Instrument Transformer

Transformer
A varying current in the primary winding creates a varying magnetic flux in the
transformer's core, and thus a varying magnetic fieldthrough the secondary
winding.

This varying magnetic field induces a varying electromotive force (EMF)

or "voltage" in the secondary winding.

If a load is connected to the secondary, an electric current will flow in the

secondary winding and electrical energy will be transferred from the primary
circuit through the transformer to the load.

In an ideal transformer, the induced voltage in the secondary winding (VS) is in

proportion to the primary voltage (VP), and is given by the ratio of the
number of turns in the secondary (NS) to the number of turns in the
primary
 Instrument Transformers

Instrument transformers isolate measurement, protection and control circuitry

from the high currents or voltages present on the circuits being measured or
controlled.

A current transformer is a transformer designed to provide a current in its

secondary coil proportional to the current flowing in its primary coil.

A voltage transformer is intended to present a negligible load to the supply being

measured. The low secondary voltage allows protective relay equipment and
measuring instruments to be operated at a lower voltages

Both current and voltage instrument transformers are designed to have

predictable characteristics on overloads.
 Ratios of Instrument Transformers
Transformation ratio R= Primary winding current
(for CT) Secondary winding current

Turns Ratio n(for CT) = Number of turns of Secondary winding

Number of turns of Primary winding

Current Transformer

Like any other transformer, a current transformer has a primary winding, a

magnetic core, and a secondary winding.

The alternating current flowing in the primary produces a magnetic field in the
core, which then induces current flow in the secondary winding circuit.

A primary objective of current transformer design is to ensure that the primary

and secondary circuits are efficiently coupled, so that the secondary current
bears an accurate relationship to the primary current.
Construction of Current Transformer
Wound Type

Bar Type
Open circuit secondary voltage on Current
Transformer

A small part of the primary current of a secondary transformer is used to excite the core.

If the secondary of the transformer is open, the primary current remains the same
because it is determined by the load on the power circuit and is all used to magnetize the
transformer core.

The core saturates, and the voltage induced on the secondary develops high voltage
spikes due to the high rate of change of magnetic flux around the zero crossings of the
primary current. The voltage peaks can be several kV high.
 Errors in Current Transformer

Turns ratio Error

- Transformation ratio different from turns ratio

Phase angle Error

-Secondary Winding current not being 180 deg out of phase with
the primary current
 Causes of errors in current transformer

There is some exciting mmf required by the primary winding to produce flux and
therefore the transformer draws a magnetizing current.

The transformer input must have a component which supplies the core loss due to
flow of exciting current.

The flux density is not a linear function of magnetizing force.

Because of Magnetic leakage ,primary flux linkage is not equal to secondary flux
linkage.
 Characterisics of current transformer

Effect of Power factor of secondary winding burden on Errors.

Effect of change of Primary winding current.

Effect of change in secondary winding circuit burden.

 Means to reduce errors in current transformer

1.Core-Must have low reluctance and low core loss

-Hot rolled silicon steel,Cold rolled grain oriented silicon
steel,Nickel iron alloys
2.Low values of Leakage reactance.
3.Turns compensation R=n+(Ie/Is)
4.Use of Shunts –to reduce Phase angle error.
 Difference between CT and PT

Potential Transformer considered as parallel transformer with secondary winding

open circuited.CT may be considered as a series transformer under virtual short circuit
conditions.
The primary winding of CT is independent of secondary winding circuit conditions,
While primary of PT depends on secondary circuit burden.
In PT full line voltage is impressed upon its terminals where as CT Carries full line
current.
Primary winding current and excitation of CT vary over wide limits in normal
operation.
 Errors in Potential Transformer

Ratio Error.

Phase angle Error.

There should not be any phase difference primary winding voltage and secondary
winding voltage reversed. In actual Potential transformer there exist a phase
difference.
 Construction of Potential Transformer

Core
Windings
Insulation
Bushings