Instrument Transformer Calibration and Robust Estimation of Transmission Line Parameters Using PMU Measurements

Instrument transformers (ITs) once installed in the field are seldom calibrated. We propose two tests to detect systematic errors in capacitive voltage transformers (CVTs) and current transformers (CTs). The first test, a direct test, compares the mid-point voltage estimated from both ends of a transmission line using PMU data. The second test, an indirect test, analyzes the deviation of the estimated positive sequence line parameter values from the design values. Subsequently, we propose a robust method to simultaneously determine the positive sequence line parameters and IT calibration factors. Special care is given to numerical sensitivity of the method to the noise in the data and we show by Monte Carlo simulations that the proposed approach is accurate and robust. A noteworthy feature of this paper are the case studies based on field PMU data for short, medium, and long length lines of 400 kV and 765 kV. It clearly demonstrates the stability of both line parameters and IT calibration factors and hence justifies the claims.