Instrument Transformer
• Instrument transformers are used in AC system for
measurement of electrical quantities i.e. voltage, current,
power, energy, frequency.
• Basic function of Instrument transformers is to step down the
AC System voltage and current.
Types of instrument transformer
Instrument transformers are of two types:
• Potential transformer
• Current transformer
Potential Transformer
• Potential transformer is a voltage step-down
transformer which reduces the voltage of a high
voltage circuit to a lower level for the purpose of
measurement.
• These are connected across or parallel to the line
which is to be monitored.
Working
• The primary winding consists of a large number of turns
which is connected across the high voltage side or the line in
which measurements have to be taken or to be protected.
• The secondary winding has lesser number of turns which is
connected to the voltmeters, or potential coils of wattmeter
and energy meters, relays and other control devices.
• These can be single phase or three phase potential
transformers.
• Irrespective of the primary voltage rating, these are designed
to have the secondary output voltage of 110 V.
Working(continue)
On the secondary side, one end is connected to the ground for
safety reasons as shown in figure.
Working(continue)
• Similar to the normal transformer, the
transformation ratio is specified as
V1/V2 = N1/N2
• From the above equation, if the voltmeter reading
and transformation ratio are known, then high
voltage side voltage can be determined.
Current Transformer
A current transformer is an instrument transformer,
used along with measuring or protective devices,
in which the secondary current is proportional to
the primary current.
Working
• The basic principle of the current transformer is the same as that of the power
transformer. Like the power transformer, the current transformer also contains a
primary and a secondary winding. Whenever an alternating current flows through
the primary winding, alternating magnetic flux is produced, which then induces
alternating current in the secondary winding.
• The primary winding have one or two turns or it may be just a conductor or a bus
bar placed in a hollow core but secondary side have large numbers of turn to
measure accurately the turn ratio.
• The current in secondary is the current in primary divide by the turn
of secondary .
• These transformers step down the current to be measured, so that it can be
measured with a normal range ammeter.
Working(continue)
• We can also called its a primary to secondary
current ratio .
• Turn Ratio =NP / NS = IS / IP.
• Accurate current transformer need close coupling
between the primary and secondary to ensure that
secondary current is proportional to primary
current.
Types of current transformer:
There are three basic type of current transformer:
Wound Current transformer
Its primary winding connected to the conductor while
secondry depends on turns of transformer.
Toroidal current transformer
It is typically use Because of its small size ,low weight etc
Bar-type current transformer
These type of transformer use actual cable of main
circuit .
Uses of Current Transformer
Electrical metering system:
• Current transformer is a type of “Instrument transformer”
That is Used to produce an alternating current in secondary
winding Which is proportional to the current in primary
winding.
• Current transformers are used extensively for measuring
current and monitoring the operation of the power grid.
• Therefore we used it in panel board of sub station to
measure bus bar current which is very high.
Stepping down current:
• They are generally used to step down current in very
predictable fashion with respect to current and phase.
• For this purpose primary Coil Of one or more turns is
connected In series to the line whose current is to be measured
• While secondary consists of large number of turns Of fine wire
is connected Across the Ammeter terminals.
• Therefore it is consider as series transformer.
protection device:
Current transformer also isolate the
measuring instruments from high voltage
circuit.
• Current transformer also use for watt hour
meter, power factor meter, protective relay
etc.
THE END