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INSTRUMENT TRANSFORMERS

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INSTRUMENT TRANSFORMERS

An instrument transformer is a device used to reduce the

current or voltage values into values can be handled by
other equipments.

Is a device to transform the power system current and

voltage to lower magnitudes, and provide an isolation
between the power network and the relay and other
instruments connected to the transformer secondary
winding

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Instrument Transformers Why is it

Needed?

- Reduce the voltage or current into values that other

equipment can handle it.

-Isolate the equipments from the power network(i.e. we need

more insulation)

-To provide possibilities of a standardization of instruments

and relays to a few rated currents and voltages.

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Classification of Instrument Transformers

-OIL IMMERSED

-CAST RESIN

-Epoxy

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Types Of Instrument Transformers

1-Current transformers

2-Voltage transformers

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CURRENT TRANSFORMER

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CURRENT TRANSFORMER

A current transformer is used to transform a primary

current quantity in terms of its magnitude and phase to a
secondary value such that in normal conditions the
secondary value is substantially proportional to the
primary value.

IEC 60044

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Construction of Current Transformer

A current transformer is a transformer has its primary
primary winding is connected in series with the power circuit
with thick windings and few turns , usually one turn. and the
secondary with thin windings with many turns.

Equation of current transformer:

Ip/Is = Ns/Np

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CT Equivalent Circuit
Referred to secondary

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Types Of Current Transformers

Wound primary type

The wound type has a separate primary and

secondary winding mounted on a laminated iron core.
It is used for auxiliary current transformers and for
many low or moderate ratio current transformers
used in switchgear of up to 11kV Rating.

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The wound primary is used for the smaller

currents, but it can only be applied on low fault
level installations due to thermal limitations as
well as structural requirements due to high
magnetic forces.
This type of current transformer is designed so that
the primary winding consists of one or more turns of
heavy wire connected in series in the circuit
The secondary winding consists of a larger number of
turns of relatively smaller wires.
And is connected to instruments or control devices

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Bushing type:

would be mounted in a transformer or circuit breaker

For currents greater than 100 A,

This consists of a cylindrical ring

core built up of thin iron
laminations. Around the core is
wound copper wire which forms
the secondary winding. The
primary winding is formed by the
bushing conductor

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Window current transformer

If we enclose the current transformer in the bushing type

In a molded case, we obtain another type of current transformer
called the window type

Through the core and secondary winding, there is an insulated hole

through which the user can place his own conductor.

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Current Transformer Rating

The current transformer is designed to give the

secondary a current that is proportional to the
primary current

The rating of a CT has its own standards. the rating is

5 A , 2 A and 1 A

IEC 60044-1

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Examples:
CTR = 200/5 = 40
CTR = 1200/5 = 240
CTR = 400/1 = 400

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CT Characteristics

CT errors results from the excitation current, so in order to check

the ct function its essential to measure the excitation curve,

The magnetizing current of a CT depends on the cross section and

the length of the magnetic circuit, the number of turns and the
magnetic circuit material

This curve is the best method of determining a CT’s performance.

It is a graph of the amount of magnetizing current required to
generate an open-circuit voltage at the terminals of the unit.

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Current Transformer Knee-point

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CT response in saturated state

If the load and the magnitude of the primary current are large
enough to saturate the CT, neither the flux nor the induced
voltage are sinusoidal. The excitation current can take large
magnitudes and the resulting error will be large.

The secondary current is no longer proportional to the primary

current.
The current error which corresponds to the magnetization
current increases significantly

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CT Secondary
Current transformers generally work at a low flux density.
Core is then made of very good metal to give small magnetizing
current
the e.m.f, induced in the secondary winding is
that required to drive the secondary current through the total
impedance of the secondary circuit,

And that the core flux inducing this e.m.f, on open-circuit,

secondary impedance now becomes infinite and the core
saturates. This induces a very high voltage in the primary up to
approximately system volts and the corresponding volts in the
secondary will depend on the number of turns, multiplying up
by the ratio (i.e. volts/turn × no. of turns).

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Or we can say.
With CT’s the increase of CT secondary burden will also
increase the secondary voltage. This is maintain the
correct magnitude of secondary current.

As the burden decreased will result in decreasing the

secondary voltage as well.
This voltage increase will increase the secondary
burden, supposing that we have infinite secondary
burden, theoretically the secondary voltage is infinite,
but for practical reasons, the voltage will be very high.
In terms of hundreds of kilovolts. This voltage will
cause to break down the insulation between secondary
and primary voltage, or between the secondary coils, so
the secondary of CT should never be opened.

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Since CT normally has much more turns in secondary

compared to the primary, the voltage generated on the
open-circuited CT will be much more than the system
volts, leading to flashovers.

this peak value may be as low as a few hundred volts in a

small measuring c.t. with a 5A secondary winding, but it
might reach many kilovolts in the case of, say a 2000/1A
protective c.t. with a large core section.

open circuit voltage at CT is almost:

V=(3.5*Zb*Ip/Ns)^.5

THEY CAN KILL YOU!

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Current Transformer Connection

WYE CONNECTION:

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DELTA CONNECTION:

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Current Transformer Grounding

The grounding of CTs is important to both safety and the

correct operation of protective relays.

To assure safe and reliable operation, the neutral of the CT

secondary should have a single ground location for each
circuit.

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The grounding of CTs is important to both safety and the

correct operation of protective relays.
To assure safe and reliable operation, the neutral of the
CT secondary should have a single ground location for
each circuit.

The recommended method of grounding is to install a

single ground point at the first point of application
(switchboard or relay panel) of the CT secondary circuit.
The grounding is done only at one point. Multi point may
introduce some problems…….?

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the grounding is done at the instrument transformer location at

the site or at the first panel application. Grounding the ct’s at the
site location may cause a problems:
Another grounding may be done at the panel without knowing that there
is a grounding at the location

The grounding is done mainly at the common point,

*NEPCO grounding standard :
The CTs are grounded at the place where the metering or relaying
*other standard. GE, ABB ….. ETC

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The unused CT secondaries:

The unused secondary of the current transformers as

there may be multi secondaries , and no all the
secondaries are used, these un used secondaries must
be grounding. The grounding practice as we mentioned
later at the instrument transformers location or at the
first point of application.
In case of multi ratio secondaries:
One of these connection are applicable

Sometimes shorting terminals are

available at the transformer secondaies.
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CT Standards

There are primarily two standards that are used to

specify the performance of CTs for protection
applications.

ANSI and the IEC

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DIFFERENCES BETWEEN
THE ANSI & THE IEC

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A Ct can be separated into 2

distinct groups

1-Metering Type

2-Protection Type

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Current Transformers Specifications:

Rated primary currents:

10 - 12.5 - 15 - 20 - 25 - 30 - 40 - 50 - 60 – 75 and their multiple
factors

Accuracy power: this also called the “BURDEN” and it’s the
maximum load can be connected to the CT secondary for the rated
secondary current.
Standard values: (1 - 2.5 - 5 - 10 - 15 -30) VA.
Accuracy class: this defines the guaranteed transformation
ratio and phase displacement error limits under specific
power and current conditions.

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Metering current transformers

according to the IEC -60044-1 the metering Ct must have the accuracy
for the rated current.

The standardized IEC accuracy classes are: 0.1 - 0.2 - 0.5 - 1 - 3 - 5.

Classes 0.5 and 1 are used in the majority of cases.
Class 0.2 is only used for precision metering.
Classes 0.1 - 3 - 5 are never used in medium voltage.

Metering symbols :
B, Fs or sometimes there is no symbol

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Metering CTs In general, the following applies
CLASS:

• 0.1 or 0.2 for precision measurements

• 0.5 for high grade kilowatt hour meters for

commercial grade kilowatt hour meters

• 3 for general industrial measurements

• 3 or 5 for approximate measurements

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Accuracy limit factor:

ALF represents the value of the primary current at which the
accuracy class still presents.

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EXAMPLE:
500/1 A 15 VA cl 0.5

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Burden
Is the amount of the impedance connected to the ct secondary
and rated in ohms or VA.

The burden can be expressed in two ways. The burden can be

expressed as the total impedance in ohms of the circuit or the
total volt-amperes and power factor at a specified value of
current or voltage and frequency.
Ex: the burden of a CT is 25 VA, with 5A secondary.
So the burden in ohms :
25= VI = I*R *I = I²R
25=5*5*R
R= burden in ohms = 1 Ohm

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BURDEN (depending on pilot lead length)

• Moving iron ammeter 1-2VA

• Moving coil rectifier ammeter 1-2.5VA

• Electrodynamics instrument 2.5-5VA

• Maximum demand ammeter 3-6VA

• Recording ammeter or transducer 1-2.5VA

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CT’s for Protection:

Protection symbols V,H,L T and P

1.IEC 60044-1
Accuracy is defined by the accuracy class.
The IEC accuracy classes are 5P and 10P
The IEC ALF values are: 5 - 10 - 15 - 20 - 30.

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Example:
100/1 A 15 VA 5P10

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Protection CT’s In general the following applies:

• Instantaneous over current relays & trip coils - 2.5VA Class 10P5
• Thermal inverse time relays - 7.5VA Class 10P10
• Low consumption Relay - 2.5VA Class 10P10
• Inverse definite min. time relays (IDMT) over current - 15VA Class
10P10/15
• IDMT Earth fault relays with approximate time grading - 15VA
Class
10P10
• IDMT Earth fault relays with phase fault stability or accurate time
grading required - 15VA Class 5P10

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BS 3938 (class X)
BS 3938 specifically defines current transformers designed for
protection under the heading class X.

This defines the rated knee-point voltage VK . . This voltage,

when applied to the terminals of the secondary increased by
10%, causes a maximum increase in magnetizing current of
50%.

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Class PX:
Class X CTs are special CTs used mainly in balanced
protection systems (including restricted earth fault) where
the system is sensitively dependent
on CT accuracy. Further to the general CT specifications, the
manufacturer needs to know:

• Vkp - Voltage knee point

• Io - Maximum magnetizing current at Vkp
• Rs - Maximum resistance of the secondary winding

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The "X" indicates that they do not belong to any standardized class.
They are customized transformers therefore it is necessary to
specify the individual characteristics of the current transformers
such as the turns ratio, rated primary and secondary current,
Voltage knee point, the maximum magnetizing current at the knee
point and the Maximum resistance of the secondary winding.

Class X CTs are generally used where high knee points are require
to prevent operation at higher currents without saturation.

Class X CTs are further divided into Class A and Class B CTs.

Class A CTs are more expensive and are designed to operate even at
maximum fault current without saturating. Class B CTs cost less
and are used in high-impedance applications. They tend to saturate
during transient conditions.
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ERRORS IN CT
1-Ratio error
represent the difference between the rated ratio and the measured
ratio

%E=(actual turns ratio-rated turns ratio)/rated turns ratio *100%

2-Phase error:
represents the phase difference between the primary and the
secondary
currents

delta=θ (Ip)-θ (Is(

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CT Terminal Marking

Primary P1 P2

Secondary:

*single core secondary S1 S2

*single core multi ratio secondary S1-S2,S3

*multi core secondary 1S1, 1S1-2S2,2S2......

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According to IEC 60044-1

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CT Symbols

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CT'S USED IN NEPCO

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For 132 KV Line Circuit

- 800/400/1 A for distance protection and fault location
equipments

- 800/400/1 A for directional overcurrent, earth fault,

sensitive earth fault protection and fault recorder

- 800/400/1A for Busbar zone protection

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For 132 KV Transformer Circuit

HV Side

- 100/1A for restricted earth fault protection

- 100/1A overcurrrent protection

- 1200/600/1A for busbar zone protection

- 100/1A transformer differential protection

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For 33KV Feeder Circuit

- 400/200/1A for over current , earth fault and sensitive

earth fault protection

- 400/200/1 for metering

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For 132KV Transformer Circuit

MV Side
- 800/400/1A for directional overcurrent and earth
fault protection

- 800/400/1A for transformer differential protection

and restricted earth fault protection

- 400/200/1A for metering

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CT’s Used In EDCO

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Current Transformer Nameplate

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Current Transformer Tests

1-polarity test:

Each transformer should be tested in order to verify the

polarity of the current transformer, we perform this test to
check the polarity of a CT.

such that we connect a dc battery to the primary "almost 12

Vdc". and we connect an ammeter to the secondary winding.
a low voltage battery is used to energize the primary
winding, on closing the push button the dc ammeter should
give a positive flick, and at open a negative flick,
.

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According to BS 3938 states that at the instant when

current is flowing from P1 to P2 in primary, then current,
in secondary must flow from S1 to S2 through the
external circuit

Connect battery –ve terminal to the current transformer

P2 primary terminal.

This arrangement will cause current to flow from P1 to

P2 when +ve terminal is connected to P1 until the
primary is saturated. If the polarities are correct, a
momentary current will flow from S1 to S2.

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Connection Diagram Of
Polarity Test

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2-magnetizing current curve.

Several points should be tested on each current transformer

magnetization curve. this can be done energizing the secondary
winding from local main supply through a variable autotransformer,
while the primary circuit remains open.

The magnetizing current is measured on the ammeter, an the

secondary voltage on the voltmeter. the applied voltage should be
raised slowly till the magnetizing current is seen to rise very rapidly
for a small increase of voltage. this indicates the approximate knee-
point or saturation flux level of the current transformer .

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Connection Diagram Of
Magnetizing Curve Test

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3-Insulation Test
In this test we will measure the insulation resistance between the
primary winding and ground And between secondary winding and
ground Between secondary and primary

P1 with E P2 with E S1 and E S2 and E

P1 and S1 P2 and S1 P2 and S1 P2 and S2

4-Secondary resistance test

5-continuity Test:
Determine if there is no broken conductor within the transformer
winding, we will use an ohm meter and connection cord, test
resistance between primary windings terminals,
test resistance between secondary winding terminals.

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6-Ratio Test:

Determine the transformation ratio, we will use a

primary injection set, amps meters, connection cords.

we inject a current into the primary then we record the

secondary and find the ratio.

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7-dc Winding resistance Test:

The CT resistance must be checked during the routine maintenance.
A dc voltage is applied then a voltmeter measure the voltage , then the
current is measured .

The resistance is then

R= V/I

But this resistance must be compared with the manufacturer data

The temperature conversion must be done to the 75 degrees….. ?

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The following factors affect CT prices:

1.Specifying a higher VA or CLASS than necessary usually results

in a higher cost

2.The cost generally increases as the CT's internal diameter

increases

3.A CT’s are usually more expensive than 5A1

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VOLTAGE TRANSFORMER
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VOLTAGE TRANSFORMER
I s a device used to decrease the network voltage into
values can be handled by other equipments.

Equation of VT:

Vp/Vs=Np/Ns

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Secondary Of Voltage Transformer

Rated secondary voltage 100, 100/sqrt3,

110110/sqrt3 volts depending on the type of
connection

IEC 60044-2
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Voltage Transformer Errors

Primary source of errors is overloading
the transformer.

Ratio error:
Represents the difference between the primary voltage
multiplied by the transformation ratio and the secondary
voltage.

E%=(actual ratio-rated ratio)/rated ratio *100%

Phase Error:
Represents the phase difference between the primary side
and the secondary side.

Delta= θ(Vp)-θ(Vs)
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VT Connection
Voltage transformers are commonly used in three-phase groups,
generally in star–star configuration

WYE connection

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OPEN DELTA Connection

It is common to detect earth faults in a three-phase system using the

displacement that occurs in the neutral voltage
windings connected in a broken delta.

The residual voltage (neutral

displacement voltage, polarizing
voltage) for earth fault relays can be
obtained from a three-phase set of VTs,
which have their primary winding
connected
phase to earth and one of the secondary

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Secondary earthing of voltage transformers

To prevent secondary circuits from reaching dangerous potential,
the circuits should be earthed. Earthing should be made at only one
point of a VT secondary circuit

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VT Accuracy Class
Voltage Transformer Accuracy:
Accuracy Grade : represents the ratio and phase error in the
transformer.
Voltage Factor: represents the transformer withstand voltage for
30 sec or for some VT's continuous.
maximum primary voltage can the VT withstand depends on
earthling system and VT primary connection.
IEC specifies
the voltage factors:
1.9 for systems not being solidly earthed.
1.5 for solidly earthed systems.

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Accuracy power: or the burden is the rated load that the VT can
supply at the rated voltage

The standardized values are:

10 - 15 - 25 - 30 - 50 - 75 - 100 - 150 - 200 - 300 - 400 - 500 - VA.

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Voltage transformers used for measuring

The standardized IEC accuracy classes are: 0.1 - 0.2 - 0.5

- 1 - 3.
– Classes 0.1 and 0.2 are only used for laboratory
devices.
– Classes 0.5 and 1 are used in the majority of cases.
– Class 3 is used very little.

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Example:

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Voltage transformer for protection:

The IEC accuracy classes are 3P and 6P. In practice, only class 3P is used

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Types Of Voltage Transformers

shell type

dry type

oil type

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Note:

VT must never be short-circuited on the secondary, because the

power supplied increases and the transformer
can be damaged by the resulting heat rise

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Voltage drop in voltage transformers

The voltage drop in the secondary circuit is of
importance. The voltage drop in the
secondary fuses and long connection wires
can change the accuracy of the measurement.

The voltage drop in the leads from the VT to the

associated equipment must be considered as this, in
practice, can be alarming mainly in case of
measuring circuits. This is the one that separates the
metering circuits (with low burden) from protective
circuits (with higher burdens)

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Voltage Transformer Nameplate

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Voltage Transformer Testing

Polarity Test

Insulation Resistance Test

Ratio Test

continuity Test

High voltage test

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Capacitor Voltage Transformer

In general, the size of an inductive VT is proportional to
its nominal voltage and, for this reason, the cost increases
in a similar manner to that of a high voltage transformer.
One alternative, and a more economic solution, is to use a
capacitor voltage transformer .
A capacitor voltage transformer (CVT) is a transformer
used in power systems to step-down extra- high
voltage signals and provide low voltage signals either for
measurement or to operate a protective relay. In its most
basic form the device consists of three parts:
two capacitors across which the voltage signal is split, an
inductive element used to tune the device to the supply
frequency and a transformer used to isolate and further
step-down the voltage for the instrumentation or
protective relay.

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CVT Equivalent Circuit

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This device is effectively a capacitance voltage divider,

and is similar to a resistive divider in that the output
voltage at the point of connection is affected by the load

in fact the two parts of the divider taken together can be

considered as the source impedance which produces a
drop in voltage when the load is connected

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CVT Nameplate

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VT’S Used In NEPCO

VT’S Used In EDCO

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THE END

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Appendix

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References supporting these papers:

1.SEL protection Instrument Transformers part 7
2.ETC Instrument transformers
3.IEC 60044-1, 60044-2
4. Current Transformer Grounding, netaworld.org by Jim wen
Powell Electrical ,Manufacturing Co
5. C&C Ltd Catalogue & Price List May 2006NOTES ON CURRENT
TRANSFORMERS
6. Current transformers for HV protection by Michel Orlhac
7.Shnider protection guide
8. Current transformer the basics, NK Technologies
9. Protection of Electrical Networks, Christophe Prévé

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