Current transformer

• A current transformer (CT) is a type of transformer that is used to measure alternating current (AC). It produces
a current in its secondary which is proportional to the current in its primary.

Types of current transformer

Wound Current Transformer – The transformers primary winding is physically connected in series with the
conductor that carries the measured current flowing in the circuit. The magnitude of the secondary current is dependent
on the turns ratio of the transformer.

Toroidal Current Transformer – These do not contain a primary winding. Instead, the line that carries the current
flowing in the network is threaded through a window or hole in the toroidal transformer. Some current transformers
have a “split core” which allows it to be opened, installed, and closed, without disconnecting the circuit to which they
are attached.

Bar-type Current Transformer – This type of current transformer uses the actual cable or bus-bar of the main circuit
as the primary winding, which is equivalent to a single turn. They are fully insulated from the high operating voltage of
the system and are usually bolted to the current carrying device.

• The secondary current is usually rated at a standard 1 Ampere or 5 Amperes for larger primary current ratings.

• Metering applications and uses for current transformers such as with Wattmeter’s, power factor meters, watt-
hour meters, protective relays, or as trip coils in magnetic circuit breakers, or MCB’s.
 • By increasing the number of secondary windings, Ns, the secondary current can be made much smaller than the
current in the primary circuit being measured because as Ns increases, Is goes down by a proportional amount.

• A current transformer’s primary usually consist of only 1 turn.

• If a current transformer left open circuited the results is a very high voltage induced in the secondary winding
equal to the ratio of: Vp(Ns/Np) being developed across the secondary winding.

assume 480 volts on the primary

Error in current transformer

The error in current transformer is called current error or ratio error

Difference between current transformer and potential transformer

• Current Transformers (CT):

• The Primary winding of a C.T have smaller number of turns than secondary.

• The secondary of a C.T can not be open circuited on any circumstance when it is under service.

• A CT may be considered as a series transformer.

• The primary current in a C.T is independent of the secondary circuit conditions (burden/load).

• The primary winding of the CT is connected in series with the line carrying the current to be measured. Hence it
carries of the full line current.

• With the help of CT, a 5A ammeter can be used measure a high current like 200A.

• Potential/Voltage Transformers (PT/VT):

• The Primary winding of a P.T have larger number of turns than secondary.

• The secondary of a P.T can be open circuited without any damage being caused either to the operator or the
transformer.

• P.T may be considered as a parallel transformer.

• The primary current of a P.T depends upon the secondary circuit conditions (burden/load).

• The primary winding P.T is connected across the line of voltage to be measured. Hence the full line voltage is
impressed across its terminal.

• With the help of P.T, a 120V voltmeter can be used to measure very high voltages like 11KV.
 Current Transformer

(Laurente)

1. what is current transformer?

Ans. is a type of transformer that is used to measure alternating current (AC). It produces a current in its secondary
which is proportional to the current in its primary.
2. What are the three types of current transformer?
Ans. Wound Current Transformer , Toroidal Current Transformer , Bar-type Current Transformer
3. What is the error in current transformer?
Ans. Current error or ratio error
4. What are the varieties of metering applications and uses for current transformer?
Ans. Wattmeter’s, power factor meters, watt-hour meters, protective relays, or as trip coils in magnetic circuit breakers,
or MCB’s.
5. What is the common secondary current output of a current transformer?
Ans. 1 to 5 amps
6. What is the effect of a secondary current in current transformer by increasing the secondary windings.
Ans. Much more smaller that the primary current
7. How many turns usually a primary winding consist of?
Ans. 1 turn
8. What is the effect if the current transformer left open circuited during operation.
Ans. Very high voltage induce in the secondary
9. Is it okay to leave a current transformer open circuited during operation and why?
Ans. No, because will result in high voltage can cause aftershock
10. What are the difference between CT and PT?
Ans.
Current Transformers (CT):
The Primary winding of a C.T have smaller number of turns than secondary.
The secondary of a C.T can not be open circuited on any circumstance when it is under service.
A CT may be considered as a series transformer.
The primary current in a C.T is independent of the secondary circuit conditions (burden/load).
The primary winding of the CT is connected in series with the line carrying the current to be measured. Hence it carries
of the full line current.
With the help of CT, a 5A ammeter can be used measure a high current like 200A.
Potential/Voltage Transformers (PT/VT):
The Primary winding of a P.T have larger number of turns than secondary.
The secondary of a P.T can be open circuited without any damage being caused either to the operator or the
transformer.
P.T may be considered as a parallel transformer.
The primary current of a P.T depends upon the secondary circuit conditions (burden/load).
The primary winding P.T is connected across the line of voltage to be measured. Hence the full line voltage is impressed
across its terminal.
With the help of P.T, a 120V voltmeter can be used to measure very high voltages like 11KV.