CHAPTER 8

INSTRUMENT TRANSFORMERS
8.1 INTRODUCTION
Protective relay of the A.C type are actuated by current and voltage supplied by
current and voltage transformer. The secondary of current transformer has a current 1.2 or
5A which is definite fraction of the load current. Similarly the voltage or potential
transformer has a secondary potential difference which is a small definite friction of the
110V.The chief advantage of these transformers is that they provide insulation against the
high voltage of power and also supply the relay with quantities proportional to those of
the power circuit, but sufficiently reduced in magnitude so that the relay can be made
relatively small and inexpensive

8.2 CURRENT TRANSFORMERS

Current transformers are the devices used for monitoring current or for
transforming primary current into reduced secondary current used for meters, relays,
control equipment and other instruments. CTs that transform current isolate the high
voltage primary, permit grounding of the secondary, and step-down the magnitude of the
measured current to a standard value that can be safely handled by the instrument.

8.2.1 Design
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 a current 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.
The most common design of CT consists of a length of wire wrapped many times
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around a silicon steel ring passed over the circuit being measured. The CT's primary circuit
therefore consists of a single 'turn' of conductor, with a secondary of many hundreds of
turns. The primary winding may be a permanent part of the current transformer, with a
heavy copper bar to carry current through the magnetic core. Window-type current
transformers are also common, which can have circuit cables run through the middle of
an opening in the core to provide a single-turn primary winding. When conductors
passing through a CT are not centered in the circular (or oval) opening, slight
inaccuracies may occur.
Shapes and sizes can vary depending on the end user or switchgear manufacturer.
Typical examples of low voltage single ratio metering current transformers are either ring
type or plastic moulded case. High-voltage current transformers are mounted on porcelain
bushings to insulate them from ground. Some CT configurations slip around the bushing
of a high-voltage transformer or circuit breaker, which automatically centers the
conductor inside the CT window.

8.2.2 Accuracy
The accuracy of a CT is directly related to a number of factors including:
1. Burden
2. Burden class/saturation class
3. Rating factor
4. Load
5. External electromagnetic fields
6. Temperature and
7. Physical configuration.
8. The selected tap, for multi-ratio CTs
We will explain here only few factors.
1. Burden:
The load or burden in CT metering circuit is (largely resistive) impedance presented to
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its secondary winding. Items that contribute to the burden of a current measurement
circuit are switch-blocks, meters and intermediate conductors. The most common
source of excess burden in a current measurement circuit is the conductor between the
meter and the CT. Often, substation meters are located significant distances from the meter
cabinets and the excessive length of small gauge conductor creates a large
resistance. This problem can be solved by using CT with 1 ampere secondarys which will
produce less voltage drop between a CT and its metering devices.

2. Rating Factor:
Rating factor is a factor by which the nominal full load current of a CT can be multiplied
to determine its absolute maximum measurable primary current.

Conversely, the

minimum primary current a CT can accurately measure is "light load," The rating factor
of a CT is largely dependent upon ambient temperature. It is important to be mindful of
ambient temperatures and resultant rating factors when CTs are installed inside padmounted t r a n s f o r m e r s .

Recently, m a n u f a c t u r e r s h a v e b e e n m o v i n g

t o w a r d s l o w e r nominal primary currents with greater rating factors.

8.2.3 Rating of Ct Installed At Sahiwal Grid

Table 8.1

Sr.
No.

Code

132 KV E11-Q1

2
3

132 KV E1-Q1
132 KV CCW3

Make:
Phase:
Y

Available:

SIEMENS

SIEMENS

SIEMENS

4-300/5 A

MGRINI

MGRINI

MGRINI

150-300-600/5 A

ASEA

ASEA

ASEA

150-300-1200/5 A

C.T Ratio:

132 KV CCW4

LK-NES

LK-NES

LK-NES

300-600/5 A

132 KV E10-Q1

ASEA

ASEA

ASEA

300-600-1200/5 A

132 KV 101

LK-NES

LK-NES

LK-NES

300-600/5 A
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8.3 POTENTIAL TRANSFORMERS

With Potential transformers (PTs) it is essential that the voltage from the
secondary winding should be as near as possible proportional to the primary voltage. In
order to achieve this, PTs are designed in such a way that the voltage drops in the
windings are small and the flux density in the core is well below the saturation value so
that the magnetization current is small; in this way magnetization impedance is obtained
which is practically constant over the required voltage range. The secondary voltage of
a PT is usually110 or 120 V with corresponding line-to-neutral values. The majority of
protection relays have nominal voltages of 110 or 63.5 V, depending on whether their
connection is line-to-line or line-to-neutral.
Potential transformer are required for
1. For Metering
2. For Relaying and Protection
In protective system two types of potential transformers are used
a) Conventional type two winding, Electromagnetic voltage transformer
b) Capacitive voltage divider type, capacitive voltage transformer (CVT)

8.3.1 Rating Of Pt Installed At Sahiwal Grid:

Table 8.2
Sr.
No.

Code:

132 KV
Busbar P.T

Make:
Phase:
R
Y
B
MGRINI MGRINI MGRINI

Date of
Commissioning:

P.T Ratio:

21-05-2001

132 KV/110
V

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