Testing and Commissioning of Current Transformer

Energy and Power / Power Substation
Testing and Commissioning of

Current Transformer
By Edvard October, 19th 2012
Testing
Testing and
and Commissioning
Commissioning of of Current
Current Transformer
Transformer
(on
(on photo
photo two
two current
current transformers
transformers in
in MV
MV cubicle;
cubicle; by
by
alcatelmacedonia @ Flickr)
alcatelmacedonia @ Flickr)
Testing and Commissioning

Procedures //
1. Objective
2. Test Equipment Required
3. Test procedures
1. Mechanical Check and Visual

Inspection
2. Insulation Resistance Test
3. Polarity Test
4. Secondary/Loop Resistance Test
5. Burden Test (optional test)
6. Magnetization Curve Test (optional
test)
7. Turns Ratio Test (optional test)
8. Primary Injection Test
9. High Voltage Test
10. Commisioning Test
4. Applicable Standards
5. Live VIDEO CT Testing (6 Testings)
1. Objective
To confirm the physical condition and

electrical characteristics of current
transformer installed in the installation.
Ensure the CT is connected to system
properly in all respect (primary and
secondary).
2. Test Equipment Required
Required equipment for testing:
1. Insulation tester
2. Polarity tester
3. Digital low ohmmeter
4. Current source, multimeter
5. Variac, step-up transformer (0-2kv)
6. Primary current injection set
Go to Content ↑
3. Test Procedures
3.1. Mechanical Check and Visual Inspection
1. Verify nameplate ratings are in

accordance with the approved
drawings and specifications.
2. Inspect for physical damage/ defects
and mechanical condition.
3. Verify correct connection of
transformers with system
requirements.
4. Verify that adequate clearances exist
between primary and secondary
circuit wiring.
5. Verify tightness of accessible bolted
electrical connections by calibrated
torque-wrench method.
6. Verify that all required grounding and
shorting connection provided.
7. Verify all shorting blocks are in correct
position, either grounding or open as
required.
8. Verify single point grounding of
eachcore done properly. Grounding
point shall be nearer to the CT
location. However grounding shall be
at relay point in case of several CT
secondaries connected together like
differential protection.
Go to Content ↑
3.2. Insulation Resistance Test
The voltage shall be applied between:
1. Primary to secondary plus ground

(covered during switchgear test).
2. Secondary to primary plus ground.
3. Secondary core to core.
Test voltage limits mentioned in table

below. The ambient temperature shall be
noted down during test.
Table – Test Voltage Limits
Rated voltage Test voltage

100-1000V 1000V DC
AC/DC
>1000 to 5000V 5000V DC
Go to Content ↑
3.3. Polarity Test
Polarity test is to confirm the polarity

marking on the CT primary and secondary
and verify it is matching with drawing.
More ever it is giving an idea, how to
connect the secondaries to make the
protection (like directional, differential) and
metering function properly.
Isolate CT secondary from the load and

make circuit connection as shown in
Figure 1.
Close and open the battery switch

connected on the primary. Observe the
pointer is moving +ve direction, while
closing and –ve direction while opening
for correct polarity.
Figure
Figure 11 –– CT
CT Polarity
Polarity
Test
Test
Go to Content ↑
3.4. Secondary / Loop Resistance Test

(optional test)
Secondary resistance test is to verify the

CT secondary winding resistance with
specified one and no discontinuity in the
winding. This value can be used in other
calculations.
Loop resistance to ensure load is

connected properly and circuits not left
open. The circuit connection shall be made
as shown Figure 2 for secondary
resistance. Measure the dcresistance
value and record. The same shall be done
for all taps and cores. These values are
influenced by temperature, so ambient
temperature must be recorded during this
test. The circuit connection shall be made
as shown Figure 2 for loop resistance.
Measure the dc resistance including CT

and load, phase by phase and values can
be compared between them.
Limits:
The value must be with in specified on

nameplate after the effect of temperature
taken in to account. If not factory test
results shall be taken as reference.
Figure
Figure 22 –– CT
CT resistance
resistance // Loop
Loop Resistance
Resistance Test
Test
Notes:
Ohmmeter connection for CT

resistance excluding burden.
Ohmmeter connection for CT loop
resistance including burden.
Go to Content ↑
3.5 Burden Test (optional test)
Burden test is to ensure the connected

burden to CT is with in the rated burden,
identified on the nameplate.
Injected the rated secondary current of the

CT, from CT terminals towards load side
by isolating the CT secondary with all
connected load and observe the voltage
drop across the injection points. The
burden VA can be calculated as
Burden VA = Voltage drop x rated CT

sec. Current.
Limits:
The calculated burden should be less than

rates CT burden.
Note:
Ammeter selector switch should be at

respective phase during test.
High impedance relays shall be
shorted during the test.
Go to Content ↑
3.6. Magnetization Curve Test (optional test)
Magnetization Curve test is to confirm the

magnetisation characteristics of CT with
nameplate specification.
This test shall be conducted before ratio

test and after secondary resistance and
polarity test, since residual magnetism left
in the core due to DC test (polarity,
resistance), which leads additional error in
ratio test. The meters used for this test
shall be having true RMS measurement.
The circuit connection shall be made as

shown Figure 3. The primary should be
open during test.
Demagnetisation
Before start the test demagnetise the core

by Inject voltage on secondary terminals
and increase up to where considerable
increment in current with small voltage
increment. Now start decreasing the
voltage to zero, the rate at which
increased.
Magnetisation test
Now increase the voltage and monitor the

excitation current up to the CT reaching
near to saturation point. Record the
reading of voltage and current at several
points. Plot the curve and evaluate the Vk
and Img from the graph.
Limits:
Class X CT:
The obtained Vk should be greater than
specified one; mag current should be less
than specified one.
Protection class CT:

The secondary limiting voltage can be
calculated as follow:
Vslv = Is * ALF (Rct + (VA/Is*Is))
Where:
Is – rated secondary current
Rct – CT secondary resistance
VA – rated CT burden
ALF – Accuracy limit factor
The mag current (Img) drawn at Vslv can

be obtained from graph. The following
criteria should be satisfied.
Img < accuracy class * ALF * Is
Metering Class CT:

Accuracy can be ensured as follow:
Img at Vs (= 1.2 * VA / Is) should be less

than (accuracy class * Is)
And instrument security factor to be

verified.
Figure
Figure 33 –– Magnetisation
Magnetisation Test
Test
Go to Content ↑
3.7. Turns ratio Tests (optional test)
This test is to ensure the turn’s ratio of CT

at all taps. The circuit connection shall be
made as shown Figure 4. The primary
current of minimum of 25% rated primary
current to be injected on primary side of
CT with secondaries shorted and the
secondary current can be measured and
recorded for all cores.
Limits:
The obtained turn’s ratio should match with

rated nameplate ratio.
Go to Content ↑
3.8. Primary Injection Test
This test is to ensure the CT circuits are

properly connected with respected cores
and there is no mix up in the circuit (phase
identification).
The circuit connections shall be made as

shown in Figure 4. Single point grounding
shall be verified for CT circuits, before
starting this test. Inject 25% of rated
primary current between one phase and
earth with all connected burden. Measure
secondary current at all points of CT
circuits. It shall be done for other phases.
Core identification:
When one CT is having several cores

used for different purposes. The cores can
be identified during primary injection test
by shorting the one of the core at CT
terminal itself and check there isno current
only at relevant load. The same can be
verified for other cores.
Inject 25% of rated primary current

between phase to phase with all
connected burden. Measure secondary
current at all points of CT circuits. It shall
be done for other phases.
Limits:
Secondary current should only be

observed at respective phase and
neutral leads during Phase to earth
injection.
Secondary current should only be
observed at respective phases and no
current on neutral during Phase to
phase injection.
Figure
Figure 44 –– Primary
Primary injection
injection // Ratio
Ratio test
test
Go to Content ↑
3.9. High Voltage Test
This test is included with switchgear high

voltage.
Objective of HV test is to determine the

equipment is in propercondition to put in
service, after installation for which it was
designed and to give some basis for
predicting whether or not that a healthy
condition will remain or if deterioration is
underway which can result in abnormally
short life.
Test Instruments Required for HV Test
Calibrated AC hi-pot test set for switchgear

with leakage current indicator and overload
protection. Calibrated DC hi-pot test set for
cables with leakage current indicator and
overload protection.
Go to Content ↑
3.10. Commisioning Test
After commissioning, secondary current

measurement shall be carried out in CT
circuits. Phase angle check shall be done
for correct direction. Go to Content ↑
4. Applicable Standards
IEC 60044-1: Instrument transformers

– current transformer.
IEC 60694: common specifications for
HV switchgear.
Go to Content ↑
5. Live VIDEO CT Testing (6 Testings)
1. CT Tests – Ratio and Polarity
Cant see this video? Click here to watch it on Youtube.
2. CT Tests – Burden Secondary Side
3. CT Tests – Excitation Curve
4. CT Tests – Winding or Burden Resistance
5. CT Tests – Voltage Withstand Test
6. CT Tests – Polarity By Pulses
Resource: Testing and Commissioning of

Electrical Equipment – Schneider Electric
Service Dpt.
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MORE INFORMATION
Edvard Csanyi
Electrical engineer,
programmer and
founder of EEP.
Highly specialized
for design of
LV/MV switchgears and LV high power
busbar trunking (<6300A) in power
substations, commercial buildings and
industry facilities. Professional in AutoCAD
programming.
12 Comments
Mohammad Kamruzzaman
JAN 01, 2020
Nice article. Very helpful

for me, thanks and wish
many more such articles.
Reply
JITHU RAJ
MAY 10, 2018
Very nice article.
Can anyone answer plz.

Why burden test is
mentioned to be optional?
and what is need of
shorting the high
impedance relay during
the test?
Reply
Shekhar
MAR 28, 2018
nice article
Reply
Himmat Gharat
AUG 14, 2017
I am JE of Nagbhir sub
station of 132/25 kv newly
electrified section and
testing started of current
transformer when test CT
ratio by injecting current in
primary bushing of old CT
which was 20 years old
CT installed in circuit,after
testing values not found
according to ratio,100
amps inject and found in
secondary terminal 3.9
amps please send me
solution.
Reply
Rajendar Rao Lade

JAN 01, 2018
First open links in jb

then measure ratio
,same repeat even after
links open directly
measure on secondary
across terminals ,if same
repeat primary terminals
have to be checked
properly (one should
earth another shouldn’t)
eventhough repeat …
have to replace
Reply
JEEVAN KUMAR
APR 20, 2015
I am a planning Engineer.
Recently I came in a
situation of our New
substation which is in
commissioning phase. I
was tasked to prepare a
detailed L7 schedule by
cubicles and activities. We
have a permanent grid
power source from an
existing substation. 2
incoming feeder from old
substation supply
permanent power to New
Substation.
I am wondering if there is
a sequence b/w various
steps mentioned above
and duration for each of
them, will help to plan a
detailed schedule and also
track them as well. Please
supports
Reply
AUSTINE CAESAR
APR 09, 2015
tHANKS FOr yoUR

VAluaBLE InfO OVer tTHE
yeARS MR. Edvard
Csanyi……
Reply
Abdul Ghaffar Soomro

JAN 29, 2015
Very helpful. Thanks Sir
Reply
Ankit051
AUG 24, 2013
sir i can’t download this

article because download
link is not available .plz
help me
Reply
Sunil De Silva
MAR 10, 2013
Yes, I am a Electrical
Engineer from SriLanka
and I have been reading
your valuable technical
Articles for more than one
year period and I have
learned a lot from them
and wish to add some
articles in the near future.
Thanks for your great
service.
Reply
Tarekdia
DEC 29, 2012
appreciate the article and

the vedios thanks very
much if you could include
the test formate please
Reply
Tanka
FEB 27, 2014
Can you provide me with

a test format or a
sample of test report
please.
Reply
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Energy and Power / Power Substation

Testing and Commissioning of

Testing and Commissioning

1. Mechanical Check and Visual

To confirm the physical condition and

2. Test Equipment Required

Required equipment for testing:

3.1. Mechanical Check and Visual Inspection

1. Verify nameplate ratings are in

3.2. Insulation Resistance Test

The voltage shall be applied between:

1. Primary to secondary plus ground

Test voltage limits mentioned in table

Table – Test Voltage Limits

Rated voltage Test voltage

3.3. Polarity Test

Polarity test is to confirm the polarity

Isolate CT secondary from the load and

Close and open the battery switch

3.4. Secondary / Loop Resistance Test

Secondary resistance test is to verify the

Loop resistance to ensure load is

Measure the dc resistance including CT

The value must be with in specified on

Ohmmeter connection for CT

3.5 Burden Test (optional test)

Burden test is to ensure the connected

Injected the rated secondary current of the

Burden VA = Voltage drop x rated CT

The calculated burden should be less than

Ammeter selector switch should be at

3.6. Magnetization Curve Test (optional test)

Magnetization Curve test is to confirm the

This test shall be conducted before ratio

The circuit connection shall be made as

Before start the test demagnetise the core

Now increase the voltage and monitor the

Protection class CT:

Vslv = Is * ALF (Rct + (VA/Is*Is))

The mag current (Img) drawn at Vslv can

Img < accuracy class * ALF * Is

Metering Class CT:

Img at Vs (= 1.2 * VA / Is) should be less

And instrument security factor to be

3.7. Turns ratio Tests (optional test)

This test is to ensure the turn’s ratio of CT

The obtained turn’s ratio should match with

3.8. Primary Injection Test

This test is to ensure the CT circuits are

The circuit connections shall be made as

When one CT is having several cores

Inject 25% of rated primary current

Secondary current should only be

3.9. High Voltage Test

This test is included with switchgear high

Objective of HV test is to determine the

Test Instruments Required for HV Test

Calibrated AC hi-pot test set for switchgear

3.10. Commisioning Test

After commissioning, secondary current

IEC 60044-1: Instrument transformers

5. Live VIDEO CT Testing (6 Testings)

1. CT Tests – Ratio and Polarity