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Chapter 5

The document summarizes current transformer design. It discusses that current transformers are used to measure current in AC power circuits. The core characteristics must be carefully selected to minimize errors from exciting current. The simplified equivalent circuit shows the important elements. The input current has two components - exciting current and load current. Higher exciting current leads to larger errors. Core material with the lowest hysteresis produces highest accuracy. Unlike voltage transformers, current transformers can operate into a short circuit but not an open circuit. The design process involves selecting a core material and flux density to achieve the required inductance and resistance values for accurate current measurement.

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Ali Madk
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26 views

Chapter 5

The document summarizes current transformer design. It discusses that current transformers are used to measure current in AC power circuits. The core characteristics must be carefully selected to minimize errors from exciting current. The simplified equivalent circuit shows the important elements. The input current has two components - exciting current and load current. Higher exciting current leads to larger errors. Core material with the lowest hysteresis produces highest accuracy. Unlike voltage transformers, current transformers can operate into a short circuit but not an open circuit. The design process involves selecting a core material and flux density to achieve the required inductance and resistance values for accurate current measurement.

Uploaded by

Ali Madk
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Chapter 5

Current Transformer Design


Current Transformer Design
Current transformers are used to measure, or monitor, the current in the lead of an ac power
circuit. They are very useful in high-power circuits, where the current is large.

Simple, Secondary AC
Current Monitor

In current transformer designs, the core characteristics must be carefully selected because
excitation current, Im, essentially subtracts from the metered current and effects the true
ratio and phase angle of the output current.
The simplified equivalent circuit of a current transformer, as shown in the figure, represents
the important elements of the device.

A better understanding of the current transformer behavior may be achieved by considering the
applied input current to the primary winding, in terms of various components. Only the ampere-turn
component, linNp, drives the magnetic flux around the core. The ampere -turn, ImNp, provides the
core loss. The secondary ampere -turns, IpNP, balance the remainder of the primary ampere -turns.
The exciting current, Im, determines the maximum accuracy that can be achieved with a current
transformer. Exciting current, Im, may be defined as the portion of the primary current that satisfies
the hysteresis and eddy current losses of the core.
If the values of Lc and Re, are too low because the permeability of the core material is low and the
core loss is high, only a part of the current, (Ip/a), will flow in the output load resistor, RO.

𝑵𝒔
𝒂=
𝑵𝒑

The exciting current is equal to:

𝑯 (𝑴𝑷𝑳
𝑰𝒎 =
𝟎, 𝟒 × 𝝅 × 𝑵

where H is the magnetizing force and material dependent, and MPL is the Magnetic Path
Length.
The input current is comprised of two components: exciting current, Im, and the load
current, I0.

𝟐
𝑰𝒐
𝑰𝟐𝒊𝒏 = 𝑰𝟐𝒎 + 𝑰𝟐𝒐 → 𝑰𝟐𝒎 = 𝑰𝟐𝒊𝒏 − 𝑰𝟐𝒐 → 𝑰𝒎 = 𝑰𝒊𝒏 𝟏−
𝑰𝒊𝒏

The above equation has shown graphically, that the higher the exciting current, Im or core
loss, the larger the error. The magnetizing impedance, Re, determines accuracy, because it
shunts part of the input current, Iin, away from the primary and thus, produces an error. Core
material with the lowest value of H achieves the highest accuracy.
The current transformer function is different than that of a voltage transformer. A current
transformer operates with a set primary current and will try to output a constant current to
the load, independent of the load. The current transformer will operate into either a short
circuit or a resistive load until the voltage induced is enough to saturate the core or cause
voltage breakdown.
For this reason, a current transformer should never operate into an open circuit, as a voltage
transformer should never operate into a short circuit.
The induced voltage of the current transformer.

𝑽𝒔 = 𝑰𝒐 𝑹𝒔 + 𝑹𝒐

If the secondary is designed for DC, then the diode drop must be taken into account.

𝑽𝒔 = 𝑰𝒐 𝑹𝒔 + 𝑹𝒐 + 𝑽𝒅
The required core cross-section, Ac. (It is now up to the engineer to pick a core material that
would provide the highest permeability at the operating flux density, Bac).

𝑰𝒊𝒏 (𝑹𝒔 + 𝑹𝒐 × 104


𝑨𝒄 = 𝒄𝒎2
𝑲𝒇 × 𝑩𝒂𝒄 × 𝒇 × 𝑵𝒔
The design requirements would dictate choosing a core material and operating flux density, Bac, that
would result in values of, Lc and Re, values which would be large enough to reduce the current
flowing in these elements to satisfy the ratio and phase requirements.
The inductance is calculated from the equation:

0.4 × 𝝅 × 𝑵2𝒑 × 𝑨𝒄 × ∆𝝁 × 10−8


𝑳𝒄 = 𝑯𝒆𝒏𝒓𝒚
𝑴𝑷𝑳

𝑽𝒑
And 𝑹𝒆 =
𝑷𝒇𝒆
Example 3: Current Transformer Design Example
The following information is the design specification for a current transformer, as shown in the
following figure
1. Primary 1 turn
2. Input current, Iin 0-5A
3. Output voltage, V0 0-5V
4. Output load resistance, Ro, 500 ohms
5. Operating frequency, f (square wave) 2500 hertz
6. Operating flux density, Bac 0.2 tesla
7. Core loss less than 3% (error)
8. Diode drop, Vd 1 volt
9. Magnetic material Supermalloy 2 mil
10. Waveform factor, Kf 4.0
Current Monitoring Transformer with dc Output.

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