Specification & Selection of Instrument Transformer

Madhwi Joshi
Manager (MPS)

Abstract

Instrument transformers are the key components of Protection & metering. As long as
instrument transformers are functioning properly we can expect our protective relays to
function accurately. We must ensure that the selected parameters for instruments
completely meet the requirement of our system. If a current transformer is excessively
over rated it may become cumbersome & the normal system current on secondary may be
too small for a relay to read or sometimes may be outside its range. Same is applicable for
voltage transformer also. Rating, Ratio, Burden, Thermal withstand capacity, Short circuit
withstand capacity etc. for instrument transformer must be defined properly in line with
system requirement.

Introduction: Protective instrument Transformers are designed to measure the actual

currents/voltages in power systems and to produce proportional output in their secondary
windings which are isolated from the main power circuit. These replica currents/voltages
are used as inputs to protective relays which will automatically isolate part of a power
circuit In the event of an abnormal or fault condition therein. Thus the main task of
instrument transformers is to transform current or voltages to a level which are easily
handled by relays or instruments. Satisfactory operation of protective relays depends on
accurate representation of currents ranging from small leakage currents to very high over-
current, requiring the protective current transformer to be linear, and therefore below
magnetic saturation. All common laws of transformer are applicable to instrument
transformer also.

The main factors to be taken care of while selecting an instrument transformer are:

1. Type of VT-Inductive or Capacitive (For VT only)

2. Rated Insulation Level
3. Altitude above sea level
4. Rated Primary Current/Voltage
5. Rated Secondary Current/Voltage
6. Rating Factor(Rated Continuous Thermal Current for CT)/ Rated Voltage Factor for
VT
7. Short time Current & Dynamic Current for CTs
8. Ambient Temperature
9. Number of Cores
10. Burden & Accuracy
11. Pollution Level
 12. Standards

1. Type of VT: Voltage transformers are mainly of two types Inductive VT & Capacitive VT.
Capacitive VTs (CVT) are used for high voltage ratings (100kV & above). An inductive
voltage transformer works on magnetisation principle same as normal transformer
whereas a CVT is made with capacitor sets acting as a voltage divider. CVTs offer the
advantage that the voltage divider capacitor, being itself relatively smaller and lighter,
the transformer’s iron core becomes much smaller in size, and hence more economical.

2. Rated Insulation Level: Instrument transformer must withstand the operational

voltages & over voltages of the system. In standards, test voltages for insulation level
check are mentioned according to the system voltage. IS 2705 Part I defines the rated
insulation levels for current transformers. IS 3156 part I defines these voltages for
Voltage transformers. IEC 61869-1 & IEEE C57.13 gives insulation levels for both.

3. Altitude Correction Factor: Dielectric strength of air decreases as altitude increases. For
operation above 1000m above sea level external insulation must be adapted to actual
condition. The actual elevation at which CT/VT is intended to operate must be clearly
specified in documents. Internal insulation of CT/VT is unaffected by altitude. According
to IEC61869-1 arcing distance at standardized service condition is obtained by
multiplying the withstand voltage required at service condition by a factor k.
K=em(H-1000)/8150
where H= altitude above sea level & m=1 for power frequency & lightning impulse
voltage and 0.75 for switching impulse voltage.
4. Rated Primary Current/Voltage: It is normal practice to specify the primary rated
current 10-40% higher than the expected normal operating current for CT. Closest
standard values available with manufacturer can be selected. Current transformer must
withstand normal operating current. While deciding rated current average ambient
temperature must be taken into consideration. Voltage transformer either inductive or
capacitive type are connected phase to ground. For a voltage transformer primary
voltage should be the system voltage (phase to ground) where VT has to be connected.
5. Rated Secondary Current/Voltage: Rated secondary current for CT is 5A or 1 A. 1A
secondary is preferred because relay burden varies with square of current. So a 1A
secondary has 25 times less burden than a 5A secondary current. For a VT secondary
voltages are 100/√3 or 110/√3.
6. Rating Factor (Rated Continuous Thermal Withstand)/Rated Voltage Factor: Rated
continuous thermal current of a CT is the current which can be allowed to flow in
primary without exceeding the temperature rise limits stipulated in standards. Unless
otherwise specified it is equal to rated primary current or the rating factor is 1. In
applications where actual current is higher than the rated current the rating factor
should be specified. For example a rating factor of 1.2 means the CT can withstand
 continuously 1.2 times of rated current. In IEC 60044-1 it is called extended current
rating & it can assume values 120%, 150% & 200%. Voltage factor V f of a VT is the value
such that, Vf (voltage factor) times the rated voltage does not cause the VT core
saturation. According to IEC it should be 1.5 for solidly earthed system & 1.9 times for
systems not being solidly earthed.
7. Short Time Current (For CT): It is the current which a CT can withstand for 1 second
without reaching a temperature level which can damage insulation. Short time thermal
current can be deduced by the formula
Ith= Sk/(Un X √3 )
Where Sk= Fault MVA
Un= Rated Voltage.
A CT is connected in series with the network so it must withstand the fault current till it
is safely isolated from fault.
Dynamic Current: Dynamic current is defined in IEC & IEEE standards. For a 50Hz system
according to IEC it should be 2.5 times of rated short time current.
8. Ambient Temperature: Average ambient temperature at which the CT/VT is intended
to work must be clearly mentioned to manufacturer. Insulation of CT/VT shall be
designed accordingly.

9. Number of Cores: Number of cores required in the CTs/PTs should be specified. Each
core has to serve a particular purpose like metering or protection. The requirement of
each core & its purpose should be mentioned. For example metering equipments have
a withstand capacity of 5-20% of rated current. So the metering core must be saturated
at 105-120% of rated current whereas a protection core must function accurately upto
10-20 times of rated current (over-current CT).
10. Burden & Accuracy: Burden to be connected across CT/PTs should be specified.
Modern numerical relays have low burdens so main component of burden is
constituted of cable burden.
An accuracy limit factor for protection CTs should also be mentioned which indicates
the maximum over current as a multiple of rated current up to which CT errors will be
within defined range at rated burden. For metering CT the metering instrument security
factor governs the CT saturation current. Accuracy limit of CTs are indicated in
standards for different classes of metering & protection. For metering 0.2/0.5 accuracy
classes (As per IEC) & 0.15/0.3/0.6 (As per IEEE) are commonly used. For protection
5P/10P/PS classes are used. For general protection application such as overcurrent CTs,
accuracy limit factor must be specified.
For differential, REF protection application (PS/PX class CTs) knee point voltage must be
specified. The knee point is defined as the point where 10% increase in voltage applied
to the secondary terminal of CT, with other winding open, shall cause 50% increase in
exiting current.
 For metering VT accuracy classes are 0.5/0.2. Metring PTs operate accurately for 80-
120% of rated voltage. For protection accuracies are 3P/5P. Protection PTs can operate
for Vf times of rated voltage where Vf is voltage factor.
11. Pollution Level: Standards (IEC 60815-1,2,3) define the minimum creepage distance for
outdoor installed ceramic insulated instrument transformers.
12. Standards: Standards governing the different test parameters, design values &
applicable tests should be clearly mentioned. For CTs standards are IS 2705, IEC 60044-
1 & IEEE C57.13/IEEEC12.11 (Metering ITs). For voltage transformer IS 3156, IEC 60044-
7 & IEEEC57.13.

Conclusion:

Clearly the safety of equipment depends upon the correct operation of protective devices
(relays). These protective devices ultimately depend upon the instrument transformers for
inputs. Thus the selection of the instrument transformers plays pivotal role in the safety.

References: IS 2705, IEC 61869-1, IEEE C57.13, AREVA Current Transformers Application
Notes.