CTs: Current Transformers Selection guide

Technical description

Current transformers (CT) meet standard Current transformers

IEC 60044-1. Current transformers have two basic functions:
b adapting the MV current value at the primary to the characteristics of the metering
Their function is to supply the secondary or protection devices by supplying a secondary current with a reduced, but
circuit with a current that is proportional to proportional current value
that of the MV circuit on which they are b isolating power circuits from the metering and/or protection circuit.
installed.
Composition and types
The primary is series-mounted on A current transformer comprises a primary circuit and a secondary circuit connected
the MV network and subject to the same via a magnetic core and an insulating coating system in epoxy-silica, in the case of
over-currents as the latter and withstands Schneider Electric transformers.
the MV voltage. The device is of the following type:
b wound: when the primary and the secondary have a coil wound on the magnetic
The secondary generally has one of its circuit
terminals connected to earth. b slip-over: primary made up of a conductor that is not insulated from the installation
The secondary must never be in an open b core: primary made up of an insulated cable.
circuit (short circuit). Characteristics
These are defined in standard IEC 60044-1.
DE58058

Insulation
Characterized by the rated voltage:
b of the insulation, which is that of the installation (e.g.: 24 kV)
b of the power frequency withstand 1 min (e.g.: 50 kV)
b of the impulse withstand (e.g.: 125 kV).
Rated frequency
50 or 60 Hz.
Rated primary current (Ipn)
Rms value of the maximum continuous primary current. Usual values are 25, 50, 75,
Magnetic core Magnetic core 100, 200, 400, 600 A.
Wound type primary current Closed core type current Rated secondary current (Isn)
transformer transformer This is equal to 1 A or 5 A.
Rated transformation ratio
Kn = I rated primary / I rated secondary (e.g.: 100 A / 5 A)
Short-time thermal current Ith - 1 second
This characterizes the thermal withstand under short circuit conditions for 1 second.
It is expressed in kA or in a multiple of the rated primary current (e.g.: 80 x Ipn)
for 1 second.
The value for a duration that is different to 1 second is given by:
I’th = Ith/2
For example 16 kA - 1 s is equivalent for 2 s to I’th = 16 x 2 = 22.6 kA.

10 AMTED300031EN.indd
CTs: Current Transformers Selection guide
Technical description

Characteristics (cont.)
Short-time thermal current peak value
This value is standardized from Ith - 1 s at:
b IEC: 2.5 Ith at 50 Hz and 2.6 Ith at 60 Hz
b ANSI: 2.7 Ith 60 Hz.
Accuracy load
The value of the load on which is based the metered current accuracy conditions.
Accuracy power Pn
Apparent power (VA) that the CT can supply on the secondary for the rated
secondary current for which the accuracy is guaranteed (accuracy load).
Usual values 5 - 7.5 - 10 - 15 VA (IEC).
Accuracy class
Defines the limits of error guaranteed on the transformation ratio and on the phase
shift under the specified conditions of power and current. Classes 0.5 and 1 are used
for metering class P for protection.
Current error ε (%)
Error that the transformer introduces in the measurement of a current when the
transformation ratio is different from the rated value.
Phase shift or phase error ψ (minute)
Difference in phase between the primary and secondary currents, in angle minutes.
Table of current transformer characteristics
Characteristics Rated values
Rated voltage (kV) 7.2 12 17.5 24 36
Insulation level:
b power frequency withstand (kV) 1 min 20 28 38 50 70
b lightning impulse withstand (kV - peak) 60 75 95 125 170
Frequency (Hz) 50 - 60
Primary current Ipn (A) 25 - 50 - 75 - 100 - 200 - 400 - 600...
Short-time thermal current Ith (1 s) 12.5 - 16 - 20 - 25 - 31.5 - 40 - 50 kA
or
40 - 80 - 100 - 200 - 300 x In
Secondary current Isn (A) 1-5
Accuracy power Pn (VA) 2.5 - 5 - 7.5 - 10 - 15

AMTED300031EN.indd 11
CTs: Current Transformers Selection guide
Technical description

CT’s for protection must have suitable CT for protection

accuracy for fault currents. They are Accuracy class
characterized by their accuracy class A protection CT is designed to send as reliable an image as possible of the fault
current (overload or short circuit). The accuracy and the power are suited to these
(generally 5P) and the accuracy limit factor
currents and different from those for metering applications.
FLP. IEC standard 60044-1 determines the maximum error for each accuracy class in the
phase and in the module according to the indicated operating range.
Example: 400/5 A, 15 VA, 5P10 Error limits according to the accuracy class
Accuracy class Combined error for Current error Phase shift error
Primary current Safety the accuracy limit between Ipn and for the rated
Secondary current factor
current 2Ipn current
Accuracy power Accuracy 5P 5% ± 1% ± 60 min
(see explanation in the example) class
10P 10% ± 3% No limit
For example for class 5P the maximum error is y ± 5% at the accuracy limit current
and y ± 1% at the rated current.
Standardized classes are 5P and 10P. The choice depends on the application.
The accuracy class is always followed by the accuracy limit factor.
Accuracy class according to application
Application Class
Zero sequence protection 5P
Differential protection
Impedance relay 5P - 10P
Amperemetric protection

Accuracy limit factor: FLP

A protection CT must saturate at sufficiently high currents to enable sufficient
accuracy in the measurements of fault currents by the protection device whose
operating threshold can be very high.
We define the limit primary current (Ipl) for which current errors and phase shift
errors in the secondary do not exceed values in the table opposite.
The standard then defines the accuracy limit factor FLP.
Ip l
FLP = (standardized values: 5 - 10 - 15 - 20 - 30)
Ip n
In practice this corresponds to the linearity limit (saturation curve) of the CT.

Example
Protection CT: 100/5 A, 7.5 VA, 5P20.
b rated primary current 100 A
b rated secondary current 5 A
b rated transformation ratio 100/5 A
b accuracy power 7.5 VA
b accuracy class 5P.
Under a load corresponding to the accuracy power of 7.5 VA, the error limit table
gives an error y ± 1% and ± 60 min at Ipn (100 A).
b accuracy limit factor 20.
At a load corresponding to the accuracy power, the error y ± 5%.

AMTED300031EN.indd 15
 CTs: Current Transformers Selection guide
Using the order forms

The tables on the following pages allow you to define the current transformer
reference that corresponds to the necessary and required characteristics,
and to place your order.
The selection factors enabling you to find the reference you require are explained
in the example given below for a DIN type metering CT, in reference to the previous
definitions.

Network Rated primary Short-time Power supplied to the Mark the

insulation 12 kV current 75 A thermal current secondary 15 VA. quantity to
and secondary MV side Accuracy class be ordered
output 5 A 31.5 A - 1 s 0.5 defines the metering
error limits.
The safety factor is < 10

Insulation level and frequency Transformation Short-time Power, accuracy class, Type Reference Quantity
ratio thermal current safety factor FS
A/A kA x 1 s
Ur 12 kV 50 / 5 12.5 15 VA cl. 0.5 Fs < 10 AD12 03811366N0
Ud 28 kV - 1 min 16 AD12 03811368N0
Up 75 kV peak
75 / 5 25 AD12 03811371N0
31.5 AD12 03811373N0
fr 50/60 Hz 100 / 5 25 AD12 03811376N0
31.5 AD12 03811378N0
DE58001

DE58002

200 / 5 25 AD12 03811380N0

31.5 AD12 03811382N0
40 AD12 03811384N0
400 / 5 40 AD12 03811386N0
600 / 5 50 20 VA cl. 0.5 Fs < 10 AD12 03811388N0
750 / 5 50 AD12 03811390N0
AD12N1 AD13N1 1000 / 5 50 30 VA cl. 0.5 Fs < 10 AD13 03811392N0
Dimensions page 26 1250 / 5 50 AD13 03811394N0

Calculating the power (VA)

Indicative metering consumptions
Device Max. consumption
in VA (per circuit)
Ammeter Electromagnetic 3
Electronic 1
Transducer Self-powered 3
External powered 1
Meter Induction 2
Electronic 1
Wattmeter, varmeter 1

Indicative protection consumption

Device Max. consumption
in VA (per circuit)
Static over-current relay 0.2 to 1
Electromagnetic over-current relay 1 to 8

Indicative secondary cabling consumption

Cables (mm2) Consumption (VA/m)
1A 5A
2.5 0.008 0.2
4 0.005 0.13
6 0.003 0.09
10 0.002 0.05

16 AMTED300031EN.indd
 CTs: Current Transformers Order form
DIN standard 12 kV CT -
single and double secondary

Single secondary metering CT

Insulation level and frequency Transformation Short-time Power, accuracy class, Type Reference Qty
ratio thermal safety factor FS
A/A current
kA x 1 s
Ur 12 kV 50 / 5 12.5 15 VA cl. 0.5 Fs < 10 AD12/N1 03811366N0
Ud 28 kV - 1 min 16 AD12/N1 03811368N0
Up 75 kV peak
75 / 5 25 AD12/N1 03811371N0
fr 50/60 Hz 31.5 AD12/N1 03811373N0
100 / 5 25 AD12/N1 03811376N0
31.5 AD12/N1 03811378N0
DE58001

DE58002

200 / 5 25 AD12/N1 03811380N0

31.5 AD12/N1 03811382N0
40 AD12/N1 03811384N0
400 / 5 40 AD12/N1 03811386N0
600 / 5 50 20 VA cl. 0.5 Fs < 10 AD12/N1 03811388N0
750 / 5 50 AD12/N1 03811390N0
AD12 AD13 1000 / 5 50 30 VA cl. 0.5 Fs < 10 AD13/N1 03811392N0
Dimensions page 26 1250 / 5 50 AD13/N1 03811394N0

Single secondary protection CT

Insulation level and frequency Transformation Short-time Power and accuracy class Type Reference Qty
ratio thermal (possible double use)
A/A current
kA x 1 s
Ur 12 kV 50 / 5 12.5 15 VA 5P10 - 7.5 VA 5P20 AD12/N1 03811367N0
Ud 28 kV - 1 min 16 AD12/N1 03811369N0
Up 75 kV peak
25 7.5 VA 5P10 AD12/N1 03811370N0
fr 50/60 Hz 75 / 5 25 15 VA 5P10 - 7.5 VA 5P20 AD12/N1 03811372N0
31.5 7.5 VA 5P10 AD12/N1 03811374N0
40 AD12/N1 03811375N0
100 / 5 25 15 VA 5P10 - 7.5 VA 5P20 AD12/N1 03811377N0
31.5 AD12/N1 03811379N0
40 7.5 VA 5P10 AD12/N1 03811839N0
DE58001

DE58002

200 / 5 25 15 VA 5P10 - 7.5 VA 5P20 AD12/N1 03811381N0

31.5 AD12/N1 03811383N0
40 AD12/N1 03811385N0
400 / 5 40 AD12/N1 03811387N0
600 / 5 50 AD12/N1 03811389N0
750 / 5 50 AD12/N1 03811391N0
AD12 AD13 1000 / 5 50 10 VA 5P20 AD13/N1 03811393N0
Dimensions page 26 1250 / 5 50 AD13/N1 03811395N0

Double secondary metering and protection CT

Insulation level Transformation Short-time Metering secondary: Metering secondary: Type Reference Qty
and frequency ratio thermal current power, accuracy power and accuracy
A/A kA x 1 s class, safety factor class (possible
FS double use)
Ur 12 kV 50 / 5-5 12.5 7.5 VA cl. 0.5 Fs < 10 7.5 VA 5P10 AD12/N2 03811396N0
Ud 28 kV - 1 min 16 AD12/N2 03811397N0
Up 75 kV peak
75 / 5-5 16 AD12/N2 03811398N0
fr 50/60 Hz 25 AD12/N2 03811399N0
100 / 5-5 25 AD12/N2 03811400N0
31.5 AD12/N2 03811401N0
DE58001

200 / 5-5 25 15 VA cl. 0.5 Fs < 10 15 VA 5P10 - 7.5 VA AD12/N2 03811402N0

5P20
31.5 AD12/N2 03811403N0
40 7.5 VA cl. 0.5 Fs < 10 7.5 VA 5P10 AD12/N2 03811404N0
400 / 5-5 40 15 VA cl. 0.5 Fs < 10 15 VA 5P10 - 7.5 VA AD12/N2 03811405N0
5P20
600 / 5-5 50 20 VA cl. 0.5 Fs < 10 AD12/N2 03811406N0
AD12 750 / 5-5 50 AD12/N2 03811407N0
Dimensions page 26 1000 / 5-5 50 30 VA cl. 0.5 Fs < 10 10 VA 5P20 AD13/N2 03811408N0
1250 / 5-5 50 AD13/N2 03811409N0

AMTED300031EN.indd 17