TESTING

OF
CURRENT TRANSFORMERS
POTENTIAL TRANSFORMERS
 Terms & Definitions regarding CTs
 Rated primary current: value of primary current on which
primary performance of CT is specified .
Rated primary current is assigned after conducting heat
run tests
 Rated short time current(primary) : r.m.s value of a.c.
component which CT can carry for rated time without
damage due to thermal or electro-dynamic stresses.
 Rated secondary current: value of secondary current ,
marked on rating plate
 Current error or ratio error: %age error in magnitude of
secondary current is defined in terms of current error.
 Phase angle error: phase angle between primary current
vector and reversed secondary current vector
 Accuracy class: class assigned to CT with specified limits
of ratio error and phase angle error
 Over current factor: ratio of rated short time current to
rated primary current
 Insulation level (primary) : insulation level of CT refers to
withstand values of
--- power frequency withstand voltage
--- impulse withstand voltage
 Tests on current transformers

Two type of tests on current transformers :

1. Type Test
2. Routine Test
 Tests on current transformers
Type tests as per IS
 The following tests are type tests
 a) verification of terminal markings and polarities
 b) short-time current tests
 c) temperature rise test
 d) impulse voltage test on primary
 e) power frequency voltage withstand test on primary
 f) error measurement
 g) overvoltage inter-turn test
 Tests on current transformers
Routine tests as per IS

The following tests apply to each individual CT

a) verification of terminal markings and polarities
b) high voltage power-frequency voltage withstand test on
secondary
c) inter-turn overvoltage test
d) determination of errors and accuracy class

--- Order of tests is not standardized, but determination of

errors shall be performed after other tests
 Special tests

 Following tests are performed upon agreement between

manufacturer and purchaser:
 a) chopped lightning impulse test
 b) measurement of capacitance and dielectric dissipation
factor
 c) multiple chopped impulse test on primary winding
 d) mechanical tests
 e) measurement of transmitted over-voltages
 Temperature-rise test IS
 CT shall be deemed to have attained a steady
temperature when rate of temperature rise does not
exceed 1 K per hour.
 Test-site ambient temp. shall be between 10 °C and 30 °C.
 CT shall be mounted in a manner representative of
mounting in service.
 Temperature rise of windings shall be measured by
increase in resistance method, but for windings of very low
resistance, thermocouples may be employed.
 Temperature rise of parts other than windings may be
measured by thermometers or thermocouples.
 The power-frequency withstand test
as per IEC 60060-1.
 Test voltage shall have appropriate value depending on
the highest voltage for equipment.
 The duration shall be 60 s.
 Test voltage shall be applied between short-circuited
primary winding and earth. The short-circuited secondary
winding(s), frame, case (if any) and core (if there is a
special earth terminal) shall be connected to earth.
 Impulse tests on primary winding IS
 General: Impulse test is performed in accordance with IEC
60060-1.
 Test voltage is applied between terminals of primary
winding (connected together) and earth. frame, core and
all terminals of secondary windings are connected to earth.
 impulse tests consist of voltage application at reference
and rated voltage levels. reference impulse voltage shall be
between 50 % and 75 % of rated impulse withstand
voltage. peak value and wave-shape of impulse shall be
recorded.
 Evidence of insulation failure due to test may be given by
variation in wave-shape at both reference and rated
withstand voltage. .
 Tests on current transformers
 Error measurement:
1. Direct method– 2 ammeters are used . One for primary
current and other for secondary current
2. Comparison method—a sub-standard CT is taken,
whose errors are known. CT under test is compared with
sub-standard CT.
 Turns ratio test:
measure magnitudes of primary and secondary currents
near rated secondary current with a low value of
secondary burden.
 Exciting currents:
 measured for several secondary e.m.f.
 Apply voltage to secondary winding , primary and other
windings being open circuited.
 Routine tests
Verification of terminal markings and polarity
IS
 It shall be verified that the terminal markings are correct
 Polarity test:
 If at any instant, current is entering primary from P1 ,the
current should leave secondary from terminal S1.
 when key is pressed , current enters the primary thru P1,
voltmeter connected should read positive.
 Polarity of CT and connections: polarity gives relative
instantaneous directions of currents in primary and
secondary leads. In BS-3938 polarity of CT is marked as
 P1 and P2 S1and S2
 If current flows from P1 to P2 then current will flow from S1
to S2 thru ammeter.
 Partial discharge test
 Procedure A: the partial discharge test voltages are
reached while decreasing the voltage after the power-
frequency withstand test.
 Procedure B: the partial discharge test is performed after
the power-frequency withstand test. The applied voltage
is raised to 80 % of the power-frequency withstand
voltage, maintained for not less than 60 s, then reduced
without interruption to the specified partial discharge test
voltages
 Insulation tests: these are conducted as per BS/IS/IEC
 For primary circuit test ,Specified Power frequency
voltage is applied to primary for one minute.
 For secondary circuit test, voltage of 2kv , 50 Hz is
applied for one minute between secondary terminals and
earth.
 Impulse tests are conducted on hv CTs.
 Over voltage inter-turn test:
 Sec winding is open circuited. Rated frequency ,rated
primary current is flown thru primary for one min .
 Secondary winding is then checked to see if insulation
has passed the test.
THANKS