INSTRUMENT TRANSFORMERS AND THEIR SELECTION

A transformer intended to supply measuring instruments, meters, relays and other similar apparatus is called as INSTRUMENT TRANSFORMERS. These are according to the quantity measured/monitored, further classified as CURRENT TRANSFORMER and VOLTAGE TRANSFORMER (also called potential transformer) and are popularly abbreviated as C.T. and P.T. respectively. In this small note we shall see various parameters governing their selection. Firstly we shall discuss about the current transformer (C.T.) and then the potential transformer (P.T.) CURRENT TRANSFORMER : It is intended for measurement and/or protection purposes, designed to have its primary connected in series with the circuit carrying current to be measured and/or protected. Some of the common technical terms, which we shall be encountering here, are described below : BURDEN : Burden of a. C.T. is given in terms of volt amperes that they can carry at rated voltage and frequency without exceeding the specified temperature limitations and accuracy limits. RATED SHORT TIME CURRENT : It is the r.m.s value of the primary current which a C.T. is capable of carrying for the rated time without being damaged by the resultant thermal and dynamic effects due to any fault in the system. RATED INSULATION LEVEL : It is the capability of a C.T. of withstanding the di-electric stresses. This is a combination of both power frequency (r.m.s. value) and impulse voltages (peak value). RATIO ERROR : The error which a transformer introduces into the measurement of a current and which arises from the fact that the actual transformation ratio is not equal to the rated transformation ratio. PHASE DISPLACEMENT : It is the difference in phase between the primary and secondary current vectors, the direction of the vectors being so chosen that the angle is zero for a perfect transformer. ACCURACY CLASS : It is a classification assigned to C.Ts., the error of which remain within specified limits under prescribed conditions of use . THE RATED ACCURACY LIMIT PRIMARY CURRENT :

R. Sharma (BSNL Electrical Zone Patna)

It is the value of the current assigned by the manufacturer as the highest primary current at which the transformer will comply with the appropriate limits of errors under specified conditions. ACCURACY LIMIT FACTOR : It is the ratio of the rated accuracy limit primary current to the rated primary current. The standard accuracy limit factors shall be 5,. 10, 15, 20 and 30. C.T. FOR MEASURING PURPOSE : C.Ts. are required to be accurate within the normal working range say upto 125% of rated current. For overcurrent conditions beyond this, accuracy is unnecessary and indeed it is best that at higher values saturation should occur, since this tends to relieve the connected instruments of the stresses resulting from heavy overcurrent. Also the choice of a. C.T. should be made depending upon its rated output in relation to the burden connected to its secondary winding and on the degree of accuracy required. A caution is required to be exercised while choosing a transformer with a rated output considerably in excess of the required output since it can result in increased errors. Thus it is desirable that the rated output should be near to (but not less than) the actual output at which it is to operate. Here output means the load due to the connected meters as well as connecting leads. If connecting leads are longer the secondary current of C.T. of 1A may be more suitable (however this is not recommended, specially when ratio is very high, as it can induce very high voltage if C.T is open circuited under load which may lead to the destruction of inter-turn and interlayer insulation alongwith danger to operating personnel). Typical values of VA burden imposed by meters are given below : INSTRUMENT (i) (ii) (iii) Ammeters including recording type Current Coils of watt meters, p.f. meters, KWH meters KVAR meters including recording type Copper Connecting lead BURDEN 3 5 (0.018 L I2/a)

where L = length in meters, a= cross-section in sq.mm. and I = the rated secondary current of the C.T. Thus a copper connecting lead of 1.5 sq.mm. of cross sectional area say of length of 5m and handling a current of 5A shall impose a VA Burden of 1.5 VA approximately. Accuracy class is also an important factor while selecting a CT. It shall be uneconomical to go for higher class of accuracy than is actually needed. Following guidelines may be followed while selecting a proper accuracy class :

R. Sharma (BSNL Electrical Zone Patna)

APPLICATION (I) (ii) (iv) (v) For precision testing as a sub-standard in laboratory For high accuracy indicating instruments and substandard work For commercial and industrial metering Where approximate values are acceptable

CLASS OF ACCURACY 0.1 0.2 0.5 or 1 1 to 5

STANDARD VALUES OF RATED PRIMARY CURRENT: The standard values in amperes of rate primary current are 10, 12.5, 15, 20, 25, 30, 40, 50, 60, 75, 80 and their decimal multiples or fractions. The preferred values are those underlined. Thus far we have seen various parameters for a measuring C.T. Now we shall discuss the requirements for a protective C.T. ACCURACY CLASSES FOR PROTECTIVE C.TS :
ACCURACY CLASS CURRENT ERROR AT RATED PRIMARY CURRENT (%) PHASE DISPLACEMENT AT RATED PRIMARY CURRENT (MIN.) COMPOSITE ERROR AT RATE ACCURACY LIMIT PRIMARY CURRENT (%)

5P 10 P 15 P

+1 +3 +5

+ 60 -

5 10 15

The class of accuracy required for protective C.T. depends upon the particular application as discussed below : For instantaneous overcurrent Relays and trip coils, class 15 P protective C.Ts, are generally sufficiently accurate. Rated accuracy limit factor of 5 should be enough. However, when the instantaneous overcurrent relays are set to operate for high values of overcurrent say 5 to 15 times of rated primary currents, the accuracy limit factor should have at least the value of the setting used. Thus it is clear that we have to decide in advance as to what setting we are going to use. For IDMT relays class 10 P C.T is preferred for system network where discrimination is obtained by graded time lag. When close discrimination is not desired, class 15P may be preferred.

R. Sharma (BSNL Electrical Zone Patna)

As a general guideline, the product of rated burden and the rated accuracy limit factor should approach 150, provided the earth fault relay setting is not less than 20% of rated secondary current of associated C.T. Class 5P C.Ts. are preferred where accurate time grading and stability are desired. MINIMUM EARTH FAULT SETTING : PRIMARY CURRENTS ROLE : A common fallacy is to specify leakage settings as a percentage of normal full load current; expecting, for an instance, a setting of 10% on a 100-KVA power transformer installed on a system having a fault capacity of 500 MVA at 11 KV. In fact, ratios much below 100/5 on switchgear of high rupturing capacity become an embarrassment. Obviously, it is not always possible to plan system having 100 amperes as a minimum normal load current, but much can be done if the difficulties are realised at the outset. Let us now examine the above statement. Here normal full-load current = (100/(3x11)) 5.25 Amp. Let the minimum ratio selected be 20/5. Keeping in view the heating and mechanical limitation, let the number of primary turns allowed be 5. Thus total primary ampere-turns would be 100. A suitable relay sufficiently sensitive would consume roughly 0.33 volt-Amp. at a setting value of 1 secondary ampere. Thus voltage required to operate this relay would be 0.33 volt, and the impedance 0.33 ohm at a p.f. of 0.14 (note that the burden on C.T. would be entirely reactive). A suitable annular core could have a cross-sectional rear of 12.5 Sq.cms., a mean dia. of 10.16 cms. and a mean circumferential length of approx. 32 cms. We also know that the induced voltage (e) can be given as e = 4.44 f T= 2.22 B.a.T x 100 volts. Assuming a reasonable number of secondary turns (say 18) we get B=
0.33 x 100 x 100 = 0.0660 Tesla 2.22 x 100 x 12.5 x 18

For the quality of steel used we get H = 19.9 AT/m

19.9 x 0.8 x 32 = 0.338 Amp. 100 x 18 Secondary current, is = 1.0 + 3(0.338) ; for all the magentising current.

Magnetising current, im =

= 2.014 Amp. Primary current = 2.014 x 4 = 8.056 Amps. which is 40.280% of the nominal 20 primary amperes. Thus a setting above 40% of the nominal 20 primary amps. is about the minimum which can be secured. If we take a C.T. ratio of 60/5 to give the earth leakage protection then keeping the same turns etc. we get 60 x 5 = 300 AT. Assuming a reasonable number of secondary turns, say 56, and keeping the core same, we get

R. Sharma (BSNL Electrical Zone Patna)

B =

300 x 100 x 100 = 0.0213 Tesla. 2.22 x 100 x 12.5 x 56

For the quality of steel used we get H = 10.35 AT/m Magnetising current, im = ip = (1 + 3x0.0473) x
10.35 x 0.8 x 32 = 0.0473 Amp. 100 x 56

56 = 12.8 Amp. which is 21.3 % . 5

Thus with a ratio of 60/5, therefore, a setting for operation in terms of primary current can be made reasonably close to 20%. It may be noted that normal full load current was only 5.25 amp. This shows that there is no justification, in fact, for providing for the leakage protection in first case. Actually economics of protection should be kept in mind. NAME PLATE DESIGNATION OF C.T. : Information should be given as follows for C.Ts. required to meet combination of output and accuracy classes : (i) (ii) 30/5P10 i.e. 30 VA burden, 5P is the accuracy class and 10 is the standard accuracy limit factors. 30/1, i.e. 30 VA burden having class 1 accuracy.

INFORMATION TO BE GIVEN WITH ENQUIRY AND ORDER : 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. Rated voltage, type of supply and earthing conditions Insulation level Frequency Transformation ratio Rated output Class of accuracy Short time thermal current and its duration Accuracy limit factor and any other additional requirement for C.T. for protection. Service conditions Special features such as limiting dimensions.

VOLTAGE TRANSFORMER : Although most of the definable terms are similar, few terms are hereby defined for general use. THERMAL LIMITING OUTPUT :

R. Sharma (BSNL Electrical Zone Patna)

The value of the apparent power referred to rated voltage which can be taken from a secondary winding, at rated primary voltage applied, without exceeding the limits of temperature rise specified in the standard HIGHEST SYSTEM VOLTAGE : The highest r.m.s. line-to-line volt which may be sustained under normal operating conditions at any time and at any point of the system. It excludes temporary voltage variation due to fault conditions and the sudden disconnection of large levels. RATED INSULATION LEVEL : That combination of voltage values (power frequency and lightning impulse, or where applicable, lighting and switching impulse) which characterised the insulation of a transformer with regard to its capability to withstand dielectric stresses. RATED INSULATION LEVEL FOR HIGHEST SYSTEM VOLTAGE ; Nominal system voltage, (KV, r.m.s) (1) Upto 0.60 3.3 6.6 11.0 15.0 22.0 33.0 45.0 66.0 110.0 132.0 220.0 400.0 525.0 765.0 Highest system voltage (KV, r.m.s) (2) 0.66 3.6 7.2 12.0 17.5 24.0 36.0 52.0 72.5 123.0 45.0 245.0 420.0 525.0 765.0 Power frequency with stand voltage (KV. r.m.s) (3) 3 10 20 28 38 50 70 95 140 185 230 230 275 360 395 460 1175 1300 1425 1425 1550 1800 2100 2400 Lightning impulse with stand voltage (KV, r.m.s) List 1 List 2 (4) 20 40 40 60 60 75 75 95 95 125 145 170 250 250 325 325 450 450 550 550 550 550 650 650 850 850 950 950 1050 1050 950 950 1050 1050 1050 1050 1050 1050 1175 1175 1300 1300 1425 1425 1550 1550

Notes : 1.

Underlined values are preferred.

R. Sharma (BSNL Electrical Zone Patna)

2.

The choice between list 1 and list 2 should be made by considering the degree of exposure to lightening and switching overvoltages, the type of system neutral earthing and the kind of overvoltage protection. For guidance I.S. 2165 (part 1) may be seen.

RATED OUTPUT : The rated output at a power factor 0.8 lagging express in volt-amperes shall be one of the values given below: 10, 15, 25, 30, 50, 75 100, 150, 200, 300, 400 and 500. The values underlined above are preferred ones. The rated output of a 3-phase transformer shall be the rated output per phase. We know that P.Ts. are used for measurement and protection. Accordingly, they are either measuring type or protective type. They may be single phase or 3-phase. They are necessary for voltage, directional and distance protection. As such rated accuracy class will vary according to the requirement of measurement or protection. Following criteria may be applied before selecting a proper P.T. : FOR MEASURING P.T. 0.9 to 1.1 times rated primary Voltage 0.25 to 1.0 times rated output at 0.8 p.f. lag. VOLTAGE PHASE ERROR ERROR % % (2) +0.1 +0.2 +5 +10

Accur acy Class (1) 0.1 0.2

APPLICATION (3) For precision testing or as substandard for testing lab-voltage transformer. For laboratory and test work in conjunction with high accuracy indicating instruments/ meters and also for substandard for testing industrial P.Ts. For precision industrial metering and for use with substandard indicating wattmeters. For commercial & industrial metering and for use with indicating and graphic watt meters & voltmeters For purposes where phase angle less important e.g. voltmeter

0.5 1.0

+0.5 +1.0

+20 +40

3.0

+3.0

+120

FOR PROTECTION P.T.

R. Sharma (BSNL Electrical Zone Patna)

Accuracy Class 3P

% Voltage error +3.0

Phase displacement (minutes) +120

APPLICATION Directional overcurrent relay reverse power relay, directional distance protection etc. Under voltage/over voltage overcurrent relays etc.

6P

+6.0

+240

TYPICAL VALUES OF VA BURDENS OF VARIOUS INSTRUMENTS (I) Voltmeter, voltage coil of wattmeter, under/over voltage relay, power factor meter 5 VA 7.5 VA 3-10 VA 15 VA 0.02-0.2 VA

(ii) Voltage coil of kWh, KVAR meters, frequency meters and recording p.f. meters & wattmeters (iii) Voltage coils of electromagnetic relays (iv) Voltage coil of synchroscope (v) Static relays

The VA rating of a P.T. should be far greater than the burden since the accuracy of P.T. at very low burdens (25% rated burden) is not guaranteed. INFORMATION TO BE GIVEN WITH ENQUIRY & ORDER : 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. Type of transformer (e.g. single/three phase, indoor/outdoor, resin cast/oil immersed etc.) Highest system voltage, type of supply and earthing conditions Rated insulation level Frequency Rated transformation ratio Rated output and corresponding accuracy class for measuring or protective P.T. Rated voltage factor and duration (if earthing condition is not specified). Service conditions Special features such as limiting dimensions.