ANALYSIS OF EHV CURRENT TRANSFORMER FAILURE DUE TO

IMPROPER GROUNDING OF "C TERMINAL

__________________________________________________________________________________

K. K. Jembukailas,
Larsen & Toubro Limited, Chennai

Introduction

Current Transformers are critical and very important

equipment installed in the electrical transmission and
distribution system. It is essential to ensure the
reliability of power equipment for smooth operation of
the system. The cost of current transformers may be
low compared to the power transformers, but their
failure can impose extraordinarily high costs to the
utilities and users of the power it is experienced that
the explosions of CTs have damaged the surrounding
equipment and at many times caused fatal injuries to
the personnel working with the equipment Hence, it is
very important that the personnel working with such
equipment must have proper knowledge of the
operation and maintenance of these equipment

Current Transformers act as transducers which are

necessary for Isolating the Protection, Control and
Measurement equipment from the High Voltage
System, and for supplying the equipment with the
appropriate values of current-generally these are 1A or Fig. 1 Live tank CT
57 for the current coils. The behaviour of current Dead Tank CT (Conventional)
transformers during and after the occurrence of a fault
is critical in electrical protection since, if there is any In this design, the secondary core windings are house
error in the signal from a transformer, it can cause mal in metallic tank which is lower part of the CT and solidly
operation of the relays. grounded. The leads of the primary winding are
brought at top chamber for termination. The primary
Based on construction methodology and location of winding in the shape of 'hairpin' or 'bolt passed
secondary windings, the CTs can be broadly classified through the secondary cores and fu insulation is
as, provided on primary windings as show in fig. 2
a) Live Tank Current Transformer Bolt type winding can be provided with more no’s,
b) Dead Tank Current Transformer. turns than hairpin type, which normally may not have
Live Tank CT (Inverted) more than two turns. Bolt type design is more suitable
for low current ratio CTs as it can have more no’s turns,
In such design, the secondary cores and the primary increasing input ampere- turns. The prima winding is
windings are assembled in the metal tank located at properly reinforced to withstand the mechanical forces
the top of the Current transformer as shown in fig. 1. developed due to passage of fault currents through it.
Here, the secondary core assembly is insulated fully for
High system voltage and primary winding is looped
through the core assembly [1]. The primary winding can
be single bar primary or multi-turn primary
 ANALYSIS OF EHV CURRENT TRANSFORMER FAILURE DUE TO
IMPROPER GROUNDING OF "C TERMINAL
__________________________________________________________________________________

K. K. Jembukailas,
Larsen & Toubro Limited, Chennai

metal flanges. The ingression of moisture through this

crack will obviously deteriorate the insulation.

Leakage

Even if leakage is minor, the CT will breathe the

atmosphere air during its operation. This will slowly
lead to deterioration of insulation.

Improper Earthing of "C" terminal

Though it is ideal to adopt uniform insulation from top

to bottom, normally as an economic option, the
insulation is always graded [2]. In case of dead tank
design, the Insulation at the bottom tank shall be rated
for full voltage and gradually reduces as travels
towards top of the tank and finally insulation at
topmost part of the tank shall be suitable for minimum
voltage as shown in fig.3 & 4 [3] which vice versa in case
of Live tank design.

Fig 2 Dead Tank CT

Common Causes of CT Failure

Primary Conductor Cross-Section

The section must be provided considering the normal

continuous thermal current and short time thermal
Fig 3 Graded Insulation of CT
current. Inadequate Cross-section may overheat the
CTs at normal operating current and finally lead to
early ageing. The winding may be melted on passage of
fault current causing violent failure.

Pressure Release Device and Nitrogen filling valve

Pressure release device is provided on the instrument

transformer to release the abnormal pressure that may
develop due to insulation failure inside the enclosure.
Some manufacturers use bakelized aluminium
diaphragm in pressure release device. These
diaphragms are subjected to fatigue caused due to
pressure-vacuum cycles produced during expansion
and contraction of transformer oil inside the CTS and
ultimately give rise to cracks on the diaphragm at the
Fig. 4 Graded Insulation of CT with "C" terminal
edges where they were clamped using gasket and
grounding
 ANALYSIS OF EHV CURRENT TRANSFORMER FAILURE DUE TO
IMPROPER GROUNDING OF "C TERMINAL
__________________________________________________________________________________

K. K. Jembukailas,
Larsen & Toubro Limited, Chennai

CT Analysis

Purpose

The purpose of analysis is to evaluate the effect.

behaviour of Current Transformer (applicable for both
Live & Dead Tank design) when C terminal is not
properly grounded.

Procedure
Fig 6. Capacitance between concentric conducting
As case study, the equivalent circuit of Dead Tank CT is spheres
analysed using PSCAD with inclusion of the capacitance
values (actual values from manufacturer due to Considering two concentric conducting spheres of radii
insulation grading. Based on the values, the effect of "a" and "b", such that b>a and V=0 at r=b, V=Vo at r=a,
un-grounding "C" terminal is illustrated Vis à-vis effect the concentric capacitance between two spheres is
of grounding the same. given as C = Q/V

The same analysis can be done, on Live Tank designed Where V=Vo = Potential difference between two
CT also, where the Insulation Grading is done on spheres
Secondary Winding Conductor in this case, the
Q-Total charge on surface of sphere of radius r
insulation thickness reduces as one travels towards
bottom of the tank. The voltage distribution is uniform E-Electric field intensity, D-Electric flux density
when the "C" terminal is properly grounded. & non 𝛿 𝑉𝑜
uniform distribution of voltage as the "C" dielectric, D E=∆𝑉 = 𝛿𝑟
𝑉 = 1 1 𝑎𝑟 𝑉/𝑚
( − )𝑟 2
𝑏 𝑎
is always normal to the surface. terminal grounding
𝑉𝑜 𝑉𝑜
gets disturbed. 𝐷 = 𝜀𝐸 = −𝜀 1 1 𝑎𝑟 = −𝜀 1 1 C/m2
( − )𝑟 2 ( − )𝑟 2
𝑏 𝑎 𝑏 𝑎
Effect of Concentric Capacitance
As per boundary conditions between conductor and
The equivalent circuit of Current Transformer is shown dielectric, D is always normal to the surface.
in fig. 5. In Dead tank design CT, the primary conductor 𝑉𝑜
which is brought to the bottom tank, is to be insulated 𝜌𝑠 = |𝐷| = 𝜀 1 1 𝑎𝑟 C/m2
( − )𝑟 2
𝑏 𝑎
for the full rated voltage (VL/73) As the insulation is
𝑉𝑜
graded, floating/concentric capacitance is formed Q=𝜀 1 1 𝑥 4𝜋𝑟 2
( − )𝑟 2
across each layer resulting in voltage drop across these 𝑏 𝑎

capacitances. =𝜀
4𝜋𝑉𝑜
𝑎𝑟 C
1 1
( − )𝑟 2
𝑏 𝑎

𝑄 4𝜋𝜀
C= = 1 1 F
𝑉 ( − )
𝑏 𝑎

Generally, these are floating capacitances and are

connected to a common terminal which is known as
"C" terminal, and this shall be connected to ground. In
case it is not properly grounded improper connection/
Fig 5 CT Equivalent circuit
no connection), the voltage appearing across the "C"
This capacitance can be referred as the equivalent Terminal & the body will vary and can be as high as
capacitance of two concentric conducting spheres as system voltage (in case of improper grounding). If this
shown in fig. 6 voltage exceeds the breakdown voltage limit of the
 ANALYSIS OF EHV CURRENT TRANSFORMER FAILURE DUE TO
IMPROPER GROUNDING OF "C TERMINAL
__________________________________________________________________________________

K. K. Jembukailas,
Larsen & Toubro Limited, Chennai

nearest insulating material or dielectric medium it "Tan? tests under normal conditions as given by the
causes a flash-over/breakdown [4]. manufacturer is 1100pF and current Sowing through
this capacitance is 83.7mA. So, the 1100pF capacitance
Grounding of “C” Terminal
is divided into different series capacitances depending
To know the effect/behaviour of dead tank CT with "C" on the number of graded insulation layers. Here the
terminal grounding, we have considered the floating insulation layers assumed 12. no’s for grading. The
capacitance equivalent circuit as shown in fig. 7 voltage drops leakage current, etc of the Capacitive
equivalent circuit when "C" terminal is grounded are
shown in fig. 8.

Fit 8 Voltage drops, current with "C" terminal solidly

Improper grounding of "C” terminal

Ideally when this "C" terminal is un-grounded, there

should not be any current flow as it is an open circuit.
But this charged capacitors will discharge through a
very high resistive path Le through insulation (M?
range). If we assume the practical value of resistance
(as 6M?) instead of 'infinity", the effect of improper
grounding can be noticed by measuring the voltage
across this resistance. This high voltage is sufficient
enough to create arcing/spark at the "C" terminal as
shown in fig. 9 in long term.

Fig 7 Floating capacitance equivalent circuit with "C"

terminal grounding using PSCAD

The equivalent circuit of floating capacitance is studied

using PSCAD to evaluate the performance of CT under
normal conditions i.e., grounding of "C" terminal A
50Hz, 400KV 2000/1A, dead tank CT has taken for
study. The capacitance value calculated by performing Fig 9 Damaged "C" Terminal
 ANALYSIS OF EHV CURRENT TRANSFORMER FAILURE DUE TO
IMPROPER GROUNDING OF "C TERMINAL
__________________________________________________________________________________

K. K. Jembukailas,
Larsen & Toubro Limited, Chennai

The equivalent circuit and resultant waveforms due to through the body which will slowly contaminate the
improper grounding of "C" terminal using PSCAD is across of and insulation When this condition continues
shown in fig 10 & fig 11 over a period of time, insulation deteriorates and
finally leads to insulation failure there by explosion of
CT

Fig 11 voltage drops, current with "terminal improper

grounding

Observations

Table. I Evaluated parameters with "C" terminal solidly

grounded

Voltag Capacitanc Voltage Leakag EC

e Drop e (pF) Drop across e (kVp)
across each layer curren
each (kVp) t
divider (mAp)
(kVp)
C1=25853 EC1=14.4
C2=23391 EC2=16
C3=22160 EC3=16.8
113.3 C4=19698 EC4=18.95 117.3 ∽
C5=17235 EC5=21.67
C6=14773 EC6=25.27
113.3 C7=16077 EC7=23.2
Fig. 10 Floating capacitance equivalent circuit with "C" C8=13397 EC8=27.86
terminal Improperly grounded in PSCAD C9=12593 EC9=29.7
C10=11522 EC10=32.4
The ungrounded portion of the circuit is represented as C11=8250 EC111=45.2
R (-6MD). 113.3 C12=5500 EC121=67.9

The high voltage on "C" terminal will cause a very small

current (leakage) to flow to the ground terminal
 ANALYSIS OF EHV CURRENT TRANSFORMER FAILURE DUE TO
IMPROPER GROUNDING OF "C TERMINAL
__________________________________________________________________________________

K. K. Jembukailas,
Larsen & Toubro Limited, Chennai

Table. Il Evaluated parameters with "C" terminal However, in order to ensure the proper connection of
grounding through high resistance. 'C' terminal, performance of periodical DGA (Dissolved
Gas Analysis) is also recommended
Voltag Capacitanc Voltage Leaka EC
e Drop e (pF) Drop ge (kVp) Conclusion
across across curre
each each layer nt As it is experienced as well as evident from above
divider (kVp) (mAp) analysis, the effect of un-grounding/improper
(kVp) grounding of "C" terminal can cause damages not only
49.74 C1=25853 EC1=14.4 50.4 305.6 to the Current Transformer but also to the surrounding
C2=23391 EC2=16 equipment & may result in fatal injuries to the
C3=22160 EC3=16.8 personnel working with the equipment. Hence, it is
C4=19698 EC4=18.95 recommended that the "C" terminal of CT should
C5=17235 EC5=21.67 always be properly grounded.
C6=14773 EC6=25.27
49.74 C7=16077 EC7=23.2
C8=13397 EC8=27.86 References
C9=12593 EC9=29.7
C10=11522 EC10=32.4 1. 735-kv Cascade Style Current Transformer,
49.74 C11=8250 EC111=45.2 Donald I. Johnston, Senior Member IEEE, and
C12=5500 EC121=67.9 Howard Lucas Senior member IEEE, IEEE
Transactions On power apparatus and systems
vol. pas-86, no. 10 October 1967.
Result
2. "Current transformer Assembly, United States
From Table I & II we can observe that, the voltage at Patent Den Tsuboji, Yokohama.
"C" terminal is zero under solidly grounded condition, 3. "System for monitoring the insulation Quality
while it shoots up close to the system voltage under of step graded insulated HCurrent
improper or un-grounding if this condition persist for Transformer, United States Patent, Thomas
long period, depending upon the healthiness of Meyer Pinellas Park.
surrounding insulation, CT may get damaged. 4. "An overview of technical challenges in “The
design of current transformers,” Nisha Das and
Trouble Shooting
Marian K Kazmierczuk Wright, State University.
This problem can be easily identified by conducting the
Tanδ test on the CT periodically which is used to
evaluate the insulation healthiness of the system.

The factory pre-dispatch measurement results as well

as site measured values while installation is considered
to be the most important as these are taken as the
reference while determining 'Ageing Effect of
Insulation.’

Tanδ measures the ratio of resistive current vis-a-vis

capacitor current vectors flowing in an insulating
material, which may be used to monitor correct
connection of 'C terminal. In case, the 'C' terminal is not
properly grounded, the insulation deteriorates and the
values of Tanδ measurement will show the same.