What to know about CTs (basic)

What is a CT?
a. What does a CT?
The purpose of a current transformer is to provide a scaled-down version of the primary current with the highest possible accuracy, that is, the secondary current should be a reliable and accurate replica of the primary current. In many applications it is not just the magnitude of the measured current that is important, but also faithful reproduction of the phase and high-order harmonics.

b. Principles of a CT (current transformer)

FIG. 1: a general construction of a current transformer.

A current transformer is a device that measures a current running in a current line and inputs the measured current to a protective relay in a power system. To maximize the flux linkage of the primary and secondary windings, ironcore current transformers are widely used.

The current transformer, as shown in FIG. 1, comprises an iron-core body (34), which concentrates magnetizing flux induced by a primary current running in a line (32), and a secondary coil (36), which coils the iron-core body in order to generate a secondary current from the flux induced in the iron-core body (34). In the circuits that were damaged, 4 iron cores are present, of which one was left open and suffered major damage (see below).

Davy Kyndt

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FIG. 2 : equivalent circuit diagram of a general current transformer.

FIG. 2 shows the equivalent circuit of a normal current transformer, in which L is a magnetizing inductance of the current transformer; im is a magnetizing current; i2 is a secondary current in accordance with the current transformation rate; and i2 is an actual measured secondary current. The magnetizing inductance L is not a constant value and varies depending on the amount of the current. When the flux increases and exceeds a predetermined value, the magnetizing inductance changes significantly.

When the current transformer normally operates, the magnetizing current im is low, and the actual measured secondary current value is proportional to the primary current. However, when the current transformer is saturated and the magnetizing inductance value changes significantly, the secondary current value also changes significantly. This can be explained in the equivalent circuit of FIG. 2. As the value L reduces significantly, the magnetizing current im increases, resulting in the difference between i2 and i2 currents. Accordingly, in cases where the current transformer is saturated, the relationship between the finally measured secondary current i2 and the primary current is different from that of normal operation. In addition, the saturation of the current transformer may cause malfunction or time delay of relays.

2. Why short circuit the secondary side? a. Why short circuit the secondary side? (Textual)
On a current transformer, the primary CURRENT is fixed, and the VOLTAGE is set by the secondary load resistance. INCREASING the secondary load resistance increases the VOLTAGE, increases the loading, increases the power delivered to the load, and lowers the secondary CURRENT fidelity. A LOW value of secondary load resistance is desirable for best fidelity. OPEN-CIRCUITING the secondary will generate dangerous VOLTAGES.
A current transformer will still operate safely over a wide range of secondary load resistances, so why is a very low secondary load resistance (= approximately a short circuit) the best choice? The reason is that the fidelity of the current transformer is highest when the secondary is short circuited.

Thus, the question becomes, why is the fidelity highest when the secondary is shorted? Davy Kyndt Page 2

At first this seems counter-intuitive, for the fidelity of the more familiar voltage transformer is most definitely NOT optimized by shorting the secondary! Indeed, as a voltage transformer is loaded more heavily by reducing the secondary load resistance, the secondary voltage 'sags', phase error is increased, and frequency response decreased, all leading to a loss of fidelity of the secondary voltage waveform. This occurs mainly due to winding resistance and leakage inductance, which would both be zero in an 'ideal' transformer. For a voltage transformer, the fidelity of the secondary voltage is highest with a high secondary load resistance, which draws very little current. However, with current transformers, just about everything turns out to be reversed compared to voltage transformers, which can be confusing. As with all transformers, the secondary load resistance is reflected back to the primary side, scaled by the square of the turns ratio. Therefore, if we short the secondary, then we also short the primary. Note that the primary current is fixed and constant, being set by the external circuit. Therefore, from V=I*R, the voltage developed across the primary winding is approximately zero when the secondary is shorted. Of course, the secondary voltage is also zero when shorted. But why does this improve the current fidelity? Without going into too much detail, the 'magnetizing current' of a transformer depends on the winding inductance and the winding voltage. The inductance is set by the number of turns and the core material and geometry, which are fixed for any given current transformer. However, by reducing the winding voltages, by shorting the secondary, the magnetizing current is also reduced to near zero. That is a GOOD THING, because the magnetizing current is an error, representing a proportion of the primary current that DOES NOT end up being reflected in the secondary current. The magnetizing current results in an error in both the magnitude and phase of the secondary current, definitely not a good thing where high fidelity is required. To say the same thing in a different way, shorting the secondary permits larger currents to be measured with acceptable fidelity, and without core saturation. The conclusion is a beautiful inverse of the situation for a voltage transformer. In summary: For a voltage transformer, the primary voltage is fixed, and the current is set by secondary load resistance. Reducing the secondary load resistance increases the current, increases the 'loading', increases the power delivered to the load, and lowers the secondary voltage fidelity. A high value of secondary load resistance is desirable for best voltage fidelity. Shorting the secondary will generate dangerous currents.

b. Why short circuit the secondary side? (Visual and via formulas)
Vsys = System Voltage Vs= Secondary voltage NH= higher # of windings NL= lower # of windings (is normally the cable of copper HV bar) ZL= Load Impedance i. VT connected with open circuit.

Ip=0 Vsys AC

Is=0 NH NL Vs

ZL

Or Vs is Vsys adjusted down by the VT turn ratio

Davy Kyndt

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ii. CT connected normally.

Ip Vsys AC Vp=0 NL NH

Is Vs=0

ZL
VL =VSYS

iii. CT connection with open secondary

Ip=0 Vsys AC Vp NL NH Vs

Is=0

ZL
VL

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c. Transportation.
During the transportation of the OTS or any CT, it is advised to short the secondary side. This is to protect the CT against external influences that can provide damage.

3. Possible effects of open windings

a. Terminals:
The terminals melt together due to the high voltages occurred. This can lead to a major fire in the control cabinet. All the terminals must be replaced by new ones

b. Current transformer:
i. Effect

If the load is removed from the secondary winding while the main circuit current is flowing, most of the primary winding current becomes magnetizing current, but the vector angles change in such a way as to keep the total current in the primary the same as before. Because the main circuit is now mostly magnetizing current, the flux in the core shoots up to a high level and a very high voltage appears across the secondary. Due to the high winding ratio usually found in these transformers, the voltage in this condition can reach a dangerously high level, which can break down the insulation. It also becomes a hazard to personnel. The high flux can saturate the core and result in strong residual magnetism left in the core, thereby increasing magnetization current and introducing error in the transformation ratio.

4. Tesing CT-s
i. TEST 1 With an OHM-meter the continuance of the secondary winding can be tested. If the value of the Ohmmeter is OL of several KOhm the winding is broken inside. Every value must be written down. ii. TEST 2 With a Megger the insulation of the secondary winding can be tested. The Megger will put 250, 500 or 1000V between the winding and earth potential. If the measured value is lower than several Kohm, the winding is broken. Every value must be written down. iii. TEST 3 (saturation test) You'll need a variable voltage, (easiest obtain from a variac - must be able to obtain the suitable voltage) a voltmeter, an ammeter, a pencil and paper. You'll have to measure the voltage and the current while you do the test.

Davy Kyndt

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AC Voltmeter

AC Voltage Source AC mA-meter

Apply the voltage to the secondary winding with the primary and other windings being open-circuited. Increase the voltage until you reach a point where a small increase in voltage results in a big increase in current. You have to decrease your voltage slowly to zero volts to demagnetize the CT-core. BEWARE: The knee-point voltage will depend on the size and class of the CT, and it can be very high on some CTs (several hundreds of volts) be very cautious, you will be working on live equipment during the test. Now you can just plot the current and voltage values on a graph. This is the mag-curve of the CT. IEC classify the knee point voltage as the point where a 10% increase in voltage results in a 50% increase in current. Fig4. Shows the saturation curve of the installed CTs

FIG. 3

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b. VA-test
The VA (volt-Ampere) test is the last test to be done before energizing the bay or the CT.

Protection device

CT

1A

AC voltmeter

AC Current source (Sverker 750)

With this test a current of 1A or 5A (depending on the model) is applied directly to one of the secondary windings on the CT. All the protection or measurement devices are kept connected to the CT. While the test takes place, block or shut down any protection devices, as they may trip and cause any unwanted intertrip on other bays. While injecting the current on the connections of the CT, the voltage is measured on the same connections. It is very important that the place of injection is as CLOSEST to the CT itself. Cause the whole circuit needs to be measured and every wire causes a voltage loss. The measured voltage is multiplied by the injected current. The equation of those two may not be higher than the VA that is given by the manufacturer. (Normally it is not above 10-20% of the VA value given by the manufacturer) This must be done by every winding. If a winding is open, the measured value will be a lot higher than the VA given by the manufacturer. Every value must be witten down. This test is mostly done by a SVERKER 750 or 760 or an ISA T1000.

Davy Kyndt

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