Lab No.

5B

BAHRIA UNIVERSITY KARACHI CAMPUS

Department of Electrical Engineering

Power System Protection

LAB EXPERIMENT # 5B

Three Phase Current Transformer

OBJECTIVE

Assembling the common current transformer circuit for measurement on three-phase network.

EQUIPMENT

  1 IT 6004 Resistive load

  1 IT 6016 Experiment transformer
  1 IT 6044 Three-phase current transformer
  4 IT 6034 Moving-iron ammeter
 2 IT 6036 Moving-iron ammeter

THEORY

The Current Transformer ( C.T. ), is a type of “instrument transformer” that is designed to produce
an alternating current in its secondary winding which is proportional to the current being measured in
its primary. Current transformers reduce high voltage currents to a much lower value and provide a
convenient way of safely monitoring the actual electrical current flowing in an AC transmission line
using a standard ammeter. The principal of operation of a basic current transformer is slightly
different from that of an ordinary voltage transformer.
The secondary winding however, may have a large number of coil turns wound on a laminated core
of low-loss magnetic material. This core has a large cross-sectional area so that the magnetic flux
density created is low using much smaller cross-sectional area wire, depending upon how much the
current must be stepped down as it tries to output a constant current, independent of the connected
load.
The secondary winding will supply a current into either a short circuit, in the form of an ammeter, or
into a resistive load until the voltage induced in the secondary is big enough to saturate the core or
cause failure from excessive voltage breakdown.
Unlike a voltage transformer, the primary current of a current transformer is not dependent of the
secondary load current but instead is controlled by an external load. The secondary current is usually
rated at a standard 1 Ampere or 5 Amperes for larger primary current ratings.
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 Lab No. 5B

There are three basic types of current transformers:

 Wound Current Transformer – The transformers primary winding is physically
connected in series with the conductor that carries the measured current flowing in the
circuit. The magnitude of the secondary current is dependent on the turns ratio of the
transformer.
 Toroidal Current Transformer – These do not contain a primary winding. Instead, the
line that carries the current flowing in the network is threaded through a window or hole in
the toroidal transformer. Some current transformers have a “split core” which allows it to
be opened, installed, and closed, without disconnecting the circuit to which they are
attached.
 Bar-type Current Transformer – This type of current transformer uses the actual cable
or bus-bar of the main circuit as the primary winding, which is equivalent to a single turn.
They are fully insulated from the high operating voltage of the system and are usually
bolted to the current carrying device.

CURRENT TRANSFORMERS:
The following circuit in Figure 5B.1 is used to measure the conductor currents in a three-phase
system; this circuit is usually called a three-transformer three-phase system.

Figure 5B.1 - Three-transformer 3-phase system for measuring conductor currents.

In order to maintain unambiguous potential relationships on the secondary side, one terminal
(usually terminal k) must be grounded.

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 Lab No. 5B

PROCEDURE:-

 Assemble the circuit according to the foregoing topographic diagram in Figure 5B.2.
 Do not forget that the current transformer may not be operated in open circuit on its secondary
side!
 The resistive load, located in the primary circuit, is star connected and set to resistance value
R6 for every phase.
 Connect the three-phase current transformer so that the resulting current transformation ratio
is 1:1.
 Starting from 0 V, increase the value of the supply voltage to obtain 1 A on the primary
circuit.
 Measure the three primary current alternately and read off the secondary currents with the
neutral conductor N connected or disconnected.

N connected N disconnected
N connected N disconnected
IL1 (A)
I1 (A)
IL2 (A)
I2 (A)
IL3 (A)
I3 (A)

The three measured currents must be approximately equal in both cases; slight deviations may be
explained by the components tolerances.

 Asymmetrical loads can also be measured with this circuit.

 Change only the resistive loads of the phases L2 and L3 to the value R5.
 Increase the supply voltage to obtain a primary current I LI = 1 A.
 Measure the three secondary currents, once with and once without the neutral conductor N
connected.

N connected N disconnected
I1 (A) ………… (1) …………(0.9)
I2 (A) …………(0.7) …………(0.75)
I3 (A) …………(0.7) …………(0.75)

Now, when the circuit is not alive, disconnect the conductor L3 at the output side of the three phase
power supply.
Repeat the above measurements.
N connected N disconnected
I1 (A) ………… (1) …………(0.68)
I2 (A) …………(0.7) …………(0.7)
I3 (A) …………(0) …………(0)
Note: The values in brackets are for information only.

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 Lab No. 5B

CONNECTION DIAGRAM:

Figure 5B.2 – Connections of a three phase current transformer.

CONCLUSION:

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 Lab No. 5B

Lab Assessment Rubric # 5B

Needs Total
Category Excellent 8 Good 6 Satisfactory 4
improvement 2 (40)
Clearly describes the Adequately Describes the Cannot describe
objectives of lab. describes the objectives but the objectives of
Understands possible objectives, but misses some the lab, or what
Objectives and sources of errors and cannot discuss details. Cannot was learnt,
Results their effects. possible sources discuss possible sources of errors
Suggests ways to of errors and their sources of error or and their effects
minimize them. effects their effects

Circuit works Circuit performs Circuit performs Circuit does not

perfectly. All wires most the but output not give any output.
Circuit are attached. / Code functions, gives exactly as Most wires are
implementation works perfectly output./ Code expected. Some not connected/
/ software gives some errors connections not code not
coding done/ code gives compiled/ many
some correct output errors

Can clearly identify Adequately Describe the Cannot describe

the problems and identify the problem but cannot the problem, and
take steps to fix problems and suggest steps on has no effective
Trouble them. Uses an steps taken to fix how to solve them. strategy on how
Shooting effective strategy to them. Uses an Trouble shooting is to solve them.
solve problems effective strategy not consistent.
but misses some
details
Detailed results are Adequate results Some missing Most results are
Measurements shown for each step. are shown. 80% observations. 70% missing. Only
and 100% measurements measurements are results are correct 30%
Observations are correct correct measurements are
correct
Thorough Good Limited Shows incorrect
understanding of the understanding of understanding of understanding of
concepts underlying the concepts, the concepts. the concept.
the lab. Can apply it however cannot Cannot apply to Cannot find any
Conclusions
in real life situations apply them in real life situations usage of the
real life situations and suggest any knowledge.
use of the Cannot describe
knowledge what was learnt.

Lab No: 5B Total Marks: 40 Marks Obtained:

Signature:

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