REALISTIC SPECIFICATION FOR CURRENT TRANSFORMER

Dr. K Rajamani and Ms. Bina Mitra

Reliance Energy Ltd., Mumbai

1. INTRODUCTION
Current transformers (CT), though may appear
quiet insignificant in the huge electrical power
network, play a vital role in protection and
metering systems. The key elements in a
protection system (Refer Fig.1) are:
i. Instrument transformers (Current and voltage
transformers) – sensors in the system.
ii. Protective relays – locating and initiating
isolation of faults in the system.
iii. Circuit breaker – isolating faults from the
system.
iv. AC and DC wiring related to the above
elements.
IM = Magnetising component
Primary connected to current source
Fig.2. Equivalent Circuit of Current Transformer
1.2 Phasor diagram of current transformer
Refer Fig. 3 for phasor diagram of current
transformer.
ϕ : Flux
ISRS : Secondary resistance voltage drop
ISXS : Secondary reactance voltage drop
IP NP : Total primary ampere turns.
ICNp : Component of primary ampere turns
required to supply core losses (usually
very small)
IM NP : Component of primary ampere turns
required to produce the flux.
ISNS : Secondary Ampere Turns.
IP’ NP : Component of primary Ampere Turns
required to neutralize secondary Ampere
Turns; opposite to ISNS
For bar primary, NP =1

Fig.1. Protection System

Faults in the system can be cleared successfully
when all the above elements of protection chain
work perfectly. The success of fault clearance,
irrespective of use of ‘advanced numerical relays’
and ‘VCBs’ is still critically dependent on faithful
reproduction of primary quantities on secondary
side by instrument transformers. This paper
discusses realistic specification of current
transformer in particular to achieve the above
objective. Initially few basic concepts which play a
vital role in specifying current transformer
parameters are explained. Fig. 3. Phasor Diagram of Current Transformer
1.1 Equivalent circuit of current transformer As seen from the phasor diagram, the primary
Refer Fig. 2 for equivalent circuit of current current IP is made up of two components:
transformer. i. Exciting current IE - magnetizes the core and
ES = Secondary induced EMF supplies the core losses.
VS = Secondary output voltage ii. Reflected secondary current - IP’.
IP = Primary current
IS = Secondary current The errors in current transformation are due to the
IE = Exciting current exciting current. The proportionality between
Ic = Core loss component primary current and secondary current is not

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strictly maintained and results in magnitude (ratio)
and phase angle errors.
1.3 CT saturation
When a CT is saturated, the tight linear
relationship between primary and secondary is lost
and the CT is unable to replicate faithfully. Under
healthy conditions very little current is used for
excitation and majority of the primary current is
transformed into secondary (Refer Fig.4).
Fig.4. Healthy Current Transformer
However, under saturation conditions, majority of
the primary current is used in exciting the core and
very little is transformed into secondary current
which flows in the burden (Refer Fig 5).
Fig.5. Saturated Current Transformer
The CT excitation characteristic linearity is
maintained up to knee point voltage (Vk) (defined
later) (Refer .Fig.6). Beyond knee point voltage,
current transformer starts saturating.
Fig.6. CT Excitation Characteristic
1.4 Voltage developed across CT secondary
Another important function of a current transformer
is to develop enough voltage to drive required
current through circuit burden in addition to
faithfully reproducing the primary current. In case
of CT saturation, since major portion of primary
current is used in exciting the core, the CT is
unable to develop enough voltage across CT
secondary to drive the required current through
the connected burden. This concept plays an
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important role in specifying parameters for both
general protection class and special protection
class CTs.
2. CURRENT TRANSFORMER
CLASSIFICATION
Current transformers may be classified in the
following categories based on the application:
i. General protection class used for protective
relaying.
ii. Special protection class (Class PS) used in
current balance protection schemes.
iii. Metering class used in metering circuits.
3. PARAMETERS FOR CURRENT
TRANSFOMER SPECIFICATION
The key parameters required for complete current
transformer specification:
i. C.T. Ratio
ii. Number of cores
3.1 Parameters based on application of current
transformer
3.1.1 General protection class
i. Accuracy class
ii. Accuracy limit factor (A.L.F)
iii. Rated burden
3.1.2 Special protection class
i. Knee point voltage (Vk)
ii. Exciting current (Iex)
iii. Secondary winding resistance (Rct)
3.1.3 Metering class
i. Accuracy class
ii. Instrument security factor (I.S.F)
iii. Rated burden
4. CT RATIO
CT ratio is defined as the ratio of rated primary
current to the rated secondary current.
4.1 Rated primary current
Factors influencing rated primary current:
i. Rating based on continuous thermal rating
ΙA: Maximum load current (mandatory) + 20%
overload capacity.
ii. Rating based on short time thermal rating
ΙB: Rated short time current for 1 sec / 150
The higher current of the above two values (IA, IB)
decides primary current rating. This ensures robust
construction of the current transformer.
Short circuit current through the current
transformer can be maximum 150 times the rated
CT current for 1 sec. Based on Ι2t criteria, in case
fault current (ΙF) is larger than 150 times the rated
primary current, then short circuit withstand time
will be less than ‘t’ seconds,
t = 1502 ΙP2 / ΙF2
The fault shall be cleared within ‘ t ‘ seconds to
avoid CT damage.
Eg: CT Ratio = 200 / 1
Fault Current IF = 40kA Specifying ALF > 20 is not useful as relay
Short Circuit withstand time t = 1502 x 2002 / operating time characteristic flattens out at 20
(40,000)2 = 0.57 sec times rated current (Refer Fig.7).
The fault shall be cleared within 0.6 sec to avoid
damage of current transformer.
A special mention is required for CTs used for
equipment of small rating connected to high
voltage and high short circuit level networks. In
such networks low ratio CTs will be heavily
saturated under short circuit conditions causing
mal operation of over current protection. For such
situations IEEE (C37.20.2) recommends use of
two sets of CTs. One set with a low ratio to be
used for metering and another set with a high ratio
to be used for protection. The combination can
thus provide accurate metering and adequate
short circuit protection. This may be useful
particularly in design of auxiliary system of power
plants where the motor rating at 6.6kV can vary
from 200kW to 9000kW. The rating of CT for
protection application may be standardized as per
the criteria given above whereas the ratings for Fig.7. IDMT Characteristics
metering CTs may vary as per the individual load A.L.F. is relevant only for protection class CTs
ratings. since it is required to retain specified accuracy at
4.2 Rated secondary current current values above normal rating to faithfully
The standard CT secondary current ratings are 1A reflect the fault currents. A.L.F is not relevant for
and 5A. The selection is based on the lead burden CTs mounted on neutral circuit in medium and
used for connecting the CT to meters/ relays. 5A high resistance grounded systems and for
CT can be used when current transformer and metering class.
protective devices are located within same 5.3 Rated burden
switchgear. 1 A CT is preferred if CT lead goes out Burden is the load burden in VA, of all equipment
of the switchgear. For example, if CT is located in connected to CT secondary circuit, at rated CT
switch yard and CT leads have to be taken to relay secondary current.
panels located in control room which can be away,
1A CT is preferred to reduce the lead burden. For Burden and accuracy limit factor (ALF) are two
CT with very high lead length, CT with secondary sides of the same coin. The selection of these two
current rating of 0.5A can be used. parameters depends on the voltage required to be
developed by the current transformer during faults.
In large generator circuits, where primary rated For protection class CTs the actual voltage
current is of the order of few kilo-amperes only 5A required on CT secondary (Refer Fig. 8)
CTs are used. 1A CTs are not preferred since the VACTUAL = IF (RCT + 2 * RL+ RR) ,where
turns ratio becomes very high and CT becomes IF = Reflected fault current, RCT = CT resistance,
unwieldy. RL = Lead resistance, RR = Relay resistance
5. GENERAL PROTECTION CLASS
5.1 Accuracy class
Standard accuracy classes available are 5P and
10P. The figure ‘5’ in ‘5P’ indicates the accuracy
limit in percent expressed in terms of composite
error. Generally, 5P Class CTs are employed.
5.2 Accuracy limit factor (A.L.F)
Accuracy limit factor (A.L.F) is the ratio of largest Fig.8
value of current to CT rated current, up to which It may be mentioned in passing that, even if very
CT must retain the specified accuracy. low burden numerical relays are used, only RR in
Example: C.T.: 5P20, 5 VA. In this case, ALF = 20 above expression is low but other factors are
and composite error < 5 % up to 20 times rated significant.
current for burden of 5VA. If the actual burden < 5 The design value of CT secondary voltage is given
VA, composite error is less than 5%, even for by
currents > 20 times rated current. VDESIGN = Burden x Accuracy Limit Factor (A.L.F)
ΙRAT (Secondary)

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As the rated CT secondary current is known, any
standard value of A.L.F and burden may be
selected to satisfy
Design voltage across CT > Actual volts required,
VDESIGN > VACTUAL
Example:
CT : Ratio - 800 /1: 5P20, 10 VA
IF =30kA; RCT = 3Ω ; RL = 1Ω; RR = 0Ω
VACTUAL = (30000/800) * (3 + 2*1) = 187.5 V
VDESIGN = 20 x 10 / 1 = 200 V
The chosen parameters are acceptable since
VDESIGN > VACTUAL.
6. SPECIAL PROTECTION CLASS
6.1 Knee point voltage (Vk)
Knee point voltage (VK) at which CT starts
saturating is defined as the point where exciting
current increases by 50% for 10% increase in
voltage (Refer Fig. 6). Knee point voltage is
relevant only during external fault conditions and
does not have significance during normal
operating conditions. The knee point voltage (Vk)
for Class PS CTs used in high impedance scheme
is calculated for the worst condition that one of the
CTs is fully saturated and the other CT has to
develop enough voltage to drive current through
the other CT circuit to ensure stability during
external fault.
A typical current balanced scheme which operates
by sensing the difference of two or more currents
measured by the CTs located on two sides of the
protected object is shown in Fig. 9.
Fig.9. Current Balanced Scheme
During internal fault conditions, CT2 presents an
open circuit (Refer Fig. 10).
Fig.10
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During external fault conditions CT2 presents
short circuit when it is saturated (Refer Fig. 11).
Fig.11
Now, CT1 has to develop enough voltage to drive
current through the complete CT circuit.
VREQUIRED during external fault condition with CT2
saturated,
VREQUIRED = IF (Rct1 + RL1+RL3+Rct2 + RL4+ RL2)
Assuming, Rct1 = Rct2 = Rct and
RL1= RL3= RL4= RL2= RL
VREQUIRED = IF (2*Rct + 4*RL)
VREQUIRED = 2* IF (Rct + 2*RL)
Therefore, knee point voltage, for Class PS CTs is
Vk (min) > VREQUIRED = 2 * IF (RCT + 2RL)
where,
VK (min) = Minimum Knee Point Voltage
IF = Max. through fault current to which CTs
are subjected to.
RCT = C.T secondary resistance typically varies
from 1 to 8 Ω
RL = Lead resistance typically 8 ohms / km for
2.5 mm2 Cu control cable
Modern numerical relays offer low impedance
biased schemes as an alternate which achieves
stability during through faults by algorithmic
calculation after measuring CT secondary
currents. In such cases, the CT requirements
furnished by relay manufacturer may be followed.
6.1.1 Fault current for CT sizing
Following guidelines are used for choosing
appropriate fault current IF for knee point voltage
calculations of CTs used in biased differential
protection scheme of transformer to avoid CT
oversizing:
i. LT side of transformer - LT system fault current
or 20 times rated current of LT CT, whichever is
lower.
ii. HT side of transformer - HT system fault current
or 20 times rated current of HT CT, whichever is
lower.
The rational for the above is as follows:
i. In case of LT side fault, fault current will not
exceed 20 times rated current assuming
minimum transformer impedance as 5%.
ii. In case of HT side fault, only CTs on HT side
carry current. Assume relay pickup setting as
10% (0.1 A for 1A CT) and fault current 20 times
rated current. Now, even if 19A is consumed in
saturation, the available secondary current of 1A
is enough to operate the relay.

6.2 Exciting current (IEX)
Error in transformation is due to exciting current
(IEX) because of which the proportionality between
primary and secondary current is not maintained.
For Class PS CT, this proportionality is retained to
a high degree by specifying a low exciting current.
Usually IEX <30mA is specified for 1A CT and IEX <
150mA is specified for 5A CT at VK / 4.
6.2.1 Why IEX <30mA or IEX <150mA?
In current balanced scheme to avoid mal operation
of protection scheme during normal operating
conditions, the spill current through the differential
relay should be less than the relay pick up (Refer
Fig. 12).
Fig.12
Therefore for such schemes the relay pickup
current is set based on the number of CTs in the
circuits and the exciting current for each CT.
Assuming a relay pickup of 10% i.e 0.1 A for a 1A
CT, the exciting current of CTs can be <30mA
when used for a three winding transformer (Refer
Fig.13). It can be even 45mA for a 1A CT for a two
winding transformer. On similar lines 150mA is
normally specified for 5A CT.
Fig.13
6.2.2 ΙEX to be specified at VK / 4 or VK / 2?
ΙEX is relevant only during normal operating
conditions to ensure stability and prevent false
tripping and is not relevant during faults. Under
fault conditions,
Knee point voltage (Vk) = 2ΙF (RCT + 2 RL)
Under normal conditions,
ΙRAT
VCT = ΙRAT (RCT + 2 RL) = Vk -------
2ΙF
5
ΙRAT 3 KA
e.g. - ------- = ------------- = 0. 05 ⇒ 5%
2ΙF 2 x30 KA
As seen from above, under healthy conditions,
voltage required to be developed by CT is only 5%
of the knee point voltage. Therefore, specifying ΙEX
@ VK / 4 (25%) is more than adequate whereas
specifying ΙEX @ VK / 2 (50%) is a conservative
design resulting in bigger size of CTs. The exciting
current at VK / 4 is less than that at VK / 2 (Refer
Fig. 14). Considering a limiting value of 30mA for
exciting current, specifying 30mA @ Vk/4 is
adequate.
Fig.14
Generally identical class PS CTs are used in both
sides of the protected equipment. It is not
necessary to order both CTs from same vendor as
long as class PS requirements are met. Point by
point matching of saturation characteristics for the
CTs is not mandatory and not required. For
example, if ΙEX < 30 mA @ VK/4 for both the CTs,
they are acceptable. (Refer Fig. 15).
Fig.15
A point may be noted here that it is not mandatory
to use Class PS CTs in current balanced schemes.
General protection class CTs can be used as long
as the CT have low exciting current and is able to
develop enough knee point voltage required for the
said application. The site test results given in table
(Table-1) shows that the exciting current for a
protection class CT is less than that of a Class PS
CT. Also, it has a higher knee point voltage
compared to a Class PS CT.
 CTs. The site test results given in the table below
Special Protection General Protection (Table-2) shows that knee point voltage for a
Class Class metering CT is much less than that of a protection
1600/5A, Cl. PS, Vk > class CT. This is one way to identify metering core
130, Ie < 150mA @ 1600/5A, Cl. 5P20, 20VA at site.
Vk/4, Rct < 0.8 ohm
General Protection
Current Current Metering Class
Volts Volts Class
(mA) (mA)
10 10 10 5 1600/5A, Cl. 5P20,
1600/5A, Cl. 0.5, 15VA
20VA
75 42 40 12
Current Current
130 71 80 20 Volts Volts
(mA) (mA)
143 85 120 33
6 5 40 12
158 (Vk) 111 171 (Vk) 77 10 7 80 20
174 181 190 132 20 12 120 33
Table-1 30 (Vk) 22 171 (Vk) 77
6.3 Secondary winding resistance (Rct)
33 33 190 132
Winding resistance is part of the CT burden and is
taken into account while determining knee point
Table-2
voltage requirement of CT. For special protection
class CTs (Class PS), CT secondary winding Generally I.S.F. is specified less than 5. However
resistance is usually specified. However it is this does not have much practical significance and
preferable to furnish expression for knee point I.S.F = 10 is acceptable as the ammeters and
voltage, fault current and lead resistance values current coils of meters are designed to withstand
and not to specify both knee point voltage and Rct 10 times the rated current for 5 seconds.
to the vendor. The vendor can then optimally
It may be noted that a current transformer with
choose Rct to get the desired knee point voltage.
high accuracy class and low I.S.F cannot be
This will avoid oversizing of CTs.
realised in practice. High accuracy class requires
low excitation current which in turn results in
7. METERING CLASS
bigger core. The saturation point of a bigger core
7.1 Accuracy class is high which contradicts the requirement of low
Accuracy class is defined as the maximum ratio I.S.F.
error at rated current and at rated burden. Class
It may be worth mentioning that meters can also
0.1, 0.2 and 0.5 CTs are used for precision
be connected to protection core for feeders with
industrial metering / tariff metering. As per IS -
instantaneous protection where fault clearing time
2705 accuracy is not guaranteed for current less
is less than 100ms. As mentioned above, meters
than 20% of the rated current. If current through
are designed to withstand 10 times the rated
the metered line is much less than the rated
current for 5 seconds and faults are generally
current of CT, for majority of time, anticipated
cleared within one (1) sec. Therefore for 1 sec the
accuracy is never realised in practice. This is
coil can withstand,
mostly true for tie lines connecting industrial plants
Ι2 x 1 = (10 ΙR)2 x 5 = 500 ΙR2
with captive power plant and grid.
Ι = 22.4 ΙR , where ΙR is the CT rated current
7.2 Instrument security factor (I.S.F) Therefore, if ΙFAULT is less than 22.4 times CT rated
Instrument security factor (I.S.F) is defined as the primary current, indicating meters can be
ratio of minimum value of primary current to the connected to protection core and no separate
rated current at which composite error of CT is metering core is required.
greater than 10%. This signifies the current at
which the CT starts saturating to protect the 7.3 Rated burden
apparatus supplied by CT in the event of the Burden usually expressed in VA indicates the
system fault. Therefore it may be emphasized that impedance of the CT secondary circuit at a
metering CTs should saturate after certain current specified power factor and at the rated secondary
may be10ΙN to protect meters while protection CTs current. The accuracy requirements are specified
at rated burden. For a current transformer the
should not saturate up to 20ΙN to ensure accuracy
rated burden should be carefully chosen based on
during fault conditions. Therefore knee point
the equipments connected in the secondary circuit
voltage and ALF are not relevant for metering
as burden has bearing on the price of CT.

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8. CONCLUSION
The article covers salient aspects that the user
should consider to realize CTs that are not
oversized. A radical rethink when selecting
primary rating of CT for protection application is
needed. Extreme care shall be exercised when
selecting knee point voltage and exciting current
for CTs used in current balanced schemes. I.S.F
for metering CTs can be 10 without endangering
meters. The practicing engineer is encouraged to
apply the ideas presented here to realize optimally
sized CTs.

9. REFERENCES
i. Protective Relays- Application Guide – GEC
Measurements
ii. The design of Electrical Systems for large
projects (in India) – N Balasubramanyam
iii. Electrical Measurements and Measuring
Instruments – E. W. Golding