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Science > Electromagnetic > Direct Current & Low Frequency > Magnetic and Conductivity Measurement
Services and Consultancy> Current Transformer Measurements

UKAS accredited measurements carried out by NPL, mainly for the Electricity Supply
Industry and transformer manufacturers, provide measurement of the current error
and phase angle error of instrument current transformers, in accordance with BS EN
60044-1:1999 [1]
Current Error (ratio error)
The current error is the error which a transformer introduces into the measurement
of a current and which arises from the fact that the actual transformation ratio is not
equal to the rated transformation ratio
The current error expressed as a percentage, is given by:
Current error (%) = 100 (KN IS - IP) / IP
where KN is the rated transformation ratio, IP the actual primary current and IS the
actual secondary current when IP is flowing, under the conditions of measurement.
Phase Angle error
The phase angle error is the difference in phase between the primary and secondary
current vectors, the direction of the vectors being so chosen that the angle is zero
for a perfect transformer. The phase angle is said to be positive when the secondary
current vector leads the primary current vector. The phase error is usually expressed
in centiradians or minutes.
Note:-This definition is strictly correct for sinusoidal currents only.
Basic Calibration Circuit

Fig 1: Basic calibration circuit

Basic Calibration Theory:
Figure 1 shows the basic calibration circuit for the passive compensated current
comparator designed by Kusters and Moore [2], with a test current transformer
connected in series. The compensation winding, which has the same number of
turns as the secondary winding, will carry a current which is the difference between
the comparator secondary winding current and the test transformer secondary
current. If i is the nominal secondary current and a and b are respectively the errors
of the comparator and the test transformer secondary currents, the compensation
winding current is (i + a) - (i + b) which is equal to (a - b). In linking the detector
core, the compensation winding ampere-turns due to a will subtract from those of (i
+ a) due to the secondary winding, giving a resultant due to i, which exactly cancels
the primary ampere-turns. The detector core is therefore magnetized only by a
current b, the error of the test current transformer. An equal and opposite current
from the balance control circuit is injected into the compensation winding to give
null deflection of the detector. The error b is given by ir(G + jwC), allowing the
current errors and phase angle errors of the test transformer to be determined.
Range of Measurements
Routine current transformer calibrations can be carried out over a large range of
primary to secondary current ratios, generally to rated secondary currents of 1 A
and 5 A. Measurements are made at defined frequencies, burdens and power factors
according to the customer's requirements.
Range of measurements Frequency/Hz
0.25 - 10000/5

50

5 - 1000/5

50 - 100

The table above gives a simplified range of the ratios available for calibration,
although others outside of this range can be calibrated. The range of current ratios
available for calibration should be increased in the near future following the
commissioning of a 20 000 A energy regulator which has recently been installed.
Uncertainties
The approximate uncertainties associated with the measurement of the current and
phase angle errors are given in the table below. Uncertainties will be increased if a
particular transformers errors are high or if the transformer exhibits poor
repeatability.
Class

Uncertainties
Current Error Phase Error

0.01, 0.02, 0.03 10 ppm

10 rads

0.1 and higher

30 rads

30 ppm

The reported uncertainties are based on a standard uncertainty multiplied by a

coverage factor of k = 2, which provides a level of confidence of approximately 95
%.
Current Transducer Measurements
Current transducers, which give a voltage output, can be calibrated over a wide
range of current levels. Instruments calibrated include current transformers with
resistive loads connected across their secondary winding and Rogowski coils.
NPL's UKAS accreditation covers the calibration of current transducers that have an
output voltage greater than 0.25 V at 50 Hz and have a base measurement
uncertainty of 0.05%. NPL certificates can be issued for the calibration of
transducers that have smaller output voltages.
NPL certificates can also be issued for the calibration of standard resistors and
shunts where the impedance is measured using calibrated digital multimeters to
measure the output voltage and calibrated current transformers to supply the
current. These measurements can be carried out for a wide range of current levels
at various frequencies up to several kHz.

Current transformer test sets

Calibration of both manual and automated current transformer test sets are carried
out at 50 Hz, over the range:
Ratio error: 10 ppm to 20 %

Phase error: 10 rad to 10000 rad

Uncertainties are dependant upon the type of instrument calibrated.
Selective Error Voltage Transformers
A selective error voltage transformer consists of a transformer with a nominal ratio
of unity. It has a series of switch positions that are used to introduce a fixed
combination of voltage (ratio) and phase angle errors. To calibrate the transformer,
these fixed errors are measured for each switch position in accordance with the
Electricity Act 1989 [3].
Selective error voltage transformers are usually calibrated with an applied voltage of
230 V (110, 240, 250 V if specified by the customer), at a frequency of 50 Hz and at
burdens of zero and 1 VA.
References:
[1] IEC 60044-1:1996, Instrument Transformers, Part 1: Current Transformers
[2] Moore WJM and Miljanic PN, The Current Comparator, IEE Electrical
Measurement series 4, Peter Peregrins Ltd, London, 1988, 120p.
[3] Electricity Act 1989, (a) Schedule 7, Paragraph 6 (1)
Current Transformer Measurement Contacts Measurement service manager: Stuart
Harmon Alternative technical contact: Adrian Wheaton Calibration enquires: Claire
Lambeth