Instrument
Transformers
By:
Engr. [Link]
Introduction
These are special type of transformers used for
the measurement of voltage, current, power
and energy. As the name suggests, these
transformers are used in conjunction with the
relevant instruments such as ammeters,
voltmeters, watt meters and energy meters.
Types of Instrument Transformer
Such transformers are of two types :
1. Current Transformer (CT) (or
Series Transformer)
2. Potential Transformer (PT) (or
Parallel Transformer)
Current transformers are used when the magnitude
of AC currents exceeds the safe value of current of
measuring instruments.
Potential transformers are used where the voltage
of an AC circuit exceeds 750 V as it is not possible
to provide adequate insulation on measuring
instruments for voltage more than this.
Uses of Instrument Transformer
It is used for the following two as:
1. To insulate the high voltage circuit from the
measuring circuit in order to protect the measuring
instruments from burning
2. To make it possible to measure the high voltage with
low range voltmeter and high current with low range
ammeter.
3. Standardization of Meters
4. Less insulation requirements
These instrument transformers are also used in
controlling and protecting circuits, to operate relays,
circuit breakers etc. The working of these
transformers are similar as that of ordinary
transformers.
Current
Transformer (CT)
Current Transformer ( CT )
A current transformer is an instrument
transformer which is used to measure
alternating current of large magnitude by
stepping down by transformer action. The
primary winding of CT is connected in
series with the line in which current is to
be measured and the secondary is
connected to the ammeter.
Current Transformer ( CT )
Current Transformer ( CT )
The secondary winding has very small
load impedance which is the current coil
of ammeter. The primary side has a few
number of turns and the secondary side
has large number of turns. The primary
winding carries a full load current and this
current is stepped down to a suitable value
which is within the range of ammeter.
Use of Instrument Transformer
Instrument Transformer as CT
Advantages of Instrument Transformer
1. The measuring instruments can be placed for
away from the high voltage side by
connecting long wires to the instrument
transformer. This ensures the safety of
instruments as well as the operator.
2. This instrument transformers can be used to
extend the range of measuring instruments
like ammeters and voltmeters.
Advantages of Instrument Transformer
3. The power loss in instrument transformers is
very small as compared to power loss due to
the resistance of shunts and multipliers.
4. By using current transformer principle in tong
tester / clamp meter, the current in a heavy
current circuit can be measured.
Disadvantages of Current Transformer
3. The only main draw back is that these
instruments can not be used in DC circuits.
4. Secondary of the CT must never be left open
circuited.
Current Transformers
In order to minimize the exciting ampere
turns required, the core must have a low
reluctance and small iron losses.
The following three types of core
constructions are generally employed :
1. Core type
2. Shell type
3. Ring type
Ring type
Ring type core is commonly used when
primary current is large. The secondary
winding is distributed round the ring and
the primary winding is a single bar.
It is a joint less core and there is very
small leakage reactance.
Types of Current Transformers
As far as the construction of CT is concerned,
these are of following types :
1. Bar type CT
This type of CT is placed on the panel board to
measure the current of bus bars. The bus bar
whose current is to be measured is made to pass
through CT. It is of circular or ring type, on
which secondary winding is placed. The ammeter
is connected in the secondary windings.
Types of Current Transformers
2. Clamp on / Tong tester
This type of CT can be used with a single
conductor. The core of the CT can be split with
the help of a trigger switch and therefore, the
core can be clamped around a live conductor to
measure the current. The single conductor acts
as a primary and the secondary is wound on the
core of CT. The ammeter is connected in the
secondary. This is a portable instrument and
generally used in laboratories.
Clamp on / Tong tester
Clamp meter is used to measure current flowing
through any wire without any disconnection in the
wire.
For AC circuits it works on the principle of CT.
For DC circuits it works on the basis of HALL
Effect. A hall effect sensor is incorporated in DC
current measuring units.
Application of Current Transformer
The following are the applications ;
1. Current transformers are used in panel board of
sub station or grid station to measure the bus bar
current which is very high.
2. Current transformers are widely used in power
measuring circuits. The current coil of the
wattmeter is connected with CT.
3. Current transformers are also used in power
houses, sub stations etc. in conjunction with the
relays.
Potential
Transformer (PT)
Potential Transformer (P.T.)
These are used to measure alternating high voltage by means
of low range voltmeters or for energizing the potential coils
of wattmeter and energy meters. These types of
transformers are also used in relays and protection schemes.
The high voltage which is to be measured is fed to the
primary of PT, which is stepped down and is measured by a
low range voltmeter on the secondary. The turns of primary
side are more than secondary side. The turn ratio of
transformer is so designed which keep secondary voltage
110 V when full rated voltage is applied to the primary side.
The principle of operation of potential transformer is same as
that of power transformer.
Potential Transformer (P.T.)
Construction Potential Transformer
Basically a Potential transformer (PT) is a two
winding transformer. The primary is
connected with high voltage and has more
number of turns and the secondary which has
less number of turns, steps down the voltage
between 110 V to 120 V. The core of the
transformer is a shell type. The low voltage
winding (secondary) is wound first around the
core of the transformer to reduce the size of
PT.
Construction Potential Transformer
The insulation is placed in between the L.V.
winding and H.V. winding and finally high
voltage winding is placed around the core. The
P.T.’s which are used up to 6.6. KV are of
DRY type and the other of higher ratings are
generally oil immersed type.
Construction Potential Transformer
The few important points are kept in mind :
The output of PT’s is very small and the size
of PT is comparatively large, so there is no
problem of temperature.
The size of the core of the PT is larger as
compared to power transformers.
The material of core should be of high
permeability to reduce the iron losses
Construction Potential Transformer
The primary and secondary windings are co-
axial to reduce the leakage reactance.
There is no danger, if the secondary side of PT
is left open circuited (max Voltage is around
110 V)
Usually, cotton tape and varnish are used for
insulation. Hard fiber Separators are also used
in between the coils.
Use of Instrument Transformer
Measurement of voltage by PT
The primary winding is connected to the
voltage side to be measured and secondary to
the voltmeter.
The function of PT is to step down the
voltage to the level of voltmeter.
Instrument Transformer as PT
Difference between CT and PT
The few important points regarding the
difference in the working of current
transformer and potential transformer are
given below :
Difference between CT and PT
1. The current transformer is also known as
series transformer. The secondary of CT is
virtually under short circuit conditions when
the primary of CT is energised.
The potential transformer is also known as
parallel transformer. The secondary of PT can
be left open circuited without any damage
being caused either to the transformer or to the
operator.
Difference between CT and PT
2. The current in the primary of CT is
independent of secondary winding conditions
whereas current in the primary of PT depends
upon the secondary circuit burden.
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