6 Electrical Tests For Current Transformers Explained PDF

3/15/2019 6 electrical tests for Current Transformers explained
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6 electrical tests for Follow TestGuy
Current Transformers
explained
By testguy May 12, 2017 1 Comment
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Current transformers play XFMR test question -

an important role in the wye-delta TTR
monitoring and NICET level 1
protection of electrical
power systems. CT's are
Related Content
instrument transformers It is essential to inspect and test
used for converting current transformers and their

connected instruments at regular Here's
primary current into a intervals. Photo Credit: ABB always
reduced secondary second
current for use with

Curren
meters, relays, control equipment and other instruments. Basics
Unders
The importance of instrument transformer tests is Transfo

often underestimated. Current transformers for metering Test Pr
purposes must have a high degree of accuracy to ensure

precise billing while those used for protection must react Electric
Diagra
quickly and correctly in the event of a fault.
Risks such as confusing instrument transformers for Types

Constr
metering and protection, or mixing up connections can and Dis
https://testguy.net/content/264-6-electrical-tests-for-Current-Transformers-explained 1/23
be reduced significantly by testing before initial use. At 3 Critic

Points
the same time, electrical changes in a CT, caused for Breake
example by aging insulation, can be identified at an early
Introdu
stage.
Transfo
Ratio T
For these reasons and more, it is essential to inspect
Three-
and calibrate current transformers and their connected Transfo
instruments at regular intervals. There are 6 electrical Conne
tests that should be performed on CT's to ensure

Basic E
accuracy and optimal service reliability: Theory
Fundam
Transfo
and De
Contents
10 Crit
1. Ratio Test New Po
Breake
2. Polarity Test
Transfo
Diagno
3. Excitation (Saturation) Test Condit
4. Insulation Resistance Test 10 Elec

Distrib
5. Winding Resistance Test Arrang
6. Burden Test
Test Your
1. Ratio Test Knowledge
CT ratio is described as the ratio of primary current input Sharpen your skills with
our collection of quizzes
to secondary current output at full load. For example, a on electrical safety,
CT with a ratio of 300:5 will produce 5 amps of maintenance & testing of
electrical equipment and
secondary current when 300 amps flow through the industry standards.
primary.
If the primary current changes, the secondary current

Tech Quiz
output will change accordingly. For example, if 150 amps
flow through a 300 amp rated primary the secondary Study Guide
current output will be 2.5 amps.
(300:5 = 4:1) (150:300 = 2.5:5) Electrical Testing
References
Unlike the voltage or power transformer, the current Protective Relay Protection
Element Tests
transformer consists of only one or very few turns as its
Capacitive Reactance - How to
primary winding. This primary winding can be of either Solve Series and Parallel
Capacitors
a single flat turn, a coil of heavy duty wire wrapped
Circuit Breaker Accessories
around the core or just a conductor or bus bar placed
Switchboard Ratings
through a central hole.
Transformer Insulation Classes
Three-Phase Transformer Winding

Connections
Peak vs. Average vs. RMS Voltage
Circuit Breaker Contact

Arrangements: Straight-through
vs. Blow-apart
SF6 Circuit Breakers
Ohm's Law & Watt's Law Cheat

Sheet
Protective Relaying Terms and

A CT ratio test can be performed by injecting a primary current and measuring De nitions
the current output, or by injecting a secondary voltage and measuring the
Basic Electrical Theory: The
induced primary voltage. Photo: TestGuy.
Fundamental Laws of Electricity
More...
The ratio test is conducted to prove that the ratio of the
CT is as specified, and to verify the ratio is correct at
different taps of a multi tap CT. The turn's ratio is
equivalent to the voltage ratio of potential transformers
and can be expressed as follows:
N2/N1=V2/V1
N2 and N1 are number of turns of

secondary and primary windings
V2 and V1 are the secondary and primary

side voltage readings
Ratio tests are performed by applying a suitable voltage

(below saturation) to the secondary of the CT under test
while the primary side voltage is measured to
calculate the turns ratio from the expression above.
DANGER: Use caution when conducting a CT ratio

test and do NOT apply a voltage high enough that
would cause the transformer to saturate. Applying
a saturation voltage will result in readings that
won't be accurate.
2. Polarity Test
The polarity of a CT is determined by the direction in
which the coils are wound around the transformer core
(clockwise or counterclockwise) and by how the leads
are brought out of the CT case. All current
transformers are subtractive polarity and should have
the following designations to visually identify the direction
of current flow:
H1 - primary current, line facing direction
H2 – primary current, load facing direction

X1 - secondary current
A CT under test is assumed to have correct polarity if instantaneous current

direction for primary and secondary current is opposite to each other. Photo:
TestGuy.
The polarity marks on a CT designate the relative

instantaneous directions of the currents. The polarity test
proves that the predicted direction of secondary CT
current (leaving) is correct for a given direction of primary
current (entering).
Taking care to observe proper polarity is important

when installing and connecting current transformer to
power metering and protective relays. At the same
instant of time, that the primary current is entering the
primary terminal the corresponding secondary current
should be leaving the similarly marked secondary
terminal.
A CT under test is assumed to have correct polarity if

instantaneous current direction for primary and
secondary current is opposite to each other. CT
Polarity is critical when CT's are being used together in

single-phase or three-phase applications.
Most modern day CT test equipment is capable of

performing the ratio test automatically using a simplified
test lead setup and will display polarity as correct or
incorrect. CT polarity is verified manually by utilizing a
9V battery and analog voltmeter with the following test
procedure:
Markings on current transformers have been occasionally misapplied by the

factory. You can verify the polarity of a CT in the field with a 9V battery. Photo:
TestGuy.
CT Polarity Test Procedure
1. Disconnect all power prior to testing and

connect the analog voltmeter to the
secondary terminal of the CT to be tested.
The positive terminal of the meter is
connected to terminal X1 of the CT while the
negative terminal is connected to X2.
2. Run a piece of wire through the high side of

the CT window and shortly make contact with
the positive end of the 9-volt battery to the

H1 side (sometimes marked with a dot) and
the negative end to the H2 side. It is
important to avoid continuous contact, which
will short circuit the battery.
3. If polarity is correct, the momentary contact

causes a small deflection in the analog
meter in the positive direction. If the
deflection is negative, the polarity of the
current transformer is reversed. The
terminals X1 and X2 need to be reversed and
the test can be carried out.
Note: Polarity is not important when connecting to

ammeters and voltmeters. Polarity is important only
when connecting to wattmeters, watt-hour meters,
varmeters, and induction-type relays. To maintain
polarity, the H1 side of the CT must be toward the
source of power; then the X1 secondary terminal
is the polarity connection.
3. Excitation (Saturation) Test

When a CT is "saturated", the magnetic path inside the
CT operates like a short circuit on the transmission line.
Almost all of the energy supplied by the primary winding
is shunted away from the secondary winding and is used
create a magnetic field inside the CT.
Saturation testing for a current transformer identifies

the rated knee point against IEEE or IEC standards, the
point at which the transformer is no longer able to output
current in proportion to its specified ratio.
Excitation tests are performed by applying an AC voltage

to the secondary winding of the CT and increasing the
voltage in steps until the CT is in saturation. The
"Knee" point is determined by observing a small voltage
increase causing a large increase in current.
The test voltage is slowly decreased to zero to de‐

magnetize the CT. The test results are plotted on a
logarithmic (log‐log) graph and evaluated based on the
transition period between normal operation and
saturation.
Excitation tests are performed by applying an AC voltage to the secondary

winding of the CT and increasing the voltage in steps until the CT is in
saturation. Photo: TestGuy.
The excitation curve around the points where current

jumps up for a small increase of voltage; is very
important for comparison of curves with published curves
or similar CT curves. The excitation test results should
be compared with published manufacturer's data or
previous recordings to determine any deviations from

previously obtained curves.
IEEE defines the saturation as "the point where the

tangent is at 45 degrees to the secondary exciting
amperes". Also known as "knee" point. This test verifies
that the CT is of correct accuracy rating, has no shorted
turns in the CT and no short circuits are present in the
primary or secondary windings of the CT under test.
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4. Insulation Resistance Test

The insulation between the current transformer windings
and windings to ground should be checked for dielectric
strength while performing a comprehensive CT test.
Three tests are performed to determine the condition of
the insulation of the CT under test:
1. Primary to secondary: Checks the condition

of the insulation between high to low.
2. Primary to ground: Checks the condition of

the insulation between high to ground.
3. Secondary to ground: Checks the condition

of the insulation between low to ground.
Insulation resistance readings should remain fairly

constant over a period of time. A sharp dip in trending of
insulation resistance values point towards insulation
degradation and further investigation is required to
diagnose the problem.
Insulation tests on current transformers are usually

performed at 1000VDC. Prior to testing, short the
primary winding of the CT under test by connecting H1
and H2, then short the secondary winding of the CT
under test by connecting X1 and X2-X5.
Remove the neutral ground and isolate the CT from

any associated burden. After the windings are shorted,
the CT will be a three terminal specimen.
Three insulation resistance tests are performed to determine the condition of

the insulation of the CT under test. Photo: TestGuy.
Insulation resistance test values for CT's should be

compared with similar readings obtained with previous
tests. Any large deviation in historical readings should
call for further investigation.
The minimum insulation resistance that is accepted is

1 Megohm. Any reading in Megohms is considered to be
a good insulation, however, it's the trending of insulation
test results that gives the true condition of CT insulation.
Note: Insulation readings are greatly affected by

the specimen temperature. Should a reading be
compared to previously taken readings, proper
correction factors need to be applied, if taken
under different temperature conditions before
drawing any conclusion.
5. Winding Resistance Test

The DC winding resistance measurement is an
important measurement in accessing the true condition,
state and accuracy of a CT. Winding resistance in a CT
will change over a period of time depending on the
specimen age, use, external conditions and loading
effect.
It is recommended to measure DC winding resistance

periodically on a single tap or multi tap CT and trend
the values. A high precision low resistance measurement
circuit is required to obtain this small winding resistance.
The winding resistance of a current transformer is

found by dividing the voltage drop across the winding
(measured from dc milli voltmeter) with the applied dc
current through the winding. The CT should be
demagnetized after the completion of winding resistance
test.
Measure CT winding resistance by passing a DC current through the winding

and measure the voltage drop. Divide the measured voltage by the measured
current. Photo: TestGuy.
Tip: Run a saturation test to demagnetize the CT

at the completion of all winding resistance tests.
6. Burden Test
The burden of a current transformer can be defined as
the total impedance in ohms on the secondary output
terminals. The total burden is a combination of
impedance offered by watt-hour meter coils, relay current
coils, contact resistance, terminal blocks, wire resistance
and test switches used in the secondary loop.
Each CT has a secondary burden when connected in a

relay or metering circuit. CT's are expected to provide
the secondary output current based upon their
accuracy class.
If a current transformer is not properly sized based upon

secondary loop burden, it may result in a decrease in
CT secondary current. Burden testing is important to
verify that CT is supplying current to a circuit that does
not exceed its burden rating.
The burden test is also useful in ensuring that the CTs

are:
Not energized with shorting devices installed (if

used for metering or protection)
Not left with an open circuit when not used
Connected with a single ground point
All connections are tight
Measure burden by injecting the rated secondary

current of the CT from its terminals towards load side by
isolating the CT secondary with all connected load, and
observe the voltage drop across the injection points -
and at every point of the circuit to ground.
This method is time consuming, but only requires a

voltage source, a resistance, and a voltmeter. Measuring
the voltage drop at the source combined with ohms law
will give us the burden impedance. Analyzing the
voltage drop patterns throughout the circuit confirms the
wiring is correct.
Current transformer burdens are typically expressed in

VA. The burden test is performed to verify that the CT is
capable of supplying a known current into a known
burden while maintaining its stated accuracy. A burden
test is typically performed at full rated secondary
current value (ex. 5A or 1A).
How to calculate CT Burden
Depending on their accuracy class, CTs are divided into

two groups: Metering and Protection (Relay). A CT can
have burden ratings for both groups.
Metering CT's are typically specified as 0.2 B 0.5
The last number specifies the Burden in ohms. For a

CT with secondary current of 5 A the VA burden rating
can be calculated as:
VA = Voltage * Current = (Current) 2 *
Burden = (5)2 * 0.5 = 12.5 VA
Relaying CT's are typically specified as 10 C 400
The last number specifies the max. Secondary voltage

at 20 times the rated secondary current without
exceeding the 10 % ratio error. For a CT with secondary
current rated at 5 A, 20 times rated current secondary
current would give a burden of 4 ohms.
Burden = 400 / (20*5) = 4 ohms
Burden in VA can be specified as:
VA = Voltage * Current = (Current) 2 *
Burden = (5)2 * 4 = 100 VA
References
Megger CTER MCT1605 User Manual
Basics of Current Transformers – NK Technologies
Testing and Commissioning of Current Transformer
Back to the Basics – Current Transformer (CT)

Testing
Instrument Transformer Testing
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Comments
1 total comments
ryanebb • 3 Weeks Ago
Thanks for the excellent

explanation of burden.
Reply
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3/15/2019 6 electrical tests for Current Transformers explained

Home / Technical Articles / 6 electrical tests for Current Transformers explained

6 electrical tests for Follow TestGuy

Current transformers play XFMR test question -

monitoring and NICET level 1

used for converting current transformers and their

current for use with

The importance of instrument transformer tests is Transfo

purposes must have a high degree of accuracy to ensure

Risks such as confusing instrument transformers for Types

be reduced significantly by testing before initial use. At 3 Critic

tests that should be performed on CT's to ensure

4. Insulation Resistance Test 10 Elec

If the primary current changes, the secondary current

(300:5 = 4:1) (150:300 = 2.5:5) Electrical Testing

Three-Phase Transformer Winding

Peak vs. Average vs. RMS Voltage

Circuit Breaker Contact

SF6 Circuit Breakers

Ohm's Law & Watt's Law Cheat

Protective Relaying Terms and

N2 and N1 are number of turns of

V2 and V1 are the secondary and primary

Ratio tests are performed by applying a suitable voltage

DANGER: Use caution when conducting a CT ratio

H1 - primary current, line facing direction

H2 – primary current, load facing direction

A CT under test is assumed to have correct polarity if instantaneous current

The polarity marks on a CT designate the relative

Taking care to observe proper polarity is important

A CT under test is assumed to have correct polarity if

Polarity is critical when CT's are being used together in

Most modern day CT test equipment is capable of

Markings on current transformers have been occasionally misapplied by the

CT Polarity Test Procedure

1. Disconnect all power prior to testing and

2. Run a piece of wire through the high side of

the positive end of the 9-volt battery to the

3. If polarity is correct, the momentary contact

Note: Polarity is not important when connecting to

3. Excitation (Saturation) Test

Saturation testing for a current transformer identifies

Excitation tests are performed by applying an AC voltage

The test voltage is slowly decreased to zero to de‐

Excitation tests are performed by applying an AC voltage to the secondary

The excitation curve around the points where current

previous recordings to determine any deviations from

IEEE defines the saturation as "the point where the

4. Insulation Resistance Test

1. Primary to secondary: Checks the condition

2. Primary to ground: Checks the condition of

3. Secondary to ground: Checks the condition

Insulation resistance readings should remain fairly

Insulation tests on current transformers are usually

Remove the neutral ground and isolate the CT from

Three insulation resistance tests are performed to determine the condition of

Insulation resistance test values for CT's should be

The minimum insulation resistance that is accepted is

Note: Insulation readings are greatly affected by