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CT - Current Transformer

A current transformer (CT) is used to convert high primary current from the power grid to a lower secondary current for protection and measurement devices. Key parameters include CT ratio, burden, saturation, accuracy class, and thermal ratings, which are essential for selecting and operating CTs effectively. Various types of CTs exist, such as wound, bar, and toroidal types, and it's crucial to follow guidelines for connection and load management to ensure proper functionality.

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23 views7 pages

CT - Current Transformer

A current transformer (CT) is used to convert high primary current from the power grid to a lower secondary current for protection and measurement devices. Key parameters include CT ratio, burden, saturation, accuracy class, and thermal ratings, which are essential for selecting and operating CTs effectively. Various types of CTs exist, such as wound, bar, and toroidal types, and it's crucial to follow guidelines for connection and load management to ensure proper functionality.

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بوحميدة كمال
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© © All Rights Reserved
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CT (Current Transformer)

Trainee-Electrical Engineer at Oman Electricity Transmission Company 2


articles Following

A current transformer is a device that is used to transfer a higher current from the power grid to
a lower current that can be fed to protection, measurement, and control devices. The primary
current of the transformer is proportional to the secondary current i.e. when the primary
current increases the secondary will also increase. The primary winding of CT will be connected
in series to the power grid and the secondary will be connected to the devices.

What are some of the important things that you have to understand when we talk about CT or
reading the nameplate of the CT:

• CT ratio:

It is the ratio between the primary and secondary current. The Popular ratings of secondary
current that will be connected to the devices are 1A and 5A and the turn ratio of CT can be
express as ( primary current / 1A or 5A ) E.g. 100/1A.

• Burden:

It is the total load that will be connected to the secondary. The burden of CT can be expressed
as the total impedance in ohms of the circuit or the maximum load in VA (Accuracy Power) that
can be applied to the CT secondary. The common burden ratting of CT used are 2.5, 5, 10, 15,
and 30VA. Moreover, in order to find out what is the total impedance that can be connected to
the secondary we use [ Z= VA/(I(sec)^2)= Ohm ].

The burden includes :

1-The resistance of the protection, measurement, and control devices connected to the
secondary of CT.

2-The wire resistance between the CT and the devices connected to the secondary of CT.

3-The resistance of the CT itself.

• CT Saturation:

CT is said to be in saturated when the core can’t handle any more flux and this means that the
core is already carrying maximum flux, there will be no flux change when the primary current
change and the secondary current is no longer proportional to the primary current

What are the parameters that affect the saturation?

1. Cross section of the CT core i.e. The larger the cross-section of the core, the lesser the
chance of saturation.
2. Quality of steel used to manufacture the core.
3. Burden i.e. External load applied to the secondary of the CT.

• Accuracy class:

It defines the error limits guaranteed on the current ratio and the phase displacement in
specified power and current conditions.

For CT used for measurement, the standardized IEC accuracy classes are
0.1,0.2,0.5,1,3,5 and for the majority of cases, CT measurement usually will have 0.5 or
1. Moreover, there is something called safety factor(SF) or instrument security factor (ISF)
which is the ratio between the rated primary limit current (CT saturation current) and the
rated primary current. when a fault condition occurs, the CT will get saturated and CT
secondary voltage gets limited, and then the current transformer will behave as an open
circuit and no current flows through its secondary. Safety factor (SF) is preferred to be 5 or
10. E.g. if the safety factor of the CT is 5 this means that the device in the secondary will be
protected when the fault current reaches 5 times the rated nominal primary value.
Moreover, in case of overloading the metering devices are designed with certain overloading,
and based on that the Safety Factor of CT is chosen.
For CT used for protection, accuracy classes are 5P or 10P along with accuracy limit factor(ALF)
which is the ratio between the accuracy limit current and rated primary current. The accuracy
limit factor indicates how much will it take for the CT to reach saturation. The standard ALF
values are 5,10,15,20,30. E.g. if CT has 5P10 this indicates that the CT will take 10 times the
rated primary current for it to enter saturation zone.

• Rated thermal short circuit current (Ith):

This is the RMS value of the primary current that the transformer can withstand for 1 second
while the secondary is a short circuit.

• Rated dynamic current (Idyn) :

This is the peak value of the primary current that the transformer can withstand while the
secondary is a short circuit. We can find the Rated dynamic current by [Idyn=2.5*Ith].

• Rated insulation voltage, Power frequencies withstand voltage, and impulse


withstands voltage:

These 3 ratings in some transformers are called basic insulation level (B.I.L).

Rated insulation voltage is the maximum voltage that can be applied to the transformer without
damaging it.

Power frequencies withstand voltage is the level of RMS over-voltages that the transformer can
withstand for 1 minute.

Impulse withstand voltage is the level of lightning over-voltages that the transformer can
withstand.

E.g. Transformer have B.I.L: 36/70/170 KV

This means that the rated insulation voltage level is 36 KV which is equal to the HSV(highest
system voltage), the Power frequencies withstand voltage is 70 KV for 1 minute, and the
impulse withstands voltage is 170 kV.
• When you want to select CT you have to consider:

1. Rated primary current (system operating current)


2. Rated Secondary current (it can be 1A or 5A)
3. B.I.L
4. Rated load on Secondary side (Burden)
5. Voltage of the circuit
6. Accuracy Class Rating
7. Conductor profile and the maximum intensity of the primary circuit.

• Famous types of CT in terms of the design:

1. wound type

2. Bar type
3. Toroidal type ( Window type )
• Nameplate of CT :

Example :
Remember:

1- CT will be connected in series

2- The CT secondary should always be shorted

3- N(sec) > N(prim)

4- Burden is low

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