EE 3092

Laboratory Practice V

Current Transformer Operation

Instructed by: Mr.Sujeevan

Name
Index No.
Group
Field
Date of Performance
Date of Submission
CALCULATIONS

:
:
:
:
:
:

S.P.M Sudasinghe
100523G
G - 12
EE
2013/10/02
2013/10/21

Transformer Ratio Calculations

For protection type current transformer: IS : IP = 0.6/50
For measuring type current transformer: IS : IP = 0.6/50

Knee point Voltage Calculation

At knee point 10% increase in voltage causes 50% percent increase in current
Hence at knee point
Gradient of magnetizing curve =

dV 10
=
dI 50

= 0.2

For protection type current transformer

Equation of the magnetization curve for protection type current transformer is
( from graph 1)
V =8.3277 ln I 21.491
dV 8.3277
=
dI
I
at knee point,

dV 8.3277
=
=0.2 I =41.64 mA
dI
I

V =8.3277 ln ( 41.6421.491 )

Knee point voltage V = 9.56V

For measuring type current transformer

Equation of the magnetization curve for protection type current transformer is
( from graph 2)
V =1.995 ln I + 9.6687
dV 1.995
=
dI
I
at knee point,

dV 1.995
=
=0.2 I =9.975 A
dI
I

V =1.995 ln ( 9.975 ) +9.6687

Knee point voltage V = 14.26 V

Burden calculation
For protection type CT, burden

V s I s=0.4 0.6= 0.24 VA

For measuring type CT, burden

V s I s=0.4 06= 0.24 VA

DISSCUSSION
1. Secondary resistance of a protective transformer is low compared to that
of a measuring transformer
The protection current transformer is used to transform the higher currents in
power systems to controllable value to use in protection schemes such as relay
systems. If fault detected relay mechanism disconnected the supply. Usually the
currents in power systems (transmission lines) is in kA range. Hence currents
associated with protection type CTs are much higher and required accuracy is
low. Hence secondary resistance is low.
In measuring type transformer there is no much high current flow as in
protection CTs because small current is sufficient to get the measurement.
Therefore in here need only a small current which is proportional to the high
current in primary. Also measuring type requires higher accuracy than
protection type CT. Therefore resistance of measuring type CT is higher than
protection type CT.

2. Significance of knee point voltage of the magnetizing curve

Knee-point of a current transformer is defined as the voltage at which a 10%
increase in applied voltage, will increase the magnetizing current by 50%. Linear
relation between V & Ie is maintained from point A & K. The point A is known as
Ankle Point and point K is known as Knee Point (figure 1).

Figure 1: Magnetizing curve for typical current

transformer

When the knee-point voltage of a current transformer is reached, the linear

relationship between the primary and secondary currents will no longer apply.
This could pose some problems in protective relay settings and coordination if
the transformer is protective type one. The knee-point voltage of a protective
type current transformer is critical in protective relay application because fault
currents usually range from 20 to 30 times the rated currents of the current
transformers. When it comes to measuring type CTs error of the measurements
increased beyond the knee point voltage due to core saturation.
Hence for proper operation of both protection and measuring type current
transformers operating region should lie within the linear region of magnetizing
curve. That is knee point voltage should not be exceeded.

3. Selection of Current Transformer for a given application

Current transformers generally use for monitoring, controlling and protection.
There are various things to be considered for the selecting a current transformer
for an application. Factors such as magnitude, frequency, function, sampling
rate, the accuracy and effectiveness will essentially be dependent on these
parameters. Aside from the possibility of compromising the transformers
accuracy, using a current transformer above the manufacturers rated current
specification may saturate the transformer and may cause circuit failures due to
an uncontrolled rise in operating temperature. On the other hand, a current
transformer that is rated much higher than the sample current might be
restrictively too large and expensive for its purpose. Typically, selecting a
current-transformer

that

is

rated

approximately30%above

the

expected

maximum of the sample current is a prudent starting point. So when selecting a

current transformer for a given application there are some facts that should be
given special attention. Accuracy, burden and knee point voltage of a current
transformer need to consider before selecting a current transformer for the
application.