GRID

Technical Institute

This document is the exclusive property of Alstom Grid and shall not be
transmitted by any means, copied, reproduced or modified without the prior
written consent of Alstom Grid Technical Institute. All rights reserved.
 Current Transformers

GRID
Technical Institute

This document is the exclusive property of Alstom Grid and shall not be
transmitted by any means, copied, reproduced or modified without the prior
written consent of Alstom Grid Technical Institute. All rights reserved.
 Current Transformer Function

 Reduce power system current to lower value for

measurement.

 Insulate secondary circuits from the primary.

 Permit the use of standard current ratings for secondary

equipment.

REMEMBER :
The relay performance DEPENDS on the C.T which
drives it !

3 s
 Instrument Transformer Standards

IEC IEC 185:1987 CTs

IEC 44-6:1992 CTs
IEC 186:1987 VTs

EUROPEAN BS 7625 VTs

BS 7626 CTs
BS 7628 CT+VT

BRITISH BS 3938:1973 CTs

BS 3941:1975 VTs

AMERICAN ANSI C51.13.1978 CTs and VTs

CANADIAN CSA CAN3-C13-M83 CTs and VTs

AUSTRALIAN AS 1675-1986 CTs

4 s
 Current Transformer Construction

BAR PRIMARY WOUND PRIMARY

Primary

Secondary

5 s
 Bar Primary Type Current Transformer(s)

Primary
Conductor
Primary
Insulation

Core Ring Type

Current
Transformer
Secondary
Winding

6 s
 Typical Protection Bar-Primary Current Transformer

Laminated „strip‟ wound steel

toroidal core

Insulation to stop flash-over

from HV primary to core &
secondary circuit

1000 turns sec. ?

„Feeder‟ or „Bus-bar‟
forming 1 turn of primary
circuit

RELAY

1000A ? 1A ?

Generator, or
system voltage Insulation covered wire,
source giving inter-turn
insulation & secondary
to core insulation

7 s
 Polarity

Is

P1 P2

Ip

S1 S2

Inst. Current directions :-

P1  P2
S1  S2 Externally

8 s
 Differential Protection (1)

Operation for Internal Faults

P1 P2 IFP1 IFP2 P2 P1

S1 S2 IFS1 IFS2 S2 S1

IFS

9 s
 Differential Protection (2)

Stability for External Faults

P1 P2 IFP P2 P1

S1 S2 IFS IFS S2 S1

10 s
 Differential Protection (3)

Maloperation due to Incorrect Connections

IFP

S1 S2 IFS S2 S1

IFP

IFS
R
2IFS

11 s
 Basic Theory

12 s
 Basic Theory (1)

IS

IP

1 Primary Turn
N Secondary Turns

For an ideal transformer :-

PRIMARY AMPERE TURNS = SECONDARY AMPERE TURNS

 IP = N x IS

13 s
 Basic Theory (2)

IS

IP

ES R

For IS to flow through R there must be some potential -

ES = the E.M.F.

ES = IS x R

ES is produced by an alternating flux in the core.

ES  dØ
dt
14 s
 Basic Theory (3)

NP
IP

NS

IS EK
ZCT
ZB

VO/P = ISZB = EK - ISZCT

15 s
 Basic Formulae

Circuit Voltage Required :

ES = IS (ZB + ZCT + ZL) Volts

where :-

IS = Secondary Current of C.T. (Amperes)

ZB = Connected External Burden (Ohms)

ZCT = C.T Winding Impedance (Ohms)

ZL = Lead Loop Resistance (Ohms)

Require EK > ES

16 s
 Basic Formulae (1)

Maximum Secondary Winding Voltage :

EK = 4.44 x B A f N Volts …. 1

where :-

EK = Secondary Induced Volts

(knee-point voltage)

B = Flux Density (Tesla)

A = Core Cross-sectional Area

(square metres)

f = System Frequency (Hertz)

N = Number of Turns

17 s
 Simple Selection Example

Example Calculation :

C.T. Ratio = 2000 / 5A Max Flux Density =

T
RS = 0.31 Ohms Core C.S.A = 20 cm2
IMAX Primary = 40 kA

Find maximum secondary burden permissible if no saturation is to occur.

Solution : N = 2000 / 5 = 400 Turns

IS MAX = 40,000 / 400 = 100 Amps

From equation 1 the knee point voltage is :-

VK = (4.44 x 1.6 x 20 x 50 x 400) = 284 Volts

104

Therefore Maximum Burden = 284 / 100

= 2.84 Ohms

Hence Maximum CONNECTED burden :

2.84 - 0.31 = 2.53 Ohms
18 s
 Mag Curves
Flux Density (B)
Tesla (Wb/m2) Material : Cross
1.8

1.6
Knee
1.4
Point
1.2

1.0

0.8

0.6

0.4

0.2

0 0.02 0.04 0.06 0.08 0.1 0.12

Magnetizing Force (H)
Ampere-Turns / mm
(Magnetic Field Strength : H, A/m)

19 s
 Mag Curves Cont...

ES
ES = 4.44 N f A B = Kv B
(Secondary where :- Kv = 4.44 N f A
E.M.F.) (B in Wb/m2 ; A in m2)

Ie = H . L = K i . H
N
where :-
Ki = L/N
L = mean magnetic path
in metres
H = amp. Turns / metre
Ie = Amps

(Magnetising Current) Ie
20 s
 Mag Curves Cont...
B

Units : KV = E = 4.44 N f A (m2 x turns)

Multiply By KV to obtain Volts

B
Ki = Ie = L (m / turns)
H N

Note : L = Mean Magnetic Path

ro Mean Magnetic Path = 2r

r
ri r = r o - ri + ri
2

H
Multiply By Ki to obtain Amps
KV x B = Volts (E)
Ki x H = Amps

21 s
 Magnetisation Characteristic (1)

C.T Ratio 100/5 A connected to CDG11.

Relay Burden = 2 VA (at 10% rated I)

Problem :-

Calculate the necessary values of Kv and Ki to provide the

necessary output at ten times setting
(Assume maximum flux density before saturation = 1.6 Tesla)

22 s
 Magnetisation Characteristic (2)

(i) Bar Type Primary

CDG current setting = 10% = 0.5 A

Volts required to operate relay = 2 / 0.5 = 4 V
Therefore voltage required at 10 times setting = 10 x 4 = 40 V
Hence for a flux density of 1.6T the C.T. should have an output of at
least 40 V.
With bar primary, number of turns = 20.
Ek = 4.44 B A f N
= 4.44 x 1.6 x A x 10-4 x 20 x 50
A = 40 / 0.71 = 56.3 cm2

Assume a stacking factor of 0.92

=> Total C.S.A. = 61.2 cm2

Assume I.D. = 18cm, O.D. = 30cm & Depth = 10.2cm

KV = AN / 45 = (56.3 x 20) / 45 = 25
Ki = L / N = 24TT / 20 = 3.77 cm / turn
23 s
 Magnetisation Characteristic (3)

(ii) Wound Type Primary

Assume primary has 5 turns

- Therefore secondary has 100 turns
Ek = 4.44 B A f N
= 4.44 x 1.6 x A x 10-4 x 100 x 50
A = 40 / 3.55 = 11.26 cm2
Assume a stacking factor of 0.92
=> Total C.S.A. = 12.24 cm2
Assume I.D. = 18cm, O.D. = 30cm &
Depth = 2.04cm
KV = AN / 45 = (11.26 x 100) / 45 = 25
Ki = L / N = 24TT / 100 = 0.754 cm/turn

24 s
 Low Reactance Design

With evenly distributed winding the leakage

reactance is very low and usually ignored.

Thus ZCT ~ RCT

25 s
 Knee-Point Voltage Definition

Exciting Voltage (VS) +10% Vk

Vk

%50+ Iek

Iek
Exciting Current (Ie)
26 s
 C.T. Equivalent Circuit
ZCT
Ip
P1 Is

Ip/N Ie
S1
N Ze Es Vt Zb

Ip = Primary rating of C.T. Ie = Secondary excitation current

N = C.T. ratio Is = Secondary current
Zb = Burden of relays in ohms Es = Secondary excitation voltage
(r+jx) Vt = Secondary terminal voltage
ZCT = C.T. secondary winding across the C.T. terminals
impedance in ohms (r+jx)
Ze = Secondary excitation
impedance in ohms (r+jx)

27 s
 Phasor Diagram


Ip/N
Ie

Is Ie
Im

Es
Ep Ic
Ep = Primary voltage Im = Magnetising current
Es = Secondary voltage Ie = Excitation current
 = Flux Ip = Primary current
Ic = Iron losses (hysteresis & Is = Secondary current
eddy currents)
28 s
 Saturation

29 s
 Steady State Saturation (1)

100A 100A E=
1A 1A 100V
100/1 100
100/1 E 1 ohm E ohm
E=
1V

100A 100A E=?

1A 1A
100/1 10 100/1 1000
E ohm E= E ohm
10V

30 s
 Steady State Saturation (2)

+V 

0V
A

-V Time

Assume :- Zero residual flux

Switch on at point A

31 s
 Steady State Saturation (3)

+V

0V
C

-V Time

Assume :- Zero residual flux

Switch on at point C

32 s
 Steady State Saturation (4)

+V

0V
B

-V Time

Assume :- Zero residual flux

Switch on at point B

33 s
 Steady State Saturation (5)

+V

Mag Core
Saturation

0V

Mag Core
Saturation

-V

Time

34 s
 Steady State Saturation (6)
Prospective
Output Voltage
+V
 Mag Core
Saturation
0V
Mag Core
Saturation
-V

+V
Output lost due to
steady state
saturation
0V

-V Actual Output
Voltage
Time
35 s
 Transient Saturation

v = VM sin (wt + )
R1 L1

Z1

i1

v = VM sin (wt + )

VM V
i1   sin (wt   -  )  M sin ( -  ) . e -R1t / L1
Z1 Z1 where : - Z1  R12  w 2L12
wL1
  tan-1
  ˆ1 sin (wt   -  ) - ˆ1 sin ( -  ) . e -R1t / L1
R1
V
ˆ1  M
 STEADY STATE  TRANSIENT Z1

36 s
 Transient Saturation : Resistive Burden

Required Flux
ØSAT

FLUX

Actual Flux

Mag Current
0

Primary Current
Secondary Current

CURRENT

0
10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 M

37 s
 CT Types

38 s
 Current Transformer Function

Two basic groups of C.T.

 Measurement C.T.s
 Limits well defined

 Protection C.T.s
 Operation over wide range of currents

Note : They have DIFFERENT characteristics

39 s
 Measuring C.T.s

Measuring C.T.s
B
 Require good accuracy up to
approx 120% rated current.
Protection C.T.
 Require low saturation level to
protect instruments, thus use
nickel iron alloy core with low
exciting current and knee
point at low flux density.
Protection C.T.s
 Accuracy not as important as
above.
Measuring C.T.
 Require accuracy up to many
times rated current, thus use
grain orientated silicon steel
with high saturation flux
density. H

40 s
 CT Errors

41 s
 Current Transformer Errors
ZS
Ip Is
Ie

Ze Es Zb


Ip/N

I Ie
Iq p/N
Ie
Ic’ I Ie
s
Is
Es
Ep
42 s
 Current Transformer Error

Transformer Error vs Primary Current

Error

Current Error
Phase Error

Primary Current Rated

Current
Errors can be reduced by :-
1. Using better quality magnetic material
2. Shortening the mean magnetic path
3. Reducing the flux density in the core
43 s
 Current Transformer Errors

Current Error Definition.

Error in magnitude of the secondary current, expressed as a percentage, given by

:-

Current error % = 100 (kn IS - Ip)

Ip

kn = Rated Transmission Ratio

Ip = Actual Primary Current
Is = Actual Secondary Current

Current Error is :-

+ve : When secondary current is HIGHER than the rated

nominal value.
-ve : When secondary current is LOWER than the rated
nominal value.
44 s
 Current Transformer Errors

Phase Error Definition.

The displacement in phase between the primary and secondary

current vectors, the direction of the vectors being chosen so the
angle is zero for a perfect transformer.

Phase Error is :-

+ve : When secondary current vector LEADS the

primary current vector.
-ve : When secondary current vector LAGS the
primary current vector.

45 s
 Current Transformer Ratings

46 s
 Current Transformer Ratings (1)
Rated Burden

 Value of burden upon which accuracy claims are based

 Usually expressed in VA
 Preferred values :-
2.5, 5, 7.5, 10, 15, 30 VA

Continuous Rated Current

 Usually rated primary current

Short Time Rated Current

 Usually specified for 0.5, 1, 2 or 3 secs
 No harmful effects
 Usually specified with the secondary shorted

Rated Secondary Current

 Commonly 1, 2 or 5 Amps

47 s
 Current Transformer Ratings (2)

Rated Dynamic Current

Ratio of :-
IPEAK : IRATED
(IPEAK = Maximum current C.T. can withstand without
suffering any damage).

Accuracy Limit Factor - A.L.F.

(or Saturation Factor)

Ratio of :-
IPRIMARY : IRATED

up to which the C.T. rated accuracy is maintained.

e.g. 200 / 1A C.T. with an A.L.F. = 5 will maintain its

accuracy for IPRIMARY < 5 x 200 = 1000 Amps

48 s
 Choice of Ratio

Clearly, the primary rating

IP  normal current in the circuit
if thermal (continuous) rating is not to be exceeded.
Secondary rating is usually 1 or 5 Amps (0.5 and 2 Amp
are also used).
If secondary wiring route length is greater than 30
metres - 1 Amp secondaries are preferable.
A practical maximum ratio is 3000 / 1.
If larger primary ratings are required (e.g. for large
generators), can use 20 Amp secondary together with
interposing C.T.
e.g. 5000 / 20 - 20 / 1

49 s
 Current Transformer Designation

Class “P”
Specified in terms of :-
i) Rated burden
ii) Class (5P or 10P)
iii) Accuracy limit factor (A.L.F.)
Example :-
15 VA 10P 20
To convert VA and A.L.F. into useful volts
Vuseful  VA x ALF
IN

50 s
 BS 3938

Classes :- 5P, 10P. „X‟

Designation (Classes 5P, 10P)
(Rated VA) (Class)
(ALF)

Multiple of rated current (IN) up to which declared

accuracy will be maintained with rated burden
connected.

5P or 10P.
Value of burden in VA on which accuracy claims
are based.
(Preferred values :- 2.5, 5, 7.5, 10, 15, 30 VA)
ZB = rated burden in ohms
= Rated VA
51 s IN2
 Protection Current Transformers

Table 3 - Limits of Error for Accuracy Class 5P and 10P

Accuracy Current Error at Phase Displacement at Composite Error

Class rated primary rated primary current (%) at rated
current (%) Minutes Centiradians accuracy limit
primary current
5P 1 60 1.8 5

10P 3 10

52 s
 Interposing CT

53 s
 Interposing CT

LINE NP NS ZB
CT

ZCT

Burden presented to line CT

= ZCT + ZB x NP2
NS2
54 s
 NEG. 5A 1A 0.5

R
500/5 0.1 0.4 1VA @ 1A
 1.0
„Seen‟ by main ct :- 0.1 + (1)2 (2 x 0.5 + 0.4 + 1) = 0.196
(5)
Burden on main ct :- I2R = 25 x 0.196 = 4.9VA
Burden on a main ct of required ratio :-
0.5

R
500/1 1.0
Total connected burden = 2 x 0.5 + 1 = 2
Connected VA = I2R = 2
 The I/P ct consumption was about 3VA.

55 s
 Current Transformer Designation

56 s
 Current Transformer Designation

Class “X”

Specified in terms of :-

i) Rated Primary Current

ii) Turns Ratio (max. error = 0.25%)

iii) Knee Point Voltage

iv) Mag Current (at specified voltage)

v) Secondary Resistance (at 75°C)

57 s
 Choice of Current Transformer

 Instantaneous Overcurrent Relays

 Class P Specification
 A.L.F. = 5 usually sufficient
 For high settings (5 - 15 times C.T rating)
A.L.F. = relay setting

 IDMT Overcurrent Relays

 Generally Class 10P
 Class 5P where grading is critical

Note : A.L.F. X V.A < 150

 Differential Protection
 Class X Specification
 Protection relies on balanced C.T output

58 s
 Selection Example

59 s
 Burden on Current Transformers

1. Overcurrent : RCT + RL + Rr 2. Earth : RCT + 2RL + 2Rr

RCT RCT

RCT IF RCT

RCT RCT
IF
RL RL RL RL RL IF RL RL RL
IF

Rr Rr Rr Rr Rr Rr Rr Rr

60 s
 Overcurrent Relay VK Check

Assume values : If max = 7226 A RCT = 0.26 

C.T = 1000 / 5 A Rr = 0.02 
7.5 VA 10P 20 RL = 0.15 

Check to see if VK is large enough :

Required voltage = VS = IF (RCT + Rr + RL)
= 7226 x 5 (0.26 + 0.02 + 0.15) = 36.13 x 0.43 = 15.54 Volts
1000

Current transformer VK approximates to :-

VK ~ VA x ALF + RCT x IN x ALF
In
= 7.5 x 20 + 0.26 x 5 x 20 = 56 Volts
5

VK > VS therefore C.T VK is adequate

61 s
 Earth Fault Relay VK Check

Assume values : As per overcurrent.

Note For earth fault applications require to be able to pass

10 x relay setting.

Check to see if VK is large enough : VK = 56 Volts

Total load connected = 2RL + RCT + 2Rr

= 2 x 0.15 + 0.26 + 2 x 0.02

 Maximum secondary current

= 56 = 93.33A
0.6

Typical earth fault setting = 30% IN

= 1.5A

Therefore C.T can provide > 60 x setting

C.T VK is adequate
62 s
 Voltage Transformers

63 s
 Voltage Transformers

 Provides isolation from high voltages

 Must operate in the linear region to prevent

accuracy problems - Do not over specify VT

 Must be capable of driving the burden, specified by

relay manufacturer

 Protection class VT will suffice

64 s
 Typical Working Points on a B-H Curve

Flux Density
‘B’ Saturation

1.6 Cross C.T.’s & Power Transformers

Tesla 1.0 V.T.’s

0.5 Protection C.T. (at full load)

‘H’

1000 2000 3000

Magnetising Force
AT/m
65 s
 Types of Voltage Transformers

Two main basic types are available:

 Electromechanical VT`s
 Similar to a power transformer
 May not be economical above 132kV

 Capacitor VT`s (CVT)

 Used at high voltages
 Main difference is that CVT has a
capacitor divider on the front end.

66 s
 Electromagnetic Voltage Transformer

NP / NS
= Kn RP LP RS LS

IP Ie IS

LM Re ZB
VP VS (burden)
EP = ES IM IC

67 s
 Basic Circuit of a Capacitor V.T.

C1

VP T
ZB
C2 VS
VC2 Vi

68 s
 Ferro-resonance

 The exciting impedance of auxiliary transformer T and the

capacitance of the potential divider form a resonant circuit.

 May oscillate at a sub normal frequency

 Resonant frequency close to one-third value of system

frequency

 Manifests itself as a rise in output voltage, r.m.s. value

being 25 to 50 per cent above normal value

 Use resistive burden to dampen the effect

69 s
 VT Earthing

 Primary Earthing
 Earth at neutral point
 Required for phase-ground measurement at relay

 Secondary Earthing
 Required for safety
 Earth at neutral point
 When no neutral available - earth yellow phase
(VERY COMMON)
 No relevance for protection operation

70 s
 VT Construction

 5 Limb
 Used when zero sequence measurement is
required (primary must also be earthed)
 Three Single Phase
 Used when zero sequence measurement is
required (primary must also be earthed)
 3 Limb
 Used where no zero sequence measurement is
required
 V Connected (Open Delta)
 No yellow phase
 Cost effective
 Two phase-phase voltages
 No ground fault measurement

71 s
 VT Connections

Broken Delta V Connected

A B C N
a b c

da dn

a b c
a b c n

72 s
 VT Construction - Residual

 Used to detect earthfault

 Useful where current operated protection cannot be
used
 Connect all secondary windings in series

 Sometimes referred to as `Broken Delta`

 Residual Voltage is 3 times zero sequence voltage
 VT must be 5 Limb or 3 single phase units

 Primary winding must be earthed

73 s
 Voltage Factors Vf

 Vf is the upper limit of operating voltage.

 Important for correct relay operation.

 Earthfaults cause displacement of system neutral,

particularly in the case of unearthed or impedance
earthed systems.

74 s
 Protection of VT’s

 H.R.C. Fuses on primary side

 Fuses may not have sufficient interrupting capability

 Use MCB

75 s
 GRID
Technical Institute

This document is the exclusive property of Alstom Grid and shall not be
transmitted by any means, copied, reproduced or modified without the prior
written consent of Alstom Grid Technical Institute. All rights reserved.