2/13/24, 1:04 PM Instrument Safety Factor of Current Transformer

Electrical Volt

Instrument Safety Factor of Current Transformer

Last Updated on February 3, 2024 by Electricalvolt

Variable transformers
SUNTEK
VARIACS

The current transformer is used for measuring the current. The specifications of the measuring class CT
are given below. The Instrument Safety Factor (ISF) is a very important parameter for measuring
class CT.

CTR CT Terminal CT Burden Accuracy Class CT ISF

200/5 1S1-1S2 10 0.5 10

https://www.electricalvolt.com/instrument-safety-factor-of-current-transformer/ 1/16
2/13/24, 1:04 PM Instrument Safety Factor of Current Transformer

The secondary of the current transformer is connected to an ampere meter, energy meter, or
protection relay. The current measuring instrument has its current measuring range. It also has an
overload capacity for a shorter period of time.

If the current flowing through the measuring instrument is more than its overload current capacity, the
instrument is apt to fail. Let’s take an example: the overload current capacity of the measuring
instrument of a 5-ampere rating may be 50 amperes for 3 sec or 5 sec. Why should a 50-ampere
current flow through an ammeter if the normal circuit current is 5 amperes?

The electrical components of the electrical network are designed to carry the fault current for a definite
time. The breaker rated for 1600 ampere current can carry a fault current of 21 kA for 1 second or 3
seconds. Therefore, the measuring instruments are also designed to carry the increased fault current
for definite time, The maximum current which can flow through the measuring instrument depends on
what is the overload current capacity of the measuring instrument.

https://www.electricalvolt.com/instrument-safety-factor-of-current-transformer/ 2/16
2/13/24, 1:04 PM Instrument Safety Factor of Current Transformer

When CT is connected to a measuring instrument, the normal current flows through the CT; a 1000/5
ampere CT carries 5 ampere in its secondary if the primary current is 1000 ampere, and CT operates at
a certain voltage on its magnetization curve. During a fault, the maximum current through the CT
primary may be the order of 10 kA.

It means 1000/5 ampere CT will carry about 10 times more current in its primary during a fault, and the
secondary current is 5 x 10=50 ampere. If the instrument has a normal current rating of 5 amperes and
an overload capacity of 6 x In=30 ampere, the measuring instrument will certainly fail if 50-ampere
current flows through it.

Here comes the importance of the current transformer safety factor. Under fault conditions, the CT
will get saturated, and the CT secondary voltage will reach a limit. The current transformer will behave
as an open circuit, and no current will flow through its secondary.

Let us understand the security factor of the current transformer with an example. A CT has a CTR of
1000/5, and the fault current is 10 kA. We assume that if the current exceeds 10 kA, the CT will get
saturated. The ratio of CT saturation current to primary rated current is 10000/1000=10. This ratio is
called the security factor of the current transformer. The ammeter connected to 1000/5 ampere CT
shall be protected, provided the instrument overload capacity is 10 times its nominal current.

Therefore, the instrument safety factor of CT must be calculated, and accordingly, the overload
capacity of the instrument connected to CT must be chosen.

The instrument security factor(ISF) is defined for metering applications.

How to Calculate ISF of CT?

Step 1

Calculate the fault current of the network for which CTs are to be installed. The fault current of the
network depends on the installed capacity in MVA and the percentage impedance of the electrical
network. Assume the symmetrical fault current of the electrical network is 20 kA.

Step 2

Select the CTR of the current transformer for a particular application. Let the CTR of the current
transformer is 2000/5. The CT must be capable of carrying about 10 times its rated primary current
during a fault of 20 kA. Above 10 times the current, the CT gets saturated and behaves as an open
circuit. The maximum current capacity of CT, in this case, is 10 times its nominal current carrying

https://www.electricalvolt.com/instrument-safety-factor-of-current-transformer/ 3/16
2/13/24, 1:04 PM Instrument Safety Factor of Current Transformer

capacity, and we can say the instrument safety factor of the current transformer is 10. The instrument
safety factor of CT can be mathematically written as;

From the above example,

How to select overload capacity of current measuring instrument?

If the CT’s secondary current is 50 amperes, the instrument safety factor is defined for metering class
CTs.

The instrument safety factor of the current transformer(ISF of CT) must be checked for a particular
application when the measuring instrument is procured. The overload specifications of the ampere
meter according to IEC 60050 and EN 60051 are as follows.

Nominal Range(In) – 0- 20 Amper

Overload – 10 x In, 5 seconds

The meter can sustain a current of up to 200 ampere(10 times the nominal current) for 5 seconds. It
means the safety factor of the current transformer must be 10. If the current flows through the CT

https://www.electricalvolt.com/instrument-safety-factor-of-current-transformer/ 4/16
2/13/24, 1:04 PM Instrument Safety Factor of Current Transformer

secondary are above 200 amperes, the CT will get saturated, and the CT secondary current will reduce
to zero; thus, it protects the ammeter.

Read Next:

CT Ratio Calculator & CT Ratio Calculation Formula

What are volts and amperes?
Electric Current and Theory of Electricity
Current Transformer Secondary Grounding
Can Protection CT be used as Metering CT & Vice Versa?

Please follow and like us:

Like

Electrical, Machines, Transformer

CT, CT ISF, instrument safety factor, instrument security factor, ISF, Meter overload capacity
Condition for Maximum Power of DC Motor
Why an Induction Motor is almost constant Speed Motor?

About Electricalvolt

Editors of Electricalvolt.com are highly experienced in the field of electrical, electronics and
instrumentation engineering. All Editors of this website are graduate and post graduate in electrical
and electronics engineering.
More Posts..

https://www.electricalvolt.com/instrument-safety-factor-of-current-transformer/ 5/16
2/13/24, 1:04 PM Instrument Safety Factor of Current Transformer

Want To Learn Faster?

Get electrical, electronic, automation, and
instrumentation engineering articles delivered to your
inbox every week.

Enter your email address

EMAIL
to subscribe*

SUBSCRIBE

3 thoughts on “Instrument Safety Factor of Current Transformer”

Pingback: What is the difference between 0.2 and 0.2S class CT? - Electrical Volt

Pingback: What is the difference between 0.2 and 0.2S class CT? - Electrical Volt

Dinesh Chand
June 17, 2023 at 12:31 pm

Very good information and analysis

···

https://www.electricalvolt.com/instrument-safety-factor-of-current-transformer/ 6/16
2/13/24, 1:04 PM Instrument Safety Factor of Current Transformer

Reply

Leave a Comment

Name *

Email *

Website

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

···

Post Comment

Sponsored Content Recommended by

https://www.electricalvolt.com/instrument-safety-factor-of-current-transformer/ 7/16
2/13/24, 1:04 PM Instrument Safety Factor of Current Transformer

Unsold Sofas Selling For Nearly Getting a MBA Degree in the USA Finance Management Software Cost
Nothing in Lahore Might be Easier Than You Think might surprise you
Couches & Sofas | Search Ads MBA Degrees | Search Ads Business Software | Search Ads

Get More Out of Your Browsing

Experience With our Custom
Content
DiscoveryFeed

CATEGORIES

Select Category

https://www.electricalvolt.com/instrument-safety-factor-of-current-transformer/ 8/16
2/13/24, 1:04 PM Instrument Safety Factor of Current Transformer

RECENT POSTS

Armature Winding-Turn, Coil & Winding

Ammeter is Used to Measure

Booster Transformer- Definition & Explanation

Advantages & Disadvantages of Synchronous Motors

Synchronous Machine

https://www.electricalvolt.com/instrument-safety-factor-of-current-transformer/ 9/16
2/13/24, 1:04 PM Instrument Safety Factor of Current Transformer

https://www.electricalvolt.com/instrument-safety-factor-of-current-transformer/ 10/16
2/13/24, 1:04 PM Instrument Safety Factor of Current Transformer

https://www.electricalvolt.com/instrument-safety-factor-of-current-transformer/ 11/16
2/13/24, 1:04 PM Instrument Safety Factor of Current Transformer

https://www.electricalvolt.com/instrument-safety-factor-of-current-transformer/ 12/16
2/13/24, 1:04 PM Instrument Safety Factor of Current Transformer

https://www.electricalvolt.com/instrument-safety-factor-of-current-transformer/ 13/16
2/13/24, 1:04 PM Instrument Safety Factor of Current Transformer

RECOMMENDED ARTICLES

Armature Winding-Turn, Coil & Winding

Ammeter is Used to Measure

Booster Transformer- Definition & Explanation

Advantages & Disadvantages of Synchronous Motors

Synchronous Machine

https://www.electricalvolt.com/instrument-safety-factor-of-current-transformer/ 14/16
2/13/24, 1:04 PM Instrument Safety Factor of Current Transformer

Parallel Operation of DC Generators

Starting Methods of Synchronous Motor

Applications of Synchronous Motor

Synchronous Motor Construction and Working Principle

What is a Distribution Factor? Definition, Formula

Copyright © 2024 Electrical Volt Contact Us ▪ About Us ▪ Privacy-Policy ▪ Disclaimer

https://www.electricalvolt.com/instrument-safety-factor-of-current-transformer/ 15/16
2/13/24, 1:04 PM Instrument Safety Factor of Current Transformer

···

https://www.electricalvolt.com/instrument-safety-factor-of-current-transformer/ 16/16