Instrument Transformers

For currents greater than 100A and voltages higher than 500V, it is difficult to construct ammeters and current coils of wattmeters, energy meters and relays carrying alternating currents greater than 100A. Specially designed transformers known as instrument transformers are used for this purpose.

Instrument Transformers
The instrument transformers in a substation are: Current transformers: Voltage transformer.

Capacitive voltage transformers (CVTs ) Voltage Transformers ( IVTS or PTs )

Importance of CTs &PTs

Many protection systems are required to operate during the period of transient disturbance in the output of the measuring transformers that follows a system fault. The errors in transformer output may abnormally delay the operation of the protection, or cause unnecessary operations.

Importance of CTs &PTs

Whenever the values of voltage or current in a power circuit are too high to permit convenient direct connection of measuring instruments or relays, coupling is made through transformers. Such 'measuring transformers are required to produce a scaled down replica of the input quantity to the accuracy expected for the particular measurement

Basic Function of Instrument Transformers

To provide insulation between primary and secondary circuit for equipment and personnel safety To change the magnitude (but not the nature) of the quality (voltage or current) being measured to a suitable level for use with standard instruments (protective relays, metering equipment, etc).

Instrument Transformers (DO)

The quality of instrument transformers will affect directly the overall accuracy and performance of these metering and monitoring systems. Instrument transformer performance is critical in protective relaying, since the relays can only be as good as the instrument transformers.

Basic Function of Instrument Transformers

By using instrument transformers, electrical instruments have been standardized to operate on 110V and 5A or 1A. They are essential parts of many electrical systems, and are used for Measuring (metering) and Monitoring (relaying) devices.

Normally both the above functions are combined in one unit in such apparatus used in power systems. Hence the general term instrument transformers. There are occasions where these are used exclusively for commercial metering and in which case they are called Metering Transformers.

Types of Instrument Transformers

Instrument transformers are of two types, depending upon whether it is used to excite the current or voltage coil of the measuring instrument Current Transformers- CTs Voltage Transformers VTs (also referred to as Potential Transformers, PTs).

Types of Instrument Transformers (Contd)

Both of these types act as insulators between high-voltage primary and lowvoltage secondary.

The ratio of primary to secondary voltage is in proportion to the turns of ratio and will usually produce 110-120V at the secondary terminals with rated primary voltage applied.

Accuracy of Instrument Transformers

To be a useful part of a measurement system, instrument transformers must change the magnitude of the quantity being measured without introducing any excessive unknown errors. The accuracy of an instrument transformer must either be of a known value, so that errors may be allowed for, or the accuracy must be sufficiently high that errors introduced by the instrument transformer may be ignored.

Factors Affecting Accuracy of Instrument Transformers

Design of the instrument transformer Circuit conditions such as voltage, current and frequency Burden connected to the secondary circuit of the transformer

Burden of Instrument Transformers

In instrument transformer operations, the primary quantities are reduced by the turns ratio to provide a secondary current or voltage to energize protective relays and other equipment. The totality of the impedances of the loads connected to current or voltage transformers are referred to as burden.

Burden of Instrument Transformers (Do)

The burden consists of the impedances of the following: Secondary winding of the instrument transformer Interconnecting leads Relay and/or other connected devices.

connections

Current Transformers - CTs

Current Transformers are used whenever the magnitude of the operating current has to be reduced to the value for which instruments, meters and protective devices are designed. At the same time current transformers isolate metering and protective devices from the system voltage.

CTs

The essential requirement of a current transformers is to deliver on its secondary a quantity(current), which truly represents the applied quantity on its primary. The failure of protective system to perform its function correctly is due to incorrect application of this transformers.

CTs

The requirements of a protective current transformer are quite different from that of a metering C.T. The metering C.T. is only required to perform its function over the normal range of load current, while the protective C.T is required to give satisfactory protection over a wide range of fault conditions.

CTs

Working ranges of CTs

CTs Characteristics
The curve above describe a characteristic, indicating three regions namely: (i) Ankle point (ii) Linear or straight line region (iii)Knee point The working range of a metering C.T., is from the Ankle point to the Knee point and slightly beyond it.

CTs Characteristics
Thus the metering C.T., operates between 10%

and 120% of the rated current and saturates beyond this in order to protect the metering instruments.
The working range of a protective C.T. extends

over the full range from the ankle point and beyond. Generally the operating region of a protective C.T. is beyond the knee point as it is required to operate at fault currents, which is several times the full load or rated current.

CTs Characteristics

The knee point voltage of a metering C.T. is generally around 60 to 120V and is kept low so as to protect meters. The knee point voltages of protective C.T.s are generally quite high varying from 200V to 1900V depending upon the requirements of the relay. The upper limit of 1900V is specified because the secondary cables from a C.T. are generally rated to withstand 2KV for about 1 or 3 minutes and 660 volts or 1100 volts continuously.

CTs Characteristics

The excitation voltages of metering and protective C.Ts is as follows:

Theory of Current Transformers

The current transformer operates like any other transformer in that the voltage ratio and the reciprocal of the current ratio are proportional to the turns ratio i.e. Ep = Np Es Ns
Where: p and s denote primary and secondary. E Voltage I Current N Number of turns

Theory of Current Transformers

The primary winding is connected in series with the load and it is the latter which determines the current induced in the secondary winding. The secondary is connected to a burden, which does not vary, and the primary current is not influenced by the magnitude of the secondary burden.

Theory of Current Transformers

The current in the secondary is determined by the current in the primary winding.

Phasor diagram of a C.T.

Phasor diagram of a C.T.

The

secondary current Is lags behind the secondary induced voltage, Es by an angle . This angle is determined by the impedance of the external burden and the impedance of the secondary winding. The primary current Ip is the resultant of Is and Io the exciting current. The exciting current Io consists of two components namely Ic the core-loss component and Im the magnetizing component.

Phasor diagram of a C.T.

angle between Ip and (-Is) is the phase displacement error between the primary and secondary currents. This angle is expressed in minutes of arc. The difference in lengths between Ip and (-Is) is called the Ratio Error. When this ratio error is expressed as a percentage of the primary current Ip, it is called Percentage Ratio Error.
The
Kn = Ip = N2 (the transformation ratio). Is NI

Common definition of terms used with Current Transformers

Composite error C Composite error C is the difference between the ideal secondary current and the actual secondary current under steadystate conditions. It includes amplitude (Ratio) and phase errors and also the effects of any possible harmonics in the exciting current

Common definition
Thus Ec = 100 1ot[(Kn is - ip) 2 dt] Ip T

Where Ec is the composite error T the time of one period Ip the rms value of the primary current in Amps ip the instantaneous value of the primary current in Amps. is the instantaneous value of the secondary current in Amps. Kn the transformation ratio = Ip Is

Common definition

At rated frequency and with rated burden connected, the amplitude error and phase error and composite error of a CT shall not exceed the values given in the following table.

Marking: The accuracy class of a CT is written after the rated power. E.g. 10 VA 5P10, 15 VA 10P10, 30 VA 5P20

Common definition
Rated Burden
This is the apparent resistance of the secondary circuit expressed in ohms together with the power factor for which the specified accuracy limits are valid.
Burden
Total secondary impedance

Zb
Zt

=
= =

rb + jXb
rs + jXs Zb + Zs

Secondary winding impedance Zs

= (rb + rs) + j(Xb+Xs) Es =Is (Zb + Zs)

Common definition
Rated Output The rated output of a current transformer is apparent power expressed in VA together with power factor, which the C.T. can deliver to secondary circuit at rated current and burden while maintaining its accuracy in the specified class. the the the still

The rated output is equal to the product of the rated secondary current and the voltage drop in the external secondary circuit due to this current.
The standardised values of rated outputs are 2.5, 5, 7.5, 10, 15, 30, 45, 60, 90, & 120 in VA.

Common definition

In BSS, the VA output is specified along with the accuracy class. For example 30 5P 10 means a protection C.T. of accuracy class s having a total error of 5% with a VA of 30. The number 10 is the ALF defined later However in IEC, the VA is specified separately.

Common definition
Accuracy Limit Factor (ALF) The accuracy limit current is the highest primary current at which a current transformer still meets the specified requirements as regards total error. The accuracy limit factor is the ratio of the accuracy limit current to the rated primary current. The standardized accuracy limit factors are 5, 10, 15, 20 and 30.

Common definition

For example, as per IEC 5 p 20 means a C.T. for protection having maximum total error of 5% at 20 times the rated current.
Marking: Accuracy limit factor is written after the accuracy class. E.g. 10 VA 5P10, 15 VA 10P10, 30 VA 5P20.

Common definition
Instrument Security Factor (ISF) The rated instrument security factor is the smallest primary current at which an instrumentation core exhibits a current error of 10%. The Instrument Security Factor ISF is the ratio of the rated instrument safety current to rated primary current.

Common definition
The instrument security factor defines the behavior of a metering C.T. core under over-current conditions. The ISF is specified to protect instruments connected to the metering C.T. core from system short circuit currents. The ISF to be chosen should be as low as possible. It is expressed as a number n 5 or n 10.

Common definition
Knee point voltage (Vk) This is the sinusoidal e.m.f of rated frequency applied to the secondary terminals of the C.T., with all other windings being open circuited, which when increased by 10% causes the exciting current to increase by 50% or more. This is illustrated below:

Common definition

Common definition
Example V1 = 100 V V2 = 110 V Percentage Increase = 10% Corresponding currents C1 = 0.35A C2 = 0.7A Percentage increase = 50% V is the knee point voltage Vk.

The knee point voltage indicates the voltage above which the C.T. enters into saturation and exciting current increases rapidly with a very little increase in voltage

Common definition
The Vk is also limited by practical design and manufacturing consideration as:

Vk

Rated output in VA x ALF Secondary rated current

Common definition
Rated Short Time Thermal Current (Ith) This is the rms value of the primary current, which the C.T. will withstand for one second without suffering any internal damage or other harmful effects with the secondary being shortcircuited. This rating is for a very short time and it is usually assumed that the entire heat generated is stored in the primary winding itself.

Common definition

Rated short time thermal current is expressed in KA. It is related to the maximum short circuit current at the point of installation of the C.T., and also on the duration of the breaking time of the short circuit current

Common definition
The following condition should be met with Ith Isc x [t + 0.05 x 50] KA rms.

Where Ith - Rated short time thermal current for 1 sec. Isc - Short circuit current at C.T. location in KA rms t - short circuit duration in sec. f - Rated system frequency. For system frequency of 50 Hertz

Ith

Isc [t + 0.05] KA rms.

Common definition
Rated Dynamic Current (I dyn)
It is the peak value of the primary current, which the transformer will withstand without being damaged electrically or mechanically by the resulting electromagnetic forces, the secondary winding being shortcircuited. The maximum value of this current can be 2.5 times the rated short time thermal current (Ith) I dyn = 2.5 Ith

Common definition
Rated Primary and Secondary Current These are the values of the primary and secondary current on which the performance of the current transformer is based.

Standard values of primary currents are: 5, 10, 15, 20, 30, 60, 75, 50, 100, 150, 200, 300, 400, 600, 800, 1000, 1500, 2000, 3000, 4000 and above. Standard values of secondary currents as per BS 3938 are 5A, 2A and 1A and as per IEC, 5A or 1A. However there are cases where occasionally ratings of 0.577A, 0.866A or 2.87A have been used.

Tips on CT selection
The selection of the primary current of a C.T. shall always be

adopted as closely as possible to the full load or rated current of the installation by rounding off to the next higher standard. However the C.T must be capable of continuously carrying the maximum expected current in service. It is advisable to consider a permitted overload of 20% of the full load current while deciding the rated current. Another factor to be considered is also the load growth and the increase in capacity of an installation. It is for this reason that multi ratio primary currents are adopted like 800 - 400 - 200 - 100 A.
The selection of the secondary current depends upon the secondary

current of the equipment already in service where interchangeability is a consideration.

The following are the advantages and disadvantages of CTs with 5A and 1A secondary currents. The number of turns required on the secondary side is less for a 5A C.T. than for a 1A C.T. for a given primary current. A thicker gauge wire is required for a 5A C.T than for a 1A C.T. Both the above factors contribute to the cost reduction of a 5A C.T. when compared to a 1A C.T. Since the number of turns is less for a 5A C.T, the voltage induced on the secondary side during secondary saturation or secondary open circuit is less when compared to a 1A C.T.

The lead burden, however, becomes excessive for a 5A C.T since the same is proportional to the product of the square of the current and resistance of the lead wire. The lead burden in a 1A CT. will be very low. In view of the reduced number of secondary turns in a 5A C.T., it is difficult to provide for turns compensation to design and manufacture low current higher accuracy class CTs. However in a 1A C.T. it is possible to achieve the desired accuracy class because of the increased number of turns and by providing compensating turns. The internal resistance of a 5A C.T. is comparatively less ( 1 ohm) when compared to that of 1A C.T. (Generally 3 to 12 ohms)

Examples
A case study of Estimation of Burden, Knee Point Voltage, Accuracy Class etc of a Protective Current Transformer Requirement of a C.T. to protect a 15 MVA, 132/33 KV Delta/Star connected transformer. Data available % Impedance of Transformer Fault level at 132KV side = 10 = 1400 MVA

Examples
Transformer full load current per phase = 15 x 106_____ 3 x 132 x 103 = 65.61 A Hence select primary current = 100 A i.e. Ip = 100 A
Select secondary current Is as 5A. A 5A C.T secondary has a winding resistant of less than 1.0 ohm. A typical value may be chosen as 0.601 ohms.

Examples
Assume (a)Distance from C.T to Relay control panel as 100 metres and C.T. secondary leads of 10 sq mm. (RL = 0.1627 ohms for 100 metres) (b)Connected relays are GEC CDG 11 over-current and earth fault relays with VA burden of 1.8 and 4 respectively.

Examples
Relay burden =IS2RS + 2IS2RL + VA of (OCR + EFR)
=(5) 2 0.601 + 2(5) 2 0.1627 + (1.8 + 4) = 15.0 + 8.135 + 5.8 = 28.935 VA

Hence select relay burden or output as 30 VA Select Accuracy class 5 P 20

Examples
Knee point voltage Vk = VA x ALF__ Sec. current 30 x 20 5 600 5 120 V

= = =

Examples
Fault current at C.T. installation =

1400 x 106 ___ 3 x 132 x 103 6123.6 A

or 6.124 KA = Isc Ith Isc [t + 0.05] KA rms for 1 sec Assume operating time of breakers, relays etc = 1 sec Ith 6.124 [1.05] 6.275 KA rms Select Ith as 10 KA rms for 1 sec

Examples
Ith short time rating = 10 KA rms for 1 sec. Idyn = 2.5 Ith =2.5 x 10 = 25 KA for 1 sec.

Hence complete specifications for this protection C T will be: Voltage class: 132 KV Primary current: 100 A Highest System Voltage: 145 KV Secondary current: 5 A Accuracy class: 5 P 20 Vk: 120 V. Ith: 10 KA rms for 1 sec. Idyn: 25 KA for 1 sec.

Polarity and Markings

Polarity and Markings

Voltage Transformers

Types of VTs

Electromagnetic VT Capacitive VT

Types of VTs for Protective Relaying.

Voltage transformers have wound primaries that are Either connected directly to the power systems (VTs) Or across a selection of capacitor string connected between phase and ground, that is, coupling-capacitor voltage transformers (CCVTs)

VTs For Relay Applications

Voltage

transformers, which step down system voltages to sufficiently low, safer, measurable values, are required for Indication of the voltage conditions. Energy meters and watt meters (kWh and kW meters) Protective relays Synchronizing

Points To Note About VTs

VTs are used at all power system voltages,and are usually connected to the bus. Usually the CCTVs are connected to the line, rather than to the bus, because the coupling capacitor devices may also be used to couple radio frequencies to the line for use in pilot relaying At about 115kV, the CCVT types becomes applicable and generally more economical than VTs at the higher voltages.

Points to Note About VTs (Do)

Either type of voltage transformer (VT or CCVT) provides excellent reproduction of primary voltage, both transient and steadystate, for protection functions. Saturation is not a problem because power systems should not be operated above normal voltage, and faults result in a collapse or reduction in voltage. VTs are normally installed with primary fuses, which are not necessary with CCTVs. Fuses are also used in the secondary.

Voltage Transformers
HV and EHV Capacitor-coupled VT (CVT)

C1 & C2 are adjusted, so that a few kVs of voltage is obtains across C2 Then, stepped down by T

Example: To calculate the capacitance requirements for a CVT to be used on a 132KV system. Let (1) Total capacitance of capacitor be 20,000pF (2) Burden requirement 100 VA (3) Magnetic transformer designed for a standard primary voltage of 10/3 KV

C1 C2 =

E2 E1

10/3_________ 132/3 10/3 = _10____ x C2 132 10 = + = = 10_ x C2 122

C1

or C2 Also 1_ C1 Or C

122 C1 10 1 = C2 C1C2_ C1 + C2

1 C

Substituting for C2 in the above eqn.

C = C1 x 122 C1 10____ C1 + 122 C1 10 C12 x 122
10____ 10C1 + 122C1 10 122 C1 132 132 C 122 132 x 20000 122 122 x 21639.34 10

= C1 = = C2

= =

21639.34pF 264000pF