C3.1.

1 Current transformers; Principles of different types of protection; Co-ordination; Testing

Accuracy Class Of Current Transformer

Last Updated on January 29, 2024 by Electricalvolt

Current transformers are used for measurement of electrical parameters like

ampere, power, and energy. CTs are also used for measuring the current at
fault condition and tripping of the upstream breaker to avoid damage to the
electrical network. From the perspective of the protection of the electrical
network, the current transformer accuracy class is significant, and it plays a
vital role in ensuring the security of the electrical network.

There are three types of current transformers.

• Metering Class CT
• Protection Class CT
• Special Protection Class CT

Metering Class CT
The metering class CT is used for the measurement of electrical parameters.
The crucial role of CT is that it should measure the current accurately without
much error. The accuracy class parameter is very important for metering CT.
The following specifications need to be checked for the metering class
current transformer.

Important Parameters of Metering Class CT

CT Ratio
The current transformation ratio(CTR) is defined as the ratio of the
input current to the output current. The current transformer of 300/5 CTR
means if the primary current is 300 Amp, then the secondary current is 5
Amp.

CT Burden
The burden of the current transformer is expressed in VA. The total total
burden should be taken into account when CT is used for measuring or
protection purposes. To calculate the total burden of the secondary circuit of
the CT, the total resistance of the secondary side of the CT should be
considered. The secondary winding of CT is connected to the measuring
equipment or protection circuit through pilot wires. The total resistance of
the secondary circuit is the sum of CT secondary winding resistance,
connecting wires resistance, and the resistance of the relay/meter.

Example
If the relay resistance is 0.1 ohm, the connecting wire resistance is 0.2 ohm,
and the secondary winding resistance of CT is 0.1 ohm. The total resistance
of the secondary circuit is 0.1+0.2+0.1= 0.4 ohm. If the rated secondary
current of the CT is 5 Amp, then the secondary voltage is (Is*Rburden)=
0.4*5=2 volts. The burden of the current transformer is =Is*Vs= 5*2= 10 VA.

Rating Factor
Multiples of Rated Current to which the CT can maintain its accuracy is
called the rating factor of CT. Typical rating factor is 1, 1.5, 2, 3, 4. Example:
500/5A CT with RF 2 CT will maintain its accuracy certification up to
1000A.

CT Class
The standard accuracy classes, according to IEC, are classes 0.2, 0.5, 1, 3, and
5. The CT with accuracy classes of 0.1, 0.2, 0.5, and 1.0 are used for the
measurement of electric current. 0.1 and 0.2 accuracy class CT are used in a
revenue metering application. 0.2 class metering CT means the CT functions
within the specified accuracy limit at 100 % and 120 % of the rated CT
current, and the accuracy limit error is 0.2 %. The CT operates in the linearity
zone of the magnetization curve, and it consumes a very low magnetizing
current. The 0.3 class CT reads 0.993 to 1.003 at 100% rated current, and at
10% current, the CT reads in the range of 0.994 to 1.006.

The core of metering CT gets saturated when the current above its rated
current flows through it. The current is limited within the device. This
protects the connected metering device from overloading in case of the fault
current. The salient features of metering CT are as follows.

• High accuracy in a smaller range

• Less core material is required
• This leads to lower saturation voltages

The metering CT has less core material compared to the core material of the
protection class CT. The metering CT specification is written in the form of
0.3 B 1.8. The first number is the current transformer accuracy class, B
stands for the metering class, and 1.8 is the maximum burden that can be
connected to the CT.

0.2s and 0.5s class CT are used in revenue metering

applications. The 0.2 s and 0.5s class CT have a ratio error
of 0.2 % for current from 20 to 120% of the rated current.
The ratio and phase angle error for measuring the current
transformer of 0.2s -0.5s class are given below.
Accuracy ±Percentage Current ±Phase Displacement at Percentage
Class (Ratio) Error at of Rated Current Shown Below
Percentage of Rated
Minutes Centiradians
Current Shown Below
1 5 20 100 120 1 5 20 100 120 1 5 20 100 120

0.2S 0.75 0.35 0.2 0.2 0.2 30 15 10 10 10 0.9 0.45 0.3 0.3 0.3

0.5S 1.5 0.75 0.5 0.5 0.5 90 45 30 30 30 2.7 1.35 0.9 0.9 0.9

The ratio and phase angle error for measuring current

transformer of 0.1 -1.0 class are as given below.
Accuracy ±Percentage Current ±Phase Displacement at Percentage of Rated
Class (Ratio) Error at Current Shown Below
Percentage of Rated
Minutes Centiradians
Current Shown Below
5 20 100 120 5 20 100 120 5 20 100 120

0.1 0.4 0.2 0.1 0.1 15 8 5 5 0.45 0.24 0.15 0.15

0.2 0.75 0.35 0.2 0.2 30 15 10 10 0.9 0.45 0.30 0.30

0.5 1.50 1.75 0.5 0.5 90 45 30 30 2.7 1.35 0.9 0.9

1.0 3.0 1.5 1.0 1.0 180 90 60 60 5.4 2.7 1.8 1.8

Protection Class CT
Protection class CT is connected to the protection relay that gives a tripping
command to the circuit breaker at the time of fault condition. The protection
class CT has the following features.

• CT is required to perform in fault current

• Moderate accuracy over a broader range
• More core material is needed
At the time of fault, the primary current of CT increases abnormally high and
the core can get magnetized above its rated capacity, and whatever fault
current flowing in the circuit can’t be reflected in the secondary side of the
CT. This phenomenon is known as the saturation of CT. If CT gets saturated
at the time of the fault, the protection relay will not operate.

Therefore, it is very important to ensure that the protection relay must

operate at the time of fault. The protection class CT is designed to take care
of fault current. To ensure this, the Protection CT requires an Accuracy Limit
Factor (ALF). Accuracy Limit Factor (ALF) is the multiple of rated current
up to which CT will operate, complying with accuracy class requirement.

According to IEEE C57.13-2008, C200 CT has the following

specifications.
C 200
Here 200 is the Secondary terminal voltage which the CT must maintain
within the C Rating.
C Rating:
– Less than 3% ratio error at rated current
– Less than 10% ratio error at 20 times rated current
– Standard burden 200V/ (5A x 20) = 2Ω

Example:
5P10 class CT
If the primary current is 10 times the rated primary current of the CT, the CT
will function perfectly within the accuracy limit of 5 %. A 5P20 CT has an
Accuracy limit of 5% at 20 times rated current (Accuracy Limit Factor). The
accuracy class of the current transformer of this CT at rated current is 1%.

Marking on CT

The accuracy class of the current transformer is written after

the rated VA of the CT E.g
• 10VA5P10
• 15VA10P10
 • 30VA5P20
Protection Special(PS) class CT
PS class CT is used for differential protection of the generator,
motor, and transformer. The manufacturer requires the following
parameters for the design of the CT.

Related Posts on Current Transformer

what is meant by burden in Current transformers?

In the context of current transformers (CTs), the term "burden" refers to the external impedance
or load connected to the secondary winding of the CT. The burden represents the total resistance,
reactance, and sometimes impedance of the devices or equipment connected to the secondary
side of the current transformer.

The burden can be categorized into two main types:

1. Active Burden:
o Represents the real power consumed by the connected devices, such as relays,
meters, or other secondary equipment.
o Usually measured in ohms (Ω) and is associated with the real power (watts) that
the secondary winding must deliver to the connected devices.
2. Apparent Burden:
o Represents the combination of both the real power (active burden) and the
reactive power (reactive burden) consumed by the connected devices.
o Measured in volt-amperes (VA) or volt-amperes reactive (VAR) and is associated
with the total power, both real and reactive, that the secondary winding must
supply.

The burden is an important consideration in the design and specification of current transformers
because it affects the accuracy of the current measurement. CTs are designed to operate under
specific burden conditions, and the burden should be within the specified limits to ensure
accurate and reliable performance.

When selecting a CT for a particular application, it is essential to consider the burden of the
connected devices and ensure that the chosen CT can supply the required current to meet the
accuracy requirements. The burden is typically specified in the CT's datasheet, and it includes
information about the allowable range of resistive and reactive components. Exceeding the
specified burden can lead to measurement errors and affect the overall performance of the
protection and metering systems.

what is meant by saturation in Current transformers

Saturation in current transformers (CTs) refers to a condition where the core of the CT becomes
magnetically saturated, leading to distortion in the relationship between the primary current and
the induced secondary current. When a CT saturates, its magnetic core reaches a point where it
cannot further increase its magnetic flux despite an increase in the primary current. This
saturation phenomenon can have significant consequences on the accuracy and reliability of
current measurements.

Key points about saturation in current transformers include:

1. Non-Linearity:
o Under normal operating conditions, a CT operates in its linear region, meaning
that the secondary current is directly proportional to the primary current.
However, when the primary current exceeds a certain level, the core may saturate,
causing a non-linear relationship between the primary and secondary currents.
2. Distortion of Waveform:
o Saturation leads to distortion in the shape of the current waveform. The secondary
current waveform may become clipped or distorted, affecting the accuracy of
measurements.
3. Accuracy Issues:
o Saturation can result in measurement errors, as the CT may not accurately
represent the true value of the primary current during saturation conditions. This
is particularly critical in protection applications where accurate current
measurement is crucial for detecting faults.
4. Protective Relay Operation:
o In protective relaying applications, saturation can lead to misoperation or delayed
operation of protective relays. The distorted current waveform may not trigger the
relays correctly, impacting the ability of the protection system to respond
promptly to faults.
5. Factors Influencing Saturation:
o Saturation is influenced by factors such as the core material, design, and the level
and duration of the primary current. High levels of fault currents or prolonged
overcurrent conditions can increase the likelihood of saturation.
o
 6. Avoidance and Mitigation:
o To mitigate saturation issues, proper CT design, including the selection of core
material and size, is essential. Additionally, protective relays may incorporate
algorithms or settings to account for potential saturation effects and prevent
misoperation.
7. Testing for Saturation:
o During commissioning or routine maintenance, CTs are often tested for
saturation. Saturation tests involve injecting currents of increasing magnitudes
and observing the behavior of the CT, ensuring that it operates within its linear
range under normal operating conditions.

Understanding and addressing saturation issues are crucial for ensuring the accuracy and
reliability of current transformers in power systems. Proper CT design, selection, and testing play
key roles in mitigating the impact of saturation on measurement accuracy and protection system
performance.

The "knee point" in a current transformer (CT):

refers to a specific point on the magnetization curve of the CT's core where the relationship
between the magnetic flux and the applied current becomes non-linear. At the knee point, the
core starts to saturate, meaning that further increases in the primary current result in
disproportionately smaller increases in magnetic flux.

Key points about the knee point in a current transformer include:

1. Magnetization Curve:
o The magnetization curve represents the relationship between the magnetic flux
(B) and the magnetizing force or current (H) applied to the CT's core. This curve
is usually S-shaped.
2. Linear Region:
o At lower levels of magnetizing force (or primary current), the magnetization
curve is relatively linear. In this region, the secondary current is directly
proportional to the primary current.
3. Knee Point:
o The knee point is the point on the magnetization curve where the relationship
becomes non-linear due to core saturation. Beyond the knee point, the core
saturates, and the magnetic flux does not increase proportionally with the primary
current.
4. Saturation Effects:
o Beyond the knee point, the CT experiences saturation, resulting in distortion of
the secondary current waveform and potential accuracy issues. Saturation is a
significant concern in protection applications where accurate current measurement
is crucial.
o
 5. Importance in Protection Applications:
o For protective relaying applications, understanding the knee point is critical.
Protective relays are often set based on the expected fault currents and the CT's
knee point to ensure proper operation during fault conditions.
6. Knee Point Voltage (KPV):
o The knee point is associated with a Knee Point Voltage (KPV), which is the
secondary voltage corresponding to the knee point on the magnetization curve.
KPV is an important parameter used in specifying the accuracy limit of a CT.
7. Specifying CTs:
o When specifying a CT, engineers consider the knee point voltage and ensure that
it meets the requirements of the protection system. The CT's saturation
characteristics, including the knee point, are typically provided by the
manufacturer in the CT's datasheet.
8. Testing for Knee Point:
o During commissioning or routine testing, engineers may perform tests to
determine the knee point of a CT. These tests involve gradually increasing the
primary current and observing the secondary voltage response.

Understanding the knee point is crucial in designing and specifying current transformers,
especially in protection applications where accurate current measurement during fault conditions
is essential. Proper selection, testing, and consideration of the knee point help ensure the
reliability and performance of CTs in power systems.

‫اختبارات نسبة التحويل‬

‫اختبار القطبية‬

‫اختبار العازلية‬

‫ بالمئة بعد هاي النقطة اي زيادة في الجهد‬50 ‫ بالمئة زاد التيار بنسبة‬10 ‫النقطة اللتي لو زاد فيها الجهد عن‬:‫اختبار التشبع‬
‫بسيطة يقابلها زيادة كبيرة في التيار‬

‫اختبار قياس قسمة المقاومة الداخلية للمحول‬

‫اختبار االستمرارية‬