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Current Transformer Testing: Back To The Basics
Current Transformer Testing: Back To The Basics
A
s test equipment becomes more sophisticated with better features
and accuracy, we risk turning our field personnel into test-set opera-
tors instead of skilled field service technicians. A test-set operator
Chris Werstiuk
connects the leads, pushes the buttons, and records the results, hoping Valence USA
the numbers he records are good. A test technician connects the leads,
pushes the buttons, and records the results. However, the test technician
understands what the test set was doing while all the lights were flash-
ing, and why. The technician can also evaluate the results and determine
if a retest is necessary with different connections or substitute external
Valenceusa@earthlink.net
equipment for tests when the test equipment malfunctions. The purpose of
www.home.earthlink.net/~valenceusa/
this article is to help a test-set operator understand the tests he performs,
reinforce a test technique, or add it to his repertoire. neta@netaworld.org
www.netaworld.org
Description of Operation Reprinted with permission of the InterNational
During normal operation, a current transformer (CT) transforms higher Electrical Testing Association. Copyright 2004.
current into a more manageable secondary current. This transformation All rights reserved.
is made possible by copper coils wrapped around an iron core, with the
ratio between primary and secondary currents determined by the ratio
between the number of primary and secondary turns. Bar- and window-
type CTs do not have a physical primary winding and are considered to ditions. The accuracy class is the
have one primary turn. When current flows through the primary winding, minimum accuracy guaranteed by
the following actions occur: the manufacturer, although the CT
• The iron core inside the transformer is magnetized. may be built to higher standards.
• The magnetic field in the iron core induces a voltage in the sec- Like every other transformer,
ondary coils. CTs can only transform a finite
amount of energy. This is usu-
• If the secondary circuit is closed, a current flows through the ally the voltampere rating for
secondary circuit in proportion to the CT ratio. normal transformers. The CTs
The current transformation requires a small amount of energy to mag- energy limitation is included in
netize the iron core that creates small energy losses such as eddy currents, the accuracy class but is shown as
and heat caused by current flowing through the windings. Therefore, the a maximum burden. The CT bur-
secondary current is not a perfect representation of the primary current. den is the amount of impedance
All CTs that are built to ANSI standards have an accuracy class to outline (ac resistance) connected to the CT
what effect the losses have on the secondary current under normal con- secondaries and is usually rated in
Fall–Winter 2004 1
ohms or volts. The manufacturer only guarantees CT
accuracy up to a maximum burden rating, and CT STANDARD BURDENS FOR STANDARD 5-AMP / 60 Hz
performance will degrade if the secondary burden is SECONDARY CURRENT TRANSFORMERS
larger than rated.
STANDARD SECONDARY BURDEN RATINGS
BURDEN
Visual and Mechanical Inspections DESIGNATION IMPEDANCE VOLT AMPS POWER
OHMS (VA) FACTOR
Equipment Specifications
While performing visual and mechanical inspec- B-0.1 0.1 2.5 0.9
tions, always compare equipment nameplate data B-0.2 0.2 5 0.9
with drawings and specifications. Every CT test sheet
should include the following information: B-0.5 0.5 12.5 0.9
B-1 1 25 0.5
Serial Number (when possible): The serial number
is important to organize test results and allow a refer- B-2 2 50 0.5
ence when comparing test results to manufacturer’s B-4 4 100 0.5
specifications. The serial number can also be used
when ordering replacement or new CTs from manu- B-8 8 200 0.5
facturers.
Figure 1b — CT Accuracy Classes and Correction Factors
Model Number (when possible): The model
number is important when comparing test results to
manufacturer’s literature and ordering replacement, Accuracy: The first number in the CT accuracy class
new, or spare CTs from manufacturers. is the rated ratio accuracy in percent. For example, the
ratio of a 0.3B0.1 metering-class CT is accurate within
Ratio: The CT ratio is the most important piece of 0.3 percent as long as the CT burden rating is not ex-
information regarding the CT and must be recorded ceeded. The ratio of a 2.5C100 protection-class CT is
from the nameplate or the design criteria. The ratio accurate within 2.5 percent if the CT burden rating is
determines the CT’s operating characteristics and is not exceeded.
used as reference for tests. If the CT has multiple taps
(different possible ratio combinations), all taps should Current-Transformer Class: The second part of the
be recorded for future reference in case a new ratio is accuracy class is a letter. The letter distinguishes for
required for the application. This will allow a review what application the CT is rated. A CT can have dual
of the options without visiting the site beforehand. ratings and be used in metering or protection applica-
tions, if both ratings are listed on the nameplate.
Accuracy Class: The CT accuracy class comprises Metering-class CTs have the letter B in the accuracy-
a number-letter-number combination and indicates class rating. They are designed for maximum accuracy
the CT’s ability to perform accurately under differ- from very low currents to the maximum CT rating.
ent conditions. In other words, the CT accuracy class These CTs are often used to record power consumption
indicates the CT’s performance characteristics and the and are the basis for electrical bills, hence the need for
maximum burden allowable on the CT secondaries. accuracy. A typical metering-class CT has an accuracy
CTs can be separated into two distinct groups: meter- class similar to 0.3B0.1
ing and protection or relay. A CT can have ratings for Protection-class CTs have the letters C, H, L, or T
both groups. See Figure 1 for a list of typical accuracy to indicate the protection-class rating.
classes.
The CT accuracy class is made up of three parts, • A C-rating indicates that the CT accuracy can be
which are described in conjuction with Figure 2. calculated before construction because there is no
appreciable leakage flux in the CT design.
CORRECTION FACTOR LIMITS FOR CTs • A T-rating indicates that the CT can have significant
leakage flux, and the CT accuracy must be obtained
ACCURACY 100% RATED CURRENT 10% RATED CURRENT
by testing in the factory.
CLASS MIN MAX MIN MAX • An H-rating indicates that the CT accuracy rating
1.2 0.998 1.012 0.976 1.024 is applicable within the entire range of secondary
currents from five to 20 times the nominal CT rating.
0.6 0.994 1.006 0.988 1.012
These are typically wound CTs.
0.3 0.997 1.003 0.994 1.006
• An L-rating indicates that the CT accuracy applies
0.5 0.995 1.005 0.995 1.005
at the maximum-rated secondary burden at 20 times
rated only. The ratio accuracy can be up to four
Figure 1a — CT Accuracy Classes and Correction Factors
2 NETA WORLD
times greater than the listed val-
ue, depending on the connected METERING CLASS
burden and fault current. These 0.3 B 0.3
are typically window, bushing,
or bar-type CTs. ACCURACY IN PERCENT (%) MAXIMUM BURDEN IN OHMS (0.3 Ohms)
Fall–Winter 2004 3
40, 67), line protection (IEEE 21, 67, 78), or differential ing at the first terminal block or test point and apply-
elements (IEEE 87). In many instances, the connection ing the test voltage between the CT and ground. All
is as important as the CT polarity. If the primary polar- three CTs can be tested simultaneously. Investigate
ity of a CT is reversed, the secondary wiring can also any measurement below 100 megohms.
be reversed to achieve the desired overall polarity. Never perform this test on bushing CTs while the
Two wrongs often make a right when working with power transformer is under vacuum. Although a
CT connections. perfect vacuum is a perfect insulator, the transformer
vacuum is not perfect, and there is a strong possibility
Adequate Clearances of causing a flashover inside the transformer.
Verify that adequate clearances exist between
primary and secondary circuit wiring. Inspect the Polarity Test
space between the CT phases, ground, and second- Perform a polarity test of each current transformer.
ary conductor to ensure adequate clearance. (Quick There are two generally accepted methods of testing a
rule-of-thumb: one inch per kilovolt plus one inch.) CT’s polarity using simple meters and connections:
Remember that line-to-line voltages apply between
phases. Also check that the secondary wiring is not • DC Kick/Flick Test: This is the tried and true meth-
run parallel and/or close to the primary conductor od for testing CT polarity, used before electricity
to prevent any current from being induced into the was discovered by some accounts. For this test, a
secondary path. All wiring above the primary con- dc battery, a dc voltmeter or ammeter (preferably
ductor should be permanently affixed to the structure analog), and test leads are required. This method
to prevent the wiring from falling onto the primary is a quick and easy test for polarity, but there is a
conductors in the future. (Sticky backs are not consid- possibility that it may leave remnant flux in the
ered permanent.) CT. Remnant flux may cause saturation when the
CT is next energized. (See C57.13.1, paragraph 4.3.)
Grounding and Shorting Connection Always perform an excitation/saturation test after
Verify that all required grounding and shorting performing this test. The steps of the dc kick/flick
connections provide contact. CTs are always shipped test are as follows:
with shorting devices installed if the burden circuit
cannot be completed at the factory. Measure the re- 1. Connect the positive of the voltmeter to the H1
sistance between both sides of the terminal block to (marked) terminal of the high-voltage side of the
ground before removing the shorting device to ensure CT and the negative lead to the H2 as shown in
the device is operating correctly. The measured resis- Figure 3.
tance should be negligible. The CTs should remain
shorted until the secondary wiring is complete and
12V / (10/5) = 6 V
loop-tested. Always check to ensure that the short-
ing devices are removed on in-service CTs just prior
to energization. 10V SCALE
V
+ -
CT Electrical Tests
Insulation-Resistance Test TEST TEST
In accordance with NETA specifications, “Perform LEAD LEAD
insulation-resistance tests to ground of the CT and H1 H2
wiring at 1000 volts dc. For units with solid-state com- PRIMARY PRIMARY
ponents, follow manufacturer’s recommendations. CONDUCTOR CONDUCTOR
When applicable, perform insulation-resistance
and dielectric-withstand tests on the primary wind- X1 X2
10:5 A CT
ing with the secondary grounded. Use test voltages
in accordance with Tables 100.5 and 100.9 respectively
in the NETA specifications.”
When electromechanical relays were king, insula-
tion-resistance tests of CTs and wiring were an ac- + -
ceptable method of testing the entire circuit including
the internal relay wiring. In the age of microprocessor 12V
relays, the risk of damage to the new, more sensitive,
relays must be weighed against the benefit of the test. Figure 3 — DC Polarity Test Circuit Window Type CT
I recommend isolating the CTs from the external wir-
4 NETA WORLD
• If testing a window-type CT, run a wire through the 3. Connect the negative terminal of the battery to the
CT and connect your meter across the wire. Make nonpolarity of the CT winding under test. Momen-
note of the wire and meter polarity. tarily touch or connect the battery’s positive termi-
• If the CT is enclosed within a breaker, close the nal to the polarity terminal of the CT winding under
breaker and connect your voltmeter across the test.
breaker poles. Review the CT drawing carefully 4. Closely watch the needle or analog scale of the
and note the CT polarity and meter polarity. voltmeter. It should jump in the positive direction.
• If the CT is enclosed within a generator, connect the This happens in a fraction of a second, so the meter
voltmeter across the generator windings. Review must be monitored very closely. If the voltmeter
the CT drawing carefully and note the CT polarity kicks in the positive direction, the polarity marks
and meter polarity. If the star point is not accessible, are correct. If it kicks in the negative direction, the
connect the voltmeter across two generator leads polarity marks are incorrect.
and short the remaining generator lead to one of
the generator leads under test. AC Voltage Method: This method digs deep into
transformer theory and can be used with any kind of
• If the CT is enclosed within a transformer, connect transformer. Most transformer polarities are marked
the voltmeter across the transformer bushings asso- with additive polarity that allows creation of an au-
ciated with the CT and short the remaining bushing totransformer by connecting X1 and H2 or H1 and
to the nonpolarity bushing under test. Review the X2 together.
CT drawing carefully and note the CT polarity and This method is limited by the accuracy of the meters
meter polarity. (See Figure 4.) and may not be reliable with unstable source voltages
(such as construction power or generator) and high
ratio CTs due to the low H side voltages induced.
12V / (2000/5) = 0.03V To test polarity using ac voltage, a variable trans-
0.1V SCALE former and voltmeter (preferably two) are required.
Use the following steps to test for CT polarity using
TEST TEST the ac method, as shown in Figure 5.
LEAD LEAD
V
+ - RATIO TEST POLARITY TEST
VM2 = [VM1/CT ratio] VM3 = VM1 + VM2
DELTA CONNECTED VM2 = 15V / (15/5) VM2 VM3 = 15V + 5V
GENERATOR VM2 = 5V
V
VM3 = 20V
R S 15:5 A CT
VM3
TEST V
LEAD
H1 H2
PRIMARY PRIMARY
CONDUCTOR CONDUCTOR
X1 X2
H1
VM1
V
2000:5 CT
X1
AC VARIAC = 15V
X2
AC
X1 X2
T Figure 5 — AC Voltage Ratio Test Circuit
TEST
+ - LEAD 1. Connect a variable transformer (such as a Variac)
12V
across the secondary winding of the CT.
Figure 4 — DC Polarity Test Circuit Delta Connected Generator 2. Connect a voltmeter (VM1) across the secondary
CT winding and variable transformer.
3. Connect a jumper between the nonpolarity of the
2. Calculate the expected voltage using the battery H winding and the polarity of the X winding.
voltage and the CT ratio. (Battery voltage/CT
4. Connect a voltmeter (VM3) from the polarity mark
ratio.)
of the H winding to the nonpolarity mark of the X
winding.
Fall–Winter 2004 5
5. Increase the variable-transformer test voltage to a VM2 = 0.5V
predetermined value. Calculate the expected value. V X2-X3 = 100:5
RATIO TEST 1 = X1-X5 TO VM2
VM2 = VM1 / CT RATIO
([VM1 / CT ratio] + [VM1]). If VM3 displays the X1-X2 = 200:5
X1-X3 = 300:5 VM2 = 120 / 240
VM2 = 0.5V
expected result, the CT polarity markings are cor- H1 H2 X3-X4 = 400:5
X4-X5 = 500:5
POLARITY TEST 1
rect. If VM3 is less than VM1, the test connection or X2-X4 = 600:5
X1-X4 = 800:5 VM3 = VM1 + VM2
the CT polarity markings are incorrect. (Note: VM1 X1 X2 X3 X4 X5 X3-X5 = 900:5
X2-X5 = 1000:5
VM3 = 120 + 0.5
VM3 = 120.5V
and VM3 can be one voltmeter switching between X1-X5 = 1200:5
RATIO TESTS 2-4
positions if the test voltage remains stable.) V TEST 4 = X4-X5 TEST 2 = VM1 * (TEST RATIO) / (FULL RATIO)
TEST 2 = 120 * 1000 / 1200
V TEST 3 = X3-X5
TEST 2 = 100 V
V TEST 2 = X2-X5
TEST 3 = VM1 * (TEST RATIO) / (FULL RATIO)
Ratio-Verification Test V TEST 1 = TEST 3 = 120 * 900 / 1200
X1-X5 TO VM2 TEST 3 = 90 V
The NETA specifications state, “Perform a ratio- AC
TEST 4 = VM1 * (TEST RATIO) / (FULL RATIO)
verification test using the voltage or current method V TEST 4 = 120 * 500 / 1200
TEST 4 = 50 V
in accordance with ANSI C57.13.1 (IEEE Guide for VM1 = 120V
6 NETA WORLD
rating is a minimum value. The CT
could actually have a higher rat- "KNEE" TRANSITION POINT BETWEEN
NORMAL OPERATION AND SATURATED CT SATURATION CURVE
ing. This happens often in trans- REGION - MUST BE ABOVE CT BURDEN RATING
former bushing applications. 1000
A saturation test is performed
CT BURDEN
by applying ac voltage to the CT RATING "L400"
secondary and increasing the volt-
VOLTS (V)
age in steps until the CT is in satu- CT SATURATION
100
ration. The test voltage is slowly PHASE A
decreased to zero to demagnetize PHASE B
the CT. The test results are plot- PHASE C
ted on a logarithmic graph and
evaluated based on the transition 10
period between normal operation 10 100 1000 10000
and saturation. This transition is NORMAL OPERATING REGION WITH A
CURRENT (milliAmps)
Fall–Winter 2004 7
of fast track projects where the testing is broken into Volts / Amperes). Check the CT rating to ensure
stages or multiple testing companies are used in dif- the burden is less than the nameplate value.
ferent parts of the project. This test is the final-proof 5. Measure the voltage between ground and every
test used to ensure that: connection. The voltage should drop incrementally
as you work through the circuit. Any increase in
• CTs are not energized with shorting devices in- voltage should be immediately investigated. The
stalled if used for metering or protection. most common problems found are:
• CTs are not left open circuit if not used. • Unstable source voltages.
• CTs are connected with a single ground point. • Reverse polarity connections.
• CT burden ratings are not exceeded. • Assumptions about what the terminal point
• All connections are tight. should be instead of using drawing references.
• Assumptions about where the terminal point is
There are many ways of performing this test, each instead of reading the designation.
with its own merits and pitfalls, but this article is fo-
cused on the basics and will only cover the voltage- 6. Repeat Steps 2 through 5 for the other two CT
drop method. It is time-consuming but only requires phases. The measured voltage patterns should be
a voltage/current source and a voltmeter. The test similar to the other two phases in the circuit if they
applies five amperes through the secondary circuit are identical. Drastic deviations from the voltage
with a known ground reference while measuring the pattern should be investigated for loose connections
voltage drop at each point of the circuit to ground. or shorts (e.g., single copper strand accidentally
Ohm’s law plus the measure of the voltage drop at connected between terminals). Additional devices
the source will give us the burden impedance. Analyz- in one phase will cause higher voltages, but the
ing the voltage-drop patterns throughout the circuit difference between devices should be consistent
confirms the wiring is correct. between phases.
After all CT testing and secondary circuit wiring is 7. After all testing has been satisfactorily completed,
complete, follow the next steps to perform a second- turn the ac source off and remove all test leads.
ary-loop test via the voltage-drop method. Reconnect the CT ground and check with an ohm-
meter after it is installed. Record the circuit burdens
1. Remove the CT secondary shorting devices and re- on your test sheet.
move the ground from the circuit. Every CT circuit
should be grounded at one point only and have its
own path to ground per IEEE standard C57.13.2. Conclusion
Many manufacturers incorrectly daisy chain all CT Although the sophisticated test equipment of
grounds together contrary to this standard. modern test technicians makes all of our lives easier,
2. Connect an ac source between the CT secondary we often forget that the technicians before us were
feeder as close to the CT as possible and ground. frequently limited to a lantern battery, variable trans-
Slowly increase the voltage or current dial. A lamp- former, multimeter, and their imaginations. We can
ing kit may be used as the source. (A lamping kit is use their example to complete the job when our test
a 120 volt ac source with a light bulb in series.) No set malfunctions or is damaged.
current should flow and light bulb remains off. If
current flows, a second ground exists somewhere
in the circuit which must be permanently removed.
Reference
Investigate possible sources of ground and repeat NETA 2001 Maintenance Testing Specifications for
this step until no current flows. Electrical Power Distribution Equipment and Systems
3. Connect a temporary ground between the neutral
of the test source and the CT star point. Increase the
source voltage until five amperes flow in the circuit. Chris Werstiuk graduated from the Electrical Engineering Tech-
nology program at the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology
If no current flows, the ground is incorrectly applied and is a Registered Engineering Technologist and Journeyman
or the circuit is incomplete. Power System Electrician. He has performed low-, medium-, and
high-voltage acceptance testing, commissioning, and maintenance
4. Measure the voltage between the first CT circuit testing at various locations throughout the Americas. His experi-
terminal and ground. Multiply this number by the ence is varied, and he is comfortable in mining, utility, generat-
measured current to obtain the voltampere burden ing, distribution, production, institutional, plant, pipeline, and
(VA = Volts * Amperes). Divide the voltage by the commercial environments. Chris is currently a Project Manager
current to determine the burden in ohms (Ohms = for Valence USA, a full service field service and electrical training
organization.
8 NETA WORLD