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Two CT in Circuit

Three-phase current measurement can be achieved using only two current transformers (CT) in ungrounded or high resistance grounded systems through vector addition. This method is beneficial for simple metering applications and when space constraints limit the installation of three CTs, although it requires careful attention to CT polarity and grounding connections. Ground fault current measurement necessitates the use of a three-phase CT instead.

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2 views

Two CT in Circuit

Three-phase current measurement can be achieved using only two current transformers (CT) in ungrounded or high resistance grounded systems through vector addition. This method is beneficial for simple metering applications and when space constraints limit the installation of three CTs, although it requires careful attention to CT polarity and grounding connections. Ground fault current measurement necessitates the use of a three-phase CT instead.

Uploaded by

shafaetashif.biz
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Three Phase Current Metering using Two Current Transformers

It is possible to do three phase current measurement using just two current transformers (CT) in electrical systems with
neutrals that are ungrounded or otherwise high resistance grounded. This is possible due to the magic of vector addition.
Figure 1 shows the wiring schematic where phases A and C are metered using CT while phase B current is a calculated
vector. Vector summation is accomplished by the way phase A and C leads are interconnected and fed to B phase
current channel. The current thus calculated will be the actual B phase current except when measuring very low current
and the system has a ground fault condition.

Figure 1: Wiring scheme for three phase measurement with two CT

This scheme can also work in situations where the neutral is solidly grounded and there are no phase-neutral connected
loads (e.g., an MCC with only 3 wire loads) and measuring ground fault current is not a requirement. For measuring
ground fault current a three phase CT will be required.

The method of using two current transformers to measure three phase current is attractive for simple metering
applications, locations where mounting three CT is a space constraint and for saving on material and installation costs.
Few things to consider while applying two CTs to measure three phase current:

 CT polarity is very important.

 Only make one ground connection as shown in figure 1. Making two ground connections create parallel path
for current and will lead to erroneous reading.

Mathematical Proof

Per circuit theory, a set of three phase current vectors under ideal conditions should vectorially add to zero.

The derivation above shows that by only using A and C phase


currents, B phase current can be ‘calculated’. Similarly, any phase can be calculated by measuring the other two phases.
Since the calculation is vectorial, direction of current and hence the polarity of CT mounting is critical.

Figure 2: Calculated current with correct and reverse CT polarity

Figure 2 show the vectors when CTs are wired with correct polarity and when one CT is wired in reverse polarity. If the
calculated phase (B phase in this example) is reading 1.732 times the expected value, then it’s a sign of reverse CT
polarity.

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