Tutorial

Current Transformer Requirements

for Protection

1. A 400/5A bar primary CT with a Stalloy core supplies a 3VA

CDG11 set at 10% of nominal current. It is required to cater for
a current of 10 times relay setting, neglecting the CT resistance
and any non linearity in the relay impedance. Consider a
conductor diameter of 2 cms and allow 2 cms on each side of
the core for the secondary winding and the insulation. System
frequency is 50Hz.
Find (i) The minimum knee point voltage.
(ii) The cross sectional area of the core.
(iii) A possible set of CT dimensions, ensuring that the CT
will fit in the available housing space of 20 cms diameter
and 15 cms deep.
(iv) The Kv factor in volts/tesla
(v) The Ki factor in mm/turn
Note* Take Bm Max flux density of stalloy = 1Wb/m2
CDG11
Rct
5 Amp Relay
Set at 10%
Ip/N

Xct

CT Ratio = 400/5A
N = 80 Turns
RCT is ignored in this example.

3VA

2. Three CROSS (Cold Rolled Grain Orientated Silicon Steel)

400/5A Bar Primary current transformers have the following
characteristics:
Secondary resistance = 0.2
Kv = 20V/tesla
Ki = 4mm/turn
The CTs are connected to give phase and E/F protection using
a CDG31 50-200% overcurrent relay set to 125%, and a
CDG11 20-80% earth fault relay set at 40%.
What is:
a.) The minimum primary current for operation of the phase fault

relays for a 3 phase fault

b.) The minimum primary current for operation of the earth fault
relay for a single phase to ground fault.
Assume relay burden at setting is 3VA for the phase fault relays
and 2.4VA at setting for earth fault relays.
Use the magnetising curves provided to estimate the
magnetising currents of both the active and idle CTs.

3. An earthed 132kV transformer is protected by Restricted Earth

Fault protection using 4 CTs and an MCAG14 relay plus
stabilising resistor. Relay setting range 0.1-0.4A, set at 0.4A.
The system fault level is 3500MVA, and the loop impedance
from relay to the CTs = 2.0
The CT details are as follows:
Ratio = 500/1

Material = CROSS

Kv = 272 V/tesla
Ki = 2.08 mm/turn
R = 0.7
Find the primary fault setting and the minimum stabilising
resistor value. Assume relay burden is 1VA. Use magnetising
curve supplied, scale the Kv and Ki factors to calculate the
magnetising current.
500/1

Rs
500/1
MCAG14

Solutions:
1.

I. Setting of relay = 10% of 5A = 0.5 Amps

CDG11 consumes constant VA at setting, therefore 3VA at 0.5
A must demand 6 V at the relay terminals (VA = V x I).
If the CT is to be capable of driving 10 x setting current through
the re;ay, then the CT must have a minimum knee point voltage
of 10 x 6 V.
Minimum Vk = 60 V.
II. Calculate the cross sectional area of the core using the formula
ES = 4.44 f Bm A N (all metric units)
All factors but A are known so,
60 = 4.44 x 50 x 1 x A x 80
A =

60
= 0.003378 m 2
222 80

= 33.78 cm2 (area of Stalloy Core)

III. Calculation of a possible set of CT dimensions
With 2 cms diameter primary conductor and 4 cms for winding
and insulation, minimum internal diameter = 6 cms.
Assume core to be approximately square
e.g. 33.8 cm2 = 5 cm x 6.76 cm

Proposed size for core.

6.76 cm

6 cm

Mean magnetic diameter =

16 cm

6 + 16
= 11cm
2

Overall dimensions, including windings and insulation (2 cm)

10.76 cm

20 cm

2 cm

This CT will fit within the available space of 20cm x 15cm.

IV. Calculation of Kv Factor
Employing metric units with core area in cm2
KV =

AN
1

10 4 =

4.44 50

Kv = 60 V/ tesla

AN 33.78 80
=
= 60
4.5
45

V. Calculation of Ki factor
Employing metric units with mean magneetic length in mm
Mean magnetic length = D = x 11 x 10 = 346 mm
Ki = Mean magnetic length/ N
=

346
= 4.32mm / Turn
80

2.
400/5

O/C

Earth Fault

Relay Impedances:
Phase Overcurrent = 3 VA at 125% of 5 A
Z = 3/6.252 = 0.077
E/F = 2.4 VA at 40% of 5 A
Z = 2.4/22 = 0.6
Full equivalent circuit, including magnetising impedances
O/C
0.077 Ohms

Rct
0.2 Ohms

Z mag
0.077 Ohms

0.2 Ohms

0.077 Ohms

0.2 Ohms

E/F
0.6 Ohms

a.) Calculate 3 phase fault primary setting

The phase currents are balanced for this condition and no

current will flow in the neutral.
Setting current of overcurrent relays = 6.25 A
Voltage which needs to be developed within the
CT = 6.25 x total impedance.
Assume all impedances have the same angle for simplicity
V at CT = 6.25(0.077 + 0.2) = 1.73 V
0.077

1.73 V

0.2
6.25 A

In = 0

To calculate expected magnetising current in CT:

I.

Scale magnetising curve with the Kv and Ki factors given

in the question ( as traced)
8V

4V

1.73 V

0.08 A

II.

Scale of 1.73 V Result = 0.02 A

Neglecting any phase angle differences
Isecy = 6.25 A + Imag = 6.27 Amps
Primary setting for O/C relays = 6.27 x 80 = 501.6 A
for 3 phase faults

b.) Calculate earth fault primary setting

Step A

Calculate voltage across E/F relay

= Setting Current x E/F relay impedance
= 2.0 x 0.6 = 1.2 V

Step B

Calculate the magnetising current in the 2 idle

sound phase CTs, noting they have 1.2 V
impressed across them
Use magnetising curve scaled by Kv and Ki
as before
8V

4V

1.2 V

0.16 A

0.08 A

Step C

Draw the known parameters so far

0.077 Ohm

0.2 Ohm
Faulted Phase

2.032 A

Sound Phase
Imag = 0.016 A

Sound Phase
Imag = 0.016 A

2A

Step D

1.2 V

0.6 Ohm

Calculate the voltage at the driving CT

V at CT = 1.2 V + Total current x 0.277 Ohm
= 1.2 V + 2.032 x 0.277 = 1.763 V

Step E

Calculate the magnetising current taken by the

CT
Use mag curve Scaled as before

8V

4V

1.76 V

0.02 A

0.08 A

Step F

Construct the final diagram, assuming all

currents are in phase.
2.052 A
0.077 Ohm

0.2 Ohm
Faulted Phase

2.032 A
0.02 A
Sound Phase
Imag = 0.016 A

Sound Phase
Imag = 0.016 A

2A

1.2 V

0.6 Ohm

Current in driving CT = 2.052 A secy = 164.15 A primary

Primary E/F sensitivity = 164.2A

3.
Step A

Calculate E/F rating

MVA rating/phase = 3500/3
Phase/neutral voltage = 132/ 3
Fault level =

Step B

3500

3 = 1166.67 = 15.3kA
132
76.2
3

Calculate CT secondary current (prospective)

IS =

I P 15300 A
30.6 A
=
n
500

Step C

Draw detailed diagram, as seen from the CT on

the neutral
Rct

Rloop

0.7

2.0
Rstab
Fault Is = 30.6 A
If other CT's Saturate

Step D

Calculate recommended voltage setting of high

impedance relay, ie, MCAG14 + RSTAB
V setting = If (secy) x resistance in one leg of
supply.
= 30.6 A x (0.7 + 2.0) = 82.6 V

Step E

Calculate the mag current taken by the CT

using curve supplied and scaled by the Kv and Ki
factors given

108.8 V

82.6 V
54.4 V

0.025 A

Step F

0.0416 A

Calculate total current in driving CT (assuming

currents are in phase) at setting.

Note:- Worst case scenario is one CT driving its

own magnetising current plus 3 idle CTs in
parallel.
Total magnetising = 4 x 0.025 A = 0.1 A

0.025

0.025

0.025

0.025

Setting
Current
= 0.4 A

CAG14
set 0.4 A

Total Is for setting = 4 x 0.025 A + 0.4 A

= 0.5 A
So Primary setting = 500 x 0.5 A = 250 A
Step G

Calculate total Z of relay leg

=

Re laySettingVoltage 82.6
=
= 206.5
Re laySettingCurrent
0.4

Subtract CAG14 Ohms = 1 VA / 0.42=6.25

RSTAB = 206.5 6.25 = 200.25