How to select CT’s for modern

protection relays?

The Siemens Answer: CT Dimensioning

Innovation for Generations

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 CT – Measuring vs Protection

Measuring CT Protection CT

• Under over current, the CT • In case of over current, the

should limit the secondary CT should maintain the
current to avoid thermal secondary current within
overload of the connected the rated limit to enable
equipment proper protection operation

• At rated burden (cosφ = • At rated burden (cosφ =

0.8) and rated security 0.8) and rated accuracy
factor, the composite error limit factor, the composite
should be > 10% error should be less than
5% or 10%

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CT – Standards

• IEC/AS 60044-1: Instrument transformers - Part 1 -

Current transformers (ed. 1.2 – 2003)
• IEC/AS 60044-6: Instrument transformers - Part 6 –
Requirements for protective current transformers for
transient performance
• IEC/AS 60044-8: Instrument transformers -Part 8 -
Electronic current transformers
• AS 1675: Current Transformers – Measurement &
Protection (now superseded)
• BS7626 (BS 3938): Specification for current
transformers (now superseded)

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CT – AS 60044 - 1 – Class P
Rated Composite Error at ALF
(turn ratio error, iron / copper
losses, saturation)
AS 60044: 5P20 5VA
AS 1765: 5P 100 F20
Rated Secondary Reference Voltage
Vref (the RMS secondary voltage
upon which the performance is based)
Conversion:
Vref ⋅ I sec = VA ⋅ ALF
Copyright ©
IEC/AS 60044-1 / BS3938:
multiple of rated current at
which, with rated burden, will
maintain the accuracy
IEC/AS 60044-1 / BS3938
specify Rated Burden
Accuracy Limit Factor (ALF)
(the factor which, when applied
to at rated primary current,
gives the accuracy limit primary
current)
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CT – AS 60044 - 1 – Class PX

(similar to BS 3938 Class X

AS 1675 Class PL)

0.05PX 450 R3 10VA Kx Rb

Max. exciting Dimensioning
current (Iexc) at factor (Kx) Rated resistive
rated knee point burden (Rb)
voltage
Rated knee point Max. secondary winding
o
voltage (Ek or Vk) resistance (Rct) at 75 C

Turn ratio error within ± 0.25%

AS 1675: or ±50/Ns whichever the greater,
where Ns = number of secondary turns

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CT Dimensioning

Operational Accuracy Limit Factor – ALF’

Pi + PN Ri + RN
ALF' = ALF ⋅ = n⋅
Pi + PB Ri + RB

P + PB Ri + RB
ALF = ALF' ⋅ i = ALF'⋅
Pi + PN Ri + RN

Rated CT burden: PN
Internal CT burden: Pi=Ri ⋅ I2N2
Actually connected
burden : PB= RB ⋅ I2N2

with: RB=RL+RR= total burden resistance

RL= resistance of connecting cable
RR= relay burden resistance
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 CT Dimensioning

Operational Accuracy Limit Factor – ALF’

I Theory:
ALF ' ≥ K OD ⋅ SC
IN No saturation during BMax XN
total fault duration: K' TF = = 1 + ωTN = 1 +
Where KOD is the total ˆ B~ RN
over-dimensioning factor:
 tM tM 
No saturation for ω ⋅ TN ⋅ TS
− −

K OD ≥ K TF ⋅ K Rem the specified time tM: K ' 'TF = 1+ (e TN − e TS 

 TN − TS 
 
% remanence
K Rem = 1+
100 Practice:
K OD = KTF

Remanence only considered in extra high

voltage systems (EHV)
KTF-values acc. to relay manufacturers‘ guides
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CT Dimensioning

Choice of CT rated power

• Rated burden > total connected burden

• For GIS and MV switchboard with modern
relays/measuring devices, class P 1A CTs
with small rated burden are sufficient, e.g.
5VA, 10VA

Choice of Accuracy Limit Factor

• Relay manufacturer’s recommendation

should be followed + engineering secuirty
factor
• CT performance depends on operational
ALF

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CT Dimensioning

Choice of CT Ratio

• CT ratio should be based on the protected object,

however, it may need to be go higher:
• limitation of difference in CT ratio for low impedance
differential protection as recommended by the relay
manufacturer
• Avoid excessive over-dimensioning:
• Imax, switchgear / Ipri-rated > 100 !
• Such CT can damage the relay because there is no CT saturation

If a more precise estimation of the CT performance is

necessary, then RCT and the magnetising curve is required.

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CT Dimensioning

Choice of Measuring CT

• For classes 0.1 – 1, the accuracy is based on a total connected

burden between 25% to 100% of the rated burden
• For classes 0.1, 0.2 and 0.2S with rated burden < 15VA, an
extended range of burden can be specified (from 1VA to 100% of
the rated burden)
• For classes 3 and 5, the accuracy is based on a total connected
burden between 50% to 100% of rated burden

• Instrument security factor (FS) defines the maximum secondary

current that will flow under short circuit of primary circuit
• Instrument security factor (FS) is based on the rated burden
• Under-burdened measuring CT can damage connected
instrument during short circuit or overload of the primary circuit

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CT Dimensioning
Overcurrent Protection

CT saturation is allowable provided the remaining fundamental current is

higher than I>> setting

Isec, fundamental > I >

Isec,funfamental > I >>

Pn + PCT I >>
ALF' = ALF ⋅ >
P'+ PCT In

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CT Dimensioning
Differential Protection
Differential protection should be stable on external faults
High sensitivity for internal fault
Relay
Protected Object Requirement for Internal Faults Requirements for External Faults
Type

min. over min. over

min. saturation min. saturation
dimensioning dimensioning CT symmetry
free time (ms) free time (ms)
KTF KTF

Generator 7UM6 4 0.75 5 1.20

Transformer 7UT6 4 0.75 5 1.20

O/H Line, Cable - 7SD52 3 0.50 5 1.20

with digital
communication 7SD61 3 0.50 5 1.20

O/H Line, Cable -

7SD600 5 1.20 1 1.00 0.75
with pilot wires

Busbar 7SS52 3 0.50 3 0.50

7SS600 4 0.75 4 0.75

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