3/8/2021 Current Transformers

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Current Transformer
ct ct model cts current current transformer delta connection delta wye
transformer star connection Dec 18, 2019

This current transformer is an essential part of the power system. The

basics of the current transformer including construction, applications,
working principles are going to be discussed in this article. Moreover,
some practical aspects such as grounding and connections of current
transformer and associated errors will be examined comprehensively.

What is Current Transformer &

Why is it used?
Current Transformer is an 'instrumentation' transformer which steps
down high values of currents to lower values.

As evident from their name, Instrumentation transformers are used to

isolate the instrumentation devices from high voltages and currents to
facilitate the measurement of electrical quantities.

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Current Transformers are used extensively for measuring current and

monitoring the operation of the power grid. The need for Current
Transformer is justified by two reasons:

1. It isolates the protection system from high voltages and

currents, resulting in the reduction of the size and cost of
protection equipment.
2. The output of a Current Transformer is standard (i.e. 1A or 5A)
which eliminates the need for protection equipment e.g. relays
having diversified operating values.

Construction of CT (Current
Transformer):
The construction of a Current Transformer is very similar to a normal
transformer. The core of the current transformer is built up with
lamination of silicon steel.

A current transformer (CT) basically has a primary coil of one or more

turns of heavy cross-sectional area. In some, the bar carrying high
current may act as a primary. This is connected in series with the line
carrying high current.

The secondary coil of the current transformer is made up of a large

number of turns of fine wire having a small cross-sectional area. This is
usually rated for 1A or 5A.

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Hello there! On a related topic, we previously wrote a blog

about Transformers — Its Working, Construction, Types, and
Uses. If this peaks your interest, check it out and let us know what
you think

Working Principle:
Not only does the construction of current transformer similar to a regular
transformer but the working principle is same as well.

The alternating current in the primary windings induces magnetic flux in

the core which is transferred to the secondary windings and
inducesalternating current there as well.

These transformers are basically step-up transformers i.e. stepping up a

voltage from primary to secondary. Thus, the current reduces from
primary to secondary.

Classifications:
Based on Function:
Measurement CT:

Current Transformer used for metering andindicating circuits are

popularly termed as Measuring CT. They have a low saturation point. In
case of a fault, the core will become saturated and the secondary current
will not damage the measurement devices connected to it.

Protection CT:

Current Transformer used in conjunction with protective devices is

termed as Protection CT. The purpose is to detect fault currents in the
system and pass on the signal to relays. Since it operates on current
values higher than its rated value, its core has a high saturation point.

Based on Construction:
Bar Type Current Transformer:

This type of current transformer uses the actual cable or bus-bar of the
main circuit as the primary winding, which is equivalent to a single turn.
They are fully insulated from the high operating voltage.
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Wound Current Transformer:

The transformers primary winding is physically connected in series with

the conductor that carries the measured current flowing in the circuit.

Toroidal/Window Current Transformer:

These do not contain a primary winding. Instead, the line that carries the
current flowing in the network is threaded through a window or hole in
the toroidal transformer. Some current transformers have a "split core"
which allows it to be opened, installed, and closed, without
disconnecting the circuit to which they are attached.

Connections of CTs:
A CT is quite simple to connect in a single phase system, but for three
phase system, there are 3 CTs which can be connected in two ways:

Star (Wye) Connected:

In case of star connection, the polar side of the Current Transformers is
connected to the equipment i.e. relay and the non-polar sides are
shorted and then grounded. The neutral side may or may not be present
in the three phase system.

Delta Connected:

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For a delta connection, the CTs are connected to each other in delta
fashion, but the polarity of the CTs is kept in mind while making the
connections.

It is a normal practice to connect the CTs in delta if it is on the

transformer side connected in wye and vice-versa.

Polarity of CT:
Like any other transformer, a CT also has a polarity. Polarity refers to the
instantaneous direction of the primary current with respect to the
secondary current and is determined by the way transformer leads are
brought out of the case.

All current transformers are subtractive polarity. CT polarity is sometimes

indicated with an arrow, these CTs should be installed with the arrow
pointing in the direction of current flow.

It is very important to observe correct polarity when installing and

connecting current transformers to power metering and protective
relays.

Grounding of CT:
The grounding of the current transformer is very important for the
safety and correct operation of the protective relays.

As per the grounding standard of the current transformer, the current

transformer secondary circuit should be connected to the station ground
at only onepoint. This holds true irrespective of the number of current
transformer secondary winding connected to the circuit.

Burden of a CT:
Current transformer burden is defined as the load connected across its
secondary. It is generally expressed in VA(volt-ampere).

In short, the connecting wires and the connected meter form the load of
the current transformer. In technical terms this is called load in VA. This
load influences the accuracy of the current transformer. In the design of
the current transformer, internal losses and the external load of the
current transformer are taken into account.
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The burden is expressed in VA by multiplying the secondary current with

the voltage drop across the burden (load) of the CT. A current
transformer is divided into classes on the basis of accuracy which, in
turn, depends on the burden of the CT.

CT Ratio:
The CT ratio is the ratio of primary current input to secondary current
output at full load. For example, a CT with a ratio of 100:5 is rated for
100 primary amps at full load and will produce 5 amps of secondary
current when 100 amps flow through the primary.

Primary Current
Transformer Ratio =
Secondary Current
Errors in a CT:
The current transformer has two errors – ratio error and a phase angle
error.

Current Ratio Errors

It is mainly due to the energy component of excitation current and is
given as

KtIs - Ip
Ratio Error =
Ip
Where Ip is the primary current, Kt is the turn ratio and Is is the secondary
current.

Phase Angle Error

In an ideal current transformer, the vector angle between the primary
and reversed secondary current is zero. But in an actual current
transformer, there is a phase difference between the primary and the
secondary current because the primary current has also supplied the
component of exciting current. Thus, the difference between the two
phases is termed as a phase angle error.

Phasor diagrams of an ideal and actual

CT:

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The ideal current transformer may be defined in which any primary

condition is reproduced in the secondary circuit in the exact ratio and
phase relationship. The phasor diagram for an ideal current transformer
is shown in Figure 1.

In an actual transformer, the windings have resistance and reactance and

the transformer also has magnetizing and loss component of current to
maintain the flux (see Figure 2). Therefore, in an actual transformer the
ratio of current is not equal to the turns ratio and there is also a phase
difference between the primary current and the secondary currents
reflected back on the primary side. Consequently, we have ratio error
and phase angle error.

Where:

Kn = turns ratio = number of secondary winding turns/number of

primary winding turns,

Rs, Xs = resistance and reactance respectively of the secondary winding,

Rp, Xp = resistance and reactance respectively of the primary winding,

Ep, Es = primary and secondary induced voltages respectively,

Tp, Ts = number of primary winding and secondary winding turns

respectively,

Ip, Is = primary and secondary winding currents respectively,

θ = phase angle of the transformer

Φm = working flux of the transformer

δ = angle between secondary induced voltage and secondary current,

Io = exciting current,

Im = magnetizing component of exciting current

Il = loss component of exciting current,

α = angle between Io and Φm

You will emerge with the knowledge in principles, working, applications,

sizing of CT that empowers you to have a strong grip on the
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fundamentals of the Current Transformer. Check out Current

Transformer Fundamentals Course in which we briefly discussed
"Current Transformer Equivalent Circuit Mode".

Model of a CT:
The Current Transformer’s modelling is just the same as any other
transformer. The model of CT is as below:

X1 = Primary leakage reactance

R1 = Primary winding resistance

X2 = Secondary leakage reactance

Z0 = Magnetizing impedance

R2 = Secondary winding resistance

Zb = Secondary load

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