1.

1 Accuracy Limit Primary Current

In this particular CT, it will be assumed that the accuracy limit factor is 20. This means, in effect,
that secondary current is to be directly proportional to primary current up to a limit of 20 times
rated primary current; that is (20 x 500) or 10,000 amps. In CT terminology, this primary current
value of 10,000 amps is known as the accuracy limit primary current (or simply accuracy limit
current), which is shown by the second bar in the diagram. Expressed in a different way,
accuracy limit current is the declared limit of primary current at which the CT may be operated,
without exceeding its declared composite error.

Over the primary current range from zero to 10,000.amps, therefore, secondary current will
remain approximately proportional to primary current. Ten thousand amps represents the
declared limit of proportionality between primary and secondary current; if primary current
exceeds 10,000 amps it is not necessary or, for that matter, desirable that secondary current
should continue to increase in direct proportion to primary current.

If, for the moment, we ignore the errors of the CT over its working range, the situation is then as
follows:- When primary current is zero, secondary current is zero. When primary current is 500
amps, secondary current is 5 amps.

When primary current is 10,000 amps, secondary current is 100 amps. When primary current is
20,000 amps, secondary current is substantially less than 200 amps, because of core saturation.

As we have seen, secondary current is approximately proportional to primary current up to

accuracy limit primary current. Further increases in primary current above this level will result in
further increases in secondary current, but not normally in direct proportion. In this region, the
composite error of the CT can be expected to increase rapidly and progressively if primary
current continues to increase.

At this stage, it should be noted that the design of a protection CT is based mainly on its
performance at accuracy limit current; also, its composite error is declared at accuracy limit
primary current, not at rated primary current.
1.2 Accuracy Limit Factor
As shown on the diagram. the accuracy limit factor of the CT is the ratio of accuracy limit primary
current to rated primary current. In terms of C388. the preferred value for rated accuracy limit
factor is 20. but values of St 10t 15 and 30 are also provided for.
1.3 Rated Short-time Current and Rated Short Time
Let us now assume that this particular CT is to be connected into a system having a fault
capacity of 36 MVA at 415 volts. In the event of a short-circuit, primary current could rise to
50,000 amps and this current could persist until clearance is effected by the protection system.
To provide for this possibility, this CT has been designed to withstand a short-time current of
50,000 amps for P, second. The rated short time current of the CT is said to be 50,000 amps, as
shown by the third bar and the rated short time is 0.5 second. Note that where a short-time
current is specified, a rated short time must also be specified - one is meaningless without the
other. Standard short-time periods are 0.25 second, 0.5 second, 1 second, 2 seconds or 3
seconds. Note particularly that the short-time current called for in a protection CT may be far
higher than the accuracy limit current.
1.4 Short-Time Factor
As shown in the diagram, the ratio of short time current to rated primary current is known as the
short-time factor. In this case, the short-time factor is 50.000/500, which equals 100, for 0.5
second.
1.5 Thermal limit Current
One more primary current value is worthy of mention This is the thermal limit current shown by
the last bar on the diagram. It is the maximum primary current that the CT can carry continuously
at rated burden without exceeding the temperature rise limits set out in the Standard. This term
has been introduced to meet the requirement for CTs having a continuous rating greater than
rated primary current. In most cases, however, no separate thermal limit current is specified and
rated primary current is the continuous current upon which the thermal design of the CT is based.
It should be noted that a current transformer has no continuous overload current capacity unless
a thermal limit current is specified. In this example a value of 1000 amps has been given but any
value in excess of rated primary current could be specified.

Note that whereas accuracy limit primary current and short-time current represent relatively large
current levels which are attained for a short duration only and could not be maintained
continuously without permanent damage to the CT, rated primary current and thermal limit
primary current are current levels which can be maintained continuously without causing the
temperature rise of the CT to exceed the limits set out in 1675.
1.6 Composite Error
The composite error of a protection CT has some similarity to the current error (formerly "ratio
error") of a measurement CT The essential difference is that, while the current error of a
measurement CT must be within specified limits over a range of primary current values not
exceeding 125% of rated primary current, the composite error of a protection CT is always
declared at accuracy limit primary current. Also, composite error does not carry a positive or
negative sign.