How to select CTs for modern

protection relays?

The Siemens Answer: CT Dimensioning

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CT Measuring vs Protection
Measuring CT

Protection CT

Under over current, the CT

should limit the secondary
current to avoid thermal
overload of the connected
equipment

In case of over current, the

CT should maintain the
secondary current within
the rated limit to enable
proper protection operation

At rated burden (cos =

0.8) and rated security
factor, the composite error
should be > 10%

At rated burden (cos =

0.8) and rated accuracy
limit factor, the composite
error should be less than
5% or 10%

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CT Standards
IEC/AS 60044-1: Instrument transformers - Part 1 Current transformers (ed. 1.2 2003)
IEC/AS 60044-6: Instrument transformers - Part 6
Requirements for protective current transformers for
transient performance
IEC/AS 60044-8: Instrument transformers -Part 8 Electronic current transformers
AS 1675: Current Transformers Measurement &
Protection (now superseded)
BS7626 (BS 3938): Specification for current
transformers (now superseded)

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CT AS 60044 - 1 Class P
Rated Composite Error at ALF
(turn ratio error, iron / copper
losses, saturation)

AS 60044:

5P20 5VA

AS 1765:

5P 100 F20

Rated Secondary Reference Voltage

Vref (the RMS secondary voltage
upon which the performance is based)

Conversion:
Vref I sec = VA ALF
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IEC/AS 60044-1 / BS3938:

multiple of rated current at
which, with rated burden, will
maintain the accuracy
IEC/AS 60044-1 / BS3938
specify Rated Burden

Accuracy Limit Factor (ALF)

(the factor which, when applied
to at rated primary current,
gives the accuracy limit primary
current)

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CT AS 60044 - 1 Class PX
(similar to BS 3938 Class X
AS 1675 Class PL)

0.05PX 450 R3 10VA Kx Rb

Max. exciting
current (Iexc) at
rated knee point
voltage

Dimensioning
Rated resistive
factor (Kx)
burden (Rb)

Rated knee point Max. secondary winding

o
voltage (Ek or Vk) resistance (Rct) at 75 C

Turn ratio error within 0.25%

AS 1675: or 50/Ns whichever the greater,
where Ns = number of secondary turns
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CT Dimensioning
Operational Accuracy Limit Factor ALF
ALF' = ALF

Pi + PN
Ri + RN
= n
Pi + PB
Ri + RB

P + PB
Ri + RB
ALF = ALF' i
= ALF'
Pi + PN
Ri + RN

Rated CT burden:
Internal CT burden:

PN
Pi=Ri I2N2

Actually connected
burden :

PB= RB I2N2

with: RB=RL+RR= total burden resistance

RL= resistance of connecting cable
RR= relay burden resistance
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CT Dimensioning
Operational Accuracy Limit Factor ALF
I
ALF ' K OD SC
IN
Where KOD is the total
over-dimensioning factor:

K OD K TF K Rem
K Rem

% remanence
= 1+
100

Theory:
No saturation during
BMax
XN
K'
TF
=
=
1
+

T
N
=
1
+
total fault duration:

B~

No saturation for
the specified time tM:

RN

tM
tM

T
N TS
K ' 'TF = 1+
(e TN e TS
TN TS

Practice:

K OD = KTF
Remanence only considered in extra high
voltage systems (EHV)
KTF-values acc. to relay manufacturers guides
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CT Dimensioning
Choice of CT rated power
Rated burden > total connected burden
For GIS and MV switchboard with modern
relays/measuring devices, class P 1A CTs
with small rated burden are sufficient, e.g.
5VA, 10VA
Choice of Accuracy Limit Factor
Relay manufacturers recommendation
should be followed + engineering secuirty
factor
CT performance depends on operational
ALF

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CT Dimensioning
Choice of CT Ratio
CT ratio should be based on the protected object,
however, it may need to be go higher:
limitation of difference in CT ratio for low impedance
differential protection as recommended by the relay
manufacturer
Avoid excessive over-dimensioning:
Imax, switchgear / Ipri-rated > 100 !
Such CT can damage the relay because there is no CT saturation

If a more precise estimation of the CT performance is

necessary, then RCT and the magnetising curve is required.

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CT Dimensioning
Choice of Measuring CT
For classes 0.1 1, the accuracy is based on a total connected
burden between 25% to 100% of the rated burden
For classes 0.1, 0.2 and 0.2S with rated burden < 15VA, an
extended range of burden can be specified (from 1VA to 100% of
the rated burden)
For classes 3 and 5, the accuracy is based on a total connected
burden between 50% to 100% of rated burden
Instrument security factor (FS) defines the maximum secondary
current that will flow under short circuit of primary circuit
Instrument security factor (FS) is based on the rated burden
Under-burdened measuring CT can damage connected
instrument during short circuit or overload of the primary circuit

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CT Dimensioning
Overcurrent Protection
CT saturation is allowable provided the remaining fundamental current is
higher than I>> setting

Isec, fundamental > I >

Isec,funfamental > I >>

Pn + PCT I >>
ALF' = ALF
>
P'+ PCT
In

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CT Dimensioning
Differential Protection
Differential protection should be stable on external faults
High sensitivity for internal fault
Protected Object

Relay
Type

Requirement for Internal Faults

Requirements for External Faults

min. saturation
free time (ms)

min. over
dimensioning
KTF

min. saturation
free time (ms)

min. over
dimensioning
KTF

Generator

7UM6

0.75

1.20

Transformer

7UT6

0.75

1.20

O/H Line, Cable with digital

communication

7SD52

0.50

1.20

7SD61

0.50

1.20

O/H Line, Cable with pilot wires

7SD600

1.20

1.00

Busbar

7SS52

0.50

0.50

7SS600

0.75

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CT symmetry

0.75

4
0.75
Siemens.
Innovation
for generations.