Overview
1. Introduction to Instrument Transformer
2. Its Classification
3. Design & Function of CT
4. Construction, Accuracy Limit & Equivalent CKT
5. Safety Precaution & Usage of CT
6. Design & Function of PT
7. Construction & Error of PT
8. Cause of Error in PT
9. Conclusion
10. Reference
Introduction
Instrument transformers are necessary for
Isolating the protection, control &
measurement equipment from the
high voltages of apower system
Supplying the equipment with the
appropriate values of current and
voltage
Types of Instrument Transformers
Two Types of Instrument Transformers :
Current Transformer (CT)
Potential Transformer (PT)
Current transformer & Potential transformer
Current Transformer (CT)
Design
Like any other transformer, a current transformer has a
primary winding, a magnetic core and a secondary winding
The primary winding of a current transformer is
connected in series with the powercircuit
The impedance is negligible compared with that of the
power circuit
The alternating current flowing in the primary produces a
magnetic field in the core & induces a current in the
secondary winding
The CT's primary circuit consists of a single 'turn' of
conductor, with a secondary of many tens or hundreds of
turns
The primary winding may be a permanent part of the
current transformer, with a heavy copper bar to carry
current through the magnetic core
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
Current TransformerConstruction
BARPRIMARY WOUND PRIMARY
Primary
Secondary
Bar-Primary Type CT
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 source Insulation covered wire,
giving inter-turn insulation
& secondary to core
insulation
Accuracy
The accuracy of a CT is directly related to a number of
factors :
Burden : The secondary load of a current transformer is usually called the
"burden" to distinguish it from the load of the circuit whose current is being
measured
Rating factor : Rating factor is a factor by which the nominal full load current of
a CT can be multiplied to determine its absolute maximum measurable
Load
External electromagnetic fields
Temperature
Physical configuration.
The selected tap, for multi-ratio CTs
C.T. Equivalent Circuit
Ip ZCT
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
Safety Precaution
The secondary of a current transformer is not disconnected
from its load while current is flowing in the primary
The transformer secondary will attempt to continue driving current
across the effectively infinite impedance.
This will produce a high voltage across the open secondary
This high peaks of voltage may not be measured by conventional
voltmeter. But these high peaks of induced voltage may breakdown
the CT insulation, and may case accident to personnel
Usage
Current transformers are used:
Measuring current
A CT for operation on a 110 kV grid
Monitoring the operation of
the power grid
Potential Transformer (PT)
Design
A Potential Transformer theory is just like
theory of general purpose step down
transformer
Primary of this transformer is connected across
the phases or and ground depending upon the
requirement
PThas lowers turns winding at itssecondary
In an ideal Potential Transformer when rated
burden connected across the secondary the
ratio of primary and secondary voltages of
transformer is equal to theturns ratio
But in actual transformer there must be an error
in the voltage ratio as well as in the phase angle
between primary and secondaryvoltages
Types of Potential Transformer
Two main basic types are available :
Electromechanical PTs
Similar to a power transformer
May not be economical above 132kV
Capacitor PTs (CPT)
Used at high voltages
Main difference is that CPT has a capacitor divider on the
front end
Construction of PT
The construction of a voltage transformer takes into
account the following factors
a. Output – Seldom more than 200-300VA. Cooling is
rarely a problem
b. Insulation – Designed for the system impulse
voltage level. Insulation volume is often larger
than the winding volume
c. Mechanical Design – Not usually necessary to
withstand short-circuit currents. Must be small to
fit the space available within switchgear
Function
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
Errors in PT
The difference between the ideal value
Vp/KT and actual value Vs is the voltage
error or ratio error in a potential
transformer
% voltage error = Vp − KT.Vs /Vp X 100 %
Is - Secondary Current
Es - Secondary induced emf
Vs - Secondary terminal voltage Ip -
The angle ′β′ between the primary Primary current
system voltage Vp and the reversed Ep - Primary induced emf
secondary voltage vectors KT.Vs is the Vp - Primary terminal voltage
phase error KT - numbers of primary turns/number of
secondary turns
Io - Excitation Current
β - phase angle error
Cause of Error in PT
The voltage applied to the primary
of the potential transformer first
drops due to internal impedance of
primary
Transformed voltage across
secondary winding will again
drops due to internal impedance
of secondary before appearing
across burden terminals
Conclusion
Current Transformer
Measuring current
Monitoring the operation of
the power grid
• CT secondary should not be kept open
Potential Transformer
Measuring Voltage
Provides isolation from high voltages
