摘要 |
A varying voltage is applied to a conductive winding (61) that magnetically interacts with a magnetic body (60). The varying voltage causes the voltage induced in the winding to have such waveform and magnitude that the integral over time of the induced voltage correlates to desired changes of the induction level (magnetic flux density). The induction level of a magnetic body may be controlled to transition from an initial induction level to a preferred induction level, to maintain a preferred induction level, to reduce fluctuations around a preferred induction level, or to vary with time in a preferred manner. The invention is especially applicable to ordinary current transformers, which may be demagnetized automatically while remaining in service. Once demagnetized, ordinary current transformers are able to accurately sense nonsymmetrical currents, including d-c currents and a-c currents that have d-c components. A demagnetizing mode, during which the current transformer is demagnetized, and a current-sensing mode, during which current transformer secondary current is sensed, are usually utilized sequentially. For a-c power system applications, a current transformer demagnetizing circuit may include an adjustable impedance with a suitable control circuit. A controllable active voltage source may alternately be used as part of a current transformer demagnetizing circuit, in which case an ordinary current transformer may be used to sense d-c current as well as a-c current. A controllable active voltage source may also be used to improve current transformer accuracy by reducing the amount that the induction level of the core fluctuates, regardless of whether the demagnetizing aspect of the invention is utilized.
|