Transformers:
Instrument Transformers
Jayson Bryan E. Mutuc
Instrument Transformers
In d.c. circuit when large currents are to be measured, it is usual to use low-range ammeters
with suitable shunts. For measuring high voltages, low-range voltmeters are used with a
high resistance connected in series with them. But it is not convenient to use these methods
with alternating current and voltage instruments. For this purpose, specially constructed
accurate ratio instrument transformers are employed in conjunction with standard low-range
a.c. instruments. These instrument transformers are of two kinds:
• current transformers for measuring large alternating currents and
• potential transformers for measuring high alternating voltages.
Current Transformer
These transformers are used with
low-range ammeters to measure
currents in high-voltage alternating-
current circuits where it is not
practicable to connect instruments
and meters directly to the lines. In
addition to insulating the instrument
from the high voltage line, they step down the current in a known ratio. The current (or
series) transformer has a primary coil of one or more turns of thick wire connected in series
with the line whose current is to be measured.
This is designed to step up current down by the inverse of the turns ratio. Typical secondary
current is 5 amperes.
As regards voltage, the transformers is of step-up variety but it is
obvious that current will be stepped down. Thus, if the current
transformer has primary to secondary current ratio of 100:5, then it steps
up the voltage 20 times whereas it steps down the current to 1/20th of
its actual value. Hence, if we know current ratio (I1/I2) of the transformer
and the reading of the a.c. ammeter, the line current can be calculated.
In fact, line current is given by the current transformation ratio times the
reading on the ammeter. One of the most commonly used current transformer is the one
known as clamp-on or clip-on type. It has a laminated core which is so arranged that it can
be opened out at hinged section by merely pressing a trigger-like projection. When the core
is thus opened, it permits the admission of very heavy current carrying bus bars or feeders
whereupon the trigger is released and the core is tightly closed by a spring. The current
carrying conductor or feeder acts as a single-turn primary whereas the secondary is
connected across the standard ammeter conveniently mounted in the handle.
It should be noted that, since the ammeter resistance is very low, the current transformer
normally works short circuited. If for any reason, the ammeter is taken out of the secondary
winding, then this winding must be short-circuited with the help of short-circulating switch S.
If this is not done, then due to the absence of counter amp-turns of the secondary, the
unopposed primary m.m.f. will set up an abnormally high flux in the core which will produce
excessive core loss with subsequent heating and a high voltage across the secondary
terminals. This is not the case with ordinary constant-potential transformers, because their
primary current is determined by the load in their secondary whereas in a current
transformer, the primary current is determined entirely by the load on the system and not by
the load on its own secondary.
Hence, the secondary of a current transformer should never be left open under any
circumstances.
Actual Current = Ammeter reading x CTR (current transformation ratio)
Potential Transformers
These transformers are extremely accurate-ratio step-down transformers and are used
in conjunction with standard low-range voltmeters (usually 150-V) whose deflection when
divided by voltage transformation ratio, gives the true voltage on the high voltage side.
In general, they are of the shell-type and do not differ much
from the ordinary two-winding transformers discussed so far,
except that their power rating is extremely small. Up to voltages of
5,000, potential transformers are usually of the dry type, between
5,000 and 13,800 volts, they may be either dry type or oil
immersed type, although for voltages above 13,800 they are
always oil immersed type. Since their secondary windings are
required to operate instruments or relays or pilot lights, their
ratings are usually of 40 to 100 W. For safety, the secondary
should be completely insulated from the high-voltage primary and should be, in addition,
grounded for affording protection to the operator.
The figure in right shows the
connections of instrument
transformers to a wattmeter.
While connecting the
wattmeter, the relative
polarities of the secondary
terminals of the transformers
with respect to their primary
terminals must be known for connections of the instruments.
Actual Voltage = Voltmeter reading x PTR (potential transformation ratio)
Sample Problems
1) To monitor the voltage of a 230 kV line, PT’s are to be installed. The PT’s are to be connected delta
to delta. The desired secondary voltage is 115 volts 3-phase. What shall be the PT’s voltage ratio?
2) A 200:5 current transformer is used with a 10-amps ammeter. If the meter reads 4.5 amps, determine
the line current
Supplementary Problems
1) The potential transformer of a line has a ratio 132,000/66. These are connected wye-delta. The
voltmeter reads 64 volts. What is the voltage of the line?
2) It is desired to measure a line current of the order of 2,000 A to 2,500 A. If a standard 5-amp ammeter
is to be used along with a current transformer, what should be the turn ratio of the latter ? By what factor
should the ammeter reading be multiplied to get the line current in each case ?