LINE

TRAPS
With over 60 years of successful field experience, Trench is the
recognized world leader in the design and manufacture of
air-core dry-type inductors for electric utility and industrial
applications. Trench has pioneered dry-type inductor technology
and continues on this groundbreaking path.
With its custom design approach, along with fully integrated
engineering and manufacturing facilities in North America, South
America and Europe, Trench offers its customers a unique blend
of technological leadership, experience and customer proximity.
 MAIN
FEATURES
General Types of tuning Mounting and connection
Power Line Carrier (PLC) is a common method SINGLE FREQUENCY TUNING Trench line traps can be mounted in several
of Power System Communication such as If narrow blocking bands are required, single configurations. Suspension mounted line traps are
teleprotection and voice and data communication, frequency tuning is the simplest and most available with either single point or multi-point
it has a reputation as being one of the most economical type of tuning available. Within the suspension brackets. Line traps can also be pedestal
economical and reliable forms of communication, narrow band, high blocking impedance can be mounted directly onto coupling capacitors (CCs),
and for being versatile in its application. provided resulting in excellent PLC signal capacitive voltage transformers (CVTs) or station
Fig. 1 shows a basic PLC system consisting of isolation. post insulators. Trench offers several types of
three distinct components: mounting pedestals:
DOUBLE FREQUENCY TUNING
signal carrying medium (HV transmission line) The double frequency tuning arrangement blocks single insulator support pedestal
communication apparatus (transmitters, two relatively narrow bands of frequencies. multi-insulator support pedestal
receivers and associated components) Otherwise, the blocking characteristic is similar insulated pedestal
coupling/blocking equipment such as coupling to single frequency tuning. For proper operation
capacitors (CC), capacitive voltage transformers and isolation of the tuned bands, a minimum Other than the insulated pedestal, all pedestals are
(CVT), line tuners (coupling devices) and line frequency separation must be maintained electrically connected to the lower terminal of the
traps between the peak tuning frequencies. line trap and can be used as both the electrical and
The frequency must be a minimum of 25 kHz or mechanical connection to the CC or CVT. If necessary,
25% of the upper tuning frequency peak. the upper line trap terminal can be utilized as the
connection to the CC or CVT. A pedestal insulated

Application WIDEBAND TUNING

Wideband tuning is the most common type of
from the bottom end (bottom spider) of the line trap
must be used in conjunction with a special insulated
tuning as it efficiently utilizes the main coil connection rod supplied by Trench.
Line traps are connected in series with HV inductance. Wideband tuned line traps are
transmission lines. The main function of the line suitable for multi-channel applications, since Pedestals are standardized but can be custom made
trap is to present a high impedance at the relatively constant impedance is obtained over a to suit customer requirements. Terminals supplied
carrier frequency band while introducing broad frequency range. This type of tuning on the line traps can be either pad or stud type
negligible impedance at the power frequency. provides high bandwidth flexibility for future according to IEC or NEMA standards.
The high impedance limits the attenuation of changes or expansion of PLC frequencies. PLC
the carrier signal within the power system by channels can be placed anywhere within the
preventing the carrier signal from being: Forblocked bandwidth. on Line Traps
more information
please visit our website: www.trench-group.com
dissipated in the substation SELF-TUNED
Contact: LINE TRAPS
sales@trench-group.com
grounded in the event of a fault outside the Self-tuned line traps do not require tuning. The
carrier transmission path blocking characteristic is achieved by simply
dissipated in a tap line or a branch of the main utilizing the self-capacitance of the main coil
transmission path winding. The inductance of a self-tuned line trap
is higher than a tuned line trap.

Line Trap Line Trap

Station A Station

1 Coupling Capacitor 2 Line Tuner 3 Transmitter/Receiver

Fig. 1 Principle scheme of a PLC system
 DESIGN
DETAILS
Line Traps are designed to meet ANSI standard C93.3 or IEC standard
Bird Barrier 60353. The major components of a line trap are the main coil, tuning
(Optional) device and protective device (see Fig.2)

Since line traps are series connected with the HV transmission line,
they must be designed to withstand the high mechanical forces
Terminal generated by the short circuit (s/c) current associated with the HV
Lightning transmission system.
Arrester
MAIN COIL
The main coil of a line trap is an air-core dry-type power inductor.
The winding utilizes aluminum wire or cable. High mechanical
Tunning strength of the winding is achieved by resin impregnated fiberglass.
Main Device
Coil The winding is terminated at both ends on a system of aluminum
bars, denoted as the spiders. These spiders are additionally used for:

• the electrical connection to the line trap by terminal pads or studs

• mounting of hardware such as lifting lugs, pedestals and corona
Pedestal protection bells or rings
(Optional) • connecting the tuning and protective device across the main coil

LIGHTNING ARRESTER
To protect the components of the line trap, a metal oxide surge
Fig.2 Line Trap components arrester is connected in parallel with the main coil and the tuning
device. This reduces any transient overvoltages to levels correspon-
ding to distribution voltage class insulation

TUNING DEVICE
The tuning device, which is connected across the main coil, forms a
blocking circuit which provides high impedance over a specified
PLC-frequency range. Depending on the type of tuning the tuning
device consists of, capacitors, inductors and resistors all have
relatively low power ratings compared to the main coil. For environ-
mental protection, these components are mounted in one or more
fiberglass housings and the tuning device is installed inside the
main coil. To meet changing PLC frequency requirements, the tuning
device is easily accessible for replacement or field adjustment (if
applicable).

The bandwidth of a line trap is the frequency range over the

specified minimum blocking impedance or resistance of the line
trap. The achievable bandwidth can be expanded by increasing the
main coil inductance.
ELECTRICAL
DATA
Rated Currents IEC 60353 Rated Inductance IEC 60353
CONTINUOUS SHORT-TIME mH at 100 kHz
A SERIES 1 kA/1SEC
100 2,5 0,2 0,25 0,315 0,4 0,5 1,0 2,0
200 5 0,2 0,25 0,315 0,4 0,5 1,0 2,0
400 10 0,2 0,25 0,315 0,4 0,5 1,0 2,0
630 16 0,2 0,25 0,315 0,4 0,5 1,0 2,0
800 20 0,2 0,25 0,315 0,4 0,5 1,0 2,0
1000 25 0,2 0,25 0,315 0,4 0,5 1,0 2,0
1250 31,5 0,2 0,25 0,315 0,4 0,5 1,0 2,0
1600 40 0,2 0,25 0,315 0,4 0,5 1,0 2,0
2000 40 0,2 0,25 0,315 0,4 0,5 1,0 2,0
2500 40 0,2 0,25 0,315 0,4 0,5 1,0 2,0
3150 40 0,2 0,25 0,315 0,4 0,5 1,0 2,0
4000 63 0,2 0,25 0,315 0,4 0,5 1,0 2,0

CONTINUOUS SHORT-TIME mH at 100 kHz

A SERIES 2 kA/1SEC
100 5 0,2 0,25 0,315 0,4 0,5 1,0 2,0
200 10 0,2 0,25 0,315 0,4 0,5 1,0 2,0
400 16 0,2 0,25 0,315 0,4 0,5 1,0 2,0
630 20 0,2 0,25 0,315 0,4 0,5 1,0 2,0
800 25 0,2 0,25 0,315 0,4 0,5 1,0 2,0
1000 31,5 0,2 0,25 0,315 0,4 0,5 1,0 2,0
1250 40 0,2 0,25 0,315 0,4 0,5 1,0 2,0
1600 50 0,2 0,25 0,315 0,4 0,5 1,0 2,0
2000 50 0,2 0,25 0,315 0,4 0,5 1,0 2,0
2500 50 0,2 0,25 0,315 0,4 0,5 1,0 2,0
3150 50 0,2 0,25 0,315 0,4 0,5 1,0 2,0
4000 80 0,2 0,25 0,315 0,4 0,5 1,0 2,0

Rated Currents IEC 60353 Rated Inductance ANSI C93.3

CONTINUOUS SHORT-TIME mH at 100 kHz
A kA/2SEC

400 15 0,265 0,53 1,06 1,59 2,12 2,65

800 20 0,265 0,53 1,06 1,59 2,12 2,65
1200 36 0,265 0,53 1,06 1,59 2,12 2,65
1600 44 0,265 0,53 1,06 1,59 2,12 2,65
2000 63 0,265 0,53 1,06 1,59 2,12 2,65
3000 63 0,265 0,53 1,06 1,59 2,12 2,65
4000 80 0,265 0,53 1,06 1,59 2,12 2,65
 For more information on Line Traps
please visit our website: www.trench-group.com
Contact: sales@trench-group.com