ElectricalElectrical

Systems and
Systems Protection
Safety

Week-5: Current Transformers

SEE 716, T2, 2021

Unit Chair: Dr. Nasser Hosseinzadeh

School of Engineering, Deakin University, Australia

This presentation:

 Instrument Transformers
 CT Class types
 CT Applications

 Tutorials

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Transformers
• Ideal transformers (only exist in theory!)
• Practical transformers
• Special transformers
• Three phase transformers

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Ideal Transformer
 No losses
 Core is infinitely permeable
 Flux produced by the primary is
completely linked by the
secondary and vice versa
 No leakage flux of any kind

 Primary and Secondary

respectively posses N1 & N2
turns
 Primary is connected to a
sinusoidal source Eg
 Magnetizing current Im creates
a flux of Φm
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Ideal Transformer
 The flux is completely linked by the primary and
secondary windings – mutual flux
 Flux varies sinusoidally and reaches a peak value of Φm

 At No load E1 N1
= =a
E2 N 2
 E1 = Voltage at the primary [V]
 E2 = Voltage induced at the secondary [V]
 N1 = Number of turns on the primary coil
 N2 = Number of turns on the secondary coil
 a = Turn ratio

In practice, transformers have losses, i.e. output power is not exactly

equal to the input power. Also, the voltage ratio V1/V2 is not exactly
equal to a.

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Transformer Faults
 Dielectric – Dielectric degeneration makes short
circuit between turns, windings or from winding to
earth, shorts b/w laminations – runway core loss
 Mechanical – Movement as a result of
electromagnetic force (short circuit), transport
damage
 Thermal – Overloads result in thermal aging of
paper – then shorts
 Sparking – Due to poor connections, poor tap
switch contacts

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Instrument Transformers
 Their role is to reduce current or voltage in the power
system network to values that are suitable for
instruments
• Protection transformers (CT and VT)
• Metering transformers

 Also, they provide isolation b/w HV networks so that it is

safer to work in the protection cubicles

 The typical CT secondary current ratings (relay ratings)

are 5 A and 1 A.
 VT ratings 110Vac Line to line (63.5V Line to neutral).

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Current Transformer (CT)
 CT equivalent circuit:

Conceptually, the CT equivalent circuit is no

different from the equivalent circuit of normal
transformer. The process of deriving the equivalent
circuit and its parameters are exactly the same as
the normal two winding transformer.

I1 I2/ I2
Z1 Z2

Im
+
+ Zb
Zm E2 V
- 2
-

1 : n

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CT - Introduction
 A CT has primary and secondary windings, the
primary winding is connected in series with the
circuit carrying the line current to be measured
and secondary winding is connected to
protective devices, instruments and meters and
control devices.

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CT types by Construction – BAR type
 Fixed, insulated, straight conductor in the form
of a bar, rod or tube that is a single primary turn
passing through the magnetic circuit
 Assembled to the secondary, core and winding

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CT types by Construction – Window type
 Has a secondary winding insulated from and permanently
assembled on the core, but has no primary winding as an
integral part of the structure

 Complete or partial insulation is provided for a primary

winding in the window through which one or more turns of
the line can be threaded to provide the primary winding

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Professional Literature
 ABB Instrument Transformers Application Guide

 128 pages provide very good explanations on CTs

and VTs – highly recommended reading especially
if you might want to work in this area

 It helps you find suitable CTs and VTs for your

major assignment plus lots of advice on where,
how and why to place your CTs and VTs
http://www.abbaustralia.com.au/product/db0003db002618/c12573e700
3302adc1256e480070c528.aspx?productLanguage=us&country=AU

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CT Equivalent Circuit
 The main feature of a CT is the fact that, it is
current source driven. In other words, the current I1
flowing in the primary is not dependent on the
load, and it is essentially determined by the source
or power system conditions.
I1 I2/ I2
Z1 Z2

Im
+
+ Zb
Zm E2 V
- 2
-

1 : n

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CT Equivalent Circuit
 CT output current (I2) is typically the relay current

 Magnetisation voltage is E2. Burden impedance is Zb and

CT impedance is Z2
Z2
I1/ = (I1/n) I2

Ie
+ +
E Ze V Zb
- 2 - 2

E 2 I 2 (Z 2 + Z b )
=

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CT Saturation
 CT magnetisation characteristics is the plot of magnetising current (Ie) and
magnetisation voltage (E2)

 Design objective should be to ensure that CT does not saturate for all
expected operating conditions.

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CT Accuracy Evaluation
In a CT, ideally, Z2
I2 = I1/n I1/ = (I1/n) I2

Ie
+ +
E Ze V Zb
- 2 - 2

 But, referring to the CT equivalent circuit shown, we can note

that CT measurement error is (I1’-I2), which is essentially
equal to the current in the magnetisation branch (Ie). Hence
we can define the CT error as below:

Ie / I1′ > Ie /(I 2 + Ie ) *100%

CT Error ==

 The general rule of thumb is, the CT error is normally small

as long as CT operates below the saturation region.
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CT
 Metering CT
• Inherently more accurate (typically 0.5% or 2% error)
• Measurement error under fault condition is not
relevant for a metering CT, so its current is not that high
to drive the CT in saturation.

 Protection CT
• Less accurate/ high error rate, but does not go to
saturation for a current much higher the nominal
current of metering CTs.

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Magnetisation Characteristics of ANSI C100 CTs

 ANSI C100 – C indicates class C i.e. 10%

accuracy and 100 means rated burden of 1 Ohm

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Australian Standard CT Specification
 Australian Standard (AS) specifications for CTs
are closely aligned with the IEC standard.

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Australian Standard CT Specification
 Australian Standards provide for three classes
of protection CTs:

• Class P
• Class PL
• Class PS

 The Class PS is only for special purpose usage

and is not discussed here

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Class P – Accurate for High Overloads (Faults)
 CT Class P

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Class P Accuracy Classes

 Class P is intended for general purpose use.

 The accuracy will apply for a rated burden
• Expressed in VA or
• A Rated voltage – product of secondary current by burden
impedance

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Class P CT

 The standard also states that ‘Class P’ CTs are not

intended for applications which require good transient
performance. However, it is adequate for most general
purpose applications.

 It directly specifies the maximum terminal voltage (V2),

which is permissible at the secondary terminals
• It is called the ‘Rated Secondary Reference Voltage (V2ref).

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Class P CT

 Hence, the user knows that the specified error will be

exceeded if the secondary terminal voltage (Voltage
drop across the relay impedance + associated cable
impedance) exceeds the specified value (V2ref)

 It can only establish whether the CT error is below or

above the specified value

 The user has no facility to calculate the exact CT error

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Class P - Example
 An example of the specification for Class P is as
given below:

100/5A 10P 150 F15

• 100/5A – CT ratio (Rated Primary and Secondary currents)

• 10 – indicates the CT error, called the ‘Rated Composite Error’
(10%)
• P – indicates protection CT (Class P)
• 150 – Rated Secondary Reference Voltage (V2ref = 150V)
• F15 – Extended Range Factor (indicates that the error
specification is valid for 15 times rated current)

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Australian standard vs. IEC specifications
 Even though Australian Standard specification is
based on the IEC specifications, however they have a
slight difference.

 The IEC Standard specification for a CT

AS Standard: 100/5A 10P 200 F20

IEC Standard: 100/5A, 50VA, 10 P 20

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How IEC and AS CT specifications give the same information?

IEC: 100/5A, 50VA, 10 P 20

 10 P 20 represents 10% error at an extended
range factor of 20
 Secondary terminal voltage at rated current =
50VA/5A = 10V
 Secondary terminal voltage at range factor =
20 x 10V = 200V
 The value of 200V is V2ref , as given by the AS.

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Class PL CT

 The Class PL is specified where a good

transient performance is required

 The specification is expressed in terms of

excitation current at the knee point voltage

 CT resistance is also specified

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Example of Class PL

600/5A 0.1 PL 450 R 0.3

 600/5A – CT ratio (rated Primary and Secondary currents)

 0.1 – Secondary Exciting Current at the rated knee point
Voltage (Iek Amps)
 PL – Class designation
 450 – Rated knee point Voltage (Vk in Volts)
 R – Letter to designate Resistance
 0.3 – Maximum Secondary Winding Resistance at 75οC
(Ohms)

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CT Applications
 Things to consider when choosing a CT for an
application:

• The maximum amount of load that the CT should

handle
 Example: If a substation was to have a 66/11kV 20MVA
transformer for 5 years and then be upgraded to a 32MVA
transformer. The CT’s should be capable of handling the 32MVA
overloaded, i.e. a steady state current of approximately 160% of
the MVA rating

• The chosen ratio should be able to handle 20 times the

fault current if no saturation is desired, i.e. a 400/1 CT
should only be used for a fault current up to
approximately 8000A

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CT Applications
 Class P
• Over Current
• Earth Fault
• Sensitive Earth fault

 Class PL or PX
• Current differential
• Distance
• Bias differential
• High impedance differential

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CT Examples

http://www.diytrade.com/china/pd/6762036
http://www.directindustry.com/prod/eleq/split-core-current- /high_voltage_current_transformer.html
transformers-70086-756403.html

http://www.universalengineer
sindia.com/mehru.htm#a

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Tutorials
 Question-1
 What is burden or burden impedance? For the
simplified CT equivalent circuit as shown below,
define the CT error?
Z2
I1/ = (I1/n) I2

Ie
+ +
E Ze V Zb
- 2 - 2

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Tutorials
 Answer Q-1
Load impedance connected to the secondary terminal of CT is
normally referred to as the Burden.
Usually,
burden impedance (Zb) = cable impedance + relay impedance

CT measurement error is proportional to the current in the

magnetisation branch (Ie).

CT error can be defined as = Ie / I1’ = [Ie / (I2+Ie)]*100%

Q. Find CT Error if I2 =10 A, and Ie = 0.2 A

Answer:
CT Error = 0.2/(10+0.2) * 100% = 1.96%

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Tutorials
 Question-2
An overcurrent relay set to operate at 8A is connected to a
CT with a ratio of 100/5A.
Find whether the relay will detect the fault current of 200A
on the primary side for the following burdens and also
calculate the CT errors.
(a) Zb = 0.8 ohms
(b) Zb = 3.0 ohms

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Answer Q-2
Z2
(a) Zb = 0.8 ohms I1/ = (I1/n) I2

Ie
Using the equivalent circuit: +
E Ze
+
V Zb
- 2 - 2
E2 = I2 (Zb + Z2) = 8(0.8 + 0.082) = 7.056V
From the CT characteristics chart, for CT ratio
of 100:5 and E2 = 7 V, Ie = 0.4 A
Hence, I1’= I2 + Ie = 8 + 0.4 = 8.4 A
The corresponding line/primary current of
CT I1 = I1’* CT ratio = 8.4*(100/5) = 168 A
So, in this case, the relay will operate at I1 =
168 A,
The fault current is 200 A, which is bigger
than 168 A:
So, the relay will operate for a primary
fault current of 200A.

CT error = Ie/(I2 + Ie)*100% = (0.4/8.4)*100 = 4.76%

This is a reasonable error.

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Answer Q-2
Z2
(b)
(a) Zb = 3 ohms I1/ = (I1/n) I2

Ie
Using the equivalent circuit: +
E Ze
+
V Zb
- 2 - 2
E2 = I2 (Zb + Z2) = 8(3.0 + 0.082) = 24.65V From
the CT characteristics chart, for CT ratio of 100:5
and E2 = 24.7 V, Ie = 30 A
Hence, I1’= I2 + Ie = 8 + 30 = 38 A
The corresponding line/primary current of CT:
I1 = I1’* CT ratio = 38*(100/5) = 760 A
So, in this case, the relay will operate at I1 = 760 A,
The fault current is 200 A, which is smaller
than 760 A:
So, the relay will not operate for a
primary fault current of 200A.

CT error = Ie/(I2 + Ie)*100% = (30/38)*100

= 78.95%
This is a very high error. Note: For the same I2, a higher burden
impedance drives the CT closer to
saturation.
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Tutorials
 Question-3

You have been given CT specifications as:

200/5 A, 10 P 150 F 20 (Australian Standard)

a. Explain the given CT specifications.

b. Calculate the maximum rated burden value in ohms.
c. Calculate the VA rating of the CT.
d. Express it in corresponding IEC specifications.

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Answer Q-3
Given CT specifications as: 200/5 A, 10 P 150 F20
(a) Specificatos
200/5 A = CT ratio (rated Primary and Secondary currents)
10P = Class P protection CT, with a ‘Rated composite error
= 10%

150 = Rated secondary Voltage (V2ref = 150V)

F20 = Extended Range Factor (error specification is valid
for 20 times rated current)

(b) Calculate the maximum rated burden value

The maximum rated current, I = 20*5 = 100A
So, Rated burden, Zb = V/I = 150/100 = 1.5 ohms

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Answer Q-3
Given CT specifications as: 200/5 A, 10 P 150 F 20

(c) Calculate the VA rating

VA rating = VI of the CT for its rated secondary current
= (VRef *I)/(Range factor) =(150*5)/20 = 37.5 VA

(d) Corresponding IEC specifications

200/5 A, 37.5VA 10P 20
Where
200/5A = CT ratio (rated Primary and Secondary currents)
37.5 VA = VA ratings
10P 20 = Class P CT for protection applications, with 10%
error at an extended range factor of 20.

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Tutorials
 Question -4

Repeat 3 (b), 3(c) and 3(d) of the above problem, assuming

that the above CT is rated at 200/1 A and comments on
the changed results.

200/1 A, 10 P 150 F 20

a. Calculate the maximum rated burden value in ohms.

b. Calculate the VA rating of the CT.
c. Express it in corresponding IEC specification

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Answer Q-4
a. The maximum rated current, I = 20*1 = 20A
Rated burden, Zb = V/I = 150/20 = 7.5 ohms

b. VA ratings = VI = (150*1)/20 = 7.5VA

c. So, CT specification in IEC standard

200/1 A, 7.5VA 10P 20

Comments:
 In Q-3, the accuracy was better than 10% for secondary currents up to 100A.
By reducing the secondary current rating to 1A (increasing CT ratio), the accuracy is
better than 10% for secondary currents up to 20A. This is usually used for numerical
relays that need lower currents.
The 200/1 CT has five times as many turns on the secondary as a 200/5. So, the rated
burden impedance increases by 5 times, and VA rating decreased by 5 times. The
proportional accuracy does not change.

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Tutorials
 Question -5

A 300/5 A, 10P 100 F20 CT is being used for an application

with a total burden of 0.5 ohms (cable + relay impedance). The
maximum expected fault current is given to be 2500 A.

a. Check whether the CT performance will be okay.

b. Calculate the maximum CT burden which can be

connected without affecting the CT error specifications

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Answer Q-5
(a) Check whether the CT performance will be okay
The maximum expected fault current on primary side is 2500A
Accuracy is better than 10% for current up to = 20*300 = 6000A on
primary side.
The CT appears credible for a maximum expected fault current of
2500A, but we should check V2, as well.
For a 2500A fault, the secondary current will be 41.66A. For a 0.5 Ω
burden V2=20.8V which is much less than the rated 100V.
This CT will have much less than the 10% rated composite error.
This CT is correctly selected.

(b) Calculate the maximum CT burden

The CT maximum burden impedance (for max error of 10%),
Zb = V/I = 100/(20*5) = 1.0 ohms.
[Again the rated 1Ω burden is much more than the 0.5Ω burden in this
operational case. The CT is more than capable of working with 0.5Ω.]

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Tutorials
 Question -6

A 300/5 A, 0.8PL 150 R0.2 CT is being used for a system.

a. Explain the CT characteristic

For a total impedance (Z2 + Zb) of 2.5 ohm,

b. calculate the CT error at fault current of 2500A
c. calculate the CT error at fault current of 4000 A

Hint: Whenever the primary current is given, it is quite

common to first establish the corresponding secondary
current based on the turns ratio and then verify the error.
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Answer Q-6
CT specification 300/5 A, 0.8PL 150 R0.2

(a) Explain the CT characteristic

300/5 A = CT ratio (rated primary and secondary currents)

0.8 = Secondary exciting current (Iek in Amp) at the rated knee
point voltage

PL = CT class
150 = Rated knee point voltage (Vk in volts)
R = designates resistance
0.2 = maximum secondary winding resistance at 75 οC (ohms)

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Answer Q-6 (a) CT magnetisation characteristic

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Answer Q-6
(b) Calculate the CT error at fault current of 1500A
Fault current = 2500A
I1’ = I1/n = 2500 / (300/5) = 41.67 A
I2 ~= I1’ = 41.67 A,
E2 = I2(Z2 +Zb) = 41.67 * 2.5 = 104.175 V
From the characteristics, Ie = 0.8 * 104.175 /150 = 0.5556 A
CT error = (Ie/I1’)*100% = (0.5556 / 41.67)*100 = 1.33%

(c) Calculate the CT error at fault current of 2500A

Fault current = 4000A
I1’ = I1/n = 4000 / (300/5) = 66.67 A
I2 ~= I1’ = 66.67 A,
E2 = I2(Z2 +Zb) = 66.67 * 2.5 = 166.68 V
From the characteristics, Ie = 0.8 + 0.8 *{[(166.68 – 150) /150] * 5}= 1.245 A
CT error = (Ie/I1’)*100% = (1.245 / 66.67)*100 = 1.87%

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