Why Collaboration Matters in the LPIT Ecosystem | Andrea Bonetti, Megger & Petri Hovila, ABB

Why Collaboration Matters in the LPIT Ecosystem | Andrea Bonetti, Megger & Petri Hovila, ABB

by Power Systems Technology · View the channel on PSI

Applied Sciences & Engineering Energy THEnergy technology and engineeringTHRElectrical engineering
🎙 Power Systems Technology 👥 594 📅 October 2, 2026 ⏱ 17 min 👁 14 📄 expert opinion 🧭 2026-10-03
Available in: English (current) Français

Keywords

LPITRogowski coildigital substationprocess busrelay testing

Summary

In this interview recorded live at CIGRE 2026 in Paris, Andrea Bonetti (Megger) and Petri Hovila (ABB) discuss the growing importance of Low-Power Instrument Transformers (LPIT) and the need for close collaboration between relay manufacturers and test equipment vendors. They explain that LPITs output low-voltage millivolt signals, unlike traditional CTs/VTs, and that digital substations with process bus (IEC 61850) solve the sharing problem of these signals among multiple relays. The conversation highlights the importance of considering the entire measurement and protection chain—from sensor to relay—instead of individual components, and references IEC committees TC 95 and TC 38. They also address challenges such as the shortage of commissioning engineers familiar with LPITs, and stress that simpler testing is key to wider adoption. The guests outline the upcoming progression of LPIT technology, noting that cost, safety, and environmental benefits are driving utilities toward it. Practical advice is given for engineers starting with LPITs, including intuitive test sets that mask complexity and ease the transition from traditional equipment.

165 words

Critical Evaluation

Value of the Information & Strength of the Argument

The value here lies in the practical, experience-based insights from two senior engineers directly involved in LPIT development and testing. They clearly articulate the technical distinction between LPIT and conventional transformers, and convincingly argue that digital substations and process bus are the enablers for LPIT adoption. The argumentation is solid: they reason from engineering principles, provide concrete examples (e.g., a single Rogowski coil covering both metering and protection), and emphasize system-level accuracy. The collaborative angle is well-founded, illustrating how joint validation prevents end users from being stuck between relay and test set. While the discussion is not deeply quantitative, it offers a clear conceptual framework and addresses real-world barriers, making it valuable for professionals in the field.

Scientific Rigor, Source Quality, Title Accuracy

The scientific rigor is moderate: the speakers cite standards (IEC 61850, TC 95, TC 38) and refer to ABB’s products (e.g., sensors since 1992, digital solutions since 2013), but no specific publications or external sources are mentioned. The provided description links are mostly to the channel’s website and LinkedIn pages, which are promotional rather than scientific references. The title is fully consistent with the content, which indeed focuses on collaboration in the LPIT ecosystem. The discussion is coherent and credible given the experts’ positions, but formal citations are absent, so the overall source quality is acceptable but not outstanding.

231 words

Title / Content Match

The title accurately reflects the content: an interview focused on LPIT ecosystem collaboration, featuring the two named experts.

Quality & Reliability

7/10

The discussion is grounded in the speakers' extensive professional experience and references to international standards (IEC 61850, TC 95, TC 38). However, no formal citations or external sources are given on screen, limiting verifiability on the spot.

Chapters

Cited Sources

Concurring Sources

Contribution & Novelties

The interview provides an accessible explanation of LPIT technology and its integration into digital substations, emphasizing the often-neglected need for collaborative validation between test equipment and relay manufacturers. It highlights the practical barrier of commissioning skills and proposes simpler test solutions as a key enabler. The discussion of total chain accuracy and the role of IEC committees offers a useful systems perspective.

Pour aller plus loin :

  • Rogowski coil - Wikipedia — Fundamental concept mentioned as an LPIT sensing element; valuable for understanding the technology.
  • IEC 61850 - Wikipedia — Standard for digital substation communication, central to the process bus discussion.
  • Instrument transformer - Wikipedia — Background on traditional CTs/VTs vs. LPITs; helps contextualize the differences.
  • IEC 61869 series (often referenced as the standard for instrument transformers, including LPITs) — Mentioned implicitly via TC 38/TC 95; no stable URL provided but readers can search for it.

146 words

Radar Profile

The radar profile is relatively balanced, with moderate scores across all dimensions. The information quantity and quality are decent given the short format, while the technical depth is somewhat limited due to the interview format. The reliability is supported by the speakers' credentials but weakened by the lack of on-screen citations.

Reliability 7/10