Net current control device. Final report
- Electric Research and Management, Inc., Pittsburgh, PA (United States)
Net currents generally result in elevated magnetic fields because the alternate paths are distant from the circuit conductors. Investigations have shown that one of the primary sources of power frequency magnetic fields in residential buildings is currents that return to their source via paths other than the neutral conductors. As part of EPRI`s Magnetic Field Shielding Project, ferromagnetic devices, called net current control (NCC) devices, were developed and tested for use in reducing net currents on electric power cables and the resulting magnetic fields. Applied to a residential service drop, an NCC device reduces net current by forcing current off local non-utility ground paths, and back onto the neutral conductor. Circuit models and basic design equations for the NCC concept were developed, and proof-of-principles tests were carried out on an actual residence with cooperation from the local utility. After proving the basic concepts, three prototype NCC devices were built and tested on a simulated neighborhood power system. Additional prototypes were built for testing by interested EPRI utility members. Results have shown that the NCC prototypes installed on residential service drops reduce net currents to milliampere levels with compromising the safety of the ground system. Although the focus was on application to residential service cables, the NCC concept is applicable to single-phase and three-phase distribution systems as well.
- Research Organization:
- Electric Power Research Inst. (EPRI), Palo Alto, CA (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- Electric Power Research Inst., Palo Alto, CA (United States)
- OSTI ID:
- 355064
- Report Number(s):
- EPRI-TR-111764; TRN: AHC29924%%270
- Resource Relation:
- Other Information: PBD: Nov 1998
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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