Current Transformer

Current Transformers (CT)

Some Important terms :1. Burden : The value of load connected across the secondary
of
CT , expressed in VA (volt-amps) or ohms at rated
secondary current.
2. Errors :
(i) Ratio Error : The percentage error in the magnitude of the
secondary.
K Is - Ip
= X 100
Ip
K = Rated transformation ratio
Is = Secondary current
Ip = Primary current

(ii) Phase Angle Error: The phase angle between primary

current
vector and reversed secondary
current
vector.
3. Composite Error : The rms value of the difference (KIs Ip)
integrated over one cycle under steady
conditions.

4. Accuracy limit factor : The highest value of primary

current
assigned,upto which the limits of
composite errors are complied with.

5. Instrument Safety Factor : The ratio of the value of

current at
which the CT saturates to the
rated
current.
6. Magnetising / Exciting current : The current taken by the
secondary winding of the CT
when sinusoidal voltage of
50HZ is applied , keeping
the
primary open circuited.
This
current is utilised in
magnetising the core.

7. Saturation : It is that state of a CT when it stops

reproducing
the current in the secondary , faithfully. At
this
level the magnetic core stops behaving
linearly.
Actually the core gets saturated. In this state
the total primary current is utilised in
magnetising
the core.

Definition of Knee Point :

It is that point on the magnetising curve where a 10% increase
in the voltage results in 50% rise in the exciting current drawn.
Knee point is an important factor in determining the
performance of the CT.

Requirement of Metering CT
The metering CT should be accurate in the entire
operating range upto the rated current and even
beyond , upto a certain limit.
A typical specification :
300/5 A
Cl : 1.0 , Burden : 15 VA
ISF

This CT must maintain its error within 1% of rated

current upto 300 A , definitely & also upto 600A ( rated
current X ISF I.e. 300 X 2 ) beyond which it must
saturate. The whole idea is faithful reproduction of
current upto a certain level & saving the connected
meters from over current beyond that level.

Requirement of Protection CT
Protective gear is concerned with wide range of currents
from fault settings to maximum fault currents which
may be many times normal rating. Larger errors may be
permitted in such CTs , but it is very important that
saturation should be avoided.
A typical specification :
300/5A , Burden : 15 VA
Class : 5P10
5 is the % error
10 is the accuracy limit factor (ALF)
This CT must maintain error within 5% of 10 times
current (5% of 300 X 10 Amps) upto 10 times current
(300X10 = 3000Amps).

CTs for special types of protection like : Differential

protection , Restricted Earth Fault Protection etc.
Important parameters are :
1. Knee point voltage
2. Magnetising current at a particular point of the V-I (or
B-H)
curve.
3. CT secondary winding resistance.
A typical specification :
Ratio : 300/5 A

30(Rct+Rlead)
Im 50 mA at Vk/2
Rct 1 Ohm
Vk

Main types of CTs (Construction wise)

1. Ring type or window type or Bar primary type
In this case no. of turn in primary winding = 1
2. Wound primary type
3. Post type (Outdoor)

CURRENT TRANSFORMER

SECTIONAL VIEW OF A SWITCH PANEL

CT

Acceptance / Routine Tests

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.

Winding resistance measurement

IR measurement
Ratio checking
Polarity test
Magnetising characteristic tests
HV tests (whenever applicable)
Tan Delta Test (in case of 132 KV outdoor CTs)
Measurements of errors (in lab, where needed)

List of instrument required for CT Test :

1.
2.
3.
4.

Multimeter(2nos. 1 for current & 1 for Voltage)

Low resistance measuring instrument (inductive)
1-ph Variac
Battery

5. Primary Injection Set with Primary current measuring

CT
6. C & tan Delta set (for 132kV & above)
7. Ratio & Phase angle error measuring inst. (for
Lab.use)
8. HV DC Test set (for HV test)
9. 1 kV Megger

Voltage Transformer

Voltage Transformers (VT)

VTs are used whenever a feedback of primary voltage is
required.
It may be for
(i) Metering & Indication
(ii) Protection , like Directional / Distance
(iii) Synchronising
VTs may be single phase or three phases.
A typical specification :
Ratio : 33 Kv / 110 V - 110 V
3
3
3
Class : 1 /3P -5P
Burden : 200 VA - 50 VA
Voltage factor : 1.2 Cont. / 1.9 for 8 hours
Suitable for Non-effectively earthed system.
Insulation : 36/70/170 KVP

The ratio indicates that it is a single phase VT.

There are two secondary windings. One is dual purpose , I.e.
both
for
(i) metering
& (ii) protection
Class 1/3P indicates that it is suitable for both purposes.
Class 1 is for metering purposes.
Error will be within

1% of rated voltage within a range of

80% to 120% of rated voltage and 25% to 100% of rated

burden.
Class 3P is for protection purposes.
Error will be within

3% within a range of 5% to 190%

(Voltage factor) of rated voltage and 25% to 100% of rated

burden.

VTs are normally Star-Star connected.

For some protection purposes the secondaries are connected in
open delta (residual connection).
e.g. Directional E/F protection.
In this case the primary must be star connected with earthed
neutral.

5 Limbed VTs
The core of such VTs are of a special type. It has two limbs (outer)
which have no windings. These two unwound limbs provide path
for zero sequence flux. The primary winding neutral must be
earthed. Such type of 3 Phase VTs are used when one of the
secondary winding is connected in open delta for E/F protection.

Type of VTs (Construction wise)

1. Electromagnetic VT
- Oil filled
- epoxy resin encapsulated
2. Capacitor VT (CVT)
The CVT is more economical than an electromagnetic VT
for
system voltage greater than 66 KV.
The performance of CVT is inferior compared to
electromagnetic types. Its performance is affected by
frequency , switching transients , burden etc.

VOLTAGE TRANSFORMER

VT

VT

Testing of VTs
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Error measurements ( In Lab)

Insulation tests
Induced voltage test
Polarity test
HV test.

List of instrument required for VT Test :

1.
2.
3.
4.

Multimeter(2nos. 1 for current & 1 for Voltage)

Low resistance measuring instrument (inductive)
1-ph Variac
Battery

5. Ratio & Phase angle error measuring inst. (for

Lab.use)
6. HV AC Test set (for Ratio check)
7. 1 kV Megger

Indian Standard :
Current Transformers are covered by IS:2705, 1992
(Reaffirmed
2002).
Voltage Transformers are covered by IS:3156, 1992
(Reaffirmed
2002).

Reference Books :
1. J&P Transformer Handbook
2. Application Guide in Protective relaying - GEC
Measurement
(ALSTOM)
3. Protective relaying - Electricity Council, England

Thank You