CURRENT TRANSFORMES:

Er. A.S. Kandasamy (CE/Transmission)

INTRODUCTION:
The most widely used input quantity, in the application of protective relays is current.
The source of this quantity is from current Transformer (CTs) which are located on or near the
protected equipment. CTs are used to provide isolation from the power system and reduction in
magnitude to a level usable by relays and meters. Protective relays use this quantity in numerous
ways to determine if the protected system is abnormal and requires isolation. Failure of CTs to
perform as designed, has resulted in failure to trip, failure to trip promptly and tripping when not
required.
Many of these failures can be traced to incomplete or improper testing of the CTs and
the associated circuitry. (This manual for field testing of relaying CTs is written to provide
testing personnel with the basis to properly test the CTs.)
Accuracy class:
Understanding of the accuracy class of a CT is necessary for proper testing and
evaluation.