### Current Transformer (CT): Overview, Working, Types, and Applications

A **Current Transformer (CT)** is an electrical device used to measure and monitor the current in high-
voltage circuits. It works on the principle of **electromagnetic induction** and is used primarily in
power systems to safely scale down high current values to a lower, manageable level. This allows for
accurate measurement, monitoring, and protection of electrical systems.

### Working Principle:

The working principle of a CT is based on **Faraday’s Law of Induction**, where a changing magnetic
field induces a current in a secondary coil. In a current transformer:

- The **primary coil** is the conductor (such as a power line) carrying the high current.

- The **secondary coil** is wound around a magnetic core and produces a proportionally reduced
current that is safe to measure and use for protection or metering.

When the primary current flows through the conductor (which acts as the primary winding), it generates
a magnetic flux. This flux induces a current in the secondary winding, and the ratio of the primary
current to the secondary current is determined by the turns ratio of the transformer.

#### Basic Equation:

\[

I_{secondary} = \frac{N_{primary}}{N_{secondary}} \times I_{primary}

\]

Where:

- \( I_{secondary} \) is the current in the secondary coil.

- \( N_{primary} \) and \( N_{secondary} \) are the number of turns in the primary and secondary
windings, respectively.

- \( I_{primary} \) is the current in the primary circuit.

The **turns ratio** determines the magnitude of current in the secondary coil. For instance, if the CT
has a turns ratio of 1000:1, it means that for every 1000 amperes in the primary circuit, the secondary
will have 1 ampere of current.

### Types of Current Transformers:

1. **Ring Type CT (or Toroidal CT):**

- **Description**: In this design, the primary conductor passes through the center of a doughnut-
shaped core, and the secondary winding is placed around the core. The current flowing through the
conductor induces a current in the secondary winding.

- **Advantages**: Easy installation, no need for additional primary connections, and suitable for
measuring current in busbars or cables.

- **Disadvantages**: Limited to measuring current and not suitable for protection applications that
require high accuracy.

2. **Bar Type CT:**

- **Description**: A bar-type CT has a primary conductor built into the core of the transformer. The
bar conductor passes through a magnetic core with a secondary winding.

- **Advantages**: Used for measuring large currents in power lines, usually in industrial applications.
It can handle high primary currents and is more robust.

- **Disadvantages**: Bulkier and may require more installation space than the ring type.

3. **Window Type CT:**

- **Description**: Similar to the ring-type CT but with a larger window. The primary conductor passes
through the window and is inductively coupled to the secondary winding around the core.

- **Advantages**: Flexible, easy to install in already existing systems. Suitable for monitoring current
in a wide range of applications.

- **Disadvantages**: Like ring-type CTs, they are typically less accurate than CTs designed for high-
precision protection.
4. **Protective CT:**

- **Description**: Designed for fault detection and protection, these CTs provide accurate
measurements with low error. They are often used in circuit breakers or relay systems to trigger actions
during overloads or short circuits.

- **Advantages**: High accuracy, designed for protection and fault detection.

- **Disadvantages**: Can be expensive and require careful calibration.

5. **Measuring CT:**

- **Description**: Primarily used in metering applications to measure current flowing through a

conductor for energy calculation purposes.

- **Advantages**: Provides high accuracy for metering. It typically has low error and can be used for
precise current measurements.

- **Disadvantages**: Not suitable for protection or fault detection as they are designed to minimize
errors in current measurement.

### Characteristics of Current Transformers:

- **Accuracy Class**: The accuracy of a CT is defined by its "accuracy class" (e.g., 0.2, 0.5, 1.0), indicating
how well it reproduces the primary current in the secondary circuit.

- **Burden**: The load or resistance connected to the secondary circuit of a CT is called the burden. It is
typically measured in ohms or VA (volt-amperes).

- **Saturation**: A CT may saturate if the primary current exceeds the rated current, which leads to
incorrect readings or failure to protect. Careful selection of CT ratings is required to avoid saturation.

- **Rated Current**: The maximum current the CT can handle without damaging its internal
components. For instance, a 100:5 CT means that when 100 A flows in the primary, 5 A will flow in the
secondary.

### Applications of Current Transformers:

1. **Current Measurement and Metering**:

CTs are widely used in power generation, distribution, and consumption systems for metering. The
scaled-down secondary current allows for safe, accurate measurement of high currents that are
common in industrial and commercial systems.

2. **Protection Systems**:

CTs are integral to **overcurrent protection** and **differential protection** schemes. They are used
in conjunction with protective relays to detect faults such as short circuits, overloads, and ground faults.
When a fault condition occurs, the CT detects the fault current, and the protective relay activates,
disconnecting the faulty circuit.

3. **Monitoring and Control**:

In smart grids and industrial automation, CTs are used for monitoring power usage, load balancing, and
performance analysis. They help in identifying load trends and optimizing energy consumption.

4. **Power Systems and Substations**:

CTs are used in substations to monitor high-voltage current flows and to ensure proper operation and
protection of transformers, circuit breakers, and other substation equipment.

5. **Power Quality Analysis**:

CTs, in conjunction with power analyzers, are used to measure and monitor the quality of electrical
power. This includes identifying harmonics, power factor, and other factors affecting the efficiency of
the electrical system.

### Advantages of Current Transformers:

- **Safety**: CTs allow the measurement of high currents in a safe manner, as the secondary current is
at a much lower and manageable level.

- **Accurate Monitoring**: Provide precise current measurements for both energy metering and
protection.

- **Compact Design**: Especially in ring-type designs, CTs are compact and easy to install.
- **Cost-Effective**: They are relatively inexpensive compared to directly measuring high currents with
instruments like ammeters.

### Disadvantages of Current Transformers:

- **Saturation**: CTs can saturate under extreme current conditions, causing inaccuracies. Proper
selection is needed to avoid saturation.

- **Burden Sensitivity**: The performance of a CT can degrade if the connected burden is too large or
too small.

- **Accuracy Limits**: Although CTs provide high accuracy, they still have some margin of error,
especially under non-ideal conditions.

### Conclusion:

Current transformers are essential for the safe, accurate measurement and protection of electrical
systems. By scaling down high currents to lower, manageable values, CTs allow for precise monitoring,
metering, and protection. Their use is vital in ensuring the reliable operation of electrical infrastructure,
from power generation to consumption, while minimizing the risk of electrical faults and damage to
equipment.