1MRS756966 General CT Dimensioning Guide - ENb

1MRS756966 EN
Technical Note
Issued: Aug 2009
ABB Oy, Distribution Automation Revision: B / 10 Nov 2009
General CT dimensioning Guide for MV-applications
Contents:
1 Scope .................................................................................................................2
2 Introduction......................................................................................................3
3 CT saturation and dimensioning .....................................................................4
3.1 Symmetrical short-circuit current dimensioning factor Kssc ........................6
3.2 Transient dimensioning factor, Ktd .............................................................6
3.3 Remanence dimensioning factor Krem....................................................... 11
3.4 Total over dimensioning factor Ktot .......................................................... 15
4 Converting the rated accuracy limit factor Kalf into the corresponding
rated knee-point voltage................................................................................. 17
5 List of symbols................................................................................................ 19
Appendix 1: Approximation of fault inception angle ................................................ 21
Appendix 2: Description of protective current transformer classes ........................... 23
Document history, Disclaimer and Copyrights, Trademarks, Contact information.... 26
 Copyright 2009 ABB Oy, Distribution Automation, Vaasa, FINLAND 1 (26)

General CT dimensioning Guide for MV-applications 1MRS756966 EN
1 Scope
This document describes dimensioning calculations for current transformers (CT) in
protection relay applications. First, calculation of the actual accuracy limit factor, taking into
account connection wires and the protection relay impedance, is presented.
Then, the dimensioning factor for symmetrical short circuit current, as well as dimensioning
factors for transient and remanence is discussed with related calculations.
Finally, a calculation method for converting rated accuracy limit factor into corresponding
rated knee-point voltage is presented.
The rules given in this document are applicable for protection relay series such as SPACOM,
RED500, 610 series, 615 series and 630 series.
KEYWORDS: current transformer, accuracy limit factor, current transformer dimensioning

2 Introduction
The rated accuracy limit factor is the ratio of the rated accuracy limit primary current to the
rated primary current. A protective current transformer type 5P10 has, for example, accuracy
class 5P and the rated accuracy limit factor 10. For protective current transformers, the
accuracy class is determined by the highest permissible percentage composite error at the
rated accuracy limit primary current specified for the accuracy class concerned, followed by
the letter “P” (referring to protection).
The CT accuracy primary limit current defines the highest fault current magnitude at which
the CT will meet the specified accuracy. Beyond this level, the secondary current of the CT
will be distorted, and this may have severe effects on the performance of the protection
relay.
In practice, the actual accuracy limit factor differs from the rated accuracy limit factor and is
proportional to the ratio of the rated CT burden and the actual CT burden.
For reliable and correct operation of the protection relays, the current transformer has to be
carefully chosen. The distortion of the secondary current of a saturated CT may compromise
the operation, selectivity and co-ordination of the protection. A correctly selected CT, on the
other hand, enables fast and reliable protection.
The theory and notations in this application note comply with the IEC-60044 standards, and
are valid for purely resistive CT burdens, which is the case for modern numerical relays.

3 CT saturation and dimensioning
Proper operation of a protection system requires that a sufficient part of the fault current can
be sensed by the protection relay, despite current transformer (CT) saturation. Modern
protection relays are designed to tolerate a certain amount of saturation. This ability can be
specified with the parameter tal, time-to-saturate, which is the time during which the
secondary current is a faithful replica of the primary current. Figure 1 illustrates two CT
secondary current waveforms representing two different degrees of saturation corresponding
to tal = 3 ms and tal = 5 ms.
Unsaturated current
5 ms
Saturation after 5 milliseconds
Current
Saturation after 3 milliseconds
0
3 ms
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20
Time (milliseconds)
Figure 1. Illustration of parameter tal (time-to-saturate). The blue curve corresponds to tal =
3 ms, the black curve to tal = 5 ms.
The requirement on the time-to-saturate parameter tal depends on several factors, such as the
required operating speed of the protection, the applied measuring principle, the type of
protection function, and the way of implementation of the protection function. For example,
the CT requirements for differential protection applications are typically more stringent than
the requirements for normal over current protection. Therefore, time tal varies between
protection functions and also between relay manufacturers.
To guarantee a secondary current, which is unaffected by saturation within tal, the current
transformers must be properly over dimensioned. The required total over dimensioning
factor, Ktot is given by Equation (1):
K tot = K ssc ⋅ K td ⋅ K rem (1)

where
Ktot is the total over dimensioning factor,
Kssc is the symmetrical short-circuit current dimensioning factor considering the
magnetizing effect of the symmetrical short-circuit current,
Ktd is the transient dimensioning factor considering the magnetizing effect of the
asymmetrical short-circuit current (due to a superimposed dc component) and
Krem is the remanence dimensioning factor considering the magnetizing effect of the
remanent flux
'
The required actual accuracy limit factor K alf of a particular CT must be higher than the
calculated Ktot value in order to guarantee a correct operation of the protection:
'
K alf ≥ K tot (2)
S in + S n
'
K alf = K alf ⋅ (3)
S in + S a
where
'
K alf is the actual accuracy limit factor of the CT,
K alf is the rated accuracy limit factor of the CT,
Sin is the internal CT burden (due to the secondary winding resistance Rct) (unit: volt
ampere), S in = Rct ⋅ I sn2 , where Rct is the secondary winding resistance (unit: ohm) of
the CT and Isn is the secondary rated current of the CT (unit: ampere),
Sn is the rated CT burden (unit: volt ampere), S n = Rb ⋅ I sn2 , where Rb is the rated burden
resistance (unit: ohm) of the CT and
Sa is the actual CT burden due to the external wiring and burden (unit: volt ampere),
S a = Ra ⋅ I sn2 , where Ra is the actual burden resistance (unit: ohm) of the CT
Next, the dimensioning factors ( K ssc , K td , K rem ) will each be discussed separately.

3.1 Symmetrical short-circuit current dimensioning factor Kssc
For a purely symmetrical short-circuit current (no superimposed dc component), the over
dimensioning factor depends on the ratio of magnitudes between the primary short-circuit
current (Ipsc) and the rated primary current of the CT (Ipn):
I psc
K ssc = (4)
I pn
Example. With a 10 kA short-circuit current and a 200/1 A current transformer, Kssc will be
50:
10000
K ssc = = 50
200
3.2 Transient dimensioning factor, Ktd
An asymmetrical short-circuit current magnetizes the CT core asymmetrically, which makes

the flux density in the core reach the saturation level much earlier than should the short-
circuit current be symmetrical. Consequently, the core must be over dimensioned even more
by introducing the transient dimensioning factor Ktd.
Ktd can be calculated from Equation (5), which can be applied in cases with purely resistive
burden.
ω ⋅ T p ⋅ Ts
K td = ⋅ cosθ ⋅ (exp(−t al / T p ) − exp(−t al / Ts ))
T p − Ts
+ sin θ ⋅ exp(−tal / Ts ) − sin(ω ⋅ tal + θ ) (5)
where
ω is the angular frequency, i.e. 2⋅π⋅fn (fn = rated frequency) (unit: radians/second),
Tp is the dc time constant of the primary short-circuit current (unit: second),
Ts is the time constant of the CT secondary circuit (unit: second),
θ is the fault inception angle on the voltage wave (unit: radians) and
tal is the time-to-saturate i.e. the duration of the saturation-free transformation of current
from the primary into the secondary (unit: second)

The time constant Tp depends on the primary short-circuit loop impedance and it can be
calculated from Equation (6):
L X tan (α )
Tp = = = (6)
R ω⋅R ω
where
L is the short-circuit loop inductance (unit: henry),
R is the short-circuit loop resistance (unit: ohm),
X is the short-circuit loop reactance (unit: ohm) and
α is the angle of the short-circuit loop impedance (unit: degree)
Table 1 shows the correlation between the X/R-ratio and the time constant Tp for some
example cases.
Table 1. Distribution level X/R ratios, corresponding to the angle of the short-circuit loop
impedance α and the primary dc time constant Tp
X/R- α [degrees] Tp [milliseconds],
ratio fn = 50 Hz
1.6 57.5 5
3.1 72.3 10
7.9 82.7 25
15.7 86.4 50
23.6 87.6 75
31.4 88.2 100
62.8 89.1 200
94.2 89.4 300
Ts represents the time constant of the CT secondary circuit. For closed iron-core CTs, Ts is
typically much greater than tal and therefore its influence on Ktd is negligible. If an accurate
value of Ts is needed, it can be calculated from Equation (7):

Lmagn 1
Ts = = (7)
Rct + Ra ω ⋅ tan(δ )
where
Lmagn is the magnetizing inductance of the CT (unit: henry),
Rct is the resistance of the secondary winding (internal burden resistance) (unit: ohm),
Ra is the actual value of the resistive burden connected to the secondary circuit (unit:
ohm) and
is the phase displacement error of the CT in degrees (for class 5P this is ±60 minutes
= ±1 degree). It must be noted that the phase displacement error is typically given at
rated burden; if the actual burden is smaller than the rated burden the phase
displacement error is reduced and the secondary time constant increased.
Example. The phase displacement error is one degree. Based on Equation 7, Ts is then
approximately 180 milliseconds. If the phase displacement error is 0.2 degrees, Ts is
approximately 900 ms.
As can be seen from Equation 5, the transient dimensioning factor Ktd is affected by the
value of θ, i.e. the fault inception angle on the voltage wave. Thus, in order to obtain a
maximum value for Ktd, the fault inception angle must be varied between 0…180 degrees. In
Figure 2 the fault inception angle θ, which gives the maximum value for Ktd is drawn as a
function of the primary dc time constant Tp. Different curves represent different values for
the parameter tal (time-to-saturate). See Appendix 1 for equations that can be used to
approximate the curves of Figure 2.

140
120
Fault inception angle (degrees)

100
tal=1 ms
80 tal=3 ms
tal=5 ms
60
tal=7 ms
tal=9 ms
40
tal=11 ms
20
0
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
dc time constant (ms)
Figure 2. Values of the fault inception angle giving maximum value for Ktd as a function of
the dc time constant Tp, time-to-saturate tal as a parameter ( fn=50 Hz, 1 degree = π/180
radians).
Finally, Figure 3 shows the maximum values of the transient dimensioning factor Ktd
calculated by using the fault inception angles of Figure 2.

4.5
tal=11 ms
Transient dimensioning factor, Ktd

4
3.5
tal=9 ms
3
2.5
tal=7 ms
2
1.5
tal=5 ms
1
tal=3 ms
0.5
tal=1 ms
0
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
dc time constant (ms)
Figure 3. Values of the transient dimensioning factor as a function of the dc time constant,
time-to-saturate tal as a parameter ( fn=50 Hz).
Example. The dc time constant of the primary short-circuit current Tp is 50 ms:
a) The requirement for time-to-saturate tal is 3 ms
Ktd ≈ 0.42
b) The requirement for time-to-saturate tal is 5 ms
Ktd ≈ 1.1
When tal = 3 milliseconds and Tp varies between 3…100 milliseconds, then Ktd ≤ 0.5.
When tal = 5 milliseconds and Tp varies between 3…100 milliseconds, then Ktd ≤ 1.2.

3.3 Remanence dimensioning factor Krem
A typical CT behaviour during different operation conditions is illustrated in Figure 4. The

figure shows the principal relationship between the CT secondary current and the
corresponding operation point on the magnetizing curve, which is also called the hysteresis
loop or the B-H curve of the iron core material used in CT´s. Generally, the B-H curve
defines the non-linear properties of any magnetic material.
• First a normal load current and zero initial remanence is assumed (green shaded
area). The operation point on the B-H curve circles around the origin between points
and , far away from the saturation flux level.
• Then a fault with a high fault current is assumed to occur at . There is no initial
remanence in the CT core. The flux increases rapidly and reaches saturation level Bsat
at . The CT saturates and the secondary current becomes distorted. During the
fault (dark red shaded area), the operation point moves around the main hysteresis
loop between points and .
• When the CB is tripped and the fault current is interrupted at , the instantaneous
flux has a high value (flux and current are approximately 90 degrees apart – when the
current is interrupted at current zero crossing, the flux is close to its maximum value)
and this flux becomes trapped inside the CT core. This ”trapped” flux is called
remanent flux. It is the magnetic flux density that remains in a magnetic circuit after
the removal of the applied magnetizing force. The decay of the flux after the current
interruption towards the remanence level at can be described with the following
equation:
t
−
B(t ) = Brem + ( Binst − Brem ) ⋅ e Ts
(8)
where
Binst is the instantaneous flux density value at the time of current interruption. In
Figure 4, it is the flux density at .
Brem is the remanent flux density corresponding to Binst in Equation 8. In Figure 4,
the remanent flux density at has the highest possible value, which is
typically approximately 80% of the saturation flux density value Bsat.
The magnitude of the actual remanence depends on the momentary value of the flux
density at the time when the primary current is interrupted. It should be noted that the
actual remanent flux density can be lower than illustrated in Figure 4, as Binst does
not necessarily equal the saturation flux density, e.g. in case of a low amplitude fault
current or load current being interrupted.

Once the remanent flux density has been established, it dissipates just slightly under
normal load conditions. Therefore operation can be assumed to continue around the
flux level determined by the remanent flux. The IEC 60044 standards define the
remanent flux as “that value of flux which would remain in the core 3 min after the
interruption of an exciting current of sufficient magnitude to induce the saturation
flux”.
An example of remanence in an actual system is represented in reference [IEEE
C37.110-2007]: a survey of 141 CT´s on a 230 kV transmission system revealed that
remanence, as high as 60-80% of saturation flux density, was measured in almost
every third CT. Over 60% of all measured CT´s had a remanence level of more than
20% of the saturation flux density.
• A successful re-closing of the CB is assumed to occur at . The operation then

continues around the remanent flux density level between points and . In case
of a smaller remanence, the operation could continue e.g. around points and .
Flux Density B (T)
Flux Density B (T)

0 0 0
0 0 0
Magnetizing Force H (A-turns) Magnetizing Force H (A-turns) Magnetizing Force H (A-turns)
Flux density (T)
+Bsat
-Bsat
0 0.05 0.1 0.15 0.2 ~4*Ts 4*Ts+0.05
Secondary current (A)
0 0.05 0.1 0.15 0.2 ~4*Ts 4*Ts+0.05

Time (seconds)
Figure 4. CT behaviour during different operation conditions.

The actual impact of the remanence depends on the time of fault (fault inception angle); the
remanence either speeds up saturation or delays it. This is illustrated in Figure 5, where a
two-phase short-circuit between phases A and B occurs. The CT´s of phases A and B have
significant remanent flux densities from previous fault interruptions. In the left-hand side of
Figure 5 the fault occurs at a time when the momentary flux densities of phases A and B are
increasing. The flux densities of phases A and B reach saturation level almost immediately
and the secondary currents of phases A and B become heavily distorted. In the right-hand
side of Figure 5 the fault occurs at a time when the momentary flux densities of phase A and
B are decreasing. This delays saturation, which is not reached until after half a cycle from
the fault occurrence.
Flux density
Flux density
0 00
0.38 0.4 0.42 0.44 0.38 0.4 0.42 0.44

Time (sec.) Time (sec.)
Secondary Current
Secondary Current
0 0
0.38 0.4 0.42 0.44 0.38 0.4 0.42 0.44

Time (sec.) Time (sec.)
Figure 5. Illustration of how remanence affects saturation. The fault occurs at time
t = 0.4 seconds (left hand side) and 0.41 seconds (right hand side). Phase colours: A (red), B
(blue) and C (green).
The effects of remanence can be seen during the first half cycle of the fault current. In the
worst case almost no current during the first half-cycle of the fault is seen by the relay due to
a high degree of saturation. This is illustrated in Figure 6, which shows alternative
measuring principles of high-set over current protection with example fault current
magnitudes. In this example the operate time delay of the protection is set to a minimum
value. The red curve represents the case without remanence, the blue curve represents the
case, where the remanence and momentary flux densities have opposite polarity (saturation
is delayed) and the green curve represent the case, where remanence and momentary flux
densities have the same polarity (saturation is accelerated). The impact of saturation also
depends on the measuring principle of the protection function; in the worst case the
additional delay in operation due to remanence may be in the order of the dc time constant of
the short-circuit current (in this example, Tp = 50 ms). This is the case when the remanence
and the momentary flux density at the time of fault have the same polarity and the measuring
principle is based on full-cycle DFT-measurement. Much faster operation, despite

remanence and saturation, is achieved when the so called peak-to-peak measuring principle
is used.
Remanence and momentary flux have the same polarity

No remanence
Remanence and momentary flux have opposite polarity
Secondary current
50
Current (*In)
-50
0 0.01 0.02 0.03 0.04 0.05 0.06 0.07 0.08 0.09 0.1
Time (seconds)
40
Peak-to-peak measurement
30
Current (*In)
3I>> -setting
20
10
t1 t2
0
0 0.01 0.02 0.03 0.04 0.05 0.06 0.07 0.08 0.09 0.1
Time (seconds)
40
DFT measurement
30
Current (*In)
3I>> -setting
20
t1 t2
10
0
0 0.01 0.02 0.03 0.04 0.05 0.06 0.07 0.08 0.09 0.1
Time (seconds)
Figure 6. Measuring principles of a high-set over current protection stage at example fault
current magnitudes and extreme remanence. Tp = 50 ms. The time instances t1 and t2
indicate, when the measured current exceeds the setting at different measuring principles
(peak-to-peak and DFT).
The general drawback of saturation and remanence is that they may delay the operation of
the protection, especially if the fault current only slightly exceeds the setting. When high-
speed operation is required (no additional operation delay of protection is accepted under
any circumstances), then over dimensioning the protection CT´s because of the remanence
should be considered. This typically leads to very high Ktot-requirements, which cannot be
met with closed iron core CT´s (class P, PX or TPX). In this case, an alternative solution is
to use special CT classes with linearized or air-gapped cores (class TPY or TPZ). The
drawback of such CT´s is their higher cost. Due to this, and the fact that high remanence and

the worst case fault inception angle very rarely coincide, remanence has typically been
neglected at practical CT dimensioning in distribution networks. It should be noted that the
calculation of Ktd already includes some safety margin, as the occurrence of a fault exactly at
the worst case switching angle is unusual.
When dimensioning CT´s, the effect of possible remanence can be taken into account with
the remanence dimensioning factor, Krem, which allows for the magnetising effect of the
remanent flux density. The remanence dimensioning factor is:
1
K rem = (9)
Kr
1−
100%
where
Kr is the remanence factor in per cent (%) that equals (Brem /Bsat)*100%, where Brem is
the remanent flux density and Bsat is the saturation flux density, see Figure 4.
Example. Consider a remanent flux density of 80% of the saturation flux density. The
remanence dimensioning factor will be 5:
1
K rem = =5
1 − 0.8
3.4 Total over dimensioning factor Ktot
The total over dimensioning factor, Ktot takes into account the over dimensioning factors due
to symmetrical and asymmetrical short-circuit current and remanent flux density:
K tot = K ssc ⋅ K td ⋅ K rem (10)
Example. For a 10 kA short-circuit current with a time constant of 50 milliseconds and a

200/1 A current transformer with a time-to-saturate requirement of 5 milliseconds, the total
over dimensioning factor will be:

Assuming no remanence:
K tot = 50 ⋅ 1.1 ⋅ 1 = 55.5
'
Select a CT with K alf equal to 56 or higher.
Assuming full (80%) remanence:
K tot = 50 ⋅ 1.1 ⋅ 5 = 275.0
Due to the low probability of a fault current with a fully developed dc component and a
simultaneous remanence of such a polarity that the saturation is accelerated, over
dimensioning based on full remanence is not generally applied. Also, CT´s with low
remanence (with air-gap) should be considered in cases, where remanence is an issue of
importance.

4 Converting the rated accuracy limit factor Kalf into the corresponding
rated knee-point voltage
Converting the rated accuracy limit factor of the CT, Kalf, into the rated equivalent limiting
secondary voltage Eal:
E al = K alf ⋅ (Rct + Rb ) ⋅ I sn (11)
where
Kalf is the rated accuracy limit factor of the CT,
Rct is the secondary winding resistance (internal burden resistance) (unit: ohm),
Rb is the rated value of the secondary connected resistive burden (unit: ohm) and
Isn is the rated secondary current (1A or 5A)
Rated knee-point voltage Ek:
Bk
Ek = ⋅ E al ≈ 0.8 ⋅ E al (12)
Bal
where
Bk is the flux density level at which the knee-point is defined at, typical value: 1.5 T and
Bal is the flux density level at which the accuracy limit factor is defined at, typical value:
1.9 T
Example 1. CT: 200/1 A, 5P10, 30 VA, Rb = 30 Ohm, Rct = 5.25 Ohm, K alf = 10

E k ≈ 0.8 ⋅ K alf ⋅ (Rct + Rb ) ⋅ I sn ≈ 280 V
Example 2. CT: 300/1 A, 5P20, 30 VA, Rb = 30 Ohm, Rct = 4.46 Ohm, K alf = 20
E k ≈ 0.8 ⋅ K alf ⋅ (Rct + Rb ) ⋅ I sn ≈ 550 V

5 List of symbols
α angle of the short-circuit loop impedance
phase displacement error of the CT in degrees
θ fault inception angle on the voltage wave
θmaxKtd fault inception angle in degrees
ω angular frequency
Bal flux density level at which the accuracy limit factor is defined at
Bk flux density level at which the knee-point is defined
Binst instantaneous flux density value at the time of current interruption
Brem remanent flux density
Bsat saturation flux density
Eal rated equivalent limiting secondary voltage
Ek rated knee point voltage
Isn rated secondary current of the CT
Ipsc primary short-circuit current
Ipn rated primary current of the CT
Ktot total over dimensioning factor
Kssc symmetrical short-circuit current dimensioning factor
Ktd transient dimensioning factor
Krem remanence dimensioning factor
Kr remanence factor
K’alf actual accuracy limit factor of the CT
Kalf rated accuracy limit factor of the CT
L inductance

Lmagn magnetizing inductance of the CT
R resistance
Ra actual value of the resistive burden connected to the secondary circuit
Rb rated value of the secondary connected resistive burden
Rct resistance of the CT secondary winding
Sa actual CT burden
Sin internal CT burden
Sn rated CT burden
tal time-to-saturate
Tp dc time constant of the primary short-circuit current
Ts time constant of the CT secondary circuit
X reactance

Appendix 1
The fault inception angle (θ) in Equation 5, which gives the maximum transient
dimensioning factor Ktd, can be approximated with the following equation:
− x3⋅(Tp ) x4
θ max K = x1 − x2 ⋅ e
td
(A1)
where
θmaxKtd is the fault inception angle in degrees and
Tp is the primary dc time constant in milliseconds
x1, x2, x3 and x4 are coefficients from Table A1.
Table A1. Coefficients, giving an approximation of a worst case fault inception angle
(θmaxKtd) in Equation 5.
Time-to-saturate tal [ms]

Coefficient 1 3 5 7 9 11
x1 159.71 143.96 126.79 109.08 91.36 73.60
x2 75.56 71.73 66.30 60.09 53.44 46.14
x3 3.13 3.24 3.42 3.54 3.57 3.51
x4 -1.06 -1.07 -1.08 -1.08 -1.09 -1.08
Example. When time-to-saturate tal = 5 ms, then the coefficients are:
x1 = 126.79
x2 = 66.30
x3 = 3.42
x4 = -1.08

When the primary dc time constant Tp is 50 ms, the fault inception angle (θ), which gives the
maximum transient dimensioning factor Ktd, can be approximated with Equation A1, which
gives:
θ max K = x1-x2*exp(-x3*Tp^x4) = 63.7 degrees

td

Appendix 2
Brief description of certain protective current transformer classes according to the IEC
60044-1, IEC 60044-6 and IEC 60044-8 standards. Please refer to the IEC 60044 standards
for more detailed information.
Current transformers for protection are classified according to their functional performance
as follows:
class P: For protective current transformers, the accuracy class is designed by the
highest permissible percentage composite error at the rated accuracy limit
primary current prescribed for the accuracy class concerned, followed by the
letter “P” (meaning protection). There is no limit for remanent flux. At rated
frequency and with rated burden connected, the current error, phase
displacement and composite error shall not exceed the values given in Table
A2.
Table A2. Limits of error for class P protective current transformers
class PX: Class PX is the definition in IEC 60044-1 formerly covered by class X of the
British Standard BS3938. A transformer of low leakage reactance for which
knowledge of the transformer secondary excitation characteristic, the secondary
winding resistance, the secondary burden resistance and the turns-ratio is
sufficient for assessing its performance in combination with the protective relay
system, with which it is to be used. There is no limit for remanent flux.

The performance of class PX current transformers shall be specified in terms of

the following:
a) rated primary current (Ipn);
b) rated secondary current (Isn);
c) rated turns-ratio. The turns-ratio error shall not exceed ±0.25%;
d) rated knee point voltage (Ek);
e) maximum exciting current (Ie) at the rated knee point voltage and/or at a
stated percentage thereof;
f) maximum resistance of the secondary winding at a temperature of 75°C (Rct);
g) rated resistive burden (Rb);
h) rated accuracy limit factor of the CT, (Kalf).
The rated knee-point voltage is generally determined in accordance to

Equations 11 and 12.
class TPY: Class TPY CTs have a specified limit for the remanent flux (low-remanence
type). The magnetic core is provided with small air gaps to reduce the remanent
flux to a level that does not exceed 10% of the saturation flux.
class TPZ: The aim for the class TPZ is to avoid saturation of the core due to the dc
component. For that a large air gap is included in the core (non-remanence
type). The result is to eliminate the remanence and to avoid the effect of the dc
component. The secondary output does not transmit a correct view of the dc
component, and the phase error is bigger than that of a classical protective
class. For this TPZ class the error is based on the power-frequency component
only.
class TPX: This class corresponds to class P according to IEC60044-1. Additionally TPX
specifies transient performance. There is no limit for remanent flux.
For classes TPX, TPY and TPZ, with the secondary loop resistance adjusted to the value Rs
=Rct + Rb, the errors shall not exceed the values given in Table A3.

Table A3. Limits of error for class TPX, TPY and TPZ protective current transformers.

Document revision history
Document revision/date History

A / 20 August 2009 First revision
B / 10 November 2009 Template updated, new document number
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1MRS756966 General CT Dimensioning Guide - ENb

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1MRS756966 EN

General CT dimensioning Guide for MV-applications

Appendix 1: Approximation of fault inception angle ................................................ 21

Appendix 2: Description of protective current transformer classes ........................... 23

Document history, Disclaimer and Copyrights, Trademarks, Contact information.... 26

 Copyright 2009 ABB Oy, Distribution Automation, Vaasa, FINLAND 1 (26)

KEYWORDS: current transformer, accuracy limit factor, current transformer dimensioning

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3 CT saturation and dimensioning

Saturation after 3 milliseconds

K tot = K ssc ⋅ K td ⋅ K rem (1)

 Copyright 2009 ABB Oy, Distribution Automation, Vaasa, FINLAND 4 (26)

K alf is the rated accuracy limit factor of the CT,

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3.1 Symmetrical short-circuit current dimensioning factor Kssc

3.2 Transient dimensioning factor, Ktd

An asymmetrical short-circuit current magnetizes the CT core asymmetrically, which makes

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Lmagn is the magnetizing inductance of the CT (unit: henry),

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Fault inception angle (degrees)

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Transient dimensioning factor, Ktd

Example. The dc time constant of the primary short-circuit current Tp is 50 ms:

a) The requirement for time-to-saturate tal is 3 ms

b) The requirement for time-to-saturate tal is 5 ms

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3.3 Remanence dimensioning factor Krem

A typical CT behaviour during different operation conditions is illustrated in Figure 4. The

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• A successful re-closing of the CB is assumed to occur at . The operation then

Flux Density B (T)

0 0.05 0.1 0.15 0.2 ~4*Ts 4*Ts+0.05

Figure 4. CT behaviour during different operation conditions.

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0.38 0.4 0.42 0.44 0.38 0.4 0.42 0.44

0.38 0.4 0.42 0.44 0.38 0.4 0.42 0.44

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Remanence and momentary flux have the same polarity

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3.4 Total over dimensioning factor Ktot

K tot = K ssc ⋅ K td ⋅ K rem (10)

Example. For a 10 kA short-circuit current with a time constant of 50 milliseconds and a

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K tot = 50 ⋅ 1.1 ⋅ 1 = 55.5

Assuming full (80%) remanence:

K tot = 50 ⋅ 1.1 ⋅ 5 = 275.0

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E al = K alf ⋅ (Rct + Rb ) ⋅ I sn (11)

Kalf is the rated accuracy limit factor of the CT,

Isn is the rated secondary current (1A or 5A)

Rated knee-point voltage Ek:

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Rated knee-point voltage Ek:

E k ≈ 0.8 ⋅ K alf ⋅ (Rct + Rb ) ⋅ I sn ≈ 280 V

Rated knee-point voltage Ek:

E k ≈ 0.8 ⋅ K alf ⋅ (Rct + Rb ) ⋅ I sn ≈ 550 V

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α angle of the short-circuit loop impedance

phase displacement error of the CT in degrees

θ fault inception angle on the voltage wave

0 0.05 0.1 0.15 0.2 ~4Ts 4Ts+0.05

θ max K = x1-x2exp(-x3Tp^x4) = 63.7 degrees