Guidelines for Current Transformers Selection for Protection Systems

Lj. A. Kojovic Cooper Power Systems Franksville, WI 53126

Abstract: If current transformer (CT) characteristics are not properly selected for fault conditions, saturation will occur and relays can misoperate. To help protection engineers select the appropriate CT, the IIEEE published two documents on CT performance and a~pplication.This paper compares the guidelines in these two documents and suggests modifications that will make CT selection easier and more realistically estimate CT time-to-saturation. Keywords: Current Transformer, Saturation, Transient Response, Protective Relaying, Digital Simulation

H. CURRENT TRANSFORMER TRANSIENT ANALYSIS Current transformer equivalent circuit is shown in Figure 1. ip
~+ RP n+=-+

2~
Rp, Lp lb. Ls - primary ;inding resistance and leakage inductance - secondary winding resistance and leakage inductance

I. INTRODUCTION CT performance characteristics are specified by ANSLIEEE Standard C57. 13-1993 [1]. However, this standard only covers CT behavior under steady state and symmetrical fault conditions. In an actual power system, short circuit currents may have a significant DC offset, which may saturate CTS that would not saturate under symmetrical fault conditions. Remanence in the CT core can also contribute to CT saturation. Therefore, it is necessamy to use additional techniques to estimate CT performance under fault conditions. The IEEE published the following documents on CT performance and application: 1) Power System Relaying Report 76-Chl 130-4 [2,3], and 2) IEEE Std C37. 110-1996, IEEE Guide for the Application of Current Transformers Used for Protective Relaying Purposes [4]. This paper compares the guidelines in these two documents and suggests modifications that will make CT selection easier and more realistically estimate CT time-to-saturation. Section II presents the theory of CT operation. Secticm III compares the two IEEE documents and proposes a modified method for CT selection. Guidelines are established to estimate CT time-to-saturation. Section IV includes laboratory tests and computer simulations of CT transient response. The Alternative Transients Program (ATP) was used for the computer simulations. ATP-based models, representing the protective relaying system and CTS, were developed. They have proven useful in solving actual industrial and utility distribution system problems.

Figure 1. Current Transformer Equivalent Circuit An ideal CT will operate with an ampere-turn balance:
ip. np = iv. n.,

(1)

where ip, is - CT primary and secondary currents np, n~ - number of primary and secondary turns An actual CT does not behave as an ideal transformer. The CT secondary voltage is generated by the rate of flux change in the core, To produce flux in the CT core, magnetizing (exciting) current is needed. This current introduces ratio and phase errors. The equation of an actual CT can be written as: v, 1 (2) where ip is primary current referred to the secondary, and im is magnetizing current.
p=;s+;m

The fundamental transformer equation (3) applies to all transformers including CTS. E==4.44BAnf where EBAfnRMS voltage on the secondary winding [V] flux density [T] core cross section [m*] fi-equency [Hz] turns ratio (3)

This equation can be used for steady state analysis, but in this form, is not suitable for transient analysis. For transient analysis, the CT equivalent circuit of Figure 2 applies.
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id

RP

Lp :s-c>~l ir@

Ls

is

The most severe case is a full offset of short circuit current which is obtained for ~_ ~ = ~ and represented by 2 equation: - i(t) = IPgak[e cos(tot)] (7) Standards [1] specify CT behavior only under steady state and symmetrical fault conditions. CT ratio error is specified to be 10?4. or less for fault currents 20 times the CT rated current and specified load. CTS are designed to meet this requirement. But, if a symmetric fault current exceeds 20 times the CT rated current or if the fault current is smaller but contains a DC offset (asymmetric current), the CT will saturate and the secondary current will be distorted and have a reduced RMS value. Figure 4 demonstrates the levels of 600/5 A, C 100 CT saturation for different symmetric fault currents. CT ratio errors, calculated based on the current RMS value, at different saturation levels are correlated to CT operating points on the V-I curve.

mrl I mx
Rm Lm

01$

RI [t

Lm Es imx imr RI Rm

magnetizing inductance CTsecondary voltage magnetizing current, realctivecomponent magnetizing current, active component CT load (burden) including lead resistance iron loss equivalent resistance

Figure 2. Current Transformer (CircuitDiagram To simplifi CT tr~sient analysis, the C~ equivalent circuit of Figure 2 can be simplified as shown in Figure 3. CT parameters Rp, Lp, and Rm can be neglected. In the following analysis Ls was also neglected, although in some cases it may be taken into consideration. Inter-winding capacitance can also be neglected at the frequencies of interest to protection studies [5]. @ Es is ~~1

Current source

Q ------i-
T
Rb=Rs+Rl

03~
l___l_ lL_l_l_l Jl --l---l--l--t-l-l-l-i+- 1 -1-L -1+ -11-1+ -,J -,-1-!,.

__

L__

L_

L_l_l t- -1-llll

LLl_l

-+++-l-l-lll + ~&a~~* - 1- --Ts-ipm

L-

with 1.5Q total load resistance ,

1111111 ill 1,-1.. , -1--1 -,* 111111 3:1: -, ,.

__L.

CTratio _f_l.

z
g

P +

------

Figure 3. CT Representation fo~~ansient Analysis (4) ~2 = -& (5)

1v

-----

---

----

____

J 1 1111!1 Ill ,01 1 J 1!. 1111

__

-L

_]_

,,

,,,

;W

CT time constant can be defined as

Rh The magnetizing branch Lm is a non-linear element. It can be estimated from the CT V-I characteristics which is readily available. The Rb value is alscl usually provided. Lm and Rb data is sufficient to develop CT models. The most important transient condition to be considered for CT operation is an asymmetric short circuit current since, due to the DC component, the CT will saturate at lower currents than for symmetrical short circuit currents. The short circuit current can be expressed as: i(l) = Z&.k[sin(ax+ a p) + sin(a fp)e ] where i(~ - current instantaneous value @ak - current peak value lx fault incidence angle - phase angle between vc)ltageand current T: - primary circuit time constant
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101

102
CT Prima~ Current[A] (referredto the secondary)

103

Figure 4. 600/5 A, C 100 Current Transformer Saturation

HI. METHODS FOR CT SELECTION The IEEE published two documents on CT performance and application. This section compares these documents and suggests modifications to their guidelines for CT selection. These methods estimate if a CT will saturate under fault conditions, but they do not indicate the intensity of saturation and its possible impact on relay operation. Additional analysis is required to study the impact of CT saturation on relay protection.
Method #1: To make CT transient analysis easier for users, the Power System Relaying Report 76-Chl 130-4 [2,3] includes guidelines for CT selection. R fh-st defines a saturation factor (K.s)as

(6)

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~,=fi=
-.r

Vk

(8)

v,

% &

n KS is the ratio of the CT saturation voltage (J%) to the CT

secondary voltage (Vs) for a symmetrical fault. A higher Ks value indicates a greater safety margin. Report [2] includes a family of Ks curves that can be used to estimate CT transient response based on the Ks value from which the time to CT saturation can be determined. Figure 5 shows an example of Ks curves for primary circuit time constant T ,=20 ms and current transformer time constants T2=0.1, 0.3, 0.6, 1, 2, and 10 s. If the Ks value exceecls the curve for a particular Tz, the CT will not saturate. T2 . 10 , 1 1111111 1111111 I 1111111 10 s ,,, ,!, ,, _ _-J_ LLl_lll ,. I I LIJIJl_. J 9 T1=20ms 1
Z %
-

Ks curves in reference [2] are developed based on Equation 12. Comparison of Ks curves for T1=20 ms and T,=l s obtained using Equation 11 with the Ks curve from reference [2] (Equation 12) is shown in Figure 6. The maximum value of Equation 11 defines the Ks above which the CT will not saturate. Therefore, a straight line was drawn starting from the maximum value. Also, the beginning part- of the Ks curves (dotted lines in Figures 5 and 6) are not drawn based on Equation 12 but were adjusted to represent more realistic CT response since Equation 12 g;ves more pessimistic results in that region. The report does not explain this adjustment.
1

8 7

-,-----11111111 -;------! 1 [11111

11111111 r ~
r t 1!

; a

6 r ~-+~~:{;:l-r

1111111

TTITITl--r

~,
~ m

11111/li

1?7?1?1?1--I !1111111 H1--++ 1 -+-+

~._ 7
7_____
)
1 ! 111111

0.3, 0.15

1111111 1 Ill Ill 1111111 r,T!

11111

TrT

?-?? l!l! I !

FITl~ 111

II

!+++l Iltlllll ? 1++.h4Hl---+ l/L LL14u

:EiLl&Mwdl
L-4LLLIL UI.. -! LL.AI. AI

++l+,+l---+ 111111! +1.+ 1-+1 ----!

-l-1

t-++,+, I 111111 4 +1l+l

10

100

1000

Time to Saturation

[ins]

10

100

1000

Time to Saturation

[ins]

Figure 6. Saturation Factor (Ks) Curves for T1=20 ms and T,=l S Figure 7 shows a family of Ks curves for T1=0.02, 0.04, 0.06, 0.08, and 0.1 s and TJ= 0.1, 1, and 10 s developed based on reference [2].

Figure 5. Saturation Factor (Ks) and Time to Saturation for Primary Circuit Time Ccmstant T,=20ms and Different Current Transformer Time Constants (TJ The procedure used to obtain Ks curves was as follows: Using the CT equivalent circuit of Figure 2, flux density in the CT core for a resistive burden was approximated with Equation 9:

Flux density at the saturation point is (lo)

CD nA

Setting B~=B(t)and rearranging yields

Time Constant T 1 [s]

n The second term of Equation 11 has a maximum vah~e for sin(cot)= -1. Therefore, the pessimistic value for Ks is:

Figure 7. Saturation Factor Curves vs. Primary Circuit (T,) and CT Time Constants (TJ Comments: Figure 7 indicates that for a CT with higher time constant T,, a higher value of Ks is required to avoid CT saturation. This is p@ correct since the CT time constant increases when Rb decreases. This incorrect result occurs because the variable Rb exists on both sides of Equation 12. When calculating Ks curves, only the Rb on the right side of Equation 12 was handled as a variable. However, when

K., = co ::TI(e-k-e-)+]

(12)

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applying Ks curves, this error becomes corrected because Ks must be first calculated from Equation 8, which includes Rb. For a CT, Ks is higher with a smaller Rb and Ks is smaller with a higher Rb. Ks is then checked against the Ks curves in Figure 7 and the results become more realistic. Even though the fwst part of the Ks curves was adjusted downward (dotted line, Figures 5 and 6), they still give more pessimistic results than actual CT transient response in that region.
Method #2: IEEE Std C37. 110-1996 [4] further simplifies

Figure 9 shows a C800 CT time to saturation for a fault 20 times the rated current, T1=0.02 s and Rb=O.5 Q and 1 Q. In this case, the CT will not saturate for Rb=O.5 Q but will saturate for Rb= 1 Q afler 50 ms. Figure 10 extends the results over a range of T1. 100C I I 1111111 I 1111 !111 I I 11111!1 I 1111111
900 ~ 800 _~~l_l~ll~l__l_l_l~l~l[_J I 11111111 I I I 1111111 11111 [11 _~~~l~l~l__l_l_l~l~l~_ I I 1111!11 I I JLIHlll__l_Ll_lulL i 1111111 I 11111!1 I I 1111111 1111111

k=Rb[+He-A 6)

CT transient analysis by assuming T, to be infinite on the right side of Equation 12. This re,duces Equation 12 to equation 13:
[

s :

I 1111111

600 -r

Ill

Trlnrr[-i-r7

lr-TITll
I TITltrI TITlllT,

lT]l-(-r!7
1 !111111 i-,-r I 1 !111111 I 1111111 ,nflm 1111111

.? g

~~o --,

,,,

,,,,,

Ks=coTI le

-L)

1 1111111 I 11111111 I-I LILIU 11111111

I 1111111

I I _l... I

l!ll

[11

From equation 13, time to saturation (t,) is

(J

1 +1

(13)
,(JO -LLLI Ill I-I

1 I [111111 LJLIAILIL 1 1 1111111

1! 11111 Ll_l UU [111111

,~3

,@2

,Wl Time to Saturation [s]

18

Id

ts=-T,.lrI

()
l-~

=-T,.in
aTI

1-.=.

-1
xl RI
(,4)

Figure 8. Method #3 to Estimate the CT Time to Saturation

900 800- ;;, ,!, ,,, ,, 11 ,,, ,, lll~~~f)
111111!

C800 CT

a! % =

600--:+;+~-~:~--- I 111111, ,111111 I I 11111 Rb=O.5f) TrITIT

T,=* mRI

where Xl and R, are primlary system reactance

~ .= ~ :

I I 300-l

I 1111111 lnrl-7-r I 1)1111 T7Trt I- Ttlittl---t 1*++I+HI--+* Tr17m itt-l-tltlt +*1+1+

i-1+1+ ,,, , 1, ALLL141A 1111,1, , I I , ,,, . &+

and resistance up to the fault. Equation 141 is included in [4]. Comments: In Equation 14, Tz was assumed to be infinite which suggests Lm+Ls=cc or Rb=O. ,Again, this assumption was applied only to Tz of Equation 12, not to Ks which is also dependent on Rb. This produces pessimistic results for CTS having small time constants such as auxiliary CTS and CTS with low saturation voltages. This is shown in the next section.
Proposed Method (Method #3): This paper proposes using

100[+4
I I

-1OC 10-3

l--t+t14ulu44 111111111, LUUl__l_LALl-l U l__ 11! 11111,,,, ,,, ,,, , , ! I ,, I I $ , I ,,, ,

(y2
to

1(P

Time

Saturation [s]

Vk instead of Ks (Equation 12) or t, (Equation 14) since it makes it easier to visualize how a CT will perform. For determining the CT time-to-saturation, the use of two equations (Equations 15 and 16) is also proposed. From Equation 11, Vk can be expressed as shown in Equation 15.

Figure 9. Method #3 to Estimate CT Time to Saturation (CT Class: C800, Fault current: 20 times the rated current, T1=0.02 s, CT Burden: 0.5 Q and 1 Q) -= ____ -l---~-11

I,lnw ....

-- - , .L-~
--~

r,

----,

----

-- ~ 120w l-,
.
~ s 1ooo- ! -.1 --T

A /
_!.
1--

- ;-- 1

--

-;-_

IfauM=20x I rated
C800 cl .-

?,---j --

k=R[++A-e-AFsin(u)l 15)
-!. -1
400 ---1 _U le

z .= ; J b

800 6oo- --

--;----i __________ I 1 .- ---.1 _ ,- Rb=l Q -! f:

/_;__ --l
I

J. --, I

-4

-~-l

--,

/7- -;--G
11 .=-_ -

Rb=0,5.0 __;
-_!

I I

--:--

2oo- -:
&i(/ .

:=.

-y
.-

__

where L =
n

ip

..-_e

--

--------

0.01

0,04

- -. -_ ----Q -

:____

0.06
0.04 0.02

0.03

0.02

0.01 0

To estimate CT time to saturation, Equation 15 is used as is, with sin(cot) until its first peak as shown in Figure 8, This gives more realistic CT response for this time range. After the first peak, sin(mt)=-1 is assumed which represents a pessimistic value as given in Equation 16.

PrimaryCircuit Time C.nsta.t (T]) [s]

Time to Saturation [s]

Figure

10.

C800 CT Time to Saturation Curves using Method #3 for a 20 Times Rated Current Fault vs. the CT Vk, Tl, and Rb=O.5 Q and Rb=l f2

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A comparison of Methods #1 and #2 to Method #3 is shown in Figure 11. Method #2 gives the most pessimistic results for CTS with lower Vk suggesting the CTS will saturate faster than in actual practice (the portion of the curve from 1 ms to 10 ms in Figure 11). Method #1 has slightly corrected this portion of the curve. Method #3 uses sin(ot) in this range which gives results closer to results obtained by testing actual CTS. Methc~d#2 also incorrectly suggests that in some CT applications, CTS need higher V~ to avoid saturation than Method #1 and Method #3 wlhich give more realistic results.

performed at different current levels. Figures 13 to 15 compare tested and simulated CT responses with Rb=2 Q and 6 kA and 10 kA faults with T1=30 ms. The tested and simulated waveforms are very similar, verifying the computer modeling. Figure 16 shows the simulated primary test current (24 kA full-offset) and the CT secondary current. The estimated time to saturation using these different methods are presented in Figure 17 and Table 1.
_r, 1111111 . .. . . I 1 1 1! -i 11111 1 1 111! 111 L---- 1 1111111 _--_! 1 1111111 1 1 111! 111 1 11111111 t 11111111 -1-l _lJ.lLI -t+l+l 1 1111!11 I --rrnt-ir 1 I 1 I I )11111

1200/5A CT
I 1 I

Tl-tl-rl--T I I -----

_LL1-! Ll!1 111111 I I 111111 11111!

tlllllt 111 {111 1111111

Itlllll 111111{! 11111111

_~~~lql]l::~:l:lg~l~l~

I I 111111 :1:~~11~1~ L_ J_ LL!_l LIL +-l-+tHt.ll HHEHE L ! ___ 111111 1111111 LIL ,,1, ,, r 1 1 I i 111111 1 111111 I 111111 t---l

l-l
II II

11111

..-

II II +-I
II

Illltl 111111 ----711111 111111 -t tlil+-111111 lLILIL --L 111111

L -L L LIIU I 11!1!1 I I - I 111111 _ I 1 Iltlll I I 111111 t -1- f-l-l+ i-i I 111111 I

.-

~ & z ? .LIJu __l_l_l -t-l+Htt -1-14HU l-++ -1-44 +l+l-tl-*U UI- I 1111111 1 1111111

-1-1+ +-l-l

+1+11--

L-I-! 4LIL! L-4l-&uu 1 _____ t 1111111 _____ I 1 1! 111111 I LIJl_(l-_J. -t_l_l LILIL__l_LL1-l 1111 ! 1411,,,,,, ,,!, Illllllf!tllllll -1,~?,?,r-~r+~v,

1 -. 1 1 ~.
II ++

1- Metimd #1 2- Method #2 3- Mcrimd #3 1111111 + *1+1+ --+

111111

-50 I I I $, ,111 1&3 l&2

111111111111

1 , I I lL~ 1~1

LLLIJU I 111111 ----I 111111 -I 1! 1111 1111111 -r-rrb7n Iltllll l-+ +1+1+ Iltllll

I 1! 11111 11111111 11! 1111!

1 I I

I I I

1111111 1111111 1111111

In

0.01

0.1
Current [A]

10

I lr@

Figure 12. V-I Curve for a 1200/5A CT

Time to $atrrration [s]

Figure 11. Comparison between Met!hod#3 and Methods #1 and #2 to Estimate CT Transient Behavior

IV. LABORATORY TESTS AND COMPUTER SIMULATIONS Paper [5] presented laboratory tests and computer simulations for a 600/5 A, C 100 CT and simulations for a 2000/5 A, C800 CT and demonstrated how tinle-tosaturation can be determined usin,g the three methods discussed in Section III. Paper [5] also included an example of time-to-saturation estimation for an auxiliary CT. This paper compares three methods 10 determine the timeto-saturation for a 1200/5 A current transformer for different fault current levels. Time-to-saturation curves are plotted in the same figure to demonstrate the impact of currents on CT saturation and show what CT saturation voltage is necessary to avoid saturation. Laboratory tests and computer simulations were performed. The ATP transient analysis program was used to simulate Cr transient behavior. Computer simulations were particularly usefid to investigate a CT transient behavior in the current range that was not tested in the laboratory. The transient responses of the CT models were compared to laboratory tests to confirm their accuracy.
4.1. 1200/5 A CT Transient Response
Figure

,1 , 1

1, ! t

,, 1

0.02 0.04 0.06 0.08 0.1

Time [s]

0.12 0.14 0.16

Figure 13. Recorded and Simulated Primary CT Test Current (10 kA, Fully Offset, T1=30 ms)
120
,00 --k

I
#!w--;---;

1
I

I
___l. I

I
I

loyx~=y__
I i

4--f+ --!---&---& --&--:---&--{ --_60--;

~40_-~ : ~ 20 --:
U 0 -{ -20 ---:
111,1,

-to - ~.; ----601

o

I i!
-----l___
,. --,

~--t

-,1

0.02

0.04

t 1 0.08 0.06 Time [s]

0.1

0.12

0.14

0.16

14.

Figure 12 shows the measured V-I curve for a 1200/5 A CT. Several laboratory tests with full-offset currents were
0-7803-7173-9/01/$10.00 2001 IEEE

Recorded and Simulated Secondary CT Current (10 kA, Fully Offset, T,=30 ms)

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70

60 50 40 $30 z g 20 k u 10 0 -lo -20 xl

-

Table 1. Time-to-Saturation for a 1200/5 A CT, T1=30 ms Time-to-Saturation [msl 6kA 10kA l2~kA 9* 4.0* - Method #1 [2] 23

W
0.02 0.04 0.06 0.08
Time [s]

* - Doted line region (approximated value)

J
6.5

2.0 6.7

0.1

0.12 O.1.t

Comments: Table 1 indicates that both Method #1 and Method #2 are more pessimistic than Method #3, whose results are closer to both tested and simulated results.

Figw-e 15. Recorded and Simulated Secondary CT Current (6 kA, Fully C)ffsct,T1=30 ms) 70 60 50 40 ~ 30 : ~ 20 5 u 10 0 -lo -20

V. CONCLUSIONS This paper compares two methods for selecting CTS published in IEEE documents on CT performance and application. Proposed modifications to these methods are suggested to make CT selection easier and to obtain a more realistic prediction of CT time-to-saturation. All three methods predict if a CT will saturate under fault conditions, but they do not indicate the intensity of the saturation or its possible impact on relay operation. Additional analysis is required to study the impact of CT saturation on relay protection.
References

& i2:m3
0 0.01 0.02 0.03 0.04 0.05 0.06 0.07 0.08 0,09
Time [s]

[1] C57. 13-1993 ANSI /IEEE Standard, Requirements For

Instrument Transformers. [2] Transient Response Of Current Transformers, Power System Relaying Report 76-Chl 130-4 PWR, IEEE Special Publication, 1976. [3] Transient Response of Current Transformers, IEEE Power System Relaying Committee, IEEE Trans. on Power Apparatus and Systems, Vol. 96, No. 6, 1977. [4] IEEE Std C37. 110-1996, IEEE Guide for the Application of Current Transformers Used for Protective Relaying Purposes. [5] Lj. A. Kojovic, Behavior of Current Transformers during Fault Conditions and Guidelines for their Selection for Protection Systems, 27thAnnual Western Power Relay Conference, October 24-26, 2000, Spokane, WA.

Figure 16. Simulated Primary ancl Secondary CT Currents (24 kA, Fully C)ffset,T1=30 ms)

2000 -+-I

I+HI+I - 24kA +

1+1 H--l

kl-l-l+l

-...
10 Time lmsl 100 1000 ------- ..

Biography Ljubomir A. Kojovic (SM 94) is Chief Power Systems

200
!lllllll! 111

10 Time [ins] ..

100

Figure

17. Estimated CT Time-to-Saturation using Methods #1, #2, and #3.

Engineer for Cooper Power Systems at the Thomas A. Edison Technical Center. He has a Ph.D. degree in power systems with specialties that include protective relaying, testing, digital modeling, and systems analysis. Dr. Kojovic is included on the roster of experts for United Nations Development Organization (UNIDO) and is a registered Professional Engineer in the State of Wisconsin. Dr. Kojovic has authored more than 100 technical papers.

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