Current Transformer Excitation

Under Transit Conditions

BY D. E. MARSHALL* and P. O. LANGGUTH*
Associate, A. I. E. E. Associate, A. I. E. E.

Synopsis.-Tests of circuit breakers, relays, and similar devices
in which current transformers have been used to step down the large
currents involved to values measurable by the oscillograph, have
shown peculiar errors in the records during the transient portion
of the current wave.
The purpose of this paper is to show that the abnormal excitation
of the magnetic circuit of the current transformer required during
transient conditions is the cause of these errors, and to point out how
the errors may be minimized sufficiently to be negligible.
Mathematical expressions are also derived to make it possible to
predetermine the ability of a transformer to handle transients
correctly and to guide in the design of transformers for this service.

T HIS paper is closely related to the problem of the transformer is connected contains both resistance and
measurement of transient alternating currents. inductance the current flowing in that circuit, just
When certain apparatus such as circuit breakers after its switch is closed, will not always immediately
are subject to short circuit tests, it is desirable to have a assume a pure sinusoidal wave form but will be dis-
correct indication of current during the transient placed from its normal zero axis in a manner similar to
condition. the current curve shown in Fig. 1. (For equation of
In the past, two methods have been used for measur- this curve see Equation (4) in the Mathematical Ex-
ing heavy transient currents, namely, the non-inductive position.)
shunt and the current transformer. Considerable field This asymmetry rapidly decreases and in practical
testing has demonstrated that these methods have in- circuits disappears in about 3 to 15 cycles of 60-cycle
troduced difficulty under some conditions. When the current. The degree of asymmetry depends on the
shunt is used it is of course necessary to insulate it and
associated oscillograph apparatus from ground to the
extent of full line voltage. Furthermore, non-inductive 2 ___
shunts can be used only with non-inductive measuring-l
devices and therefore cannot be used with the current ,
coil of watt oscillograph elements, which are highly (A)
inductive, for the measurement of instantaneous power. °X
Even with resistive burdens inaccuracies will result _J-1- - L A\
due both to self inductance and mutual inductance on
multi-phase set-ups. 2
The use of the current transformer for the measure-
ment of transients has resulted in some inaccuracies --o _G___ _ _L _
under certain conditions. In this paper efforts have TIME IN SECONDS
been made to determine the causes of the errors which FIG. 1-TRANSIENT CURRENT FOR INDUCTIVE, CIRCUIT HAVING
occur, the extent of the errors, and their elimination or TIME CONSTANT 0.0304 AT 60 CYCLES
(A) Asymmetrical current wave
minimization. The causes of the errors are first briefly
=
(B) = Displaced zero axis
outlined. A discussion of the practical importance of
the errors is given. A mathematical exposition of the point of the voltage wave at which the switch is closed.
theory is given, including the formulas for designing The current wave is practically normal if the switch is
transformers having suitable characteristics for the losed when the voltage is at its maximum and may be
measurement of transients. A number of oscillograph above or below the zero line, if the switch is
records, amplifying and checking the theory, is entirely closed at the zero of the voltage wave. The point on the
presented, and finally a method is given for testing voltage wave at which the switch is closed is usually a
transformers to determine their suitability for use under matter of chance, although it is sometimes argued that
transient conditions. inasmuch as in high-voltage circuits the current might
The authors are indebted to Mr. J. F. Peters for start before the switch is completely closed, the first
constructive criticism and to Mr. L. R. Smith for as-
s Istance sistanc
._
n conduting
given given tests4.
conuctin th tests.cases, case is the more probable. Thus in the majority -of
the transient will be comparatively slight. (Fig.
OUTLINE OF CAUSES OF ERRORS AND THEIR 1 is calculated on the basis of a closure under the worst
CHARACTERISTICS possible conditions.)
If the circuit in which the primary of the current The important thing to appreciate, as far as this paper
*WesjngOuSeEle. & fg.Co. Eas Pitsbugh,Pa.is concerned, is that this dissymmetry is quite likely to
Presented at the Regional Meeting of the Mliddle Eastern District occur Just after the switch is closed. This paper there-
of the A. I. E. E., Cincinnati, Ohio, March 20-22, 1929. fore treats of the effect of the dissymmetry on the mag-
1464

29-144
October 1929 CURRENT TRANSFORMER EXCITATION 1465

netizing current and the resultant error in a current circuit breakers are so made that the current has reached
transformer under such transient conditions. a steady state condition before arcing starts. Even
The error is due to the over-saturation of the trans- though this condition has not been reached, the r. m. s.
former which is caused by the d-c. component of the current of the first half cycle of arcing is usually de-
asymmetrical current. This condition is of course ag- termined from the crest value, with due allowance for
gravated if the secondary burden is excessive. The the displacement of the neutral axis, on the assumption
error in transformation will vary also, depending upon that the wave is of sinusoidal shape which partially
the amount of residual magnetism and its polarity with corrects for the error but always indicates a lower cur-
respect to that of the d-c. component. For this reason, rent than actually occurred.
in tests where accuracy is essential, the transformer In oscillograph testing, however, the accuracy re-
selected for use in measuring transients must be de- quired is not of as high an order as required for
signed for a low degree of saturation at the burden to current transformers used with watthour meters,
be imposed and must be demagnetized between suc- hence the allowable flux density is higher. The oscillo-
cessive heavy shots. On tests which do not come up to graph burden is lower than the usual burdens. These
the knee of the saturation curve, the residual will prob- two factors tend to compensate for the high value of
ably be so slight that demagnetization will not be transient flux required, thus making the problem of
required. applying or designing a suitable current transformer
A mathematical solution of the problem, based on less difficult than might appear.
certain assumptions, which derives expressions for the The only competitor of the current transformer has
wave form of the transformer magnetizing current and been the non-inductive shunt. This method, however,
which gives formulas for use in applying and designing presents difficult insulation problems as the oscillograph
transformers for this service, is given under the heading elements must be directly connected to the high-voltage
of Mathematical Exposition. An absolutely rigid so- lines.1 It should also be fully appreciated that a non-
lution of the problem for an iron core transformer is inductive shunt is only allowable for use with non-induc-
impossible but enough can be done mathematically to tive burdens. It must always be of the same time
throw considerable light on the problem. The equations constant as the burden. This effect is not serious for
and the data indicate that the inaccuracies of the cur- straight current measuring oscillograph elements. Watt
rent transformer during unsymmetrical transients are oscillograph elements, however, having current coils of
caused by the large flux required to generate the voltage relatively high inductance, can not be used with non-
necessary to reproduce the transient in the burden of inductive shunts.
the transformer. The maximum value of transient The current transformer works better, if anything,
flux is dependent on the magnitude of the current, the for inductive than for resistive burdens and may be
duration of the transient, the design of the transformer, used for any type of element. Against the disad-
and the secondary burden. vantages of demagnetizing transformers may be set the
A series of tests was made to check and amplify the added safety to operators, the lack of necessity of in-
mathematical theory and the data thus secured are sulating the operator and instrument from ground, and
given under the heading of Test Data in this paper. the possibility of using the transformers supplied in the
PRACTICAL IMPORTANCE OF ERRORS apparatus under test instead of special equipment.
As these errors are caused by the dissymmetry of the MATHEMATICAL EXPOSITION
primary current which is dependent on the cyclic time In any transformer the flux, voltage, time, relative
of closing the switch, their appearance is rather uncer- in a form independent of wave form is:
tain, but always possible, and may cause erroneous d O r'
conclusions on an important test. e = N dt 10-8, or = N J edt e +c (1)
The magnitude of these errors is generally compara-
tively slight, although on extremely heavy short cir- where
cuits of a high degree of asymmetry, with a particularly e = instantaneous volts as a function of time.
unsuitable transformer having a heavy secondary q = flux lines.
burden, the degree of over-saturation may be so great N = number of turns in coil threaded by and generat-
as to cause an error of roughly 50 per cent in the r. m. s. ing e.
value of the first current wave. The most noticeable
effect of the errors iS the distortion Of the secondary t=tm nscns
current wave shape rather than serious diminution of c = a constant depending on value of f at zero time.
the crest value. Thus to calculate the flux threading a coil generating
In most cases the error thus introduced is compara- a known time wave of voltage it is necessary to integrate
tively unimportant except in the cases of high speed the voltage-time relation from the time when the volt-
relay operation and watt oscillographs. The great age started. In other words, the flux through the coil
majority of tests to determine rupturing capacity of 1. Forreferences see Bibliography.
1466 MARSHALL AND LANGGUTH Transactions A. I. E. E.

at any time is proportional to the area under the volt- L

age time curve from the time when it started to the T = time constant = R of total primary circuit.
given time.
There are two practical methods of calculating the After performing the indicated operations, the expres-
voltage in the secondary winding of a current trans- sion for flux in the transformer core becomes:
former when a given current flows in the primary 108 Np 1
winding. The first way (a) is to assume that the I [ \/ R22 + W2 L22 sin L X t
magnetizing current is negligible and that therefore
the secondary voltage is equal to the primary current I? \ t
divided by the transformer ratio multiplied by the + a -tan-1 ( c
J + (R2T-L2) sin aL T
+C
secondary circuit impedance. The second way (b), is 2
to make use of a so-called equivalent transformer circuit. (5)
The first method is obviously the least accurate As pointed out above the dissymmetry is at its maxi-
but has the great advantage of simplicity; it is equiva- mum when the switch energizing the primary circuit
lent to calculating the flux of an "ideal" transformer, is closed at the time when a = 90 deg. Hence the flux
that is, one having a magnetic circuit of zero reluctance. for maximum transient is:
As this condition defines the limits of the problem we 108 Np 1
shall use it first. = N2P[ VR22 + w2 L22 sin co t
Mathematical Solition (a)
As we are assuming that cL2 \ 1
. NN, (2)
(2)
+ tan- R )-R2T (1--e T)-L2
R2 T j (6)
N8 The constant (c) is solved for on the basis that
Where ( = 0) when (t = o)
is = secondary current This expression consists of the usual steady state
ip = primary current
N, = secondary turns
N, = primary turns
it is evident that Equation (2) for this case will take on
the form:()
108 N "' R
ip ,\
ip dt +c-
Ns _ ?
d

Lt 1_ _
N's [f2 R2 ipdt + L2p + c (3) °? .4 .06 .06 . JO1 .14 16 J 8
TIMf INV SECONDS
where R2 and L2 are secondary resistance and induc- FIG. 2-WAVE FORM OF FLUX REQUIRED TO REPRODUCE
tance respectively. EXACTLY TRANSIENT OF FIG. 1
If we consider the case of an unsymmetrical transient (A) = Flux caused by steady state current
such as occurs on transmission lines and other circuits (B) = Flux caused by transient current
containing resistance and inductance in series, we shall
substitute for the primary current: sine wave term and an exponential term which is
caused by the dissymmetry of the primary current
tpI=.Fsin(.s,t-a)-Tinaj
r
L sin ( co t +ace)-sinaCe . wave. A curve of this wave shape is plotted in Fig. 2,
(4) the dotted curve being the shape of the exponential
term, to which is added the sine term in heavy line.
where: The ordinary steady state flux is also shown, plotted
i = instantaneous current at time (t). for comparison about the zero line.
I = maximum value of steady state current. Expression (6) reaches its maximum when t =
I~ ~ c and is equal then to:
a = 6O-tan-' R) phase angle which fixes value of ios N,, r 1 +R2+c2L2+R ] 7
instantaneous volts when (t = 0). For maximum
transient, a = 2
1r ~~~~~~~This
expression gives the magnitude of the maxi-
mum flux without regard to sign. It will be noticed
October 1929 CURRENT TRANSFORMER EXCITATION 1467

no effect on the maximum transient flux. Its only Ls = inductance of secondary.

effect is on the steady state. RL = burden resistance.
For the usual case of a ring type transformer having LL = burden inductance.
a well distributed secondary winding connected to The above equivalent circuit is the one given by
an oscillograph, the secondary inductance is negligible,4 standard text books,2 and applies to transformers
and by assuming it equal to 0 in Equation (7), operating with constant voltage applied to the primary
108 NI R2 winding. If the current in the primary winding is
kmarnx N 2 IP c [1 + c T]. (8) known, then Rp and L, are no longer of interest in
determining the secondary current. When the iron
but the portion preceding the brackets is equal to the loss is considered as negligible, the resistance Rm is
steady state flux so that the latter part can be called infinite and the equivalent circuit for the current
the transient flux multiplier: transformer therefore reduces to the circuit of Fig. 4
ml = [1 + co T] (9) where R2 =RS + RL and L2 = LS + LL. For con-
This simple expression is of value in judging the
severity of a transient as regards the saturation of the
current transformer cores, as it required no knowledge
of the transformer constants.
Mathematical Solution (b) m 9
The second method of solution, by equivalent cir-
cuits, fits the case much closer than the first method but
is considerably more involved. It will, however, give
equations for magnetizing currents which are closely
borne out by oscillograph records, and equations may be R,
derived which give quite accurate values for errors
and maximum flux values as they are affected by the
constants of the transformer itself.
It assumes a non-saturated transformer and neglects FIG. 4-EQUIVALENT CIRCUIT OF A CURRENT TRANSFORMER
the hysteresis and eddy current effects. This assump-
tion is not serious because the transient portion of the CONSIDERING TIE IRON Loss NEGLIGIBLE
flux is practically unidirectional and saturated trans- venience we shall call the magnetizing inductance LI,
formers are out of the question entirely. It should be thus Li = Lm. The primary current is i the mag-
appreciated that where equivalent circuits are used netizing current i,, and the burden current i2 (referred
to secondary).
To solve for the division of currents we write the
following equations:
di di2
R
L d t =R2i2-+ L2 d t (10)
Lo, °
m R, J t2 - (11)
From (10) and (11)
di, ____ 1 di R9i~
i
(2
(12)
-dt+L+L2 = L1±L2 L2 d
The general solution' of this type of differential
FIG. 3-EQUIVALENT CIRCUIT OF A VOLTAGE TRANSFORMER equation is:
-R2 t R2 t

we shall speak of magnetizing current instead of flux i1 = L1 +L2 e [(2 i ± L2 dtt ) e+] d
on the basis that they are directly proportional.
The transformer may be considered as equivalent L1 +2Lt2
to the circuit of Fig. 3 +c e (13)
where: where i equals any function of time. To simplify the
Bp= resistance of primary. writing of the exponent we shall indicate the quantity:
Lp= inductance of primary.
Rm = equivalent iron loss shunt resistance. RS1
Lm = equivalent magnetizing shunt inductance. L, L2 T (14)
R5= resistance of secondary.l+ 2 1
1468 MARSHALL AND LANGGUTH Transactions A. I. E. E.
Hence (13) becomes: period of the primary current that causes all the trouble
T-t t z
I T-t through saturation at that time.
ii = R2 T1 e
Ti
R2 i+ L2 d T) dt + cE (15) By comparing Fig. 5 with Fig. 2, in which the flux
required in an ideal transformer (one having zero
By the use of this equation we may determine the reluctance in its magnetic circuit) is shown, it may be
magnetizing current wave shape for any shape of pri- seen that the actual transformer tries to follow the
mary current, providing of course that the resulting action of the ideal, but cannot due to the necessity of
expression is possible to integrate. its drawing the large unidirectional magnetizing cur-
CASE OF PRIMARY CURRENT CONTAINING rent required from the primary current. The primary
UNSYMMETRICAL TRANSIENT. . current has but a small unidirectional current and hence
- . current is. unsymmetrical c~~~~~~~~a-nnot
supply the unidirectional magnetizing curre-nt
If the primary it may be
represented by the following equation as given earlier
cannot sy the unidirmeTin magnetizing curren
in the paper.
i = I [sin (cw t + a) -sin a e ]2
See Fig. 1.LA,-J .~~~
If thisexpressionissubstitutedin (15) the equation A yA
for the magnetizing current will be found to be: IU- IL l a Al
-l=I R 22 + 2L 22 sin (w t + a +-I~~~~~~~A - jV

-sin (a +0-,A)e ]+ LT T sii (e T-,e )T

Ti
a
R2 (T- T1) .0z2 .0 4 .065 .0 10 . 1X / /6 18
TINE INe SECONDS

L1+L2 __
T, = R2 - .; tan =-; tan A = T1 c; (i I= 0), (t =0). FIG. 6-SECONDARY CURRENT FOR TRANSIENT OF FIG. 1.
R2 '
(16) TRANSFORMER CONSTANTS AS SHOWN IN EQUIVALENT CIRCUIT
for agivensetofmoreorAND ASSUMING STRAIGHT LINE SATU1RATION. PLOTTED FROM
This expression isiS plotted
This expression plotted for a given set of more or DIFFERENCE OF FIGS. 1 AND 5

I_I - FEl -
t l!1 ll ll 1I }I !rent must therefore fall gradually to zero. This de-
54 creasing flux generates a unidirectional voltage which
causes a current through the burden circuit. This cur-
-/| _-1 1 1 1 eT } i i i rent enables the flux to gradually decrease to steady
i-| | | | state form and also causes an apparent shift in the
B Sl I IILI
I I I0I-- zero line of the secondary current which is clearly
,1 W11=-- -ALAty
L12 1noticeable in Fig. 6. Thus the fact that the
ideal
magnetizing current requirements cannot be met
21 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 -Iresults in a secondary current of higher decrement than
-|| | L t 1 .08| | 1 l 1 *?
L| i4~.2t 04* TIM1E .12 4 .,
l
(the line.
primary current and an apparent shift of its zero
- J
IN SECONDS The reader should bear in mind that the foregoing
FIG. 5-MAGNETIZING CURRENT FOR TRANSIENT OF FIG. 1.
TRANSFORMER CONSTANTS AS SHOWN IN EQUIVALENT CIRCUIT equations are derived on the assumption of constant
AND ASSUMING STRAIGHT LINE SATURATION permeability of the iron core. If the core becomes
saturated the exciting current would look more like
less arbitrary constants in Fig. 5. It will be noticed the upper curve in Fig. 7.
that the equation is divided into three parts, the The above expression (16) is general, that is, it con-
ordinary steady-state sine wave of magnetizing current, tains provisions for both variation in the shape of the
the transient term, and a third term whose function primary current transient as affected by variations in
it is to make the value of magnetizing current zero at the phase at which the main circuit is closed, and also
zero time. The last two terms combine in the form provision for an inductive burden. If now we make an
--t -z assumption of no secondary leakage inductance, which
A e T- (A + B) e (17) which is shown as the dotted is justified on the ground that the oscillographic circuits
curve in Fig. 5, to which is added the steady-state and the through ring type transformers with which
magnetizing current drawn as a solid line. It is this we are mainly concerned are very closely non-inductive,4
transient term which may add so much to the flux and that the inductance which is present in the secon-
required in the transformer core during the transient dary circuit has but small effect on the transient flux, we
October 1929 CURRENT TRANSFORMER EXCITATION 1469

can deduce several expressions which will prove useful By substituting the values of the constants of
in the design of transformers for this service. Equation (17) in the above Equation (20), the correct
If we substitute in Equation (16) the following: maximum value of the transient magnetizing current
L2 = 0, sin a = 1, (which causes maximum primary will be obtained.
transient), For design purposes Equation (18) is accurate to
we have: a high degree. By taking the coefficients as given
1 there and substituting in (20) and by the use of a
=[vi + W>2 T12
[ cos (co t - tan-1 T,)
X justifiable assumption the following simpler equation
for the maximum is derived:
-t~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~T
--t/ T1 -T

T ( -e Ti ) + T1I (18) Urnax ( ) (21)

which give the shape of the magnetizing current as a where as before,
'; X T=
-VV -R~--T time constant of primary transient,
AX + I----- and I = maximum value of the steady-state primary
.Vo000
-
6000
I - l -current.
~50--+ The assumption is that 1 T =0
W2T12 This
hswlwill
/)50 - - - r-
-01---in
--
- general be closely true for all iron core commercial
transformers.
The quantity Un ax is plotted on a percentage basis
0.04 TIME/NV
.06 .8 .10 j.1J 6 /8' for three representative values of T as a function of
FIG.
FIG.
SECONDS
7APERETUNs REQUIRED
AMPERE TURNS REQUIRED
TOPRDucFLUXOFT1
FLUX:
TO PRODUCE
in Fig. 8, where I is considered
OF
as equal to 100 per
FIG. 5
(Hysteresis assumed negligible) 30 - -L - ii
(A) =Flux wave .\--
(B) Ampere turns to produce flux in curve A assuming saturation k2

function of (T1) = R. This factor is easily calcu-

lated from the magnetizing current-voltage character-
istic of the transformer, and the total secondary II
resistance. 5-
Maximum Value of Transient Flux. As given before
the transient term may be represented by Equation E 4d6 .8 an 14 16g.8 ES 22 26 ?8 30
(17): -t -t FIG.
R,
8-RATIO OF MAXIMUM TRANSIENT MAGNETIZING CUR-
T(AT RENT TO MAXIMUM STEADY STATE PRIMARY CURRENT IN PER
A T
- (A + B) U
CENT FOR DIFFERENT VALUES OF
where u represents the transient portion of the magnet- (T represents time constant of primary circuit)
izing current. Differentiating (17) and equating to
zero, we find that cent. (I) may be either primary or secondary depend-
TTi ing on reference. This equation and the curves give
t = loge [ T (19) the maximum transient error of the transformer under
T A+B the foregoing conditions.
b R2 (the usual approximation
which is the time at which the transient term reaches I
its maximum value. By dividing urnaxby
Substituting this expression in Equation (17) we fo.h.taysat antzn uret eoti
have for the maximum value of the transient magnet-fothseayttem ntzn crn)weban
izing current: a transient flux multiplier similar to the variable
-Ti - T part of Equation (9):
U aA[ T1 TlT [ A A],Tm2=w(Ti( rT )/T1T (22)

(20) This multiplier gives the ratio between the maximum

1470 MARSHALL AND LANGGUTH Transactions A. 1. E. E.

transient flux or exciting current and the steady-state B

flux or exciting current. This expression is plotted + ± 22 2 sin (co t + a - A)]
under the same conditions as Equation (21) in Fig. 9. a/1 + T2
If the ratio of the maximum total transient flux to the -t
steady-state flux is required the expression is: CT T T Ti
Ti T Ts n W J D
r XT \Ti-T

When T, is infinite the transformer is ideal and the t2-1T1T

above expression reduces to expression (9). There is no simple method of finding the maximum of
CASE OF PRIMARY CURRENT CONTAINING BOTH this equation, but it will be noticed that the only term
SYMMETRICAL AND UNSYMMETRICAIL TRANSIENTS that can cause a very high rise of flux is the third term.
When an alternator is short circuited thethearmature This term is the same on which our previous opera-
Wheaetin asin
reaction is inalnatr disoashrt
such a direction ascrcuted armate
to decrease the mag- tions for maximum were made and therefore we may
safely state that conclusions arrived at previously for
maximum flux values in unsymmetrical cases may be
_a l_1 applied to cases containing both symmetrical and
- ji2 - -X
-1t7
-
-tt<H
-unsymmetrical transients by simply neglecting the
alternator decrement.
C:,T8- r.O5
16 ~~~~~~~~~~~~TEST
DATA
4 As a check on the theory, a series of tests was made
on several through type current transformers. For
8 - - - - - - - +- the purpose of separating the excitig current com-
6 r_ -
_ _ _ ponent from the primary current a scheme shown in
41 A XX t XX2<42<2 Fig. 10 was used. A primary circuit was set up to have
. 4 . .6 10 /? 14 lS16 ,02722 LJSE7 definite pre-determined values of resistance and in-
-rl -
ductance such that transients of definitely known
FIG. 9-RATIO OF MAXIMUM TRANSIENT MAGNETIZING CUR- time constant, (T), could be obtained. Non-inductive
RENT TO MAXIMUM STEADY STATE MAGNETIZING CURRENT FOR
DIFFERENT VALUES OF
QUICK CLOSE SIN6LE
(T represents time constant of primary circuit) POLE KNIFE SWITCH

netism of the revolving field. This causes the generated VA.C,60 CI/CULIT CONS TAN/VTS VI
voltage to decrease from an initial to a final value 1 e
CIPSKR.Ao
H

exponentially as the flux decreases.5 OIL

If the short circuit should occur at the time the I / TS
voltage is approximately zero, there will also in general ESTLTRN.5F7RMEL
occur an unsymmetrical transient similar to those
encountered before in this paper.
The current flowing under these conditions may be V
5ECONL1RY BUROEN|
represented by the expression: S
r[sin (wt + a) - sin a
12 -R FIG. 10-SCHEMATIC DIAGRAM OF TRANSIENT TESTING CIRCUIT

i sin t ( - sin a
+ -) e
-RI 1 shunts were used in parallel with the oscillograph
+ II E[ sin (co t + d)-sin (3 e 1 the total secondary cur-
(24) elements V1 and V3 to obtaincurrent.
rent and the total primary A combination
equal value was used in the differen-
a =(,-tn-l
R
L -;
A ( 0-tan-' 7L2 of three shunts of
tial circuit with oscillograph element V2 for the purpose
R T2-L
of obtaining the difference between the primary and
If this current is passed through the transformer secondary currents. As the ratio of the transformer
the magnetizing current IS given by: is 2 to 1 and as the resistance of element V2 is high in
-t comparison with the resistance of the shunts, the
A T2r deflection of the element V2 will be proportional to
i Te 2 ~~[sin (co t ± (3- y) J the difference between the primary and secondary
i ____ j+ J2 1 currents, thus giving a measure of the exciting current
\ \ T2 / instantaneous error of the transformer.
~~~~~~~~~or
October 1929 CURRENT TRANSFORMER EXCITATION
The circuit supply of 1100 volts, 60 cycles was con-
trolled by a hand operated oil circuit breaker and a
synchronized switching arrangement. As illustrated
in Fig. 3, the control of the quick-close, single-pole
knife switch (short circulating switch) was so arranged
as to make it possible to start the transient on any part
of the voltage wave. The control of the oscillograph
allowed the shutter to be opened, the film to start
moving, and the synchronous switch to operate all in
correct sequence, thus insuring a film with the proper
transient well spaced each time. For the tests described
herein the transient was started at the point on the
voltage wave which caused the maximum dissymmetry
of current. The drum driven by the synchronous
motor was also provided with a stroboscope arrange-
ment in conjunction with a neon lamp for the purpose
of checking synchronism and also for easy reversal
of successive transients on OCO test.
The transformer used for these tests was a ring
type co-nstructed to fit the standard 37,000-volt con-
denser type bushing having design constants:
(a) Secondary turns..........100
(b) Core diameter inside .400 3y8 in.
(c) Core diameter outside ............. 61 8 in.
(d) Core cross sectional area ...... 4.26 sq. in.
(e) Secondary resistance. ............. ..1668 ohms.
(f) Saturation characteristic (referred to secondary).
Amperes Volts
0.2 32
015 73
20 90
8.0 112
By short circuit impedance test of the transformer
250V-QC.
g/ l RETRIE V/NG CO/L
COWTACT X tioned,
IaNoRA/N TRIPCOIL OF
SYAGVRONOUS 110TOR OUICKCLOSE
SINGLE POLE
KNIFE SWITCH
FIG. 11-SCHEMATIC DIAGRAM OF SYNCHRONOUS SWITCHING
ARRANGEMENT
with wound primary it was determined that the leak-
age inductance of both primary and secondary is
exceedingly small, power factor 99 per cent, thus justi-
fying the assumption made in the theory of zero leak-
age inductance.
To allow the use of the measuring scheme of Fig.
10, it was found necessary to use relatively low values
of current. Thus, to simulate the actual transformer
1471
performance under heavy short circuits, it was neces-
sary to wind a primary of 50 symmetrically spaced
turns on the transformer, thus giving the effect of 800
amperes, (800 ampere turns).
Numerous tests were made under various conditions
of circuits and transformer which are outlined as follows:
1. The instantaneous current waves were obtained
for several different secondary burdens and primary
currents.
2. The instantaneous exciting current waves for
-
FIG. 12-OSCILLOGRAM OF OC TRANSIENT WITH OSCILLO-
GRAPH AND SHUNT BURDEN
various transient circuits were investigated by varying
the constants of the primary circuit and by varying
the instant of start of the transient with respect to
the voltage wave.
3. The effect of varying degrees of residual magnet-
ization was determined by magnetizing the test trans-
former with different values of direct current before
subjecting it to transient tests.
In all cases oscillograms indicate the supply voltage,
primary current, exciting current, and secondary cur-
rent. This permits of easy inspection of the results
regarding the form of transient and the exciting cur-
rent waves. Most of the tests were made on OC basis;
however, the conditions to be expected under OCO
conditions were investigated to show the effect of
residual flux. In all cases, except as otherwise men-
| the tested transformer was demagnetized by
using gradually decreasing 60-cycle supply. This
I removes residual magnetism and permits of direct
comparison of the data.
The results, in the form of oscillograms, of a few of
the tests and their analysis are given individually.
Fig. 12. This oscillogram was taken with the trans-
former thoroughly demagnetized and approaches closer
to the theoretical curves than any of the oscillograms.
The primary current is identified as I,, the secondary
by I,, and the differential or exciting current by Idf.
The transient portion of the magnetizing current is
well above the zero line. This current gradually dies
down to a steady state of very small amplitude sym-
metrical with respect to the zero line. This film should
be compared with Figs. 1, 5, and 6.
1472 MARSHALL AND LANGGUTH
The power factor of the primary circuit is 5.77 per
cent which corresponds to a time constant (T) of
0.0447. The total secondary circuit resistance includ-
ing oscillograph shunts is 0.30. Since the exciting cur-
rent of the transformer is 1 ampere at 90 volts on the
"knee" of the saturation curve, then we can determine
that the average value of (T1) in Equation (18) is 0.795.
l l
FIG. 13-OsCILLOGRAM OF OC TRANSIENT, PREVIOUSLY MAG-
NETIZED TRANSFORMER
The time at which the transient portion of the mag-
netizing current should be a maximum is given by
Equation (19). Substituting the value of T, calculated
above the time obtained is 0.137 seconds. This time is
indicated on the film for comparison with the actual
maximum as shown on the oscillograph.
The per cent maximum exciting current is given by
the expression, Equation (21), which calculated for the
above constants is 4.8 per cent. From measurements
of the oscillogram Fig. 12, the secondary current is 11.2
amperes and the maximum transient exciting current is
0.45 ampere, giving a per cent maximum exciting cur-
FIG. 14-OSCILLOGRAM OF OC TRANSIENT, PREVIOUSLY MAG-
NETIZED TRANSFORMER,-POLARITY OPPOSITE TO FIG. 13
rent of 4.02. These values check quite closely when the
errors in measurement and oscillograph calibration are
taken into account.
Figs. 13 and 14. These are companion oscillograms
for the purpose of demonstrating the effect of residual
magnetism. The primary and secondary circuit con-
stants are the same as in Fig. 12. Fig. 13 shows the
Transactions A. I. E. E.
exciting current transient obtained by previously de-
magnetizing and then magnetizing the core by a heavy
direct current. The record shows the magnetizing
current higher than in Fig. 12. As an explanation of
y X, .V XV V,VT
FIG. 15-OSCILLOGRAM OF OCO TRANSIENT WITH OSCILLO-
GRAPH AND SHUNT BURDEN
this, the presence of the high residual magnetism causes
the transformer to work higher up on the hysteresis
curve for a few cycles. This of course requires more
exciting current to build up the required flux in the
transformer. After the transformer is on the circuit
for a short time the effect of this residual magnetism
disappears.
Fig. 14 illustrates the condition that may be obtained
by previously demagnetizing and then magnetizing
FIG. 16-OSCILLOGRAM OF OCO TRANSIENT STARTING WITH
TRANSFORMER IN CONDITION AS AT THE END OF TEST IN FIG. 15
the core oppositely to Fig. 13 and also causing the
transient to occur in the same direction. In this case
the required transformer flux is built up with a small
exciting current, thus approximating steady state value
and accuracy.
Figs. 15, 16, and 17. These oscillograms show the re-
sults obtained with OCO transients. The primary cir-
cuit constants were changed to give a more severe
transient. The power factor was changed to 7.46 per
cent resulting in the time constant T of 0.0341 and a
primary current effect of 1700 amperes. The secondary
circuit was the same as in Fig. 12. These three
October 1929 CURRENT TRANSFORMER EXCITATION 1473

oscillogramsweretakeninsuccession. Beforeobtaining It will be noticed that the alternating component

Fig. 15 the transformer was demagnetized. The test
for Fig. 15 was so made that the circuit was opened
while the unidirectional flux was still in the core. This
flux dies out slowly and leaves a residual.
Fig. 16 shows the effect of the residual flux left after
making test indicated in Fig. 15, on the transient
magnetizing current. This figure shows a higher value
Fio. 17-OSCILLOGRAM OF OCO TRANSIENT STARTING WITH
TRANSFORMERt IN CONDITION AS AT END OF TEST IN FIG. 16
of the exciting current increases considerably as it is
added to the unidirectional component. This is
caused by the peculiar action of combined alternating
and unidirectional flux as brought out in Mr. T.
Spooner's book on "Testing and Properties of Magnetic
Materials." The flux increases along the conventional
magnetization curve until an alternation occurs, when
the alternating cycle makes a small hysteresis loop for
itself which has a flatter slope than the main hysteresis
loop. This has the tendency of increasing the alternat-
ing component of the exciting current while not affect-
ing the unidirectional flux to a great extent.
Figs. 18 and 19. These oscillograms illustrate the
results that may be obtained under conditions of exces-
sive saturation. The primary circuit was the same as
used in Figs. 15, 16, 17. Fig. 18 was taken using a
secondary circuit with resistance increased to 1.3 ohms.
Before making the test the transformer was demagnet-
ized and then magnetized with 2 amperes direct cur-
rent applied to the secondary. Fig. 11 was obtained

of exciting current than Fig. 15, thus indicating satura-

tion caused by the preceding residual flux which is a
condition similar to that of Fig. 13.
Fig. 17 indicates very little exciting current due to the
transient occurring in the opposite direction to the pre-
vious transient. This indicates that the residual in this
case is a help rather than a hindrance to the magnetiza-
tion of the core.
An interesting point often encountered in short cir-
cuit testing is brought out by Fig. 16. It is noticed 1
FIG. 19-OSCILLOGRtAM oF OC TRtANSIENT-SECONDARY Bull-
DEN 0.5 OIIM-MAGNETIZED WITH 7 AMPERYsD-c.

similar manner except the transformer was mag-

in a
netized with 7 amperes direct current and the secondary
circuit resistance was 0.5 ohms. Both oscillograms
show excessive saturation as evidenced by the high,
comparatively sharp peaked, exciting current wave.
They are exhibited here to illustrate how the shape of
the exciting transient may be changed by saturation.
I = 1 In addition they also show examples of the wave shape
of the secondary current during the transient period
FIG. 18-OSCILLOGRAM OF OC TRANSIENT-SECONDARY BUR- obtained with a transformer which saturates during
DEN 1.3 OHMS--MAGNETIZED WITII 2 AMPERES D-c. the transient period but is satisfactory for steady
. .
that the exciting current ~~~~~~~~~~state.
In the former oscillogram the secondary
slowly falls to zero and causes re.pIn is onsiderab the transient
rn
excii
a current to flow in the secondary after the primary cir- traentwic risetomaximum bea in the fir cyle
cuitis pene.
cuit is opened. Tese two
These wo currents
urrets mustust bee equal hen trnitwhc
eual when setomxumpainhefstyl.
If the center line of the transient portion of the secon-
referred to the secondary as there is no other place for dary center hedransitwu prob ome above
it
The
the curn generated
current geeae by by the deraigflxt
th decrea,sing
*lw
flux to flow. dary current were drawn would probably
the zero line as discussed in the theory. come
However, unless the transformer is approaching satura- 19 should be compared with the upper curve of Fig.7.
I d, ofabove
Fig.
tion, this current will be hardly noticeable in the secon-
dary as the exciting current should be a small percentage METHOD OF SELECTING SUITABLE TRANSFORMER
of the secondary current. When a current transformer is to be used for short
1474 MARSHALL AND LANGGUTH Transactions A. I. E. E.

circuit testing some information should be obtained re- results of an average accuracy of +5 per cent. The
garding its adaptability for use on transients before transformers should be of about the same order of
making the tests. It is a relatively simple matter to accuracy.
test a current transformer to determine its suitability If transient tests are to be made in fairly close succes-
for measuring transients. The first operation neces- sion and especially for heavy OCO transients, the trans-
sary is to obtain the saturation curve of the transformer formers should be demagnetized before each test. This
by taking readings of volts and amperes into the secon- is easily done by arranging the current transformer
dary with the primary circuit open. Then the resistance circuits to allow them to be easily switched from the
of the secondary may be measured with a small testing oscillograph elements to a source of alternating current
set, to which should be added the oscillograph shunt of a value comparable to the saturation current ob-
resistance. (Designate this sum by R2.) Using values tained previously. This current should then be
up to the knee of the saturation curve, divide each smoothly reduced to zero by the use of slide wire resis-
voltage by the corresponding current and obtain an tors or their equivalent. In general, if the source of
average of these results for a value (Z1). The factor T1 power is 110 volts, two resistances will be required in
may be calculated from the following formula: series, one of the magnitude of 0 to 50 ohms and the
zi other from 0 to 500 ohms. The first should be of suf-
T1 - 2 T,r f R2 ficient capacity for saturation current, and the second
should introduce enough resistance to reduce the cur-
Calculate the time constant (T) of the primary circuit rent to a minimum value for thorough demagnetization.
as the ratio of inductance to resistance of the primary At first thought the demagnetizing operation would
circuit. Knowing (T,) and (T), the ratio of maximum seem an added burden to the complexities of oscillo-
transient exciting current to maximum secondary graphic testing. However, if a source of low voltage
stea(ly state current, can be exterpolated from Fig. 8, alternating current is available the arrangement of the
or calculated from Equation (21). This ratio gives demagnetizing circuits adds but little to the set-up and
directly the percentage maximum error due to the its use becomes a small matter of extra routine on the
transient in instantaneous values of secondary current. part of the oscillograph operators.
Dividing the r. m. s. exciting current jUst below
saturation as obtained from the saturation curve, by Bibliography
the above ratio, will give the r. in. s. value of steady 1. Short Circuit Testing on Alabama Power Company System,
state secondary current which the transformer is capable by H. J. Seholtz and C. B. Hawkins, A. I. E. E. JL., Vol. 48,
of handling without excessive errors due to saturation April 1929, p. 264.
Tests on High- and Low-Voltage Oil Circuit Breakers, by
under the given transient conditions. Philip Sporn and H. P. St. Clair, A. I. E. E. TRANS., Vol. 46,
If the percentage error is within the limits of accur- 1927, p. 289.
acy desired and if the current to be measured is not 2. "Alternating Currents," by C. E. Magnusson, p. 144.
greater than the amount calculated above, the trans- 3 "Differential Equations," by D. A. Murray, p. 27.
4. Papers on Current Transformers-Bulletin No. 2, Uni-
formest.
former should be satisfactory for use in that
Theoauthors'
expeience useenthat
transient
the
test. The authors' experience has been that the cali-
hs calinversity of Toronto.
5. "Electric Discharge Waves and Impulses," by C. P.
bration and measurement of oscillograph films give Steinmetz.