Instrument

Transformer
Lec 2
 Definition
• The transformers which are used in conjunction with measuring
instruments and protective relays.
• Basic function of Instrument transformers is to step down the AC
System voltage and current.
• The voltage and current level of power system is very high.
• It is very difficult and costly to design the measuring instruments for
measurement of such high level voltage and current. So Instrument
transformers are being used.
 Advantages of Instrument
Transformers
1.The large voltage and current of AC Power system can be measured by using small rating
measuring instrument i.e. 5 A, 110 – 120 V.
2.Provide Electrical isolation from primary voltage in a mean to safety for both personnel
and equipment.
3.Due to low voltage and current level in measuring and protective circuit, there is low
power consumption in measuring and protective circuits.
 Types of Instrument
Transformers
• Instrument transformers are of two types –Current Transformer (C.T.)
• Potential Transformer (P.T.)
 Current Transformer (CT)

Definition
A current transformer is an instrument transformer, used along with measuring or protective
devices, in which the secondary current is proportional to the primary current (under normal
conditions of operation) and differs from it by an angle that is approximately zero.
Functions
Current transformers perform the following functions:
• Current transformers supply the protective relays with currents of magnitude proportional
to those of power circuit but sufficiently reduced in magnitude.
• The measuring devices cannot be directly connected to the high magnitude supplies. Hence
current transformers are used to supply those devices with currents of magnitude
proportional to those of power.
• A current transformer also isolates the measuring instruments from high voltage circuits.
 Types of CT
Based on the function performed by the current transformer, it can be classified is follows:
Measuring current transformers. These current transformers are used along with the measuring
devices for the measurement of current, energy, and power.
Protective current transformers. These current transformers are used along with the protection
equipment's such as trip coils, relays, etc.

Based on the function construction, it can also be classified as follows:

Bar Type. This type consists of a bar of suitable size and material forming an integral part of the
transformer.
Wound Type. This type has a primary winding of more than one full turn wound over the core.
Window Type. This type has no primary winding. The secondary wind of the CT is placed around
the current flowing conductor. The magnetic electric field created by current flowing through the
conductor induces current in the secondary winding, which is used for measurement.
 Current Transformer
• A transformer is a device which consists of two
windings called primary and secondary.
• It transfers energy from one side to another with
suitable change in the level of current or voltage.
• A current transformer basically has a primary coil
of one or more turns of heavy cross section area.
• The bar carrying high current is primary side
which is connected in series with the line carrying
high current.
• The secondary side is made up of a large number
of turns of wires having cross sectional area.
 Working Principal
• The basic principle of the current transformer is the same as that of the power transformer. Like the
power transformer, the current transformer also contains a primary and a secondary winding.
Whenever an alternating current flows through the primary winding, alternating magnetic flux is
produced, which then induces alternating current in the secondary winding. In the case of current
transformers, the load impedance or “burden” is very small. Therefore the current transformer
operates under short circuit conditions. Also the current in the secondary winding does not depend on
load impedance but instead depends on the current flowing in the primary winding.

• The current transformer basically consists of an iron core upon which primary and secondary windings
are wound. The primary winding of the transformer is connected in series with the load and carries the
actual current flowing to the load, while the secondary winding is connected to a measuring device or
a relay. The number of secondary turns is proportional to the current flowing through the primary; i.e.,
the larger the magnitude of current flowing through the primary, more the number of secondary
turns.

• The ratio of primary current to the secondary current is known as the current transformation ratio of
the CT. Usually the current transformation ratio of the CT is high. Normally the secondary ratings are of
the order 5 A, 1 A, 0.1 A, whereas the primary ratings vary from 10 A to 3000 A or more.

• The CT handles much less power. Rated burden can be defined as the product of current and voltage at
the secondary side of the CT. It is measured in volt ampere (VA).
 Working principle of CT
• These transformers are basically step down transformers. Thus the current reduces from primary to
secondary. So, from current point of view it is actually step down transformers.
Let,

N1= Number of turns of Primary

N2= Number of turns of Secondary

I1= Primary Current

I2= Secondary Current

Then,
For example, consider a 500:5 range then it indicates that the CT steps down the current from primary to
secondary by a ratio of 500 to 5.
 Example
• A 250:5 current transformer is used along with an ammeter. If
ammeter reading is 2.7 A. estimate the line current.
 Example
• A 250:5 current transformer is used along with an ammeter. If
ammeter reading is 2.7 A. estimate the line current.
 Relay Burden
• The total impedance on the secondary side is the sum of relay burden, lead wire resistance.
• The secondary load of a current transformer is termed the "burden" to distinguish it from the
primary circuit load.
• Burden is expressed as the circuit connected to the secondary and its resistance and reactance.
The British method is to specify the burden on the CT in VA ( volt ampere) at rated secondary
current at specified power factor. Example- we can express the burden as 0.5 ohm impedance or
12.5 volt amperes at 5 amperes.
• When the relay is connected to the circuit of an instrument transformer, it becomes a load. The
Potential or Current Transformer acts as the source.
• When designing the Protection Scheme, we must ensure that the Potential Transformer or the
Current Transformer does not get overloaded.
• This is done by adding the VA burden of each protection relay in the system. Every Relay will have
the VA burden mentioned in the manual. The total VA burden imposed by all the relays should be
calculated. The VA capacity of the instrument transformer should be greater than this.
• While designing a system, the instrument transformer should have an excess capacity of 10% of
the present load.
 Potential Transformer (PT)
• Potential transformer is used to step down the voltage of power system to a
lower level to make is feasible to be measured by small rating voltmeter i.e.
110 –120 V voltmeter. A typical connection diagram of a potential transformer
is showing figure below.
 Potential Transformer (PT)
The primary winding consists of a large number of turns which is connected across the high voltage side
or the line in which measurements have to be taken or to be protected. The secondary winding has lesser
number of turns which is connected to the voltmeters, or potential coils of wattmeter and energy meters,
relays and other control devices. These can be single phase or three phase potential transformers.
Irrespective of the primary voltage rating, these are designed to have the secondary output voltage of
110 V.

Since the voltmeters and potential coils of other meters have high impedance, a small current flows
through the secondary of PT. Therefore, PT behaves as an ordinary two winding transformer operating on
no load. Due to this low load (or burden) on the PT, the VA ratings of PTs are low and in the range of 50 to
200 VA. On the secondary side, one end is connected to the ground for safety reasons as shown in figure.
Similar to the normal transformer, the transformation ratio is specified as

V1/V2 = N1/N2
From the above equation, if the voltmeter reading and transformation ratio are known, then high voltage
side voltage can be determined.
 Types of Potential Transformer
The potential transformer is mainly classified into two types, i.e., the conventional wound
types (electromagnetic types) and the capacitor voltage potential transformers.

Conventional wound type transformer is very expensive because of the requirement of the
insulations. Capacitor potential transformer is a combination of capacitor potential divider
and a magnetic potential transformer of relatively small ratio.
The circuit diagram of the capacitor potential transformer is
shown in the figure below. The stack of high voltage capacitor
from the potential divider, the capacitors of two sections
become C1 and C2.

The voltage applied to the primary of the intermediate transformer is usually of the order
10kV. Both the potential divider and the intermediate transformer have the ratio and
insulation requirement which are suitable for economical construction.
 Working Principle
• Primary of P.T. is having large no. of turns. Primary is connected across
the line (generally between on line and earth). Hence, sometimes it is
also called the parallel transformer.

• •Secondary of P.T. is having few turns and connected directly to a

voltmeter. As the voltmeter is having large resistance. Hence the
secondary of a P.T. operates almost in open circuited condition.
• •One terminal of secondary of P.T. is earthed to maintain the
secondary voltage with respect to earth. Which assures the safety of
operators
 Ratio Error
• In practice it is said that the current transformation ratio I1/I2 should
be equal to turns ratio N2/N1.
• But in practical it is not same because of the magnetizing and core
loss components of the exciting current. It also get affected by the
secondary current and its power factor.
• Thus the transformation ratio is not constant but depends on the load
current, power factor of load and exciting current of the transformer.
• For this reason errors are induced in the measurements done by the
instrument transformer which is called ratio error.
 Example
• A 225:5 current transformer is used along with an ammeter. If
ammeter reading is 4.9 A with a primary current 224A at CT. estimate
the error ratio.
CT ratio two methods are applied one is
1. Clumping meter method,
2. anther is CT analyzer.