4/2/23, 12:32 AM Current Transformer - Construction, Phasor and Errors - Electrical Volt

Current Transformer – Construction, Phasor and

Errors

We shall discuss current transformer – Construction, Phasor and Errors in this post.
Current transformer are widely used for measuring the high current.The Current
transformer steps down high value of current to low value which measuring instrument
can read. If 2000 Amperes current to be read by a meter, it is not possible to read
because a small shunt resistance of high power rating in parallel to the galvanometer is
required to be used. However, it is impractical to use a small value shunt resistance of
high power rating to read high current directly by meter. That is why current
transformer is used to lower the magnitude of the current so that measuring instrument
and protective relay can read the current.

Construction of Current Transformer(CT)

The current transformer has two winding called primary and secondary. The primary
winding has fewer number of turns and it is connected in series with primary circuit.
The whole circuit current passes through the primary winding and it is desirable that
the voltage drop across primary winding must be as low as possible. The current
transformer has fewer turns of large cross section and, thus the voltage drop in the
primary winding gets reduced up to a great extent.

The secondary winding has more number of turns compared to the primary winding
and it is connected with ampere meter, energy meter, watt meter,transducer and
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protection relay. The secondary winding of the CT must be connected with low
impedance meter to keep the magnetic flux in the core up to its rated flux capacity. The
flux in the core above the rated capacity cause saturation of the magnetic core which
leads to complete failure of current transformer. The CT secondary must not be left
open because in this condition, the flux in the core increases manifold and it cause CT
core saturation.

Based on the construction, there are two types of current transformer- Live Tank CT
and Dead Tank CT. In both types of CTs, the core and winding are enclosed in a
porcelain structure and this structure is filled with mineral insulated oil which acts as
cooling media, and it also provide required electrical insulation.

Symbol of Current Transformer(CT)

The terminal P1 and P2 shows the primary winding of the CT and terminal S1 and S2
shows secondary winding of the CT. The CT ratio 2000/1 means the secondary current
will be 1 ampere if primary current through the CT is 2000 amperes.

Equivalent Circuit of Current Transformer(CT)

The CT equivalent circuit is as given below.

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4/2/23, 12:32 AM Current Transformer - Construction, Phasor and Errors - Electrical Volt

The primary of CT has few turns and it has very less resistance. The primary winding
resistance and reactance is denoted by Rp and Xp respectively. The secondary winding
resistance and reactance is denoted by Rs and Xs respectively. The magnetization
components of the current transformer are Rc and Xm. Rc is responsible for the core
loss component, and Xm is the magnetization reactance of CT. The other CT
parameters are as given below.

Phasor Diagram of Current Transformer(CT)

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4/2/23, 12:32 AM Current Transformer - Construction, Phasor and Errors - Electrical Volt

The equivalent circuit of the current transformer is similar to that of power transformer
and induction motor. The current transformer has two types of errors.

Ratio Error
Phase Angle Error

From the phasor diagram, the CT ratio error and phase angle error can be calculated.
CT Transformation Ratio
CT transformation ratio is calculated as follows.For finding transformation ratio we
need to calculate primary current Ip as per definition and then divide it by secondary
current Is.

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CT Ratio Error Formula Derivation

Let us consider the part of phasor of our importance for calculating Ip as shown below.

From the above phasor, the primary current Ip is phasor sum of nIs and I0. The CT
primary current Ip can be calculated using vector addition formula.

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4/2/23, 12:32 AM Current Transformer - Construction, Phasor and Errors - Electrical Volt

The magnetizing current Io is very small compared to the primary current Ip. Therefore,
the above expression can be simplified as follows.

From above expression, it is clear that transformation ratio is not equal to turn ratio.
The transformation ratio and turn ratio will be equal if α=0 and δ=0.This condition can
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be achieved if the core loss is equal to zero and the burden is purely
resistive. This is an ideal condition, however this condition is practically
impossible.

Phase Angle Error of Current Transformer

Phase angle of current transformer is defined as the angle between the primary current
Ip and secondary current Is. In above phasor diagram, θ is the phase angle.

CT Phase Angle Error Formula Derivation

Consider right angle triangle obc in the above phasor diagram.

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Ratio Error of Current Transformer

The CT ratio Error is defined as the per unit deviation in transformation ratio from its
nominal ratio. Ratio error is expressed in percentage.

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Since the burden of the CT is generally resistive. Therefore, the power factor of the
burden is unity and hence δ=0

Phase Angle Error of Current Transformer

The phase angle between primary and secondary of the current transformer must be
180 degree.The primary and secondary current must be out of phase. The deviation in
the phase angle of the primary and secondary current is called the phase angle error.
The phase angle between primary and secondary current of the CT is denoted by
angle θ.

Since the burden of the CT is generally resistive. Therefore, the power factor of the
burden is unity and hence δ=0. The phase angle error of CT is given by following
expression.

Since the burden of the CT is generally resistivity the power factor of the burden is unity
and hence δ=0.
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