Instrument Transformers

Instrument Transformers
What is an Instrument Transformer ?: 

• It is a transformer that is used in conjunction with any measuring

instrument (i.e., Ammeter, Voltmeter, Wattmeter, Watt-hour-meter, …
etc.)or protective equipment (i.e., Relays). 

• It utilizes the current-transformation and voltage transformation

properties to measure high ac current and voltage.
 Instrument Transformers

Types of instrument transformers : 

These instrument transformers are of two types:- 

1. Current transformers
2. Potential transformers
Applications of Instrument Transformers: 

• For measurement of high ac current, it is usual to use low range ac

ammeter with suitable shunt. 
• For measurement of high ac voltage, low range ac voltmeters are
used with high resistances connected in series. 
• For measurement of very high ac current and voltage, we cannot
use these methods. Instead, we use specially constructed HV
instrument transformers to insulate the high voltage circuit from
the measuring circuit in order to protect the measuring instruments
from burning.
• Application of Instrumentation Transformers In dc circuits
for current and voltage measurement, we use low range dc
ammeters and voltmeters with rectifiers connected in their
secondary circuits. 
• The vast primary application of Instrument Transformers is
for the protection and control of power system and power
equipment of high and very high ratings.
• The working of these instrument transformers are similar to
those of the ordinary transformers. 
Basic Construction and Magnetic Circuit of Instrument
Transformers
Polarity of Instrument Transformers
Common connections  of instrument transformers
 Current Transformers
What is current Transformer (CT)?: 
• A current transformer is a transformer, which produces in its secondary winding low
current, which is proportional to the high current flowing in its primary winding. 
• The secondary current is usually much smaller in magnitude than the primary current.
•  The design of CT depends on which type of instrument is connected to its secondary
winding. Measuring instrument OR Protective instrument.
        -Measuring instrument CT is expected to give accurate results up to a maximum
of 125% of its normal full-load rated current.
        -Protective instrument CT is expected to be accurate for up to 20 times of its
normal full-load rated current (about 2000% of its full-load rated current!!..??).
• Based on the type of equipment for which the Ct is used for, its saturation point will
vary. At the same time it is expected to be linear in the entire working range.
 Construction of Current Transformers

• C.T. has a primary coil of one or more turns made of thick

wire connected in series with the line whose current is to be
measured. 
• The secondary consists of a large number of turns made of
fine wire and is connected across an ammeter or a relay’s
terminals.
 Construction Types of Current
Transformers

Window-type  Bar-type
Function of CT: 
• The principal function of a CT is to produce a proportional current at a
level of magnitude, which is suitable for the operation of low-range
measuring or protective devices such as indicating or recording
instruments and relays. 
• The primary and secondary currents are expressed as a ratio such as
100/5 or 1000/5 . 
• With a 100/5 ratio CT, 100A flowing in the primary winding will
result in 5A flowing in the secondary winding, provided that the
correct rated burden is connected to the secondary winding.
“Class” of a CT: 

• The extent to which the actual secondary current magnitude differs

from the calculated value, expected by the virtue of the CT ratio, is
defined as the accuracy “Class” of the CT. 
• The greater the number used to define the class, the greater the
permissible “current error” [the deviation in the actual secondary
current from the calculated value].
Specifications of CT: 
CTs should be specified as follow: 
  RATIO : Input / output current ratio
  VA: Total burden (rating) including pilot wires. 
  Common burden ratings are 2.5, 5, 10, 15 and 30 VA. For example: 
• Moving iron ammeter is 1-2 VA
• Moving coil rectifier ammeter is 1-2.5 VA 
• Electro-dynamic instrument is 2.5-5 VA 
• Maximum demand ammeter is 3-6 VA 
• Recording ammeter or transducer is 1-2.5 VA 
  CLASS : The accuracy required for the operation
  DIMENSIONS: Maximum & minimum limits. For example: 
• 0.1 or 0.2 for precision measurements.
• 0.5 for high grade kilowatt hour meters and commercial grade kilowatt
hour meters.
• 3 for general industrial measurements. 
• 3 or 5 for approximate measurements. 
  BURDEN (OHMIC): (Depending on pilot lead length)
Current Transformers Stepping: 
• These are used with low range ammeters to measure current in high
voltage alternating circuits where it is not practical to connect
instrument and meters directly to lines. 
• They are step-up transformers (voltage ratio) because when we step-
up the voltage the current decreases. 
• The current is a step-down in a known ratio called the current ratio .
Connections of Current Transformers

Single-Ratio CT Multi-Ratio CT
Multi-ratio CT:
• As indicated in the previous Figure, current transformers having a center tapped
secondary are referred to as a dual ratio CT.
• Dual ratio CT are used in applications where it is necessary to have available two
ratios of primary to secondary current from the same secondary winding of the CT. 
• This may be accomplished by adding a tap in the secondary winding to get a second
ratio. 
• The ratio obtained by the tap is usually one-half the ratio obtained by the full
secondary winding. 
• A schematic example is previously shown with 200 amperes flowing in the primary,
a connection X2 – X3 will produce 5 amperes out of the secondary. As the load
grows to 400 amperes, the secondary circuit will be reconnected to X1 – X3 to still
produce 5 amperes in the secondary circuit. 
Working (Measurement): 

• If a current transformer has primary to secondary current ratio of

100:5 then it steps up the voltage 20 times and step down the current
1/20 times of its actual value. 
• If we know the current ratio and the reading of an a.c. ammeter, the
primary current can be calculated as:
                    
         Primary Current = CT ratio × ammeter reading
Why CT secondary should never be open ?: 
• Ammeter resistance is very low ,the current transformer normally works as a
short-circuited instrument. 
• If for any reason the ammeter is taken out of secondary winding then the
secondary winding must be short-circuited with the help of a short-circuit
switch. 
• If this is not done, then a high m.m.f. (Ampere-turns IT) will set up a high
flux in the magnetic core and it will produce excessive core loss which
produce heat and high voltage across the secondary terminals . 
• The high voltage can damage any electronic components in secondary side. 
• Hence the secondary of any current transformer should never be left open.
  Construction of the DOUGHNUT Type C.T. :  
The most common type of C.T. construction is the “DOUGHNUT” type.
It is constructed of an iron toroid, which forms the core of the transformer,
and is wound with many secondary turns.

Secondary Winding Primary Conductor

Iron Core
• The `doughnut' fits over the primary conductor, which constitutes one primary turn. If
the toroid is wound with 240 secondary turns, then the ratio of the C.T. is 240 : 1 or
1200 : 5A

• The continuous rating of the secondary winding is normally 5 AMPS in North

America, and 1 AMP or 0.5 AMP in many other parts of the world.

• This type of `doughnut' C.T. is most commonly used in circuit breakers and power
transformers. The C.T. fits into the bushing, and the porcelain bushing fits through the
centre of the `doughnut'.

• Up to four C.T.'s of this type can be installed around each bushing of an oil circuit
breaker. This arrangement is shown in a following diagram.
Substation Class Circuit Breakers' CTs

Polyester Taped Bushing CT on

Outdoor Circuit Breaker
CT Turns-ratio (TR)
Transformer Ratio = Primary Current
_____________________
Secondary Current

Primary Current Secondary Current

(100 amps) (5 amps)

100
___ = 100:5 or 20:1
5
Polarity
Direction of
Secondary Current
Direction of
Primary Current
X1 IEEE Secondary
IEEE H1
S1
IEC Polarity
Primary Marks
Polarity
Marks IEC P1

Primary current into “polarity” forces

Secondary current out of “polarity”
 CT Metering Accuracy

Since actual secondary current

= Rated secondary current

Then:

The difference in % is known as the

“Accuracy” or “Class”
of the CT 
Burden
Load connected to CT secondary
Includes devices & connecting leads
  Expressed in ohms 
Standard values  = B0.1, B0.2, B0.5, B0.9, B1.8
    E0.04, E0.2
CT accurate Burden Calculation

ZT = RCT + RL + ZB
ZT   = Total burden in ohms (vector summation of 
resistance and inductance components)
RCT = CT secondary  resistance in ohms @75 deg C  
RL   = Resistance of leads in ohms (Total loop distance)
ZB  = Device impedance in ohms
CT Saturation
Factors Affecting Degree and Time to Saturation
1. High DC offset
2. High fault current Magnitude (symmetrical current)
 Example:
•100 to 5 CT@20 times= 2000 amps. 
•Also @20,000 amps we have 200 times CT

3. Low CT Turns Ratios

4. High secondary burden
5. Low CT Accuracy (Class)
6. High reminance flux 
• Can occur if current interrupted when core is saturated
• If DC flows in windings during testing
• Need a voltage above 60% of knee point to reduce the Reminance to less than 10% of saturation flux
density.
Tips for Avoiding CT Saturation
1. Use higher ratio CTs
2. Use separate set of high ratio CTs for high fault current
tripping
3. Reduce secondary burden by:
-Selecting low burden relays & meters
-Distributing single phase burdens among phases
-Increasing the size of secondary leads
-Reducing the length of secondary leads
               -Using “step down” auxiliary CTs
Avoiding CT Saturation
with Linear Operation 
(Knee limit of the Curve)
CT Actual Connections

Typical window CT 

Power Transformers’ CT Connections
Slip over current transformer for installation over exterior
of outdoor bushing

Outdoor Type  BO7 for Retrofit  

Substation Class Circuit Breakers’ CT’s
Ground Shield

Outdoor BO7 - Replaces BCT’s in

shielded aluminum housing
Generators CT Connections

Board Mounted Generator CT

 Potential Transformers
What is a Potential Transformer (PT) or (VT)?: 

• A PT or sometimes called VT is a step-down transformer having many

primary turns but few secondary turns. 
• In a step-down transformer the voltage decreases and the current
increases, thus voltage can be easily measured by using a low-range
voltmeter instrument. 
• The voltage is stepped-down in a known ratio called the voltage ratio.
Construction and working of P.T.: 
Construction 
• A potential transformer has many primary winding turns but few number of secondary
winding turns that makes it a step-down transformer. 
• A Voltmeter is connected to the secondary winding is usually a voltmeter of 150 V. 
Working (Measurement): 
• Primary terminals are connected in parallel across the line to which the voltage is to be
measured. 
• The voltmeter reading gives the transformed value of the voltage across the secondary
terminals. 
• The deflection of the voltmeter when divided by the transformed ratio gives the actual voltage
across the primary winding as: 
The Line voltage = deflection / transformation-Ratio  
    Where transformation ratio = V2/V1
Precaution for P.T.: 
• Since the secondary of a p.t. is connected to relays,
their ratings are usually 40 to 100 Watts. 

• For safety purpose the secondary should be completely

insulated from the high voltage primary and should be
in addition grounded.
Types of P.T. : 
Some types of p.t. are:
• Shell type 
• Dry type 
• Oil type 
           Rating                                                            Type 
1. Below 5000 v                                                Shell type 
2. 5000-13800 v                                       Dry type and oil type
3. Above 13800 v                                           only oil type
Potential Transformer
Common Ratios
VP
14,400/120 = 120/1
4200/120 = 35/1
2400/120 = 20/1

Vs

Relay
Connections of 1-Phase Potential Transformers
Other PT and 3-Phase Typical Connections

Open Delta Connection

Y – Y Connection
(2) Double Bushing VTs
(3) Single Bushing VTs
Y – Broken Corner  VT
Connection

damping resistor R
Y-Y/Broken Corner  Connection
Basic important rules for Instrument
Transformers
Rule # 1
Never open circuit a current 
transformer secondary while the primary
is energized
CTs are intended to be proportional current devices. Very high voltages can
result from open circuiting the secondary circuit of an energized CT. Even
very small primary currents can cause damage.
Rule # 2
Never short circuit the secondary
of an energized VT

VTs are intended to be used as proportional voltage

devices. Damaging current will result from short 
circuiting the secondary circuit of an energized VT.  
Rule # 3
CT secondary leads must be
added to the CT burden

Electronic relays usually represent very

little burden to the CT secondary circuit.  In
many cases the major burden is caused by
the CT secondary leads.     
Rule # 4
Never use a 60 Hz rated VT 
on a 50 Hz System

60 Hz VTs may saturate at lower frequencies  and

exceed temperature limitations.  VT failure is likely…
severe equipment damage is possible.