
adhere to the insulator surface, creating an alternative conductive path for current leakage. In this work, a current transformer was used to develop a measurement system. The system underwent core characterization experiments and signal post-processing. The constructed prototype successfully measured and recovered the signal, demonstrating its suitability and viability for measuring leakage current in insulators. The system is capable of measuring currents ranging from hundreds of microamperes to tens of milliamperes within the frequency range of 60 Hz to 540 Hz. It enables continuous monitoring and analysis of the current in insulators.