EXPERIMENT NO: 1 19BEE069 Date: 20/01/2022

Aim: To determine magnetization characteristics of a given Current Transformer.

APPARATUS:
(i) Single phase variac
(ii) Ammeter (0 - 50 Amps)
(iii) Voltmeter (0 -30 Volts)
(iv) C.T. (20 / 5 Amps)
(v) Rheostat

THEORY:
The primary circuit currents which are of high magnitudes are to be reduced to values suitable for relay
operation with the help of current transformers. Thus the C.T.s essentially insulate the secondary (relay)
circuits from the primary (power) circuits and provide currents in the secondary which are proportional
to those in primary. The primary winding of the C.T. is connected in series with the load and carries the
actual power system currents (normal or fault). The secondary is connected to the measuring circuit or
the relay, which together with the winding impedance of the transformer and the lead resistance
constitutes the burden of the transformer. For any transformer, the a.c. performance can be determined
by the following formula

Es = 4.44 f NABmax volts

= Is( Zb+ Zs + Zl ) volts

where,
Es = r.m.s. value of the secondary induced voltage. N =
secondary turns f = frequency
A = Area of core, m2
Bmax = maximum flux density
Zb = external burden
Zs= secondary burden Zl=
connecting load burden.
The C.T. is similar in operation to any other transformer so that the primary current consists of two
components, viz. the secondary current which is transformed in the inverse ratio of the turn ratio and the
exciting current which magnetizes the core. The latter current is not transformed and is the cause of the
transformer errors. It is because of this reason that certain values of secondary currents could never be
produced whatever the value of primary current, this happens when the core saturates and
disproportionate amount of primary current is required to magnetize the core. The general shape of a
C.T. magnetization curve is shown in fig.(2). The shape will change for different core materials. The
characteristic is divided into three regions.
(1) origin to ankle point.
(2) ankle point to knee point
(3) saturation region

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 The boundary between the saturated and the unsaturated regions is marked by the knee point. Knee
point is defined as the point at which a 10% increase in secondary voltage produces a 50% increase in
exciting current.

Current transformer is an instrument transformer. There are two types of current transformers:
(i) Measuring C.T.(ii) Protective C.T.

Measuring current transformers can be used for measurements of power, current etc. and thereby
increasing the range of the instrument. The instrument (Ammeter or current coil of wattmeter ) is
connected across secondary of the C.T. Protective current transformer can be used to supply the actuating
quantity to the relay winding, relays being connected across secondary of the C.T. Principle of operation
is based on the magnetisation characteristics of the core material.

Polarity marking of C.T.:

The relative polarities of C.T. primary and secondary terminals are identified either by the symbols P 1
and P2 for the primary and S1 and S2 for the secondary terminals. The convention is that when primary
current enters the P1 terminals, secondary current leaves the S1 terminals.
A D.C. current is passed through the primary. When this current is broken, a voltage is induced in the
secondary. A center zero moving coil galvanometer is connected to the secondary. The direction of
deflection of the pointer confirms polarity. It can also be
P2 P1
S2 S1 confirmed while measuring C.T. errors.

A - M.C. centre zero permanent magnet

Ammeter
A P.B. Battery - Low voltage 1.5 or 3.0 volts.

On closing P.B., the DC ammeter A should indicate a

positive flick and on opening, a negative flick. If it is reverse
way, polarity of CT is reverse.

In normal conditions voltage across C.T. secondary is small but when secondary is open circuited by
mistake then the voltage across the secondary rises to a high value. The peak value may reach some kV.
This is due to saturation of the core. Open circuiting of secondaries results in breakdown of insulation,
increased eddy current loss, overheating of core.

Importance of instrument transformers:

• Standardizing measuring and protective devices to one value of current and voltage.
• Insulating measuring and protective devices only to a low voltage at a low voltage.
• Locating measuring and protective devices conveniently and offering centralized control and safety
to the personnel.

Nameplate data:
(1) Reference to this standard [Example: ISS: 2705 (Part - II)]
(2) Manufacturer’s name and country of origin
[Example: HINDUSTAN BROWN BOVERI LIMITED, MADE IN INDIA]

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(3) Rated transformation ratio [Example: 750 / 5, 1000 / 1]
(4) Rated frequency [Example: 50 Hertz.]
(5) Knee point voltage [Example: 60 volts]
(6) Rated output and accuracy class [Example: 15 VA, 0.5 accuracy class]
(7) Highest system voltage [Example: 145 kV]
(8) Insulation level [Example: 275 kV]
(9) Rated short time thermal rating
(10) Maximum exciting current (in amperes)

PROCEDURE:
• Connect the circuit as shown in the diagram.
• After ensuring proper range of the instrument put on the supply and slowly raise the voltage by means
of variac.
• The voltage across the secondary of C.T. and exciting current can be measured.
• Plot the graph of (Secondary voltage,Vs p)

Circuit diagram:-

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OBSERVATION TABLE:

Protective transformers operate from the ankle point to the knee point within the knee region only.
Before saturation, secondary current is proportional to secondary voltage. On reaching saturation the
inductance becomes low, primary current is utilized in magnetizing the core alone and therefore
secondary output of C.T. disappears. The saturation continues till the primary transient current is reached
below the saturation level. On entry in saturation region, the C.T. behaves as an open circuit.
C.T. saturation curve is generally plotted as the secondary voltage v/s exciting current measured in
the primary. The current may be sub-divided into 4 main regions.
1. Origin to ankle point
2. Linear region
3. Knee point region
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4. Saturation region

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CONCLUSION:
This experiment is mainly concerned about the measurement/ determining of magnetization characteristics
of a given CurrentTransformer. On its accomplishment, its analysis can be concluded in a way that, there
are different magnetization char. of CT which mainly includes Knee Voltage, Protective CT and
Measuring CT Curve, Ankle Point, Accuracy Limit Factor. There are also various other terminologies
connected to the CT like burden, accuracy class, core balance CT, CT ratio, which are used for
determination of the same. So basically, the connection is done as shown in the circuit diagram and then
after ensuring proper range of the instrument put on the supply and slowly raise the voltage by means of
variac., voltage across the secondary of C.T. and exciting current can be measured. Also in accordance to
observations and graphs,

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QUIZ:
1. Explain the term ‘burden’.
2. Why C.T secondary is never kept open?
3. For same rating can measuring C.T replaces protective C.T? Justify your answer.
4. For same rating can protective C.T replaces measuring C.T? Justify your answer.
5. Explain the meaning of each term in 5P10 C.T rating.
6. Explain 0.1 accuracy class.
7. What is core balance C.T?
8. With different C.Ts for different duties i.e. metering and protection and different C.Ts for different
ratios, the nos. and cost of C.Ts would be prohibitively large. Is there any alternative?
9. A small power plant consists of three 5 MVA, 6.6 kV,3-phase, 50 Hz alternators with 20% reactance,
each connected to a common busbar. The busbar supplies a number of feeders, on each of which are
installed CTs with details as follows:
(a) CT ratio = 600/5 A
(b) CT secondary resistance = 0.8 ohm
(c) Burden impedance = 1.2 ohms
Neglecting the lead burden and assuming that no generating source exists at the far ends of the feeders,
specify
(i) the secondary voltage up to which the CTs should not saturate (knee-point voltage)
(ii) accuracy limit factor
(iii) rated burden of the CT

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