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How to Size Current Transformers

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How to Size Current Transformers

By Steven McFadyen (/users/steven) on November 7th, 2011 The correct sizing of current transformers is required to ensure satisfactory operation of measuring instruments and protection relays. Several methods exist to size current transformers. This note will look at several methods, with particular attention being paid to protection class CTs sized in IEC 60044, which is adopted internationally.

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1. Grounding Transformers above Ground Level (/questions/view/question/id/523) 2. Current Carrying Capacity of Cables (/questions/view/question/id/515) (http://myelectrical.com/Portals/0/SunBlogNuke/2/Window s-Live-Writer/How -to-Size-CurrentTransformers_E50F/ABBCT_2.jpg) ABB Current Transform er Exam ple of a CT specification: - a very common specification for a protection class CT w ould be an accuracy class 5P (1 % ), w ith rated accuracy limiting factors of 1 0 or 20. Typical burdens w ould be 5, 1 0, 1 5 or 20 V A. A typical specification w ould be 5P1 0 1 5 V A. 3. BS 7671 Current Capacity Armoured Cable (/questions/view/question/id/514) 4. Current Variation In Line Side and Load Side of Softstarter (/questions/view/question/id/511) 5. Switchboard Construction (/questions/view/question/id/510) 6. Motor Duty Class (/questions/view/question/id/509) 7. Motor Starting Current and Transformer Size (/questions/view/question/id/507) 8. Fire Alarm and Access Control Contents [hide] 1. The IEC 60044 Method 1. What the Manufacturer Wants 2. Connection Leads 2. Other CT Sizing Methods and Requirements 1. BS 3938 and BS 7626 2. ANSI/IEEE C57.13 (/questions/view/question/id/505) more questions... (/questions)

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The IEC 60044 Method

IEC 60044 specifies the requirements for protection CTs (in addition to measuring CT's, VTs and electronic sensors). The key to CT dimensioning under the standard, is the symmetrical short circuit current and transient dimensioning factors: Kssc

- rated symmetrical short-circuit current factor

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Kssc - effective symmetrical short-circuit current factor Ktd - transient dimensioning factor

The factor Kssc is relatively easy to understand and relates to the liner portion of a CT characteristic. The voltage and current across a CT are linear only up till a certain value (normally specified as a multiple of the nominal rating), after which the CT will saturate and the curve will level off. A CT rated at say 5P20 will stay linear to approximately 20 times its nominal current. This linear limit is the Kssc (i.e. Kssc = 20). As a reminder, the 5 [in the 5P20] would be the CT accuracy class and the P signifies a protection class CT. Slightly more complicated is the effective factor, K scc. This is a calculated value which takes into account the burden (resistance) of the relay, resistance of the CT windings and resistance of the leads:

Example IEC 60044 Calculation Consider a CT with the following specification and protection requirements: CT: 600/1 5P20 15 VA, Rct = 4 CT Leads: 6 mm2 , 50 m long - use R=2 l /a to calculate = 0.0179 /m Relay: Siemens 7SJ45, Ktd = 1 Short circuit current, Iscc max = 30 kA To find the lead resistance Rleads (two leads supply, return) we can use the standard formulae for resistivity: Rleads = 2 l /a = 2 x 0.0175 x 50 / 6 = 0.3 Numerical relays have low burdens, typically 0.1 (where possible the relay manual should be consulted). Plugging everything into the equations: Rb = 15 VA / 1 A2 = 15 Rb = Rleads + Rrelay = 0.3 + 0.1 = 0.4 Kscc = Kscc (Rct + Rb )/(Rct + Rb )

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= 20 (4 + 15 )/ (4 + 0.4) = 86.4 (http://myelectrical.com/Portals/0/SunBlogNuke/2/Window sLiveWriter/How toSizeCurrentTransformers_FC7 4/7 3459447 27 c6cb5e8f24237 56b28f0bb_2.png) Required Kscc > 1 x 30000/600 = 50 Rct - secondary winding d.c. resistance at specified temperature Rb - rated resistive burden of the relay Rb - Rleads + Rrelay; this is thel connected burden In this case the effective Kscc of 86.4 is

greater than the required Kscc of 50 and CTs need to be able to supply the required current to drive the relays during transient fault conditions. The ability of the CT the CT meets the stability criteria. and relay to operate under these conditions is a function of K scc and the transient performance of the relay, Ktd . The factor, Ktd is supplied by the relay manufacturer. Correct functioning is achieved by ensuring the following is valid:

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Issc max - maximum symmetrical short-circuit current Ipn - CT rated primary current That it. Once you have confirmed the above is ok, you know your CT is ok.

What the Manufacturer Wants

There is a slight complication in the manufacturers know their relays better than we (or the IEC) do. As general advice, you should always refer to the manufacturers information: firstly it is the only way to get the factor Ktd

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secondly manufacturers sometimes have additional requirements; for example Siemens overcurrent, motor protection, line differential (non-pilot)and transformer differential are good to go with the above, while their line differential (pilot wire) and distance relays require the above and have additional limitations on Kscc

Connection Leads
In the sizing of protection transformers, the resistance (burden) of the connection leads can have a considerable effect. In calculations, the resistance of the connection leads can be estimated from:

w here: l is the connection lead length in m is the resistivity in mm 2 m -1 (=0.01 7 9 for copper) A is the cross sectional area in mm 2

Other CT Sizing Methods and Requirements

BS 3938 and BS 7626
BS 3938 and BS 7626 are older British Standards which deal the the specification and sizing of current transformers. Both of these have been withdrawn and are superseded by the IEC 6044 standard.
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The standards adopted the concept of knee voltage and it is still common to find knee voltage voltage being used as a CT sizing parameter.

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Knee voltage is defined as the point at w hich a 1 0% increase in voltage across the terminals, causes a
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COMMUNITY (HTTP://MYELECTRICAL.COM/COMMUNITY) Utilising the British Standards, CTs were defined by the knee point voltage UKN and the internal secondary resistance Ri . To

convert an IEC design the following can be used:

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w here: I 2N is the nominal secondary current

ANSI/IEEE C57.13
The IEEE standard C57.13 covers the requirements for CT sizing in the North American markets. Class C of the standard defines CTs by their secondary terminal voltage at 20 times nominal current (for which the ratio error shall not exceed 10%). Standard classes are C100, C200, C400 and C800 for 5 A nominal secondary current. This terminal voltage can be calculated from the IEC data as follows:

w ith

and

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Steven McFadyen (/users/steven)

Steven has over twenty five years experience work ing on some of the largest construction projects. He has a deep technical understanding of electrical engineering and is k een to share this k nowledge.
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