1. What is meant by Accuracy Class of a CT?

It is the % allowable error and is associated to burden power, apparent power, expressed in
VA, that is taken up from the secondary core (load) and for which the accuracy is assured.

For least accurate classes, the accuracy is also defined as the permissible phase angle
displacement between primary and secondary currents. As per ANSI, accuracy class is
described by 2 symbols, letter designation and voltage rating, which defines the capability of
the transformer. The letter designation code is as follows:

C: Transformer ratio can be calculated.

T: Transformer ratio must be determined by test.

Accuracy depends on the design and build quality of the meter’s cut put channels. Higher
quality of materials will provide better accuracy but will naturally increase pricing. Class of
0.5 means that accuracy is of 5% under full load and unity power factor.

When power factor is less than unity due to harmonics (harmonics lower power factor), the
accuracy deteriorates.

2. What is meant by the Accuracy Limit Factor for a CT?

It is defined as the ratio of the rated accuracy limit primary current to the rated primary
current. For example, for a CT of ratio 200/5A, 5P10, it will maintain its measurement
accuracy of 5% over 10 × rated primary current, i.e. 2kA. The factor of 10 is known as the
Accuracy Limit.
Burden and Accuracy limit factor are interrelated. A decrease in burden will automatically
increase its accuracy limit factor and vice versa.
3. What is the Rated Continuous Thermal current for a CT?

It is the value of the current which can be permitted to flow continuously in the primary
winding, the secondary windings being connected to the rated burdens, without the
temperature rise exceeding the specified value which may results in any kind of damages or
overloads.
 4. What is the difference between Protection CT and Metering CT?
Protection CT
1. Design to operate well into the over
current range
2. Classes are designated as follows: 5P10,
10P10 where “P” means protection, number
before P is the composite error % and after P
is the factor of primary current.
3. High saturation level
4. Core materials made from Silicon Steel
5. Used for supplying current to protective
relays.
6. Use to protect the whole system from over
current.
7.
Source: (https://electrical-engineering-portal.com/iec-nema-ieee-
ratings-current-transformers-cts)
Where,
1. Saturation
2. Linear operating range, at accuracy class tolerance
3. Ideal protection setting trip zone 50%~100% ALF
8. Total Burden = Connecting cable in
burden in VA + Sum of protective relays
burden in VA.
Metering CT
1. Measure current continuously and work
accurately within a rated current range
2. Accuracy class are 0.1, 0.2, 0.5, 1
3. Have a low saturation level
4. Materials made up of nano-crystalline
5. Suitable for applications requiring high
accuracy and minimum phase displacement
6. Use by utility companies for billing
purposes to meter current use.
7.
Source: (https://electrical-engineering-portal.com/iec-nema-ieee-
ratings-current-transformers-cts)
8. Total Burden = Sum of meters burden in
VA (Ammeter, Wattmeter, Transducer, ect)
connected in series to the CT secondary
circuit + Connecting secondary circuit cable
burden un VA.
 9. Burden expressed as Volt-amperes (VA) 9. Burden expressed in ohms impedance

5. What is meant by the Burden of a PT?

It is the amount of energy which cannot be transformed and is expressed as Volt-amperes

(VA). For example, a 2.5 C 100 Protection CT is accurate within 2.5% if the secondary
burden is less than 1 ohm (100 volts/100 amperes).

Burden× ALF
V= , Where ALF is the Accuracy Limit Factor.
Rated Secondary Current

The burden of a PT does not depend on the connected meters and quantity of meters on the
secondary circuit as compared to Metering CT.

The CT burden impedance decreases as the secondary current increases because of the
saturation in the magnetic circuits of relays and other devices. Normally voltage drop across
the burden will be high and reason why the knee point voltage should be more than the
voltage drop across the burden to maintain the CT core in its linear zone.