Current Transformers (CT)

Introduction

These are special types of transformers used for

the measurement of currents. As the name
suggests, these transformers are used in
conjunction with some relevant instruments
such as ammeters and control relays.
Current transformers are usually used when the
AC currents exceeds the safe value for the
measuring instruments.
 Introduction

Also, a current transformer is an instrument

transformer which is used to measure
alternating current of large magnitudes through
the stepping-down by transformer action. The
primary winding of CT is connected in series
with the line in which current is to be measured
and the secondary winding is connected to the
proper instruments or control devices.
 Uses of Current Transformers
CTs are used for:
1. Insulating the high voltage circuits from the
measuring circuits in order to protect the
measuring instruments from burning
2. To make it possible to measure the high currents
with lower range ammeters.
3. These transformers are also used in controlling
and protecting electrical circuits, to operate
relays, to operate circuit breakers, etc. The
working of these transformers is similar as that
of ordinary transformers.
 Measuring current with CT
The primary winding is so connected that the high
current to be measured passes through it and a
low induced current is passed through the
secondary winding connected to an Ammeter.
 Advantages of CTs
The power loss in CT instrument transformers is
very small as compared to power loss due to the
resistance of aiding devices such as shunts or
multipliers.
By using current transformers with tong testers,
the currents in the heavy current circuits can
easily be measured.
Disadvantages of CTs
The only main disadvantage of CTs is that these
instruments can not be used in DC circuits.
 Current Transformer Designs

The secondary winding of a CT has very small

load impedance (burden) which represents the
current coil of an ammeter. The primary side
has a few number of thick turns and the
secondary side has a large number of fine
turns. The primary winding carries a full load
current and this current is stepped down to a
suitable value which is within the range of
ammeters and control devices ratings.
 Current Transformer Designs
In order to minimize the exciting ampere turns
(IT) required (for economic reasons), the core
of the CTs must have lower reluctance
(Resistance of the magnetic core to the flow of
flux) in order to minimize the iron losses.
The following three types of core constructions
are generally employed to build CTs:
1. Core type
2. Shell type
3. Ring type
 1. Core type CTs
It is a rectangular form iron core type. The
laminations are of L-shaped that can be
assembled together.
The winding are placed on one of the shorter
limbs, with the primary usually wound over
the secondary to maximize the induced EMF.
The main advantage of this type of core is that
sufficient space is available for
insulation/taping and is suitable for high
voltage application designs.
Core type
 2. Shell type
In shell type current transformers, the primary
and secondary windings are placed over each
other at the central limb, thus it gives a better
protection for both the insulated windings and
tap connections.
Shell type
 3. Ring type
• Ring type core is commonly used when
primary current is large. The secondary
winding is distributed around the iron ring and
the primary winding is a single bar that carries
high current.
• It has a joint less core and therefore a very
small reluctance and leakage reactance.
Ring type
 Burden of Current Transformer
• The operation of current transformers differs
slightly from the operation of power
transformers. In case of current transformers,
the secondary winding has a very small
impedance or “Burden” , so the current
transformer practically operates on short
circuit conditions.
• The rated burden of this Current Transformer
is the volt-ampere loading which is
permissible without errors exceeding the
limits.
 Burden of Current Transformer

• Burden across the secondary of a current

transformer is also defined as the ratio of the
rated secondary voltage to the rated of
secondary current.
That is:
ZL = secondary voltage/ secondary current
=V/I
The units of burden are ohms.
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 Demagnetization of CT’s

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 Phasor Diagram of CT

Taking flux φm as the reference vector, the

induced e.m.f. in the primary and secondary
sides are E1 and E2 leading ahead and lagging
behind the flux by 90o respectively as drawn.
The magnitudes of e.m.f. are proportional to
their respective number of turns.
The no load current Io drawn by the primary
has two components, the magnetizing
component Im and the active working
component Iw .
 Phasor Diagram of CT

The secondary current I2 lags behind the voltage

by an angle of у .
The angle α between V2 and I2 is the angle
produced by the burden connected on the
secondary side (load power factor angle).
The secondary current I2 is now transferred to
the primary side by reversing I2 and
multiplying it by K, where K is the current
turns ratio of that CT.
Phasor Diagram of CTs
 Errors in Current Transformers

There are two types of errors in these

transformers :

1. Ratio error, depends on Iw

2. Phase angle error, depends on Im
 Ratio Error

For normal operation of these instrument

transformers, the current transformation ratio
should be constant and within the limits. It
has been seen that this ratio are not constant
but do vary with the power factor. So this
error is known as Ratio Error.
 Ratio Error
The ratio of the working component Iw of the
magnetization no-load exciting current Io to
the secondary current I2 of the instrument
transformer is called its ratio-error.
Also, the ratio between the actual current ratio
of the CT and its normal-ratio (i.e., the
manufacturer’s name-plate current-ratio) is
known as the Ratio Correction Factor, R.C.F.
R.C.F. = Actual Ratio/ Normal Ratio
= K/ KN
 Phase Angle Error
The phase angle error is due to the magnetizing
component Im of exciting current Io. This is the
angle by which the secondary current I2, when
reversed to the primary side (becomes I’2)
differs in phase from the primary current I1.
In case of CT, the current ratio error is more
important, while phase angle error is of a little
importance so long as it is connected with an
ammeter as a burden.
 Methods to minimize CT Errors
As we know, the ratio error mainly depends
upon the working component Iw of the no load
primary current Io and the phase angle error
depends upon the magnetizing component Im
of the same current.
To minimize these errors, the following methods
should be employed :
 Methods to minimize CT Errors
1. In order to minimize these errors, the
working and magnetizing components (Iw and
Im ) must be kept at low value. This is possible
only by using core materials of high
permeability, short magnetic paths and large
cross-sectional area for the core.
The material may be of the following types :
-Hot rolled silicon
-Cold rolled grain oriented silicon steel
-Nickel iron alloys
 Methods to minimize CT Errors
High permeability nickel iron cores are used for
precision current transformers. Among them: (75
% Nickel, 17 % Fe) and (50 % Fe, 50 % Nickel)
alloys are used. These materials have high
permeability at low flux densities, therefore they
are commonly used.
The construction of these cores should have a
minimum number of joints. Therefore to avoid
the joints in building of cores, the cores are made
of two types, Ring-type and Spiral-type cores
 Methods to minimize CT Errors
2. By providing a suitable turn ratio i.e. number of
turns of the secondary can be reduced by one or
two turns.
3. Leakage reactance also increases the ratio error.
Therefore the two windings should be close to
each other to reduce the secondary winding
leakage reactance.
4. If the current on the secondary is too large, it
should be reduced by using a shunt resistor. The
shunt also reduces the phase angle error.
 Types of Current Transformers
As far as the construction of CTs is concerned,
these are the types of CTs:
1. Bar type CT
This type of CT is placed on the panel board to
measure the current of bus bars. The bus bar
whose current is to be measured is made to pass
through the CT. It is of circular or ring type, on
which secondary winding is placed. The ammeter
is connected in the secondary windings.
 Types of Current Transformers
2. Clamp on / Tong tester
This type of CT can be used with a single conductor.
The core of the CT can be split with the help of a
trigger switch and therefore, the core can be
clamped around a live conductor to measure
the current. The single conductor acts as a
primary and the secondary is wound on the
core of CT. The ammeter is connected in the
secondary. This is a portable instrument and
generally used in laboratories.
Clamp on / Tong tester
 Application of Current Transformers
The following are the applications of CTs:
1. Current transformers are used in panel board of
sub station or grid station to measure the bus
bar current which is very high.
2. Current transformers are widely used in power
measuring circuits. For example, the current coil
of the wattmeter is connected with CT.
3. Current transformers are also used in power
houses, sub stations etc. in conjunction with the
relays.
 Difference between CT and PT
The few important points regarding the
difference in the working of CTs and potential
transformer PTs are given below :
1. The current transformer is also known as
series transformer. The secondary of CT is
virtually under short circuit conditions when
the primary is energized.
2. The potential transformer is also known as
parallel transformer. The secondary of PT can
be left open circuited without any damage
being caused either to the transformer or to
the operator.
 Difference between CT and PT
3. Under normal conditions, the line voltage of
the PT is nearly constant. The flux density and
the exciting current of a PT varies between small
range whereas the primary current and
excitation of a CT varies over a wide range under
normal working conditions.
4. The current in the primary of CT is
independent of secondary winding conditions
whereas current in the primary of PT depends
upon the secondary circuit burden.
 Difference between CT and PT

5. The primary winding of the PT is connected

across full line voltage, whereas the CT is
connected in series with one of the lines and
therefore a small longitudinal voltage exists
across its terminals. However the current
transformer carries full line current.
Setup to generate high current by CTs
Setup to generate high current by CTs