Testing & Ratio Modification of Current transformers

Installing of CT:
Window type CT's should be mounted with the H1 side of the window towards the power source. The X1 secondary terminal is the polarity terminal (Figure 3).The polarity marks of a current transformer indicate that when a primary current enters at the polarity mark (H1) of the primary, a current in phase with the primary current and proportional to it in magnitude will leave the polarity terminal of the secondary (X1).

Normally CT's should not be installed on "Hot" services. The power should be disconnected when the CT's are installed. Many times this is not possible because of critical loads such as computers, laboratories, etc. that cannot be shut down. Split core CT's should not be installed on "Hot" un insulated bus bars under any conditions.

Recommendations for Installation of CT:

1. The primary current must be centered in the CT aperture.
Un-centered current may cause errors in current measurement. When the current to be measured is at high voltage, capacitive coupling between the high voltage conductor and the CT must be minimized. This becomes a critical issue when a low-sensitivity CT is used. In this context, CTs with less than 0.5 V/A in high-impedance output are considered low sensitivity.

2. The CT couples with the primary current conductor in two modes:

Magnetic coupling, which measures the current. This is the only desirable coupling. Capacitive coupling with the conductor high voltage, which is undesired coupling. The CT output resulting from magnetic coupling changes polarity when the current direction changes. The CT output resulting from capacitive coupling does not change when the current direction changes. Therefore, to identify the signal caused by unwanted capacitive coupling, compare the CT output when the current conductor passes through CT in one direction, then in the other direction: The output signal is the sum from magnetic coupling and capacitive coupling: the signal from magnetic coupling has changed polarity, while the signal from capacitive coupling has not changed polarity. Install common-mode filters on the CT output cable. To realize simply a common-mode filter, use a ferrite (or better: nanocrystalline) core and pass the coaxial cable 6 to 8 times through the core. It will constitute an excellent common-mode filter. Install a cylindrical shield between the current carrying conductor and the CT. The shield must be grounded with a low-impedance grounding wire. The shield must be grounded on one side only. If it were grounded on two sides, it would constitute a one-turn short around the CT (to be avoided!) When possible, maximize the "good" signal from magnetic coupling, by using the most sensitive possible CT. To determine the most sensitive model which can be used, take into consideration: Higher sensitivity CTs also have higher droop. The CT output signal droop must be acceptable in consideration of the duration of the signal to observe. CT output does not droop when the current is nil, in-between pulses.

3. Magnetic coupling and the capacitive coupling can be identified:

4. To minimize unwanted capacitive coupling:

5. The CT I x t product must be higher than the primary pulse charge.

Short pulses (<50ns) peak current can be up to 4 times the CT maximum current. SMA and BNC connectors can withstand repetitive 3000 volts peak for short time. If the CT output signal is too high, attenuators can be used.

Primary/Secondary Turns Ratio Modification:

The nameplate current ratio of the current transformer is based on the condition that the primary conductor will be passed once through the transformer opening. If necessary, this rating can be reduced in even multiples by looping this conductor two or more times through the opening. A transformer having a rating of 300 amperes will be changed to 75 amperes if four loops or turns are made with the primary cable as illustrated. The ratio of the current transformer can be also modified by altering the number of secondary turns by forward or back-winding the secondary lead through the window of the current transformer. By adding secondary turns, the same primary amperage will result in a decrease in secondary output. By subtracting secondary turns, the same primary amperage will result in greater secondary output. Again using the 300:5 example, adding two secondary turns will require 310 amps on the primary to maintain the 5 amp secondary output or 62/1p = 310p/5s. Subtracting two secondary turns will only require 290 amps on the primary to maintain the 5 amp secondary output or 58s/5p = 290p/5s. The ratio modifications are achieved in the following manner: To add secondary turns, the white lead should be wound through the CT from the side opposite the polarity mark. To subtract turns, the white lead should be wound through the CT from the same side as the polarity mark.

How to make Modifications in Primary Turns Ratio of CT:

The ratio of the current transformer can be modified by adding more primary turns to the transformer. By adding primary turns, the current required to maintain five amps on the secondary is reduced.

Ka = Kn X (Nn/Na)
Ka= Actual Turns Ration. Kn=Name Plate T/C Ratio. Nn=Name Plate Number of Primary Turns. Na=Actual Number of Primary Turns. Example: 100:5 Current Transformers. 1. Primary Turns=1Nos:

Ka= (100/5) X (1/1) = 100:5 2. Primary Turns=2Nos:

Ka= (100/5) X (1/2) = 50:5 3. Primary Turns= 4Nos:

Ka= (100/5) X (1/4) = 25:5

How to make Modifications in Secondary Turns Ratio of CT:

Formula

: Ip/Is = Ns/Np

Ip = Primary Current Is = Secondary Current Np = Number of Primary Turns Ns = Number of Secondary Turns Example: A 300:5 Current Transformer. The ratio of the current transformer can be modified by altering the number of secondary turns by forward or back winding the secondary lead through the window of the current transformer. By adding secondary turns, the same primary current will result in a decrease in secondary output. By subtracting secondary turns, the same primary current will result in greater secondary output. Again using the 300:5 example adding five secondary turns will require 325 amps on the primary to maintain the 5 amp secondary output or: 325 p / 5s = 65s / 1p Deducting 5 secondary turns will only require 275 amps on the primary to maintain the 5 amp secondary output or: 275p / 5s = 55s / 1p The above ratio modifications are achieved in the following manner:

Current Transformer Ratio Modification: CT RATIO 100:5A 200:5A 300:5A 100:5A 200:5A 300:5A 100:5A 200:5A 300:5A NUMBER OF PRIMARY TURNS 2 2 2 3 3 3 4 4 4 MODIFIED RATIO 50:5A 100:5A 150:5A 33.3:5A 66.6:5A 100:5A 25:5A 50:5A 75:5A

A primary turn is the number of times the primary conductor passes through the CT's window. The main advantage of this ratio modification is you maintain the accuracy and burden capabilities of the higher ratio. The higher the primary rating the better the accuracy and burden rating. You can make smaller ratio modification adjustments by using additive or subtractive secondary turns. For example, if you have a CT with a ratio of 100:5A. By adding one additive secondary turn the ratio modification is 105:5A, by adding on subtractive secondary turn the ratio modification is 95:5A. Subtractive secondary turns are achieved by placing the "X1" lead through the window from the H1 side and out the H2 side. Additive secondary turns are achieved by placing the "X1" lead through the window from the H2 and out the H1 side. So, when there is only one primary turn each secondary turn modifies the primary rating by 5 amperes. If there is more than one primary turn each secondary turn value is changed (i.e. 5A divided by 2 primary turns = 2.5A). The following table illustrates the effects of different combinations of primary and secondary turns: CT RATIO 100:5A

PRIMARY TURNS 1 1 1 2 2 2 3 3 3

SECONDARY TURNS -01+ 1-01+ 2-01+ 1-

RATIO ADJUSTMENT 100:5A 105:5A 95:5A 50:5A 52.5:5A 45.0:5A 33.3:5A 34.97:5A 31.63:5A

Ratio Correction Factor Curve of CT:

The term correction factor is defined as that factor by which the marked (or nameplate) ratio of a current transformer must be multiplied to obtain the true ratio. The ratio errors of current transformers used for relaying are such that, for a given magnitude of primary current, the secondary current is less than the marked ratio would indicate; hence, the ratio-correction factor is greater than 1.0. A ratio-correction-factor curve is a curve of the ratio-correction factor plotted against multiples of rated primary or Secondary current for a given constant burden. Such curves give the most accurate results because the only errors involved in their use are the slight differences in accuracy between CT having the same nameplate ratings, owing to manufacturers tolerances. Usually, a family of such curves is provided for different typical values of burden. To use ratio-correction-factor curves, one must calculate the CT burden for each value of secondary current for which he wants to know the CT accuracy. Owing to variation in burden with secondary current because of saturation, no single RCF curve will apply for all currents because these curves are plotted for constant burdens; instead, one must use the applicable curve, or interpolate between curves, for each different value of secondary current. In this way, one can calculate the primary currents for various assumed values of secondary current; or, for a given primary current, he can determine, by trial and error, what the secondary current will be. The difference between the actual burden power factor and the power factor for which the RCF curves are drawn may be neglected because the difference in CT error will be negligible. Ratio-correction-factor curves are drawn for burden power factors approximately like those usually encountered in relay applications, and hence there is usually not much discrepancy. Any application should be avoided where successful relay operation depends on such small margins in CT accuracy that differences in burden power factor would be of any consequence. Extrapolations should not be made beyond the secondary current or burden values for which the RCF curves are drawn, or else unreliable results will be obtained. Ratio-correction-factor curves are considered standard application data and are furnished by the manufacturers for all types of current transformers.

Testing of CT
A number of routine and type tests have to be conducted on CT s before they can meet the standards specified above. The tests can be classified as : 1. Accuracy tests to determine whether the errors of the CT are within specified limits. 2. Dielectric insulation tests such as power frequency withstand voltage test on primary and secondary windings for one minute, inter-turn insulation test at power frequency voltage, impulse tests with 1.2u/50 wave, and partial discharge tests (for voltage >=6.6kv) to determine whether the discharge is below the specified limits. 3. Temperature rise tests. 4. Short time current tests. 5. Verification of terminal markings and polarity.

Polarity Test:
In situations where the secondary bushing identification is not available or when a transformer has been rewound, it may be necessary to determine the transformer polarity by test. The following procedure can be used. The H1 (left-hand) primary bushing and the left-hand secondary bushing are temporarily jumpered together and a test voltage is applied to the transformer primary. The resultant voltage is measured between the right-hand bushings. If the measured voltage is greater than the applied voltage, the transformer is Additive Polarity because the polarity is such that the secondary voltage is being added to the applied primary voltage. If, however, the measured voltage across the right-hand bushings is less than the applied primary voltage, the transformer is Subtractive Polarity. Note: For safety and to avoid the possibility of damaging the secondary insulation, the test voltage applied to the Primary should be at a reduced voltage and should not exceed the rated secondary voltage. In the example below, if the T.C is actually rated 480 - 120 volts, the transformer ratio is 4:1 (480 / 120 = 4). Applying a test voltage of 120 volts to the primary will result in a secondary voltage of 30 volts (120 / 4 = 30). If transformer is subtractive polarity, the voltmeter will read 90 volts (120 - 30 = 90). If the voltmeter reads 150 volts, the transformer is additive polarity (120 + 30 = 150).The red arrows indicate the relative magnitude and direction of the primary and secondary voltages.

Ratio Test
The ratio is defined as the number of turns in the secondary as compared to the number of turns in the primary. Apply one volt per turn to the secondary of the CT under test. Raise voltage slowly while observing meters. When one volt per turn has been reached on the secondary voltmeter, one volt should appear on the primary meter. If the CT saturates before one volt per turn is reached, apply a smaller voltage which is a convenient fraction of one volt per turn. (e.g. .5v per turn). The Primary voltmeter should read the chosen fraction of a volt. If a multi-ratio CT is being tested, the selector switch can be placed in the "External Meter" position. The primary voltmeter can be used to read the voltage between taps on the secondary winding while a known voltage per turn is applied to the winding, either between taps or to the full winding. CAUTION: TO PROTECT AGAINST INSULATION FAILURE, DO NO EXCEED MORE THAN 1000 VOLTS ON ANY OF THE SECONDARY WINDINGS OF THE CT UNDER TEST. Leads should be connected to the test set EXT VOLTS binding posts only when the selector switch is in the EXT METER CONNECTION position.

Saturation Test
IEEE defines saturation as "the point where the tangent is at 45 to the secondary exciting amperes." (See Figures). With the test set secondary binding posts X1 and X2 connected to the CT secondary and the H1 and H2 binding posts connected to the CT primary, increase output observing the ammeter and secondary voltmeter. Increase voltage until a small increase in voltage causes a large increase in current. Most CT's will saturate at 1 amp or less and 600 volts or less. Note: It may be necessary to plot a curve to detect the saturation point. See Figures and ANSI/IEEE C57.13 for illustrations of typical curves for Class C transformers.

Advantages of using a CT having 1A Secondary

The standard CT secondary current ratings are 1A & 5A,The selection is based on the lead burden used for connecting the CT to meters/Relays.5A CT can be used where Current Transformer & protectives device are located within same Switchgear Panel. 1A CT is preferred if CT leads goes out of the Switchgear. For Example if CT is located in Switch Yard & CT leads have to be taken to relay panels located in control room which can be away.1A CT is preferred to reduce the load burden. For CT with very High lead length, CT with Secondary current rating of 0.5 Amp can be used. In large Generator Circuits, where primary rated current is of the order of few kilo-amperes only,5A CTs are used, 1A CTs are not preferred since the turns rations becomes very high & CT becomes unwieldy.