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Current Transformer - Definition, Principle,

Equivalent Circuit, Errors, and Types
Updated on May 29, 2018

OSBERT JOEL C
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Electrical and Automation Engineer . Specialized in LV Switchgear Design and process

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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.

Current Transformer

Principle
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).

The secondary of a current transformer should not be disconnected from its rated burden while
current is flowing in the primary. As the primary current is independent of the secondary current,
the entire primary current acts as a magnetizing current when secondary is opened. This results
in deep saturation of the core, which cannot return to normal state and so the CT is no longer
usable.

Types: Bar, Wound, and Window

Bar type current transformer

Wound type current transformer

Window type current transformer

Types
Based on the function performed by the current transformer, it can be classified is follows:

1. Measuring current transformers. These current transformers are used along with the
measuring devices for the measurement of current, energy, and power.
2. Protective current transformers. These current transformers are used along with the
protection equipments such as trip coils, relays, etc.

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

1. Bar Type. This type consists of a bar of suitable size and material forming an integral
part of the transformer.
2. Wound Type. This type has a primary winding of ore than one full turn wound over the
core.
3. 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.

Figure 1 - Phasor diagram of an ideal CT

Figure 2 - Phasor diagram of an actual CT

Errors
The ideal current transformer may be defined as one in which any primary condition is
reproduced in the secondary circuit in the exact ratio and phase relationship. The phasor diagram
for an ideal current transformer is shown in Figure 1.

For an ideal transformer:

Ip Tp = Is Ts

Ip / Is = Ts / Tp

Therefore the ratio of primary and secondary winding currents equal to the turns ratio. Also the
primary and secondary winding currents are exactly 1800 in phase.

In an actual transformer, the windings have resistance and reactance and also the transformer has
magnetizing and loss component of current to maintain the flux (see Figure 2). Therefore, in an
actual transformer the ratio of current is not equal to the turns ratio and also there is a phase
difference between the primary current and the secondary currents reflected back on the primary
side and consequently we have ratio error and phase angle error.

Kn = turns ratio

= number of secondary winding turns / number of primary winding turns,

rs, xs = resistance and reactance respectively of the secondary winding,

rp, xp = resistance and reactance respectively of the primary winding,

Ep, Es = primary and secondary induced voltages respectively,

Tp, Ts = number of primary winding and secondary winding turns respectively,

Ip, Is = primary and secondary winding currents respectively,

θ = phase angle of the transformer

Φm = working flux of the transformer

δ = angle between secondary induced voltage and secondary current,

Io = exciting current,

Im = magnetizing component of exciting current

Il = loss component of exciting current,

α = angle between Io and Φm

Actual transformation ratio

R = Ip / Is

= Kn + (Il cos δ + Im sin δ)/ KnIs

Phase angle θ = 180/ π (Il cos δ + Im sin δ)/ KnIs

Ratio error = (KnIs - Ip)/ Ip x 100%

= (Kn – R) / R x 100 %

Secondary Current Rating

The value of the rated secondary current is 5A. A secondary current rating of 2A and 1A may
also be used in some cases if the number of secondary turns is low and the ratio cannot be
adjusted within the required limits by the addition or removal of one turn, if the length of
secondary connecting lead is such that the burden due to them at higher secondary current would
be excessive.

The disadvantage of making transformers with lower secondary current ratings is that they
produce much higher voltage if they are ever accidentally left open circuited. For this reason, it is
better to adopt 5 A rating at the secondary.

Turns Compensation
Turns compensation is used in current transformers in order to reduce ratio error. If the phase
angle of secondary is zero;

R = Kn + Il/ Is

The reduction in the number of secondary turns will reduce the actual transformation ratio b an
equal percentage. Usually the best number of secondary turns is 1 or 2 fewer than the number
that will make Kn equal to the nominal current ratio of the transformer.

Terminology of Current Transformer

Rated transformation ratio. The ratio transformation ratio is defined as the ratio of the rated
primary current to the rated secondary current.

Current error (ratio error). The percentage error in the magnitude of the secondary current is
defined by the following formula:

Ratio error = (KnIs - Ip)/ Ip x 100%

Ip, Is = primary and secondary winding currents respectively,

Kn = turns ratio
Accuracy class. Accuracy class tells you how accurate the current transformer is. Accuracy class
shall be 0.2, 0.5, 1, 3 or 5. For example, if the accuracy class of a current transformer is 1, then
the ratio error will be ±1% at the rated primary value.

Phase displacement. The difference in phase between the primary and the secondary current
phasors, the direction of the phasors being chosen such that the angle is zero for a perfect
transformer.

Rated secondary current. The value of rated secondary current shall be 5 A. The secondary
currents rating of 2 and 1 A may also be used in some case.

Rated burden. The product of current and voltage at the secondary side of the CT is called the
rated burden. It is measured in volt ampere (VA).

Table 1 - Rated Primary Current

ampere ampere ampere ampere ampere
0.5 10 100 1000 10000
1 12.5 125 1250
2.2 15 150 1500
5 20 200 2000
25 250 2500
30 300 3000
40 400 4000
50 500 5000
60 600 6000
75 750 7500
800

Temperature Rise
The temperature rise of the current transformer's winding when carrying a rated primary current,
at rated frequency and with rated burden, should not exceed the approximate values given in
Table 2.

Table 2 - Limits of Temperature Rise of Windings

Class of Insulation Max Temperature Rise (Deg. Celsius)
All classes immersed in oil 60
All classes immersed in bituminous compound 50
Y 45
 Class of Insulation Max Temperature Rise (Deg. Celsius)
A 60
E 75
B 85
F 110
H 135
If the current transformer is specified for service at altitudes exceeding 100 m and tested at an
altitude below 1000m, limits of the temperature rise given in this table shall be reduced in the
following amounts for each 100 m excess over 1000m alti

Questions & Answers

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Comments
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BONNY

3 days ago

when the ct secondary is open circuited there will be high voltage, and when we connect
the burden to the secondary- does it mean the burden has high voltage rating?which
corresponds to the open circuit voltage of ct secondary?

Jagadeesh

6 months ago

Can you explain simply about ct

shivdeimittal@gmail.com

10 months ago

nice explanation of c.t.



Fayzan Ali Awan

10 months ago

Oh nice dear

 AUTHOR

OSBERT JOEL C

13 months ago from CHENNAI

Please check your CT rating and input the primary in the controller.

abel

13 months ago

ive just replace a Power Factor Regulator at a switch board.

Ive got to key in the Current Transformer Primary Value.

The range is between 5 - 10000.

What does it mean by that..

Please advice.

Thanks.
 AUTHOR

OSBERT JOEL C

14 months ago from CHENNAI

Kindly let me know the primary current.

Anudeep

16 months ago

i want to know what happens to a 500.5A, class 5p15 , 30VA CT When 12 KA fault
current flows through it?

Secondary total burden along with CT resistance is 1.25ohms.

How is error calculated with Burden ?

ravindra napit

17 months ago

Very nice


saud alam

2 years ago

Thanks sir

chintan vyas

2 years ago

To good.....all the information is on the mark.

Bt i suggest you to represent the explanation in point wise method.

Thank you sir

wkaar

2 years ago

current transformer mathematical equations?


 jitender chauhan

2 years ago

Up to point contents are include.Nice

sijil rajan

2 years ago

Thank you for this site

abilash

2 years ago

Very good answers,to be showing point wise is good to study.

trilok sinha

3 years ago

Thank you for knowdge in this site



chandan kumar

3 years ago

thank you sir for this

 AUTHOR

OSBERT JOEL C

3 years ago from CHENNAI

Did you mean high temperature type transformer?

These are designed for metering inside high ambient temperature

environments (135ºC). these transformers can be mounted directly upon the energized
busbar.

fazlullah

3 years ago

what's hot temperature Current transfarmar.

Mohit yadav
 3 years ago

Good answer but i suggest important points are write in point wise. Thank you sir

 AUTHOR

OSBERT JOEL C

4 years ago from CHENNAI

thank you rabindra sahoo

rabindra sahoo

4 years ago

Good answer

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