REALISTIC SPECIFICATION FOR CURRENT TRANSFORMER

Dr. K Rajamani and Ms. Bina Mitra

Reliance Energy Ltd., Mumbai
IM = Magnetising component
1. INTRODUCTION
Current transformers (CT), though may appear
quiet insignificant in the huge electrical power
network, play a vital role in protection and
metering systems. The key elements in a
protection system (Refer Fig.1) are:
i. Instrument transformers (Current and voltage
transformers) sensors in the system.
ii. Protective relays locating and initiating
isolation of faults in the system.
iii. Circuit breaker isolating faults from the
system.
iv. AC and DC wiring related to the above
elements.

Primary connected to current source

Fig.2. Equivalent Circuit of Current Transformer

1.2 Phasor diagram of current transformer
Refer Fig. 3 for phasor diagram of current
transformer.

: Flux
ISRS : Secondary resistance voltage drop
ISXS : Secondary reactance voltage drop
IP NP : Total primary ampere turns.
ICNp : Component of primary ampere turns
required to supply core losses (usually
very small)
IM NP : Component of primary ampere turns
required to produce the flux.
ISNS : Secondary Ampere Turns.
IP NP : Component of primary Ampere Turns
required to neutralize secondary Ampere
Turns; opposite to ISNS
For bar primary, NP =1

Fig.1. Protection System

Faults in the system can be cleared successfully
when all the above elements of protection chain
work perfectly. The success of fault clearance,
irrespective of use of advanced numerical relays
and VCBs is still critically dependent on faithful
reproduction of primary quantities on secondary
side by instrument transformers. This paper
discusses realistic specification of current
transformer in particular to achieve the above
objective. Initially few basic concepts which play a
vital role in specifying current transformer
parameters are explained.

Fig. 3. Phasor Diagram of Current Transformer

1.1 Equivalent circuit of current transformer

Refer Fig. 2 for equivalent circuit of current
transformer.
ES = Secondary induced EMF
VS = Secondary output voltage
IP = Primary current
IS = Secondary current
IE = Exciting current
Ic = Core loss component

As seen from the phasor diagram, the primary

current IP is made up of two components:
i. Exciting current IE - magnetizes the core and
supplies the core losses.
ii. Reflected secondary current - IP.
The errors in current transformation are due to the
exciting current. The proportionality between
primary current and secondary current is not
1

important role in specifying parameters for both

general protection class and special protection
class CTs.

strictly maintained and results in magnitude (ratio)

and phase angle errors.
1.3 CT saturation
When a CT is saturated, the tight linear
relationship between primary and secondary is lost
and the CT is unable to replicate faithfully. Under
healthy conditions very little current is used for
excitation and majority of the primary current is
transformed into secondary (Refer Fig.4).

2. CURRENT TRANSFORMER
CLASSIFICATION
Current transformers may be classified in the
following categories based on the application:
i. General protection class used for protective
relaying.
ii. Special protection class (Class PS) used in
current balance protection schemes.
iii. Metering class used in metering circuits.
3. PARAMETERS FOR CURRENT
TRANSFOMER SPECIFICATION
The key parameters required for complete current
transformer specification:
i. C.T. Ratio
ii. Number of cores

Fig.4. Healthy Current Transformer

However, under saturation conditions, majority of
the primary current is used in exciting the core and
very little is transformed into secondary current
which flows in the burden (Refer Fig 5).

3.1 Parameters based on application of current

transformer
3.1.1 General protection class
i. Accuracy class
ii. Accuracy limit factor (A.L.F)
iii. Rated burden
3.1.2 Special protection class
i. Knee point voltage (Vk)
ii. Exciting current (Iex)
iii. Secondary winding resistance (Rct)

Fig.5. Saturated Current Transformer

3.1.3 Metering class

i. Accuracy class
ii. Instrument security factor (I.S.F)
iii. Rated burden

The CT excitation characteristic linearity is

maintained up to knee point voltage (Vk) (defined
later) (Refer .Fig.6). Beyond knee point voltage,
current transformer starts saturating.

4. CT RATIO
CT ratio is defined as the ratio of rated primary
current to the rated secondary current.
4.1 Rated primary current
Factors influencing rated primary current:
i. Rating based on continuous thermal rating
A:
Maximum load current (mandatory) + 20%
overload capacity.
ii. Rating based on short time thermal rating
B: Rated short time current for 1 sec / 150
The higher current of the above two values (IA, IB)
decides primary current rating. This ensures robust
construction of the current transformer.

Fig.6. CT Excitation Characteristic

1.4 Voltage developed across CT secondary
Another important function of a current transformer
is to develop enough voltage to drive required
current through circuit burden in addition to
faithfully reproducing the primary current. In case
of CT saturation, since major portion of primary
current is used in exciting the core, the CT is
unable to develop enough voltage across CT
secondary to drive the required current through
the connected burden. This concept plays an

Short circuit current through the current

transformer can be maximum 150 times the rated
CT current for 1 sec. Based on 2t criteria, in case
fault current (F) is larger than 150 times the rated
primary current, then short circuit withstand time
will be less than t seconds,
t = 1502 P2 / F2
The fault shall be cleared within t seconds to
avoid CT damage.
Eg: CT Ratio = 200 / 1
2

Specifying ALF > 20 is not useful as relay

operating time characteristic flattens out at 20
times rated current (Refer Fig.7).

Fault Current IF = 40kA

Short Circuit withstand time t = 1502 x 2002 /
(40,000)2 = 0.57 sec
The fault shall be cleared within 0.6 sec to avoid
damage of current transformer.
A special mention is required for CTs used for
equipment of small rating connected to high
voltage and high short circuit level networks. In
such networks low ratio CTs will be heavily
saturated under short circuit conditions causing
mal operation of over current protection. For such
situations IEEE (C37.20.2) recommends use of
two sets of CTs. One set with a low ratio to be
used for metering and another set with a high ratio
to be used for protection. The combination can
thus provide accurate metering and adequate
short circuit protection. This may be useful
particularly in design of auxiliary system of power
plants where the motor rating at 6.6kV can vary
from 200kW to 9000kW. The rating of CT for
protection application may be standardized as per
the criteria given above whereas the ratings for
metering CTs may vary as per the individual load
ratings.

Fig.7. IDMT Characteristics

A.L.F. is relevant only for protection class CTs
since it is required to retain specified accuracy at
current values above normal rating to faithfully
reflect the fault currents. A.L.F is not relevant for
CTs mounted on neutral circuit in medium and
high resistance grounded systems and for
metering class.

4.2 Rated secondary current

The standard CT secondary current ratings are 1A
and 5A. The selection is based on the lead burden
used for connecting the CT to meters/ relays. 5A
CT can be used when current transformer and
protective devices are located within same
switchgear. 1 A CT is preferred if CT lead goes out
of the switchgear. For example, if CT is located in
switch yard and CT leads have to be taken to relay
panels located in control room which can be away,
1A CT is preferred to reduce the lead burden. For
CT with very high lead length, CT with secondary
current rating of 0.5A can be used.

5.3 Rated burden

Burden is the load burden in VA, of all equipment
connected to CT secondary circuit, at rated CT
secondary current.
Burden and accuracy limit factor (ALF) are two
sides of the same coin. The selection of these two
parameters depends on the voltage required to be
developed by the current transformer during faults.
For protection class CTs the actual voltage
required on CT secondary (Refer Fig. 8)
VACTUAL = IF (RCT + 2 * RL+ RR) ,where
IF = Reflected fault current, RCT = CT resistance,
RL = Lead resistance, RR = Relay resistance

In large generator circuits, where primary rated

current is of the order of few kilo-amperes only 5A
CTs are used. 1A CTs are not preferred since the
turns ratio becomes very high and CT becomes
unwieldy.
5. GENERAL PROTECTION CLASS
5.1 Accuracy class
Standard accuracy classes available are 5P and
10P. The figure 5 in 5P indicates the accuracy
limit in percent expressed in terms of composite
error. Generally, 5P Class CTs are employed.
5.2 Accuracy limit factor (A.L.F)
Accuracy limit factor (A.L.F) is the ratio of largest
value of current to CT rated current, up to which
CT must retain the specified accuracy.
Example: C.T.: 5P20, 5 VA. In this case, ALF = 20
and composite error < 5 % up to 20 times rated
current for burden of 5VA. If the actual burden < 5
VA, composite error is less than 5%, even for
currents > 20 times rated current.

Fig.8
It may be mentioned in passing that, even if very
low burden numerical relays are used, only RR in
above expression is low but other factors are
significant.
The design value of CT secondary voltage is given
by
VDESIGN = Burden x Accuracy Limit Factor (A.L.F)
RAT (Secondary)
3

During external fault conditions CT2 presents

short circuit when it is saturated (Refer Fig. 11).

As the rated CT secondary current is known, any

standard value of A.L.F and burden may be
selected to satisfy
Design voltage across CT > Actual volts required,
VDESIGN > VACTUAL
Example:
CT : Ratio - 800 /1: 5P20, 10 VA
IF =30kA; RCT = 3 ; RL = 1; RR = 0
VACTUAL = (30000/800) * (3 + 2*1) = 187.5 V
VDESIGN = 20 x 10 / 1 = 200 V
The chosen parameters are acceptable since
VDESIGN > VACTUAL.

Fig.11
Now, CT1 has to develop enough voltage to drive
current through the complete CT circuit.
VREQUIRED during external fault condition with CT2
saturated,
VREQUIRED = IF (Rct1 + RL1+RL3+Rct2 + RL4+ RL2)
Assuming, Rct1 = Rct2 = Rct and
RL1= RL3= RL4= RL2= RL
VREQUIRED = IF (2*Rct + 4*RL)
VREQUIRED = 2* IF (Rct + 2*RL)
Therefore, knee point voltage, for Class PS CTs is
Vk (min) > VREQUIRED = 2 * IF (RCT + 2RL)
where,
VK (min) = Minimum Knee Point Voltage
IF = Max. through fault current to which CTs
are subjected to.
RCT = C.T secondary resistance typically varies
from 1 to 8
RL = Lead resistance typically 8 ohms / km for
2.5 mm2 Cu control cable

6. SPECIAL PROTECTION CLASS

6.1 Knee point voltage (Vk)
Knee point voltage (VK) at which CT starts
saturating is defined as the point where exciting
current increases by 50% for 10% increase in
voltage (Refer Fig. 6). Knee point voltage is
relevant only during external fault conditions and
does not have significance during normal
operating conditions. The knee point voltage (Vk)
for Class PS CTs used in high impedance scheme
is calculated for the worst condition that one of the
CTs is fully saturated and the other CT has to
develop enough voltage to drive current through
the other CT circuit to ensure stability during
external fault.
A typical current balanced scheme which operates
by sensing the difference of two or more currents
measured by the CTs located on two sides of the
protected object is shown in Fig. 9.

Modern numerical relays offer low impedance

biased schemes as an alternate which achieves
stability during through faults by algorithmic
calculation after measuring CT secondary
currents. In such cases, the CT requirements
furnished by relay manufacturer may be followed.
6.1.1 Fault current for CT sizing
Following guidelines are used for choosing
appropriate fault current IF for knee point voltage
calculations of CTs used in biased differential
protection scheme of transformer to avoid CT
oversizing:
i. LT side of transformer - LT system fault current
or 20 times rated current of LT CT, whichever is
lower.
ii. HT side of transformer - HT system fault current
or 20 times rated current of HT CT, whichever is
lower.

Fig.9. Current Balanced Scheme

The rational for the above is as follows:

During internal fault conditions, CT2 presents an

open circuit (Refer Fig. 10).

i. In case of LT side fault, fault current will not

exceed 20 times rated current assuming
minimum transformer impedance as 5%.
ii. In case of HT side fault, only CTs on HT side
carry current. Assume relay pickup setting as
10% (0.1 A for 1A CT) and fault current 20 times
rated current. Now, even if 19A is consumed in
saturation, the available secondary current of 1A
is enough to operate the relay.

Fig.10
4

3 KA
RAT
e.g. - ------- = ------------- = 0. 05 5%
2F
2 x30 KA
As seen from above, under healthy conditions,
voltage required to be developed by CT is only 5%
of the knee point voltage. Therefore, specifying EX
@ VK / 4 (25%) is more than adequate whereas
specifying EX @ VK / 2 (50%) is a conservative
design resulting in bigger size of CTs. The exciting
current at VK / 4 is less than that at VK / 2 (Refer
Fig. 14). Considering a limiting value of 30mA for
exciting current, specifying 30mA @ Vk/4 is
adequate.

6.2 Exciting current (IEX)

Error in transformation is due to exciting current
(IEX) because of which the proportionality between
primary and secondary current is not maintained.
For Class PS CT, this proportionality is retained to
a high degree by specifying a low exciting current.
Usually IEX <30mA is specified for 1A CT and IEX <
150mA is specified for 5A CT at VK / 4.
6.2.1 Why IEX <30mA or IEX <150mA?
In current balanced scheme to avoid mal operation
of protection scheme during normal operating
conditions, the spill current through the differential
relay should be less than the relay pick up (Refer
Fig. 12).

Fig.12
Therefore for such schemes the relay pickup
current is set based on the number of CTs in the
circuits and the exciting current for each CT.
Assuming a relay pickup of 10% i.e 0.1 A for a 1A
CT, the exciting current of CTs can be <30mA
when used for a three winding transformer (Refer
Fig.13). It can be even 45mA for a 1A CT for a two
winding transformer. On similar lines 150mA is
normally specified for 5A CT.

Fig.14
Generally identical class PS CTs are used in both
sides of the protected equipment. It is not
necessary to order both CTs from same vendor as
long as class PS requirements are met. Point by
point matching of saturation characteristics for the
CTs is not mandatory and not required. For
example, if EX < 30 mA @ VK/4 for both the CTs,
they are acceptable. (Refer Fig. 15).

Fig.13
Fig.15

6.2.2 EX to be specified at VK / 4 or VK / 2?
is relevant only during normal operating
EX
conditions to ensure stability and prevent false
tripping and is not relevant during faults. Under
fault conditions,
Knee point voltage (Vk) = 2F (RCT + 2 RL)
Under normal conditions,
RAT
VCT = RAT (RCT + 2 RL) = Vk ------2F

A point may be noted here that it is not mandatory

to use Class PS CTs in current balanced schemes.
General protection class CTs can be used as long
as the CT have low exciting current and is able to
develop enough knee point voltage required for the
said application. The site test results given in table
(Table-1) shows that the exciting current for a
protection class CT is less than that of a Class PS
CT. Also, it has a higher knee point voltage
compared to a Class PS CT.
5

CTs. The site test results given in the table below

(Table-2) shows that knee point voltage for a
metering CT is much less than that of a protection
class CT. This is one way to identify metering core
at site.

Special Protection
General Protection
Class
Class
1600/5A, Cl. PS, Vk >
1600/5A, Cl. 5P20, 20VA
130, Ie < 150mA @
Vk/4, Rct < 0.8 ohm
Current
Current
Volts
Volts
(mA)
(mA)
10

10

10

75

42

40

12

130

71

80

20

143

85

120

33

158 (Vk)

111

171 (Vk)

77

174

181

190

132

Table-1
6.3 Secondary winding resistance (Rct)
Winding resistance is part of the CT burden and is
taken into account while determining knee point
voltage requirement of CT. For special protection
class CTs (Class PS), CT secondary winding
resistance is usually specified. However it is
preferable to furnish expression for knee point
voltage, fault current and lead resistance values
and not to specify both knee point voltage and Rct
to the vendor. The vendor can then optimally
choose Rct to get the desired knee point voltage.
This will avoid oversizing of CTs.

Metering Class

General Protection
Class

1600/5A, Cl. 0.5, 15VA

1600/5A, Cl. 5P20,

20VA

Volts

Current
(mA)

Volts

Current
(mA)

40

12

10

80

20

20

12

120

33

30 (Vk)

22

171 (Vk)

77

33

33

190

132

Table-2
Generally I.S.F. is specified less than 5. However
this does not have much practical significance and
I.S.F = 10 is acceptable as the ammeters and
current coils of meters are designed to withstand
10 times the rated current for 5 seconds.
It may be noted that a current transformer with
high accuracy class and low I.S.F cannot be
realised in practice. High accuracy class requires
low excitation current which in turn results in
bigger core. The saturation point of a bigger core
is high which contradicts the requirement of low
I.S.F.

7. METERING CLASS
7.1 Accuracy class
Accuracy class is defined as the maximum ratio
error at rated current and at rated burden. Class
0.1, 0.2 and 0.5 CTs are used for precision
industrial metering / tariff metering. As per IS 2705 accuracy is not guaranteed for current less
than 20% of the rated current. If current through
the metered line is much less than the rated
current of CT, for majority of time, anticipated
accuracy is never realised in practice. This is
mostly true for tie lines connecting industrial plants
with captive power plant and grid.

It may be worth mentioning that meters can also

be connected to protection core for feeders with
instantaneous protection where fault clearing time
is less than 100ms. As mentioned above, meters
are designed to withstand 10 times the rated
current for 5 seconds and faults are generally
cleared within one (1) sec. Therefore for 1 sec the
coil can withstand,
2 x 1 = (10 R)2 x 5 = 500 R2
= 22.4 R , where R is the CT rated current
Therefore, if FAULT is less than 22.4 times CT rated
primary current, indicating meters can be
connected to protection core and no separate
metering core is required.

7.2 Instrument security factor (I.S.F)

Instrument security factor (I.S.F) is defined as the
ratio of minimum value of primary current to the
rated current at which composite error of CT is
greater than 10%. This signifies the current at
which the CT starts saturating to protect the
apparatus supplied by CT in the event of the
system fault. Therefore it may be emphasized that
metering CTs should saturate after certain current
may be10N to protect meters while protection CTs
should not saturate up to 20N to ensure accuracy
during fault conditions. Therefore knee point
voltage and ALF are not relevant for metering

7.3 Rated burden

Burden usually expressed in VA indicates the
impedance of the CT secondary circuit at a
specified power factor and at the rated secondary
current. The accuracy requirements are specified
at rated burden. For a current transformer the
rated burden should be carefully chosen based on
the equipments connected in the secondary circuit
as burden has bearing on the price of CT.
6

8. CONCLUSION
The article covers salient aspects that the user
should consider to realize CTs that are not
oversized. A radical rethink when selecting
primary rating of CT for protection application is
needed. Extreme care shall be exercised when
selecting knee point voltage and exciting current
for CTs used in current balanced schemes. I.S.F
for metering CTs can be 10 without endangering
meters. The practicing engineer is encouraged to
apply the ideas presented here to realize optimally
sized CTs.
9. REFERENCES
i. Protective Relays- Application Guide GEC
Measurements
ii. The design of Electrical Systems for large
projects (in India) N Balasubramanyam
iii. Electrical Measurements and Measuring
Instruments E. W. Golding